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

Sweetwater · 02-05-2007, 05:32 PM

As a recreational fisherman, I'd like to see a limit not just on small fish but large fish as well. Current regulations encourage the harvesting of the largest fish, thus over time threatening to make the stock genetically smaller (i.e., the fish is more likely to survive and reproduce if it is genetically smaller).

Just as in any population, if you continually remove larger fish from the spawning population, only the smaller fish will survive to spawn thus their fry will increasingly be genetically smaller as adults.

Further, studies show that 90%+ of striped bass over 32" are females. By targeting larger fish for harvest, we are focusing on females and (being large) the best, proven egg-bearers.

I think a slot limit is in order. For example, allow the harvest of fish only between 22" and 34" while limiting the number of fish to one per day or less. By balancing the take between both male and female fish, and avoiding the taking of the largest fish, this will produce both /more/ fish and /larger/ fish over time.

Two references:

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/conten...7cd225d189e4d4

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0119231221.htm

02-05-2007, 05:32 PM	#8
Sweetwater Ruled only by the tide iTrader: (0) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Truro Posts: 801	an idea for better striped bass management As a recreational fisherman, I'd like to see a limit not just on small fish but large fish as well. Current regulations encourage the harvesting of the largest fish, thus over time threatening to make the stock genetically smaller (i.e., the fish is more likely to survive and reproduce if it is genetically smaller). Just as in any population, if you continually remove larger fish from the spawning population, only the smaller fish will survive to spawn thus their fry will increasingly be genetically smaller as adults. Further, studies show that 90%+ of striped bass over 32" are females. By targeting larger fish for harvest, we are focusing on females and (being large) the best, proven egg-bearers. I think a slot limit is in order. For example, allow the harvest of fish only between 22" and 34" while limiting the number of fish to one per day or less. By balancing the take between both male and female fish, and avoiding the taking of the largest fish, this will produce both /more/ fish and /larger/ fish over time. Two references: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/conten...7cd225d189e4d4 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0119231221.htm
	Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.