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Kudos to Jim White
Lets see... its been 3 or 4 years now that i have been saying this.... Im sad that I was right..
This is the letter that I sent to Mr. Beal of the ASMFC. The meeting is coming on March 23rd so time is of the essence. You can use the cut and paste letter that was sent out or you can refer to my letter is you so choose. We need to get as many e mails sent as possible in the next five or six days. the striped bass need our help. Thanks. Captain Jim White F/V White Ghost-2 Dear Mr. Beal: My name is Captain Jim White. I own and operate the F/V White Ghost-2 in Rhode Island. I have been fishing for striped bass for more than 50-years and I lived the last crash of this fishery. It is my professional opinion that we are once again heading towards another crash in the very near future. I have extremely accurate records dating back to the 19960's. My log book shows that from 2006, which is the same date that MRFSS cites, I landed 2,600 fish that season. In 2010, that number has dropped to 487. The 70-percent decline in the numbers of recreational caught fish, is exactly the same as mine. The worst part is that the decline has taken place with the smaller fish. Fish less than 23-inches in length. They are almost non-existent in our waters now and have decline drastically over the last five years. We once had a robust winter fishery here in Rhode Island. That fishery is now gone. This past year that decline has also taken place in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and likely elsewhere. I assure you that this is not the ranting of some lunatic recreational angler. I consider myself a commercial fishermen by all accounts. I've seen and looked at this problem from both sides. It's ridiculous to blame one group over the other at this point. If the striped bass population crashes again, everyone will loose, both groups. And, I've lived this once already, and the warning signs are the same as they were in the late 70's and early 80's. I know that there are lots of theory's out there as to why we aren't seeing any small striped bass. One being touted is the movement of striped bass to offshore waters. Having fished for tuna fish the last seven or eight years, I agree that a large portion of the stock has moved or migrated offshore. However, these are still LARGER SIZED FISH. Not school size fish. Inshore, there aren't any small bass what so ever to speak of. Once those bigger fish are gone, that's the end of this fishery. There are also three other factors this time that we didn't have to deal with the last time the stock crashed. Today, there is no closed season on fishing for striped bass, not even in their wintering grounds off the Carolina's. It's become a 24-7>>365 days per year fishery with no escape. No species on earth could withstand that kind of pressure. Not ONE!!!! Mycobacteriosis is also taking its toll on these fish. With 70-percent of the stock infected it doesn't bode well for their survival. Add to all that a lack of baitfish up and down the coast and you have a recipe for disaster. I urge you in the strongest, possible, terms to support a reduction in the numbers of fish being taken immediately. The lost of this fish will result in the entire spotfishing industry being wiped out. I've worked in a bait shop for over 15-years and I can tell you with certainty that without the striped bass, those businesses will go under. Striped bass fishing is where the money is for bait and tackle shops. One last thing, when MRFSS Data is cited for other species like fluke, scup, sea bass, tautog, etc. the data is used almost immediately to reduce mortality on the species involved. I don't understand why, when the MRFSS Data shows a seventy percent decline in catch effort for striped bass that no one pays any attention to it. I would be happy to present to the Commission any and all data that I have in my possession and to give my professional opinion on what is happening, especially in Rhode Island. I also hold a BS Degree in Marine Science as well as having researched, written and published many articles on the subject. I also lead the group here in RI in 1982, to get then Congresswomen Claudine Schneider (R) to write and submit House Bill 4884 that was presented to the 98th Congress. That bill lead to the higher size limits and the eventual moratororium on striped bass, as well as the late Senator John Chaffee (R) lobbying for research money to study the striped bass issue. Thank you for your time and trouble in regard to this matter. I hope to hear from you in the near future about what the Commission will do at their up coming meeting this month. Sincerely, Captain Jim White F/V White Ghost-2 43 York Drive, Coventry, RI 02816 |
Thank you Captain White. I just read this to the wife, first thing she said is people shouldn't be allowed to take to many... Something needs to be done, obviously, about this and I know guys here on S-B feel strongly about this. What can we do? Gamefish for RI, one at 36??
