Here's a "form letter"' feel free to use it if you share my concerns about this bill. At the MA house web page you can get email links for your local reps and the Natural Resource Committee.
http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenuh.htm
Dear Rep.
I would like to express my opposition to the above referenced House bill #796 and ask your support in the rejection of the bill.
The MA Division of Marine Fisheries management of Striped Bass has been instrumental in the recovery of stocks to a level that allows for both a limited commercial fishery and a robust recreational fishery. The MA commercial bass fishery, a long established MA rod & reel only fishery, is highly monitored through the current reporting and quota system as is the striped bass fishery in general. Marine Fisheries managers have established "benchmark" levels that would trigger more restrictive conservation levels for the fishery. The current data on striped bass indicates that the biomass is in fact very healthy and the limited MA commercial fishery Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is well within the levels established to ensure a continued viable fishery.
Management of our fisheries should be the responsibility of those professionals the state has charged with that task. Fisheries management should never be driven by a special interest and this bill which has been submitted at the request of a private, out of state based group that has been a long standing opponent of any commercial fishery shows a total disregard for both our professional fisheries management and the economic welfare of our commercial fisherman.
Thank you for your consideration of my request.
Threaded Mode