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

Bass Babe · 06-28-2005, 10:59 PM

I don't believe that it's entirely nonsense, Sandster. I know that commercial fishing doesn't exist solely for population survey purposes, but it does provide useful statistics. Nobody knows exactly how many fish there are ever, anywhere, unless it's in their fish tank at home. The more info we can get, I think, the better, also while satisfying the most people. You're still catching fish, right? They're not running out? Then everyone gets to enjoy, whether it's for sport or for money.

I feel that recreational fishing is a little underrepresented in regional fisheries management councils and that yes, alot of people in the industry go a bit too far with pushing their agendas. But people dig tradition, and the government has been subsidizing commercial fishing for quite a while now. There would be a huge uproar if all of a sudden these fishermen couldn't fish and were also not compensated/helped out. I don't feel like that would ever happen. Nor would I want to pay taxes and have them go to supporting somebody else's a$$ because the only skill they possess is fishing, and they can't do it anymore.

Aquaculture's a cool thing, I agree, but I am loathe to push it to provide all of our seafood needs, even for just one species. I don't feel like we're as advanced in the technology needed for cheap and efficient fish farming as we would need to be to get rid of commercial fishing. Maybe for stripers, in regards to farming, because they're not really a hugely popular food fish. I don't see it often at the grocery store or on restaurant menus. But with all the problems stemming from fish farming -- eutrophication, genetic bottlenecks, escapees, parasites...I just don't know.

I'm interested in why you feel that stripers are a "special fish". I mean, they definitely have a place in my heart, but who decides which fish is special and which isn't? Do you feel that making stripers a strictly recreational species would make more people become fishermen and make those that are, go out more? Granted, anglers are sweet for the economy in many, many ways. But would your proposed change in striper management make any additional money?

You seem like a pretty smart dude, Mister, and I love to talk shop.

06-28-2005, 10:59 PM	#7
Bass Babe Registered LUser Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Mashpee, MA Posts: 643	I don't believe that it's entirely nonsense, Sandster. I know that commercial fishing doesn't exist solely for population survey purposes, but it does provide useful statistics. Nobody knows exactly how many fish there are ever, anywhere, unless it's in their fish tank at home. The more info we can get, I think, the better, also while satisfying the most people. You're still catching fish, right? They're not running out? Then everyone gets to enjoy, whether it's for sport or for money. I feel that recreational fishing is a little underrepresented in regional fisheries management councils and that yes, alot of people in the industry go a bit too far with pushing their agendas. But people dig tradition, and the government has been subsidizing commercial fishing for quite a while now. There would be a huge uproar if all of a sudden these fishermen couldn't fish and were also not compensated/helped out. I don't feel like that would ever happen. Nor would I want to pay taxes and have them go to supporting somebody else's a$$ because the only skill they possess is fishing, and they can't do it anymore. Aquaculture's a cool thing, I agree, but I am loathe to push it to provide all of our seafood needs, even for just one species. I don't feel like we're as advanced in the technology needed for cheap and efficient fish farming as we would need to be to get rid of commercial fishing. Maybe for stripers, in regards to farming, because they're not really a hugely popular food fish. I don't see it often at the grocery store or on restaurant menus. But with all the problems stemming from fish farming -- eutrophication, genetic bottlenecks, escapees, parasites...I just don't know. I'm interested in why you feel that stripers are a "special fish". I mean, they definitely have a place in my heart, but who decides which fish is special and which isn't? Do you feel that making stripers a strictly recreational species would make more people become fishermen and make those that are, go out more? Granted, anglers are sweet for the economy in many, many ways. But would your proposed change in striper management make any additional money? You seem like a pretty smart dude, Mister, and I love to talk shop. __________________ The worst day fishing is better than the best day working. ...Wait a minute, my work IS fishing. Sweet.