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device |
atta boy Jimmy /lets hope better late never //
Nebe more like 7++ |
I noticed a drop the year before the Pogies hit providence in abundance. Then the year of the pogie, I was convinced we were on a downward trend.... But I am no expert
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device |
i'm not sure he correlated the bass being off shore due to the lack of bait
but don't mind me -i'm rather sleepy racoon's woke me and the dingo up |
Lots of stuff messed up. From YOY to Myco. Few small fish. Check for tYpOs, reword, and send in. We also need to find out more on what it is about... Allocation? Species review?
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good job jim! here's mine...
Dear Mr. Beal, I realize that the ASMFC uses the best available #'s and science, but i use the eyeball test of MANY very experienced anglers (many with over 30 yrs on the water) they ALL see the species in trouble. Please don't forget the myco situation which affects as many as 75% of one of our most important breeding stocks. I strongly support the proposal by the Maine Department of Natural Resources that asks the Striped Bass Management Board to create an addendum to reduce coastwide mortality on striped bass. I am aware this is an agenda item for the Striped Bass Management Board at the ASMFC Winter/Spring 2011 Meeting in Alexandria, Virginia on March 23. I want to go on record as supporting this proposal and I urge the Striped Bass Management Board to take positive action to move forward with generating a new addendum to Amendment 6 of the Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass that will address reducing coastwide striped bass mortality as soon as possible. Thank you. Signed, Donald Guimelli |
OK - got this off the SNSA list:
We apologize for the short notice on this Call For Action, but it is a chance for you to have a positive influence on how striped bass are managed. All indications and data suggest that the coastwide recreational catch of striped bass has been declining since 2006 – an eye-popping 70% drop in just 5 years. Add to that the poor spawning year classes since 2003, and the resulting lack of recruitment of young fish into the population, and the future does not look very promising. The striped bass population is being propped up by the good year classes of late 1990’s, plus 2001 and 2003, but if these now legal bass are overfished, as they are being now, and are not replaced, we could witness an epic crash in the striped bass population over the next 5-10 years. There are real problems with the fisheries management plan for striped bass and it all starts with commercial and recreational fishing mortality rates that are too high, and triggers for management board action that are unrealistic. Action by the Striped Bass Management Board is like turning an ocean liner – it takes forever. So while the population continues to decline precipitously, the Striped Bass Management Board appears to be unresponsive. All of this scares the daylights out of us at Stripers Forever, and is all the more reason why gamefish status for striped bass is critical. But there is something you can do to help – RIGHT NOW! On Wednesday March 23, 2011, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board will hold their winter/spring 2011 meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia. Stripers Forever learned recently of a very important agenda item for this board meeting which is a proposal by the Maine Department of Natural Resources requesting that the board consider initiating an addendum to the Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass to reduce coastwide mortality on striped bass. Other state marine fisheries directors, including Massachusetts, are recognizing the problems with the striped bass population and the lack of response from the management board. The board will be discussing this agenda item and taking possible