RI Governor Supporting 2 Fish Options: Email Campaign NOW
 

Sources are reporting that the Governor of RI is leaning on RI DEM to allow 2 Striped Bass for anglers on board a for hire trip.

Its time for RI residents to contact your Governor and let her know you want 1 fish @ 28" for all. Don't waste your time if you are not a RI resident. It's obvious the RI For Hire Fleet has been working on their Governor BUT it is very possible to educated the Governor on the will of the people, especially how controversial this issue has become. Governors don't like fish controversy.

I suggest the following messages:

1 regulation for all citizens, Fair i fair. Why is she supporting less fish for RI residents? Why risk further restrictions when the industry made plenty of money under the 1 @ 28" regulation? Whys is she ignoring the clear will of the majority of RI residents?

CALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FISHING BUDDIES WITHIN RI-POST EVERYWHERE--SPAM THE WORLD

Link to the page to submit a form email:
http://www.governor.ri.gov/contact/

Phone number to the office is: 401-222-2080

Will do - thanks for the heads up.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y25...ps5fbtwfzw.png
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As long as they read them the message will get through

That was easy

Another letter sent.

done.

they do read, tally and if you read through the public comment letters(just got done reading through all of them)..they highlight your sentiment and other pertinent info so this does have a great effect....the meeting and final decision is Monday March 2nd...please get your comments to the GOVERNOR ahead of the meeting........


I was struck reading through the comments that the common sentiment among RI recs and some long time charter captains was a recognition of the decline, concern for the future and desire for simple and consistent rules governing the Striped Bass, didn't see that in the opposing views....I did find some letters from the mythical charter client who will go elsewhere or not fish(not sure where as Ct and Mass are leaning heavily 1 fish all modes) if they can't keep their 2 bass per angler on a RI trip.....I was befuddled that an individual would either not take or relocate a vacation with family and/or friends over the ability or "perception" of 1 fish or the fillets of 1 fish...REALLY? that's a deal breaker?...pretty sure you can still catch as many as you want.....I'm finding less and less sympathy for the argument all the time...some other interesting stuff in there if you have the time to read but please get your comments to the GOVERNOR today and tomorrow

MEETING NOTICE
March 2, 2015 – 6:00 PM
URI Narragansett Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium
South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI

some just had a first name and no additional info like address etc...so maybe :laughs:...that's was a funny reply though, thanks for making me laugh

Who makes the FINAL decision?
Does the state recommend to the asmfc and THEY decide?
Or does each state simply inform the asmfc of its "recommendation"(decision)
Just curious
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RI Marine Fisheries Council Meets Monday, Janet Coit Director
Rhode Island DEM makes the final decision for RI following that meeting....I believe that is accurate

I sent a letter to the Governor and one to Janet Coit.

RI DEM decides from the list of options already submitted and approved by the ASMFC.

FYI the governor appoints the director / which our new gover G/R just reappointed her about 10 days ago . OH Janet Coit [Director\ :hidin:

letter sent ,

Scott where did you go to read other comments ????

Email sent
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Done

they are included in the E-packet in the DEM website...enjoy...I like the ones that say they'll lose interest in the fishery if they can't kill two bass and won't come to RI...
hey life long fisherman, we have nice golf courses and strip clubs too!

directly- http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatr...ts/030215e.pdf

all- http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatr...ld/mfagidx.htm

Lost intrest is good actually what a dumb thing to say...
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here's the thing...some of these charters advertising leads clients to believe that it's what they should expect...these pics are from "1" RI charter boat's website offering "Full day, half day and evening charters are available for up to six passengers." also "Rhode Island's Finest"...there are no pic of people having fun reeling in fish, certainly no release pics ..just holding dead ones on the dock or back of the boat..in many cases piles of dead fish in the back of the boat....if this is how you present your business, the folks that you attract are going to expect this and will be disappointed if you don't produce this...that is the great fear that many of them have, they measure their ability by the frequency that they put the keep limit of any species on the deck....funny as the site has a link to a letter that the owners penned regarding the SB debate in which you find this quote..."You recreational fisherman should be ashamed of yourselves."

Was sarcasm scott, i agree whole heartedly with your above statement.
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got that....I'd argue that they are likely losing business from fishermen, potential clients that may be turned off....and in many cases they've created the monsters that they are now begging an exception for

Why don't you just worry about yourself😊
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Why don't you... Oh wait.
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If a bussiness needs special regulations to stay in bussiness (for hire sector two fish VS one fish for other recreationals) it needs to evolve or die. The government should not change the rules to keep them in business. Should the government enact regulations to keep tv repairmen and blacksmiths occupied? I don't think so evolve or die
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When regulations change , and especially when there are different options that heoretically have the same net effect , the government often takes into account how will it affect businesses . Good or bad .
This thread is about RI, which I admit I'm no expert , but be careful throwing out blanket condemnation of those you may no little about .
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The reductions asmfc are taking now are in reality around 18.5% there will be more cuts after the next stock assessment, start evolving
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Also, mako mike said the same thing in 2013 thread, that even if all states went to 1 fish, we'd still be looking at closed seasons
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By evolving I mean this. If a charter operator is just selling dead fis he or she is doomed to fail. Charter boat operators must learn to sell the experience of fishing.
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Its so unbelievable that some view selling a striped-bass charter trip as "a fun, adventurous experience" as a challenging uphill battle.

its too damn easy... requires such a minimal shift in marketing. minimal.
I already have several strategies in mind (if i were a charter captain). How did I come up with these ideas? BY THINKING LIKE A CUSTOMER instead of captain.

