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

schoolie monster · 01-31-2003, 02:41 PM

Sure, if I was comfortable with the plan to maintain a sustainable fishery.

1. A uniform plan up and down the coast that covers the whole population throughout its migration
2. A plan that limits bycatch mortality
3. A plan that protects habitat and water quality
4. A plan that protects the forage base
5. A plan that prevents a few people from harvesting the majority of fish
6. A plan that is enforced consistently and with sufficient teeth

Yah, if I believed that the majority of striped bass mortality came from legal commercial and recreational take and predation, I wouldn't mind putting some extra beans on the table.

But when I look at the threats that currently exist to the fish stocks, especially the bycatch and pollution and also the killing of spawning females and overfishing of the primary forage (bunker), I couldn't do it.

I'm not judging anyone who does... the quotas will be met whether its me or you with the license. But that is how I can make a difference, but choosing to practice catch and release, by handling the fish carefully, by not littering, etc.

I think striped bass is yummy, but I choose to do the same thing as a rec. Like I said, that's how I can help.

So, my answer is "NO"

01-31-2003, 02:41 PM	#4
schoolie monster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 1,195	Sure, if I was comfortable with the plan to maintain a sustainable fishery. 1. A uniform plan up and down the coast that covers the whole population throughout its migration 2. A plan that limits bycatch mortality 3. A plan that protects habitat and water quality 4. A plan that protects the forage base 5. A plan that prevents a few people from harvesting the majority of fish 6. A plan that is enforced consistently and with sufficient teeth Yah, if I believed that the majority of striped bass mortality came from legal commercial and recreational take and predation, I wouldn't mind putting some extra beans on the table. But when I look at the threats that currently exist to the fish stocks, especially the bycatch and pollution and also the killing of spawning females and overfishing of the primary forage (bunker), I couldn't do it. I'm not judging anyone who does... the quotas will be met whether its me or you with the license. But that is how I can make a difference, but choosing to practice catch and release, by handling the fish carefully, by not littering, etc. I think striped bass is yummy, but I choose to do the same thing as a rec. Like I said, that's how I can help. So, my answer is "NO"