action next week. It is unknown how many states will support this proposal, but we need as many fishermen as possible to urge your own state’s representative to the Striped Bass Management Board to support it. We also need you to contact the ASMFC directly in support of this proposal. Attached is a PDF file with all the members of the Striped Bass Management Board. We suggest you start by emailing your own state director, then other board members from your state if possible. It is critical for you to email Robert Beal, the ASMFC’s interstate fisheries management plan coordinator for striped bass at rbeal@asmfc.org. Here is some sample language. Please cut and paste it into an email and send it to as many of your state’s representatives on the Striped Bass Management Board as you can, as well as Robert Beal at the ASMFC. Quote:
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Send this info to the committee members of your state (on next post):
ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS BOARD REP. DENNIS ABBOTT 199 ASH SWAMP RD NEWMARKET, NH 03857-2073 E-Mail denevel@comcast.net Tel: 603 - 659-3175 Fax: Position: Commissioner, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- WILLIAM A. ADLER PO BOX 397 GREEN HARBOR, MA 02041-0397 E-Mail bill.adler@lobstermen.com Tel: 781 - 545-6984 Fax: 781 - 545-7837 Position: Commissioner, Gov. Appoint ------------------------------------------------------------------- ASM. NELSON T. ALBANO 1028 E LANDIS AVE VINELAND, NJ 08360-4041 E-Mail AsmAlbano@njleg.org Tel: 856 - 696-7109 Fax: 856 - 696-7159 Position: Commissioner, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- MARK ALEXANDER CT DEP MARINE FISHERIES DIV. PO BOX 719 OLD LYME, CT 06371-0719 E-Mail mark.alexander@ct.gov Tel: 860 - 434-6043 Fax: 860 - 434-6150 Position: Proxy, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHN A. ARWAY PA FBC PO BOX 67000 HARRISBURG, PA 17106-7000 E-Mail jarway@state.pa.us Tel: 717 - 705-7801 Fax: 717 - 705-7802 Position: Commissioner, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- PAT H. AUGUSTINE 25 STUART DR. CORAM, NY 11727-1918 E-Mail paugustine3@verizon.net Tel: 631 - 928-1524 Fax: 631 - 928-3540 Position: Commissioner, Gov. Appoint ------------------------------------------------------------------- ROBERT BALLOU RI DIV OF FISH & WILDLIFE 3 FORT WETHERILL RD JAMESTOWN, RI 02835 E-Mail robert.ballou@dem.ri.gov Tel: 401 - 423-1926 Fax: 401 - 423-1925 Position: Commissioner, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- KURT BLANCHARD RI DEM LAW ENFORCEMENT 235 PROMENADE ST. STE. 250 PROVIDENCE, RI 02908-5734 E-Mail kurt.blanchard@dem.ri.gov Tel: 401 - 222-3070 Fax: 401 - 222-6823 Position: Liaison, LEC Rep. ------------------------------------------------------------------- STEVEN G. BOWMAN VMRC 2600 WASHINGTON AVE, 3RD FL NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23607-4317 E-Mail steve.bowman@mrc.virginia.gov Tel: 757 - 247-2205 Fax: 757 - 247-2020 Position: Commissioner, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- A.C. CARPENTER PRFC PO BOX 9 COLONIAL BEACH, VA 22443-0009 E-Mail ac.prfc@verizon.net Tel: 804 - 224-7148 Fax: 804 - 224-2712 Position: ------------------------------------------------------------------- SEN. RICHARD F. COLBURN DISTRICT OFFICE 5210 HERON RD CAMBRIDGE, MD 21613-3572 E-Mail richard.colburn@senate.state.md.us Tel: 410 - 228-1137 Fax: 410 - 376-3737 Position: Commissioner, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- BILL COLE 406 PENROSE CT GREENSBORO, NC 27410-3114 E-Mail wcole1976@triad.rr.com Tel: 336 - 294-3919 Fax: Position: Commissioner, Gov. Appoint ------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, July 02, 2010 Page 1 of 5 ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS BOARD BRIAN CULHANE 98 CLEVELAND AVE SAYVILLE, NY 11782-1325 E-Mail b-culhane@excite.com Tel: 631 - 563-7866 Fax: Position: Proxy, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- SEN. DENNIS