Bush orders Gamefish status for Bass and Drum in Fed waters

[Mr. Sandman]

I just got an email that said the President signed an executive order making SB and Red Drum a gamefish in federal waters, and is encouraging states to do the same.

Considering there was no fishing for SB in the EEZ (fed waters) anyway, I don't see this as a super big move but it could sway a few more states to move in this direction which would be a positive step in my view. I have never seen the need for a comm SB fishery, MA sets a terrible example in my view.

Does this now mean that recs can take a bass in the EEZ?

[JohnR]

Hi Jim:

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...ad.php?t=44380

[Swimmer]

Does this now mean that recs can take a bass in the EEZ?[/quote]


Vey interesting question.........there is a whole host of pros and cons with this action.

[capesams]

no one can have bass in a boat period. if your in federal waters, even just passing through a dead zone[one mile] like whats between monomoy and nantucket. this is how their catching charter boats,,rec's. and comm. guy's.. then the paper says they caught poacher's...the whole thing is a joke.

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

I just got an email that said the President signed an executive order making SB and Red Drum a gamefish in federal waters, and is encouraging states to do the same.

Considering there was no fishing for SB in the EEZ (fed waters) anyway, I don't see this as a super big move but it could sway a few more states to move in this direction which would be a positive step in my view. I have never seen the need for a comm SB fishery, MA sets a terrible example in my view.

Does this now mean that recs can take a bass in the EEZ?

How do we in Massachusetts set a terrible example? By having a commercial season when it is a known and documented fact that recreational anglers take and kill more striped bass than commercial fishing does? Now, I haven't sold a bass since 1986. No need for me to do so and further more I have issues with how commercial permits are doled out ( I believe only true, year round commercial fisherman, those whose sole source income is derived from the act of commercial shellfishing and/or finfishing should have the right to commerically pursue Striped bass for reason of sale).

Futhermore, the main reason, and this is strictly my personal view but having been involved in the pursuit of Striped bass for nigh on 40 plus years, I belive I can say with some authority, that the bass are not the problem, the problem is the lack of the base forage species and the protection thereof, such as Menhaden (#1 on the list) River and sea herring, whiting (which was the basis for spectacular fishing in the Cape Cod Canal in years gone by in June each year) and othern lesser species.

It's simple, no bait no fish and as far as bigger fish, no big bait no big fish. And add predation by other species like Pinipeds.

There my friend is the answer to the problem. I don't keep but one or two bass a year and mostly on request from someone who enjoys dining on a meal of fresh wild bass. I don't need the money, there I thank God to be that fortunate, but I beleive it is a time of crisis once again for the future of striped bass but it's not them themselves that need the protection in order for them to flourish, it's what they need to have as a steady diet of protien rich feed, the major baitfish. Protect them, bring the Gov't top task to do that and the bass will prosper ten fold without them the bass are doomed.

[Raven]

would like to see more freshwater lakes in America stocked with stripers
because they are a fantastic game fish in that scenario and said to be
more profitable to raise commercially than hogs are so it would seem
like a win win situation. Then let the freshwater species be the table fare
variety and hopefully that would ease up on their Saltwater cousins.

[Rockport24]

I understand the point here and agree with Flap's comments, but what makes you think this is a time or crisis for the striped bass?
Just a lack of a baitfish where they used to be?
just playing devils advocate here, but it seems a lot of people had a great season this year

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Rockport24

I understand the point here and agree with Flap's comments, but what makes you think this is a time or crisis for the striped bass?
Just a lack of a baitfish where they used to be?
just playing devils advocate here, but it seems a lot of people had a great season this year

True Rock but compared to historical records ( excepting the early 80's decline due to other outside influences such as acid rain etc.) alot of places didn't, such as the outer cape. Fishing could be so much better, recruitment of the stock is good but the sustainability of that recruitment is improbable without the resource needed to sustain a viable large population of fish over 20 pounds as there once was.

The east coast population of Menhaden in particular followed by the river/sea herring population must be put off limits to commercial harvest. We see millions of peanut bunker each season but what happens to them a year later when they achieve full growth? Cat food, WD-40 and fertilizer. Cannot happen any longer if we want to restore the bass to the masses they once were.