I'm not really sure anymore if these discussions we are having are indicative of most charter captain's view, or of the views of a very few particular individuals who have lost hope and have already bought into their future failure before trying.

Attitude is everything.

A call girl sells the experience.
A hooker sells the meat.
Just saying. ....☺
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correction..............the council will vote(tonight hopefully) and I believe the Director has the ability to either accept or override

I'm worried about the fishery Buck... you know, if the road near your house that was 50 mph had become congested over time and it reached a point where a meeting was called to address the problem and it was determined that everyone was going to drive 25 mph on that stretch of road to address the issue ....but one user group, let's say taxis, were arguing that their out of town clients whom they shuttled to and from the airport would never accept going only 25 because they were always in a hurry needed at least the expectation of the ability to get their destination faster or they wouldn't use the service causing great economic impact to the region and putting some of them out of business. Also that, through acceleration equivalence, "for-hires" actually be would be much safer than recreational drivers because they are on the road more naturally making them better drivers, so for them, 50 is not much different than 25 . Would you be on board with that argument?


my personal belief is that the move to 1 fish is long overdue...and that it should always be 1 bass going forward...this is our best opportunity and we won't get another for some time.......we know that the fishing pressure will continue to increase, the technology will continue to improve and the bass population is not exactly exploding...they are quickly and easily exploited wherever they show up(shore and sea)...it's harder and harder to calculate what the effect will be in the future when schools get hammered relentlessly as has been pointed out but we know it can't possibly be a positive....as a Rhode Islander, I don't want out of state clients of and in taxis going 50 mph down the road by my house marked 25 mph for everyone else, they can drive 50 down their own street in their own town and cause whatever problems that ensue...I'm not going to their state to try to dictate what their laws and regulations should be or threatening not to visit if they don't accommodate me by treating me differently than their own residents......not hard to understand is it?

Charter boats are not the problem Scott… You guys are driving up the wrong road.
I guess you got to take some sort of a stand to feel good and this is the battle a lot of you chose to fight. Do what makes you happy but it most likely isn't going to make any difference except make it a little not more difficult for guys that are already having a difficult time.
As far as selling the experience,...believe me, everyone of the charterboats tries very hard to sell the experience each and every trip . Those that don't are not in business for long. If you do multi species charters such as cod , tuna and shark you need an offshore boat. I larger boat. These charterboats are not comparable to skiffs and inshore boats and thus do not offer the same experience as inshore flyfishing with one or two clients nor do our customers want that same experience.
Some of the comparisons to tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys are silly.
I'm not even sure if you can eat Tarpon if you wanted to.
Anyways buddy, I guess I'll just watch this play out and we will deal with it like any other regulation that hurts business. And we have been handed a lot of those.
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agreed(not the "only" problem as all user groups are "the" problem), they are, or can be, part of the solution....there is only 1 thing being voted on toight re:striped bass and that's option #1 vs option#2...there are plenty of problems, this just happens to be the one being addressed currently and charter boats(or their clients) are the only user group lobbying for an exception

Just read a commentary in today's ProJo oped entitled "SOS for Striped Bass in RI" by Charlie Gregory. The article supports one fish at 28" for all recreational fishermen, and explains why in layman terms. Good to see a favorable comment in the press for the general public.
Thanks, Charlie.

Curious as to how bad it's going to have to be before you change your stance?
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I'm not . I'm for a reduction equal to yours . 25%
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Here is the response I received from the letter I wrote to the RI Governor:

Dear Paul,



Thank you for contacting Governor Raimondo’s office regarding striped bass regulations. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out.



Striped bass are very important to Rhode Island and our fishermen. Governor Raimondo has been seeking input from the Department of Environmental Management on the issue, and understands the significance of the Department’s pending regulatory decision. DEM has received many public comments, which have been incorporated into the public record. Yesterday the RI Marine Fisheries Council met to formulate a recommendation to the DEM Director. The Director will then make the final decision.



Thanks again for reaching out. As always we welcome your thoughts, ideas, and concerns and encourage you to share them with us.



Sincerely,





Brad Inman

Director of Constituent Services

Office of Governor Gina M. Raimondo

State House, Room 115

Providence, RI 02903

(401) 222-2080