S. DAMON ME SENATE DISTRICT 5 256 OAK POINT RD TRENTON, ME 04605-6113 E-Mail dsdamon@panax.com Tel: 207 - 287-1515 Fax: 207 - 287-1585 Position: Commissioner, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- CATHERINE W. DAVENPORT 1005 POPLAR NECK ROAD WHITE STONE, VA 22578-2122 E-Mail dymer@kaballero.com Tel: 804 - 435-2173 Fax: Position: Commissioner, Gov. Appoint ------------------------------------------------------------------- PAUL DIODATI MA DMF 251 CAUSEWAY ST #400 BOSTON, MA 02114-2153 E-Mail paul.diodati@state.ma.us Tel: 617 - 626-1530 Fax: 617 - 626-1509 Position: Commissioner, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- RUSSELL DIZE PO BOX 165 TILGHMAN, MD 21671-0165 E-Mail mjdize@verizon.net Tel: 410 - 886-2249 Fax: 410 - 841-3086 Position: Proxy, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- DR. MICHELLE DUVAL NC DMF PO BOX 769 MOREHEAD CITY, NC 28557-0769 E-Mail michelle.duval@ncdenr.gov Tel: 252 - 726-7021 Fax: 252 - 726-0254 Position: Proxy, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- PATRICK J. EMORY DE DFW 89 KINGS HIGHWAY DOVER, DE 19901-7305 E-Mail patrick.emory@state.de.us Tel: 302 - 739-9910 Fax: 302 - 739-6151 Position: Commissioner, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- GILBERT H. EWING, JR. 6 SUMMER CIRCLE CAPE MAY, NJ 08204-4478 E-Mail ewingjr@comcast.net Tel: 609 - 425-8575 Fax: Position: Proxy, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- TOM FOTE 22 CRUISER COURT TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753-6246 E-Mail tfote@jcaa.org Tel: 732 - 270-9102 Fax: 732 - 506-6409 Position: Commissioner, Gov. Appoint ------------------------------------------------------------------- DR. JAIME GEIGER USFWS, REGION 5 300 WESTGATE CENTER DRIVE HADLEY, MA 01035-9587 E-Mail jaime_geiger@fws.gov Tel: 413 - 253-8500 Fax: 413 - 253-8488 Position: ------------------------------------------------------------------- MARK GIBSON RI DFW MARINE FISHERIES OFFICE 3 FORT WETHERILL RD JAMESTOWN, RI 02835-2907 E-Mail mark.gibson@dem.ri.gov Tel: 401 - 423-1935 Fax: 401 - 423-1925 Position: ------------------------------------------------------------------- JAMES GILMORE NYS DEC MARINE RESOURCES 205 N BELLE MEAD RD, STE 1 E SETAUKET, NY 11733-3456 E-Mail jjgilmor@gw.dec.state.ny.us Tel: 631 - 444-0430 Fax: 631 - 444-0434 Position: Commissioner, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, July 02, 2010 Page 2 of 5 ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS BOARD WILLIAM GOLDSBOROUGH CBF 6 HERNDON AVE ANNAPOLIS, MD 21403-4503 E-Mail bgoldsborough@cbf.org Tel: 410 - 268-8816 Fax: 410 - 268-6687 Position: Commissioner, Gov. Appoint ------------------------------------------------------------------- DOUGLAS GROUT NH FGD, MARINE FISHERIES 225 MAIN STREET DURHAM, NH 03824-4732 E-Mail douglas.grout@wildlife.nh.gov Tel: 603 - 868-1095 Fax: 603 - 868-3305 Position: Commissioner, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- MIKE JOHNSON PO BOX 9 WANCHESE, NC 27981-0009 E-Mail mikej@darenc.com Fax: 252 - 441-2443 Position: Proxy, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- SEN. OWEN H. JOHNSON 23-24 ARGYLE SQUARE BABYLON, NY 11702-2712 E-Mail ojohnson@senate.state.ny.us Tel: 631 - 669-9200 Fax: 631 - 669-9007 Position: Commissioner, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- BRYAN KING DC FISHERIES & WILDLIFE DEPT OF ENVIRONMENT 51 N ST NE #5002 WASHINGTON, DC 20002-3323 E-Mail bryan.king@dc.gov Tel: 202 - 535-2266 Fax: 202 - 535-1373 Position: ------------------------------------------------------------------- DR. EUGENE J. KRAY 325 STAGHORN WAY WEST CHESTER, PA 19380-5113 E-Mail sigma58@aol.com Tel: 610 - 692-7281 Fax: 610 - 692-9025 Position: Proxy, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- GEORGE D. LAPOINTE ME DMR 21 STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, ME 04333-0021 E-Mail george.lapointe@maine.gov Tel: 207 - 624-6553 Fax: 207 - 624-6024 Position: