Quote:
Originally Posted by BasicPatrick
Good Morning Viet Nam...
Before I start...there are a few threads on this exact bill from the past year so search away boys. Search under Stripers Forever and Rep Matt Patrick.
Here is what I can tell you as I am very much up to speed on this one.
This is the Rep. Matt Patrick of Falmouth aka Stripers Forever Legislation and yes, it has legs. I am pretty sure Stripers Forever got a green grant to get this legislation passed and I know they have a lobbyist, organizers and have been working a professional political campaign strategy.
The hearing before the MA Joint Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture and the Environment mentioned in the article was bounced around between Dec 1 and Dec 15 and now has been postponed until someitme in January. The given reason is that some legislators that wanted to tesify had scheduling issues. I am aware that there are legislators going to testify both for and against this bill. I have learned that Stripers Forever is bussing people in for the hearing. Once again this bill does have some legs.
The MA Striped Bass Association voted many months ago to oppose this legislation. Although we feel there should be a robust public debate on S-B as a gamefish and regulations to reduce mortality, the number one reason to oppose this legislation is that the legislature should not get into managing fisheries. Can you see it now. If this bill passes there will be legislation filed for every single fish in MA Waters. This is how it is done in Virginia and that system does not work. Whomever posted about the enviros and commercials having lots of money and waiting for a prescedent was dead nuts correct.
Another reason to oppose the bill is that in the eyes of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Striped Bass Management Board and their scientists this bill will not conserve any Striped Bass. The current managment plan wuld redistribute the commercial quota unless MA chose to harvest these fish in another manner (ie, the NJ third trophy fish) and that is unlikely.
I will state that I do not think many of the recreational organizations are going to go to war on this bill so you rod and reel commercial guys better get into this fight and fast.
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Patrick, I agree the marine fisheries should not be told what to do by the senate and congress from this whacked state of ours. If this bill has legs like you say, I have a question.
Is anyone else filing a bill to counter this so it can't happen? head them off at the pass so to speak.
Sounds like a bunch of ill-informed people trying to do what they think is right and as usual, mankind will interfere with nature and throw the balance out like has already happened. I am against killing small fish
1 per day at 36" would be fine with me coastwide.
Canalman, the bass on the banks of the canal on last Memorial day was more than any week of mass. comm season I bet. I don't like to see large breeders going to be sold either, but that bill has many flaws if you ask me.
Cowhunter, I hope it never comes to how it is now in jersey.
The government needs money to operate and they are going to look in any place they can find it. we all have to fight.