Increase Commercial Catch for Striped Bass? Or NOT? - Sign up here

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by BasicPatrick

Any Charter Boat or other buisness that testifies for a commercial increase should be boycotted. Why give money or refer money to those willing to risk the future of our fish. Hit them in the wallet is what I say.

BP, You and I have butted heads on a few occasions but I could not agree more with the above comment. Groups that support a commercial increase are either demonstrating their selfishness or completely out of their mind.

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

That is what is important to them....do you run your business to make money or are you a not-for-profit organization? That is their means to make money, they are good at it and they depend on it. Walking into a meeting with the attitude that they are raping a resource is not going to accomplish anything.

Nope. My business doesn't involve exploiting a natural resource or anyone for that matter. It involves win-win situations for all parties involved - they get high quality service, I get paid. On the other hand, those that support an increase to the quotas are, in my opinion, merely looking to further exploit a resource that is potentially on the verge of a crash for slightly more money in the short term - a situation that is eventually a lose-lose for everyone when they are out of business due to a lack of fish.

not for nothing but the science on both sides of the argument pretty much sucks so who do you listen to....

I completely agree and have never contested that. My contempt is with people of the opinion that because there is little reliable science demonstrating the stocks are at risk, that means quotas can be increased even though there is as much a lack supporting their position. There's far more risk in having a quota that is too low, than there is of having one that is too high.

Is it because the resource is struggling or because its a resource you have a personal interest in that makes it worth protecting.

some would argue that the plight of the plover is a resource worth protecting

If people go into these meetings playing the blame game...both sides get pissed, and any credible arguments they have, become meaningless.

My position is because I believe the resource is struggling. As I've stated before, with healthy stocks and effective regulation, I'd support commercial fishing. Unfortunately, ASMFC sucks... plain and simple. The stocks do not show obvious signs of health and the regulatory body consistently demonstrates their incompetence.

And don't get me started on the plovers. The plight of that species is a demonstration of Darwinism, not over-exploitation.

[JohnR]

Come on, that's it? Nobody else feel they can show up for one one of these meetings?

[CowHunter]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Come on, that's it? Nobody else feel they can show up for one one of these meetings?

Why do you think that is John???? Its because that there are Way More people on this board selling bass both boat and surf during the com season. Times are tough, not everyone can afford to drop a few hundred bucks a trip to go fishing on a regular basis, they need to sell fish to at least offset expenses, or fish damn hard and make a few bucks to get ahead during the comm season...

Now before the JohnnyD's, Makai's,Numbskull's, and the Sandmans jump all over me, I in no way support this bill... I dont think there is a need to raise the Comm quota and I myself am not for this bill. I though dont rely 100% to make a living from being on the water... However, I dont think raising the Mass comm quota will make much of a difference because honestly, I dont think many on here get it, the real damage to striped bass is done well south of Mass and its not by Comms. 1.1 million pounds is probably killed on a weekly basis in some of these areas, kind of a joke. Cut the Rec catch to 1 fish at 34-36" coastwide and it WILL make a difference. The Black Market for striped bass Im sure is well over 1.1 million pounds in some states during a season... Who is killing those fish, just Comm Guys??? Common....

[DaveS]

Originally Posted by CowHunter

... I dont think many on here get it, the real damage to striped bass is done well south of Mass and its not by Comms. 1.1 million pounds is probably killed on a weekly basis in some of these areas, kind of a joke. Cut the Rec catch to 1 fish at 34-36" coastwide and it WILL make a difference.

Hey Kenny, if these New England guys would see the amount of slob fish killed in a 6 mile stretch in Monmouth Cty NJ during a good May or June week, they would crap their pants.

[JohnR]

[QUOTE=CowHunter;787846]Why do you think that is John???? Its because that there are Way More people on this board selling bass both boat and surf during the com season. [quote]

I'd be shocked if 10% here were selling commercially - and I don't have a problem with it - within reason. I have a lot of friends and fellow anglers that are licensed commercial shore and boat, different states. If the stocks were in better shape, I'd consider getting a license myself.