Commissioner, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- DEL. LYNWOOD W. LEWIS, JR. VA HOUSE OF DELEGATES PO BOX 760 23349 CROSS ST ACCOMAC, VA 23301-0760 E-Mail Delllewis@house.state.va.us Tel: 757 - 787-1094 Fax: 757 - 787-2749 Position: Commissioner, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- DR. LOREN W. LUSTIG CARROLL COUNTY DEPT OF RECREATION & PARKS 300 S CENTER ST WESTMINSTER, MD 21157-5364 E-Mail llustig@ccg.carr.org Tel: 410 - 386-2103 Fax: 410 - 876-8284 Position: Commissioner, Gov. Appoint ------------------------------------------------------------------- DR. SETH MACINKO URI DEPT OF MARINE AFFAIRS PO BOX 1551 KINGSTON, RI 02881-1551 E-Mail macinko@uri.edu Tel: 401 - 874-4820 Fax: Position: Proxy, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- THOMAS W. MCCLOY NJ DFW MARINE FISHERIES ADMINISTRATION PO BOX 400, 3RD FLR TRENTON, NJ 08625-0400 E-Mail tom.mccloy@dep.state.nj.us Tel: 609 - 292-7794 Fax: 609 - 984-1408 Position: Proxy, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- WILLIAM MCELROY 3229 TOWER HILL RD WAKEFIELD, RI 02879-2049 E-Mail fvellenjune@cox.net Tel: 401 - 789-0527 Fax: Position: Commissioner, Gov. Appoint ------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, July 02, 2010 Page 3 of 5 ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS BOARD DAN MCKIERNAN MA DMF 251 CAUSEWAY ST #400 BOSTON, MA 02114-2119 E-Mail dan.mckiernan@state.ma.us Tel: 617 - 626-1536 Fax: 617 - 626-1509 Position: Proxy, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- STEVE MEYERS NMFS F/SF8 SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES STATE FEDERAL FISHERIES 1315 EAST WEST HWY #13253 SILVER SPRING, MD 20910-6233 E-Mail STEVE.MEYERS@NOAA.GOV Tel: 301 - 713-2334 Fax: 301 - 713-0596 Position: ------------------------------------------------------------------- ROY MILLER 31421 MELLOY CT LEWES, DE 19958-3863 E-Mail fishmaster70@comcast.net Fax: Position: Commissioner, Gov. Appoint ------------------------------------------------------------------- REP. CRAIG A. MINER CT HOUSE REPUBLICAN OFFICE L.O.B. ROOM 4200 300 CAPITOL AVE. HARTFORD, CT 06106-4129 E-Mail craig.miner@housegop.ct.gov Tel: 860 - 240-8700 Fax: 860 - 240-0207 Position: Commissioner, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- THOMAS O'CONNELL MD DNR FISHERIES SERVICE TAWES STATE OFF BLDG B-2 580 TAYLOR AVE ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401-2352 E-Mail TOCONNELL@DNR.STATE.MD.US Tel: 410 - 260-8281 Fax: 410 - 260-8279 Position: Vice Chair ------------------------------------------------------------------- BERNARD L. PANKOWSKI 5 BREEZE HILL RD CENTREVILLE, DE 19807-1411 E-Mail bp@dbs4pos.com Tel: 302 - 395-0900 Fax: 302 - 221-5620 Position: Proxy, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- REP. SARAH K. PEAKE MA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 7 CENTER ST PROVINCETOWN, MA 02657-2301 E-Mail sarah.peake@verizon.net Tel: 617 - 722-2210 Fax: 617 - 722-2239 Position: Commissioner, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- KELLY V. PLACE 213 WALLER MILL RD WILLIAMSBURG, VA 23185-2947 E-Mail kelltron@aol.com Tel: 757 - 220-8801 Fax: 757 - 259-9669 Position: Liaison, AP Rep. ------------------------------------------------------------------- KYLE SCHICK PRFC PO BOX 400 COLONIAL BEACH, VA 22443-0400 E-Mail kyle@cbycmarina.com Tel: 804 - 224-7230 Fax: 804 - 224-7232 Position: Proxy, Gov. Appoint. ------------------------------------------------------------------- REP. CURT SCHRODER PA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 315 GORDON DRIVE EXTON, PA 19341-1201 E-Mail cschrode@pahousegop.com Tel: 610 - 524-5595 Fax: 610 - 524-5667 Position: Commissioner, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- CRAIG SHIREY DE DFW 89 KINGS HIGHWAY DOVER, DE 19901-7305 E-Mail craig.shirey@state.de.us Tel: 302 - 739-9914 Fax: 302 - 739-6157 Position: Proxy, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- DAVID G. SIMPSON CT DEP MARINE