Striped Bass Board Meeting - March 23rd - Results - Updated!!

[JohnR]

I sent an email on Monday regarding today's meeting and as referenced in this thread: http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...jim-white.html

I received a couple email responses today that I want to share with you. I do not yet have further details but I'm sure they will come soon and we can discuss if we were successful or not. At least this may be promising.

First reply from Paul Diodati (OK, actually from Nichole but for Paul):

Thank you for your comment. In response to the current trends in the data on the striped bass population and fishery, I made a motion at this morning’s Striped Bass Management Board meeting to initiate an addendum to Amendment 6. The motion passed. The addendum will propose management revisions, for implementation in 2012, aimed at reducing striped bass fishing mortality and increasing spawning potential. A more detailed summary of the Striped Bass Management Board’s meeting will be available from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission) by next week.

Regards,
Paul Diodati
Director
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
251 Causeway Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114

Second, Pat Augustine (Coram, NY, Commissioner, Gov. Appoint).

John:
I supported the development of an amendment to address the issue. Regards. Pat

[Jackbass]

I receive the same email from paul slash nicola yesterday. It will be interesting to see what the context of the addendum is.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Jackbass

I receive the same email from paul slash nicola yesterday. It will be interesting to see what the context of the addendum is.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Exactly - need to see the details

(and figured it was a blast email )

[Jackbass]

At the least they are not proposing an increase.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[numbskull]

It strikes me as very unexpected that Diodati would be at the forefront of a conservation step.

Hopefully I have the man figured wrong, but his past votes are not encouraging that conservation is his intended purpose....more likely it is just a means to some other end.

We'll see.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by numbskull

It strikes me as very unexpected that Diodati would be at the forefront of a conservation step.

Hopefully I have the man figured wrong, but his past votes are not encouraging that conservation is his intended purpose....more likely it is just a means to some other end.

We'll see.

I want to "hope" as well. My impression is that as of late he has been leaning more to conservation versus exploiting to the benefit of striper commercial fishing interests. Time, and the detailed plan of the meeting earlier this week, will tell.

[Jackbass]

I agree John, I know in the past he has been portrayed in an unfavorable light as far as conservation is concerned. I honestly think having seen two addendums get shot down in the past two years that would have increased and/or rolled over quota, mainly due to public opposition may have played into his thinking. Much of the time the managers only here from the commercials and as long as things are kosher recreational anglers are not going to speak up. So the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
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[angler229]

Originally Posted by numbskull

It strikes me as very unexpected that Diodati would be at the forefront of a conservation step.

Hopefully I have the man figured wrong, but his past votes are not encouraging that conservation is his intended purpose....more likely it is just a means to some other end.

We'll see.

It is very interesting that Diodati would be on the conservation side just two years ago when stripers forever was pushing their bill in Mass at the fishery council meeting he pushed for an increase in commercial harvest. Things are definitely changing...

[tattoobob]

Originally Posted by numbskull

It strikes me as very unexpected that Diodati would be at the forefront of a conservation step.

Hopefully I have the man figured wrong, but his past votes are not encouraging that conservation is his intended purpose....more likely it is just a means to some other end.

We'll see.

I hope not but he may have other plans
Reduce the recs. and increase the comms.

[JohnR]

Got this off the wire from Chuck Cassela:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 24, 2011
PRESS CONTACT, TINA BERGER, 703/842-0740

ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Board Initiates Addendum to Reduce Fishing
Mortality

Alexandria, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic
Striped Bass Management Board has initiated development of Draft Addendum
III with the goals of reducing striped bass fishing mortality (F) up to 40%
and further protecting spawning stock when it is concentrated and
vulnerable. The addendum was initiated in order to allow managers to
promptly respond to the results of the stock assessment update in the fall
if necessary. Provisions of the addendum, if passed, could be implemented
prior to the start of the 2012 fishing year.

The Board’s action responds to recent trends in the fishery and resource,
including a 66% decline in estimated recreational catch from 2006 to 2009;
a 25% decline in estimated striped bass abundance from 2004 to 2008; and
lowered recruitment in recent years. Additionally, states in the northern
extent of the fishery have expressed concern over decreased availability of
striped bass as a result of the diminished water quality in the Chesapeake
Bay during the summer months that may also contribute to increased
prevalence of mycobacteriosis in striped bass.

Draft Addendum III will propose a range of fishing management measures
including, but not limited to, adjustments to commercial and recreational
minimum size (for jurisdictions outside Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle
Sound/Roanoke River), reductions in annual coastal commercial allocation,
reductions in recreational bag limits, revisions to the target F rate (for
Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River), and reductions on
fishing for striped bass in known spawning areas during the spawning season
by at least 50% (for jurisdictions bordering the Hudson River, Delaware
River, Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River).

