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THANK YOU, very much, for making available the information and for your dedication to our beloved prey. i am still digesting your report and only had time for a brief perusal of your post, as the project that has me outside of DC for the time being prevented me from attending the hearing this week.
while i get that science takes time and handcuffs the ASMFC(they can't act without it), wouldn't American history indicate that more often than not "the" numbers can be manipulated to suit the interests with the deepest pockets? and i detest how science works in reverse of an event. that being said,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
i firmly believe that what would suit the stock biomass in the immediate future is a more proactive approach to limiting the TOTAL take (1 @ 36" rec, and a commensurate comm reduction) and an initiative to protect the forage. what good is it to reduce the take and let more stripers spawn and eat, if we do not increase the availability of their preferred forage? not coincidently, doesn't malnutrition make striped bass more susceptable to myco as well as impede the healing process once they become infected with it? as i understand it, pogies provide the best bang for the nutritional buck, providing there are enough of them to be mawed upon. on my former point, if we as recreational fishermen are willing to take a 50% hit and increase the size limit, then why can't the comm's join us in that proactive measure for the GOOD of the species?
please don't misunderstand my position, i am not making this an us versus them battle~~ my intention is to protect the SSB first and foremost. along the lines of leveling the playing field, somewhat, and steering us more towards a "what is good for the goose, is good for the gander" approach. if it means that they can no longer sell them profittably, then perhaps gamefish status is where we should be heading. besides, striped bass are loaded with pcb's and mercury levels continue to rise within them, through no fault of their own. i only eat striper twice a year for these same reasons.
lastly, i would like to thank Patrick for his tireless devotion and vigilence in seeing that our group stays engaged in the battle. kudos to everyone that made the hearing and for sharing your thoughts and understandings of the process. i shore hope to be there for the next one!
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