FISHERIES PO BOX 719 OLD LYME, CT 06371-0719 E-Mail david.simpson@ct.gov Tel: 860 - 434-6043 Fax: 860 - 434-6150 Position: Commissioner, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, July 02, 2010 Page 4 of 5 ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS BOARD SEN. SUSAN SOSNOWSKI RI STATE SENATE 680 GLEN ROCK RD W KINGSTON, RI 02892-1717 E-Mail sen-sosnowski@rilin.state.ri.us Tel: 401 - 276-5547 Fax: Position: Commissioner, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- DR. LANCE STEWART PO BOX 177 COVENTRY, CT 06238-0177 Fax: Position: Commissioner, Gov. Appoint ------------------------------------------------------------------- TERRY STOCKWELL ME DMR STATE HOUSE STATION 21 AUGUSTA, ME 04333-0021 E-Mail terry.stockwell@maine.gov Tel: 207 - 624-6553 Fax: 207 - 624-6024 Position: Proxy, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- JACK TRAVELSTEAD VMRC 2600 WASHINGTON AVE. 3RD FL NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23607-4317 E-Mail jack.travelstead@mrc.virginia.gov Tel: 757 - 247-2247 Fax: 757 - 247-8101 Position: Chair ------------------------------------------------------------------- SEN. ROBERT L. VENABLES, SR. 116 HEARN AVENUE LAUREL, DE 19956-1208 E-Mail robert.venables@state.de.us Tel: 302 - 744-4298 Fax: 302 - 739-6890 Position: Commissioner, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- REP. WILLIAM L. WAINWRIGHT STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA PO BOX 33 HAVELOCK, NC 28532-0033 E-Mail williamw@ncleg.net Tel: 252 - 447-7379 Fax: Position: Commissioner, Legislative ------------------------------------------------------------------- PATTEN D. WHITE PO BOX 1008 YORK HARBOR, ME 03911-1008 E-Mail patten.white@gmail.com Tel: 207 - 363-6783 Fax: 207 - 363-6783 Position: Commissioner, Gov. Appoint ------------------------------------------------------------------- G. RITCHIE WHITE 30 LANG ROAD RYE, NH 03870-2328 E-Mail r-dwhite@comcast.net Tel: 603 - 964-2211 Fax: 603 - 964-2212 Position: Commissioner, Gov. Appoint ------------------------------------------------------------------- LEROY YOUNG PA FBC BUREAU OF FISHERIES 450 ROBINSON LANE BELLEFONTE, PA 16823-7437 E-Mail leyoung@state.pa.us Tel: 814 - 359-5177 Fax: 814 - 359-5153 Position: Proxy, Administrative ------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, July 02, 2010 Page 5 of 5 |
Emails sent.
Good thread Nebe.Thanks for posting.Same to you JohnR for thr extra info/addreses. |
Here is what I sent to the MA representatives
Dear Dr Beal, I am a dedicated recreational striped bass fisherman with 45 years of experience and a correspondingly high level of proficiency. Both from boat and from shore I have witnessed an alarming drop-off in the number of fish I am able to find and catch over the last 4 years. Although I am aware of a remaining population mass of striped bass feeding far off shore, I am deeply concerned by the lack of small fish either inshore or offshore, and the lack of fish of almost any size throughout hundreds of miles of their historic inshore summer range. Although I am aware that NOAA's population estimates suggest a healthy stock, as a physician I am also aware that many patients die when the data and tests suggest all is fine. In medicine, and in fishery science, truth is found not in scientific models, but in real world result. The Striped Bass fishery is sick, please do your best to fix it. Thank you, Dr George Christman Falmouth, MA |
Mine will be in the mail @ sent-box shortly. As always I recommend people send a letter as well as an email.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device |
I hate to sound so bitter, but I am convinced the only things informal letters do is make the person who wrote them feel better. They are basically dismissed. They have been written in mass for years and the regulations either don't change or actually get worse. More formal registered letters on a lawyers stationary will get more notice and be logged in.
