Circle Hook / YoYo Rig Comment Period and Hearings

[Chunkah]

Just got this email....just in case anyone is interested in making their voice heard.


Public Hearing: Nov. 29, 6:00 PM. in Danvers & Nov. 30, 6:00 PM in Plymouth

The MA Div. of Marine Fisheries (DMF) will be holding public hearings on two important conservation measures that will have an immediate impact on saving our stripers. You can help stop the wasteful killing of stripers by voicing your support for these two proposals. The DMF is doing something right. Let's let them know we have their back on this

1) The DMF is proposing to require both recreational and commercial fishermen fishing for or in possession of striped bass to use circle hooks when fishing with whole or cut natural bait. The reasoning is that traditional "J" hooks are often swallowed by striped bass causing internal damage and increasing discard mortality. Circle hooks have demonstrated the ability to hook the fish in the mouth and thereby decrease mortality rates.

2) The second proposal is to prohibit the use of "yo-yo" rigs. "Yo-yo" rigs and other similar gear that use natural baits rigged with embedded weights not attached to the terminal tackle increase discard mortality when striped bass swallow the bait and the associated weight. DMF is proposing to prohibit the use of this gear by both recreational and commercial fishermen.
MA Stripers Forever endorses both proposals. The outcome will be greatly influenced by input from the public and the DMF is looking for our support. You can be certain that all the recreational fish hogs and the "commercial" SB fishermen will be out in force to oppose both proposals. This is our chance to support and not fight the DMF!

The first hearing will be Nov. 29 at 6:00 PM. at the CoCoKey Hotel and Water Resort, 50 Ferncroft Road in Danvers.

The second will be Nov. 30 at 6:00 PM at the Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor at 180 Water St. in Plymouth.

Written comments will be accepted until Dec. 2. E-mail to marine.fisheries@state.ma.us or jared.silva@state.ma.us, or mail to 251 Causeway St., Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114.