fisherwoman

Mr. Fote, I agree with your testimony on this very fragile striped bass fishery. I have been fishing the coast of MA for several years now, and am a memeber of MSBA. For years I have witnessed an amazing seen of politics in this industry. What a shame, and shame on the NMFS. This whole striped bass issue in my opinion is getting rediculous. First I would just like to say that I am totally against buying out the commercial fleet. Their greed has destroid so many different species of fish that nature has provided for us all, and nature is what is making them money. If you were fired from your job tomorrow, is the goverment going to bail you out!!!!! I don't think so. The commercial industry makes money off of our precious natural resorces. Sure it cost them money for fuel and a boat, it cost you money for fuel to travel to work everday in your car. If you are a builder, you have to buy the supplies you need to build. If you are a painter, you have to buy paint and supplies, and so on. But if you would lose your job tomorrow, no one from the goverment is going to come and pay you for your car are they. I am curious how many of those fishermen went back out and bought another boat, under another name, with our taxpaying money.

I also agree with your assesment on the tracking and statistics of the striped bass fishery. You are exactly right in saying it needs to be more consistant. I did a survey of my own last year for our fishing club and the results were very intersting to say the least.

It has been said by the NEMFS that the recreational striped bass mortality rate in the State of MA is 8%. I would just like to know how they came up with that
figure. What did they do pull it out of a hat. I do agree that there are alot of recreational anglers out there who may not have as much experience in handling fish as others, but coming from a women who is on the shore fishing daily, I have never seen anyone NEMFS looking in the water to see how many fish have been killed. I welcome them to come along and fish with me for a day or even a week. To really see what the fish look like out there. Last year my boyfriend and I caught over 7000 stripers, we kept 3 fish. Catch and release is becomimg more popular every year, because it is alot more about the sport of catching than it is the keeping. I have no problem not keeping any fish, I love the outdoors and the thrill and challenge of the catch. So last year, my boyfriend and I decided to start our own guide service to teach people how to catch and release fish in a proper manner, and about the importance of conservation for this fishery for years to come.

As for a slot limit, I think there are pros and cons about it. From what I have been told a striper will not spawn until it reaches the age of 6-8 years, which puts that fish at about 28 inches, which is what the size limit was for this state last year, this year it is 30 inches. But if we take all of these young fish from the waters they will never have a chance to spawn at all. I would prefer that it be kept at at least 36 inches, so that these younger class of fish have a least a chance to spawn once if not twice, as they may not spawn every year. So I really don't know what would be the best route to take in that respect.

Opening the EEZ zone would be disaterous for this fishery. The Illegal fishing that is going on now can not be controlled, so why give them more area to take more fish. Instead of buying out the commercial fleet, the money should be going to policing the ocean.

I really would like to see these stripers come back to the days when my grandfather fished, he used to go to Cape Hateras every year, and I have pictures of the many 50lb fish they used to catch. It is sad that this fishery is in the state that it is, and it is sad that we can not all work together to rebuild it to the way it should be. Maybe someday, I hope it will all come around. But it won't be because of politics it will be because people finally wake up and smell the coffee and use common sense.

Any response to this letter would be great!!!!! Thanks for listening!!!!

sincerly, Fisherwoman