I am SOTS: MAKE STRIPED BASS A GAMEFISH!

[SAUERKRAUT]

Re this striped bass fishery: This fishery truly belongs to the "common man", the public. Is there any doubt about this in your mind as you watch the access and availability of a world class fishery unfold from time to time, right now at the Canal, but potentially tomorrow at your beach or your inshore waters.

The recreational fish and fisherman CAN BE AND IS MORE THAN WILLING, AND IN FACT IS DEMANDING...more stringent catch quota regulations for the health of this fishery. On the other hand, the commercial industry DEFIES regulation, and defies even existing fish law. This status quo of an existing commercial fishery, produces a regulation and enforcement nightmare and loopholes which aids and abets the greed and avarace of the commercial fishery enterprise. This public resource striped bass fishery deserves to be preserved for the 95 plus per cent of the public to access 95% of any total allowable harvest. There is no longer any room for a commercial harvest striped bass fishery to exist any longer.

Every week I watch individuals kill nothing, or kill less, or kill smaller fish than what they put on the beach or the rock. We are not doing this to save the breeder bass or biomass for a commercial fishing industry!

Last winter, in Florida there was a freeze and a giant fish kill-- specifically snook. The State, fearing it MAY have an important fishery in distress, shut down the snook fishery completely until they could assess the impact. Not a single "public comment" hearing or meeting, the DNR just did it! And, THERE WAS NOT ONE WHIMPER OF PROTEST FROM THE RECREATIONAL SECTOR. NO...WRINGING OF THE HANDS IN MOCK HARDSHIP... How could the State of Florida do this? Because Florida snook is protected by Gamefish status that's why. A legal commercial sale and commerce of snook no longer exists. Florida already fought that battle.

Make stiped bass a Gamefish! On an individual basis, TREAT your striper catch like it is a gamefish. Do not "commercial fish" just because you can (are you hearing me Professor). Respect this fish and fishery which gives back so much to you and you will find that you probably will feel good about yourself. Feed yourself some good striped bass dinners if you're good enough, but feed your neighbors, or casuals bluefish, or black seabass, or scup...

Bonds to all...SK