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My info came via a Stripers Forever campaign to make the striper a game fish and block commercial fishing. Here is the info provided on economics:
According to a recent professionally produced economic study, the economic impacts of the recreational fishery in Massachusetts total to $1.2 billion compared to only $24 million for the commercial fishery 50 times greater.
The recreational fishery is responsible for 10,986 full time equivalent jobs many are full time compared to just 524 full time equivalent jobs for the commercial fishery.
The Commercial fishery runs only a few days each week for a couple of months in the summer, and no one depends on striped bass for a full time commercial fishing livelihood.
66% of all commercial permit holders, approximately 2,400 fishermen, hold the permit but report zero landings.
The quality of striped bass fishing is declining rapidly, and the commercial targeting of the 75,000 large, breeding-sized female stripers - many more with the illegal fishery - is extremely damaging to the resource.
Among the New England states, Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut have already designated striped bass as game fish. It is time for Massachusetts to join these other states in protecting wild striped bass and enhancing the recreational industry that so many in Massachusetts depend on.
Stripers Forever and its more than 3,000 Massachusetts members urge you to support this important legislation.
Fred Jennings Ph.D, Massachusetts State Chair of Stripers Forever
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