Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post - Recieved this from Pat Paquette of the MSBA regarding the groundfish situation

schoolie monster · 02-15-2002, 01:31 PM

I think there are some key differences between any rod & reel fishery and the netters.

1. Catch and Release

Any fish caught on rod & reel stands a better chance of survival upon release. So undersized fish go back alive. The idiotic thing about size limits and nets... what good does it do to release a dead undersized cod.

2. Bycatch

see above. You can release an unintended victim more often than not. Again, what good does it do to release a dead juvenile striper or whatever else they may catch. I can't claim to know what bycatch comes along with cod netting, but this really goes beyond groundfish.

3. Habitat destruction

Draggers that dredge the bottom do a heck of alot more damage than just catching the fish. It disrupts the whole ecosystem.

That being said, it sounds like a party boat can claim a hefty toll on the fish too. I know that the total poundage is divided up between a bunch of individual anglers, but if 30 anglers limit out, your still taking alot of fish... albeit doing less damage overall.

I really don't know the overall numbers... tonnage, quotas, etc., but the focus of the fight shouldn't be protecting rec interests versus comm interests... it should be protecting the fish.

Yes, I realize that is idealistic.

02-15-2002, 01:31 PM	#8
schoolie monster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 1,195	I think there are some key differences between any rod & reel fishery and the netters. 1. Catch and Release Any fish caught on rod & reel stands a better chance of survival upon release. So undersized fish go back alive. The idiotic thing about size limits and nets... what good does it do to release a dead undersized cod. 2. Bycatch see above. You can release an unintended victim more often than not. Again, what good does it do to release a dead juvenile striper or whatever else they may catch. I can't claim to know what bycatch comes along with cod netting, but this really goes beyond groundfish. 3. Habitat destruction Draggers that dredge the bottom do a heck of alot more damage than just catching the fish. It disrupts the whole ecosystem. That being said, it sounds like a party boat can claim a hefty toll on the fish too. I know that the total poundage is divided up between a bunch of individual anglers, but if 30 anglers limit out, your still taking alot of fish... albeit doing less damage overall. I really don't know the overall numbers... tonnage, quotas, etc., but the focus of the fight shouldn't be protecting rec interests versus comm interests... it should be protecting the fish. Yes, I realize that is idealistic.