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I listened to the meeting yesterday via webcast. was surprised at the different positions taken by NY and NJ that seem out of touch with what is clearly the majority opinion voiced on here and SOL. the guy from NJ (tom Fote) was the most oppostional to any kinda change; just seemed strange since Jersey has stripers as a "gamefish"(?)_
Pat Augustine from NY was right behind. He repeatedly said that the stcoks are not being overfished- despite multiple instnces and figures indicating that they are....
the MOST IMPORTANT item that came out of this meeting was the acceptance of the new stock assessment figures that show the downward trend in bass numbers/recruitment. This is the data set to be used for future decison-making in the upcoming year- it would seem that more conservative catch limits are coming in 2015.
its important that all of us stay informed and keep our states' ASMFC delegates infromed of what we want this fishery to be.... we've got little momentum here- lets not lose it. could be the first time in 15 years some meaningful change could come about
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