Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post

DZ · 01-30-2015, 08:45 AM

I was disappointed but not surprised with the turnout. Been going to these things for a LONG time. I've known most all the players for just as long and consider Robert Ballou who ran the meeting and Dave Borden friends. It was good to let them know we're not going away and there are still different viewpoints. I think our letters will create some discussion amongst the state commissioners. I was impressed that Peter Jenkins and the SWE were able to gather quite a few RI Tackle Shops to support the one fish bag limit. I was kind of puzzeled when Ballou mentioned that the reason for the ASMFC recommended CE mode split regulation was to make it easier for every state have the same regs. To me the easiest solution to get that result would have been to have each state stay at one fish bag so that no state would have a benefit over the other, all the the for hire industry would have been on an even playing field. The end result has been to open a can of worms or eels in this case.
I basically paraphrased and submitted what I wrote here:
The Newport County Salt Water Fishing Club would like to go on record supporting Option 1 for all Rhode Island recreational user groups because:
It has the highest probability of achieving the 25% mortality reduction;
It will result in fewer fish killed, especially larger breeding females;
It will be the easiest for environmental police to enforce.

The small state of Rhode Island once again has the opportunity to make a real difference for the future of striped bass management. Much like during the 1980s our state waters within 3 miles of Rhode Island’s coastline hold what may be the last areas in the entire northeast where larger bass can be caught with any consistency. Because of this RI waters are now under increasing pressure by not only RI recreational fishermen, but fishermen from Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. If Rhode Island stays at a conservative one fish bag limit for all including the for hire industry it will have a compound effect by also limiting all fishermen from other states to one bass in possession while in RI waters even though their home state may have a two fish bag limit. Many of us also feel that allowing a two fish bag for customers of the RI for hire industry would basically allow those customers, many who do not even purchase (or even need to purchase) a fishing license, and who generally don’t even give a damn about the fishery, the privilege of keeping two bass! Why are we even taking non-licensed for hire clients into consideration when discussing regulations? Where were they during the entire public comment period?

The conservation equivalency action by ASMFC has further resulted in the concerned public losing any trust they had in ASMFC and a majority of recreational fishermen are now disillusioned and have lost faith in the ASMFC regulators. ASMFC still has the chance to do the right thing and act in the best interest of the striper stock based on this public input. Please support a one fish bag limit for all of RI recreational fishermen, including the for hire industry.

01-30-2015, 08:45 AM	#34
DZ Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 2,574	I was disappointed but not surprised with the turnout. Been going to these things for a LONG time. I've known most all the players for just as long and consider Robert Ballou who ran the meeting and Dave Borden friends. It was good to let them know we're not going away and there are still different viewpoints. I think our letters will create some discussion amongst the state commissioners. I was impressed that Peter Jenkins and the SWE were able to gather quite a few RI Tackle Shops to support the one fish bag limit. I was kind of puzzeled when Ballou mentioned that the reason for the ASMFC recommended CE mode split regulation was to make it easier for every state have the same regs. To me the easiest solution to get that result would have been to have each state stay at one fish bag so that no state would have a benefit over the other, all the the for hire industry would have been on an even playing field. The end result has been to open a can of worms or eels in this case. I basically paraphrased and submitted what I wrote here: The Newport County Salt Water Fishing Club would like to go on record supporting Option 1 for all Rhode Island recreational user groups because: It has the highest probability of achieving the 25% mortality reduction; It will result in fewer fish killed, especially larger breeding females; It will be the easiest for environmental police to enforce. The small state of Rhode Island once again has the opportunity to make a real difference for the future of striped bass management. Much like during the 1980s our state waters within 3 miles of Rhode Island’s coastline hold what may be the last areas in the entire northeast where larger bass can be caught with any consistency. Because of this RI waters are now under increasing pressure by not only RI recreational fishermen, but fishermen from Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. If Rhode Island stays at a conservative one fish bag limit for all including the for hire industry it will have a compound effect by also limiting all fishermen from other states to one bass in possession while in RI waters even though their home state may have a two fish bag limit. Many of us also feel that allowing a two fish bag for customers of the RI for hire industry would basically allow those customers, many who do not even purchase (or even need to purchase) a fishing license, and who generally don’t even give a damn about the fishery, the privilege of keeping two bass! Why are we even taking non-licensed for hire clients into consideration when discussing regulations? Where were they during the entire public comment period? The conservation equivalency action by ASMFC has further resulted in the concerned public losing any trust they had in ASMFC and a majority of recreational fishermen are now disillusioned and have lost faith in the ASMFC regulators. ASMFC still has the chance to do the right thing and act in the best interest of the striper stock based on this public input. Please support a one fish bag limit for all of RI recreational fishermen, including the for hire industry.
	DZ Recreational Surfcaster "Limit Your Kill - Don't Kill Your Limit" Bi + Ne = SB 2 If you haven't heard of the Snowstorm Blitz of 1987 - you someday will.