The commercial and recreational fishery is currently managed through
Amendment 6 to the Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan. The Amendment,
passed in 2003, allocates the coastal commercial quota and set a two fish
bag limit and a 28 inch size minimum for the recreational fishery, with the
exception of the Chesapeake Bay fisheries, Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River
fisheries, and states with approved alternative regulations.

The Draft Addendum will be developed for preliminary review by the Atlantic
Striped Bass Management Board in August. For more information, please
contact Kate Taylor, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at
ktaylor@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

###
PR11-17
*************************
Tina Berger
Public Affairs Specialist
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N
Arlington, VA 22201-2196
(p) 703.842.0740
(f) 703.842.0741
tberger@asmfc.org
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

ASMFC Vision: Healthy, self-sustaining populations for all Atlantic coast
fish species or successful restoration well in progress by the year 2015.

Discuss

[tattoobob]

This is great

to bad they can't do this for the forage fish to

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Got this off the wire from Chuck Cassela:



Discuss

Draft Addendum III will propose a range of fishing management measures
including, but not limited to, adjustments to commercial and recreational
minimum size (for jurisdictions outside Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle
Sound/Roanoke River), reductions in annual coastal commercial allocation,
reductions in recreational bag limits, revisions to the target F rate (for
Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River), and reductions on
fishing for striped bass in known spawning areas during the spawning season
by at least 50% (for jurisdictions bordering the Hudson River, Delaware
River, Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River).







sounds like one at 36" to me.

[Jackbass]

Well for the first time in several years Menhaden will have management actions on the harvest. So it appears that yesterday may wind up by being a win win for striped Bass. The work begins now on both fronts. When the management meetings come up this summer it is important to be vocal about the draft addendum during the public comment period. I am looking forward to BasicPatricks take on these items.

Originally Posted by tattoobob

This is great

to bad they can't do this for the forage fish to

Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[JohnnyD]

How do we go from debating a 50% increase in commercial take, to discussing efforts towards a major decrease in mortality in less than 6 months?

While I support the way things are going *for now*, this whole series of events demonstrates how utterly incompetent our fisheries managers are.

[DZ]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

How do we go from debating a 50% increase in commercial take, to discussing efforts towards a major decrease in mortality in less than 6 months?

I agree - some "earth shattering" data must have been released. Especially since Augustine was such an adament proponent of the commercial increase in November. For him to now support a decrease in mortality is unreal. Be interesting to read the minutes from this last meeting. Maybe BasicPatrick can elaborate what happened.

DZ

[Jackbass]

Originally Posted by DZ

I agree - some "earth shattering" data must have been released. Especially since Augustine was such an adament proponent of the commercial increase in November. For him to now support a decrease in mortality is unreal. Be interesting to read the minutes from this last meeting. Maybe BasicPatrick can elaborate what happened.

DZ

I know the NYCRF was making a major push for his head though a letter writing campaign. Maybe there was some pressure from Albany for him to begin considering the anglers his position truly represents. In MA there is a large commercial community in NY there are far fewer commercial fishermen to represent. Purely speculation but I wonder if that may have had an affect on his thought process.
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[MakoMike]

The board is just getting ready in case there is some bad news coming out of the stock assessment due this coming fall.

[tattoobob]

Originally Posted by Jackbass

Well for the first time ever Menhaden are now a managed species. So it appears that yesterday may wind up by being a win win for striped Bass. The work begins now on both fronts. When the management meetings come up this summer it is important to be vocal about the draft addendum during the public comment period. I am looking forward to BasicPatricks take on these items.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

This is truly great news

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Jackbass

Well for the first time ever Menhaden are now a managed species.

Not true. The ASMFC has been managing menhaden for years now.

[Mr. Sandman]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

Not true. The ASMFC has been managing menhaden for years now.

And look at the great accomplishments they've done.

[Mr. Sandman]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

How do we go from debating a 50% increase in commercial take, to discussing efforts towards a major decrease in mortality in less than 6 months?

While I support the way things are going *for now*, this whole series of events demonstrates how utterly incompetent our fisheries managers are.

What he said!

[Jackbass]

My bad you are correct there has been menhaden management for years however the first time in several yearsthey have decided to rein in the harvest of menhaden there will be a public comment. On an addendum being drafted now. So while there has been a management board there has been no management action for several years. I should have worded it correctly

Originally Posted by MakoMike

Not true. The ASMFC has been managing menhaden for years now.

Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Jackbass

My bad you are correct there has been a menhaden management board for years however the first time ever they have decided to rain in the harvest of menhaden there will be a public comment. On an addendum being drafted now. So well there has been a management board there has been no management action. I should have worded it correctly


Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Still not correct. The management board reduced the VA harvest limits several years ago to the current cap.

[Jackbass]

Items edited to reflect the truth as researched through google etc. How do these crazy rumors get spread. My bad