What's at stake:

The proposal to increase the coastal commercial quota is intended to improve equality between the commercial and recreational fishery sectors. Although Amendment 6 established management programs for both fisheries based on the same target fishing mortality rate, the implementation of state-specific quotas for coastal commercial harvest (and not for recreational harvest) has prevented the commercial and recreational fisheries from responding equally to changes in striped bass population size. Since 2003, coastal commercial harvest has decreased by 3.6 percent, while recreational harvest has increased by 13.7 percent. Under the option, the Board would select a percent increase to be applied to the coastal commercial allocations assigned in Amendment 6.

So while Rec fishing might be up since 2003 the general consensus is that it has long since peaked and is in decline. With Commercial harvests off slightly over that same time period, why would we want to INCREASE the take?

Personally, I'm for reduction on both Rec & Commercial harvest - not elimination.

[QUOTE=CowHunter;787846]I dont think many on here get it, the real damage to striped bass is done well south of Mass and its not by Comms. 1.1 million pounds is probably killed on a weekly basis in some of these areas, kind of a joke. Cut the Rec catch to 1 fish at 34-36" coastwide and it WILL make a difference. The Black Market for striped bass Im sure is well over 1.1 million pounds in some states during a season... Who is killing those fish, just Comm Guys??? Common.... [quote]

So because the real damage is being done down south we should ignore it? Or allow it to do even more real damage? Because the black market is for say 1.1 million pounds we should ignore it?

Sheeit, we might as well open the EEZ while we're at ignoring the other things.

[CowHunter]

[QUOTE=JohnR;787869][QUOTE=CowHunter;787846]Why do you think that is John???? Its because that there are Way More people on this board selling bass both boat and surf during the com season. [quote]

I'd be shocked if 10% here were selling commercially - and I don't have a problem with it - within reason. I have a lot of friends and fellow anglers that are licensed commercial shore and boat, different states. If the stocks were in better shape, I'd consider getting a license myself.

What's at stake:

So while Rec fishing might be up since 2003 the general consensus is that it has long since peaked and is in decline. With Commercial harvests off slightly over that same time period, why would we want to INCREASE the take?

Personally, I'm for reduction on both Rec & Commercial harvest - not elimination.

[QUOTE=CowHunter;787846]I dont think many on here get it, the real damage to striped bass is done well south of Mass and its not by Comms. 1.1 million pounds is probably killed on a weekly basis in some of these areas, kind of a joke. Cut the Rec catch to 1 fish at 34-36" coastwide and it WILL make a difference. The Black Market for striped bass Im sure is well over 1.1 million pounds in some states during a season... Who is killing those fish, just Comm Guys??? Common....

So because the real damage is being done down south we should ignore it? Or allow it to do even more real damage? Because the black market is for say 1.1 million pounds we should ignore it?

Sheeit, we might as well open the EEZ while we're at ignoring the other things.

I dont think anybody is here ignoring the issues, hell Ive been pretty outspoken about alot of the issues especially protecting the EEZ... It is in all our best interest to protect the fishery as best we can. I may not do 360 days a year but I do about 150 trips a season for striped bass in several states from Mass to NC and have seen change of migrational patterns, water temp changes YOY, fish setting up in different areas, and most important the bait situation. I'm sorry if the fish dont show up in the same areas as they did in past years but they do need the right conditions. And Im sorry that the fish arent stacked on the beach in every spot that people surfcast.... Guys on here that bitch and whine that there are no striped bass around honestly dont have a clue about the fishery and its just a waste of time discussing the issue with them, if only they knew the potential out there....(By the way I am really glad they dont know) I Do not think the fishery is on the verge of collapse if guys are running out there doing 30, 40, 50, 200 + fish a trip, Sorry.... You know there does have to be a balance of Bass and bait... The big bodies of fish are going to where the bait is to sustain them, plain and simple... Best of luck in the 2010 season! As for me, been the best year for big fish with 5 50's and a 67.4 boated on my boat. By the way Team Reel Deal Got another board fish yesterday... Not bitchin' just fishin....

As far as just 10 % on here with com license, I really dont know what the numbers are, but nearly all that I talk to on this board sell bass...

[Clammer]

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[CowHunter]

Originally Posted by Clammer

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It is a merry go round!!!!

Look at how many guys are attending this meeting... 5 a day??? How many on this site??? Some of the others don't see a problem and the rest are selling Bass!!