|
There are THREE (3) major spawning areas that contribute to the Coastal Striped Bass Stock. Chesapeake, Delaware and Hudson River. Fish from ALL THREE of these areas leave their spawning grounds and migrate along the coast. All three migrate into MA and are part of the fish we catch in MA. Combined, the rest of the spawning fish throughout the entire coastal range make up less than 1% of the coastal migrating population. There are spawning fish in pretty much every state just not enough to matter compared to the three aforementioned spawning areas. These are not assumptions but scientific facts.
If anyone wants to challenge or debate these facts then 1) Give John R $1000, 2) I'll do the same, 3) the losers cash goes to the charity that the winer chooses and 4)My statement will be evaluated by Dr. Gary Nelson of MA DMF, he is Chair of the SB Stock Assessment and the guy I think we could agree would have the knowledge if I am communicating fact or fiction.
_____________
Now for the rest of the story...
Environmental conditions clearly have more to do with the amount of (young of year )production than any conservation measure fisheries mangers can provide.
The Data clearly shows that the same SSB that produced the largest year classes on record have also produced the smallest.
I find it completely ridiculous when people argue that because we can't control the environment we should keep fishing at the current rate of harvest. Who or what is to blame for the declining number of available SB has nothing to do with the FACT that we know there are less fish available. The same lack of control of the environment existed when we increased harvest based upon the knowledge we had a high and increasing number of SB. Now that we KNOW the numbers are in serious decline, it is obvious to me it is time to reduce harvest. That is good management, not to mention good common sense.
To conclude, the last time we had questionable year classes we had a 1 @ 28" coastwise standard and the number increased. Shouldn't that be the new number. I think it should.
I know some people want a larger minimum size but we do kill and are charged with 9% release mortality so I want those fish to count. Not to mention I think most normal shore bound anglers, (the ones that buy the low end tackle sold in a million more places then high end tackle) should be allowed to harvest a reasonable fish.
Ill be fighting for a larger minimum size as that is what MSBA voted to support....just giving my personal opinions here.
|
Threaded Mode