I have found the best way to persuade a board who already has their mind made up regardless what you say is to have an overwhelming turn out at a meeting, and demand a hand-raising (for/against) on the issue at hand. They will never agree on a minor moderate change to the law. Propose the right thing to do and vote on that with the mob rasing their hand. Have cameras and video the event. Post it on you-tube. They do not want to be on video as seen voting against the masses. This works. Lawmakers are scared to death of seeing them selves on the Internet going against the crowd. They will change their vote right then and there just to avoid this, I have seen it. BTW, expect strong resistance when you ask for a raise of hands.... but insist on it anyway IMO most letters hit the trash and emails go into the junk folder and are not even read. If they get logged it is in place where no one will read them. They do what THEY want UNLESS you can put them in an awkward situation and force them to do the right thing for the fish and not their wallet. |
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Send it anyway.... I did. |
Thanks for the info John.
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Send the letters but don't expect instant gratification. I'll be at the meeting so long as they keep it open. I also don't think that coastal changes are the biggest area to gain an advantage and turn this thing around. As a chesapeake bay angler I can't tell you how disheartening it is to see a parking lot of boats decimating the striper population before they have a chance to swim oceanward. We do more as rec anglers to hurt the fishery than the netters do...there just isn't any data to show that other than the decline...IMHO. Our techniques for live baiting are becoming just as efficient and we need to consider catch changes in the bay.
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1@ 36
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agreeing with eben again... |
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Eventually 36" may happen, although it doesn't make sense to do it right now. If the fishery is lacking small fish, which appears to be the case, a 36" limit doesn't have any huge impact seeing most of the biomass is likely made up of large fish at this point. A one fish bag makes sense though, and consider this also: Many believe we simply put a highly restrictive limit on the fish size and all will be well, but this isn't the case. First, we need a burgeoning year class that results from a big YOY index( in short, a good spawning year). Once its widely accepted the fishery overall is in decline, size and bag limits will be established to protect said big year classes in order to rebuild the "breeding" part of the biomass. This is what happened last time...the 36" limit didn't just fall out of the sky, it was the last of a regulatory tightening that was targeted at preserving the 1982 year class of fish. For those who aren't aware, the 1982 class was a larger than normal year class and was really the east coast striped bass population's saving grace. Size limits and moratoriums were put in place with the protection of the 1982 class in mind. The size regulations started with a minimum size just bigger than the bulk of the small fish and steadily increased so as to stay just ahead of the 1982 class growth, thus preventing anyone from harvesting them. If I remember right, the size limit started and progressed like this: 18-24-28-30-33-36 until the population was deemed restored. The recent low YOY's should be a concern, and if we do get a big index in the coming years, its time to reenact the above policy once again. The population right now is top heavy with big fish and lacking small.(not good future implications) |
John,
You are right. Scaling back on all fisheries is the way to go. My point was that MD could reduce the limits and mandate circle hooks for live lining and thus reduce mortality. This increases the number of fish that make it to the ocean--hence an increase in the smaller sizes. In the summer we catch a ton of 19-28" fish. I'm all for reducing the commercial catch as well. If we could reduce teh nets here in MD I'm for that as well. |
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what is a StripersForver take on 1@ 36"? |
I say 1@36" too. There are a lot of 30" fish out there that could have a chance to spawn before being taken. The average recreational fisherman is not going to catch many, if any, fish over 36". That would more than cut the recreational angler take in half and then they can follow suit by making the commercial take half of what it currently is too.
But, this is all a moot point unless the ASFMC reduces the take. How they can ignore current catch numbers and the fact that the commercial quota was not even reached last year is ridiculous. |
Mandatory circle hooks for live bait would be a good step in the right direction.
It would help decrease mortality without taking away from anyone's precious quotas. Conservation with a minimum b*tch factor. Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device |
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