This is "Striped-Bass.com"

[scottw]

I guess rather...I'm going to encourage those concerned to do what they think is right...time is short and there is certainly a sense that this is all a forgone conclusion....and it will be if.....

[iamskippy]

I am confused about this post can you please clarify ?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[scottw]

sorry about that...I'm just encouraging the member here to be heard as this is "S-B.com"...I will add the relevant RI folks that need to be contacted prior to the 16th today.....it's sad that this is such an inflammatory subject when we all share a common desire to see the bass do well...unfortunately the way things get done is not always...not sure of the word....savory?

[iamskippy]

Ahh ok i follow now, i thought you were implying that "this is strip bass .com " so the members here should be more active. I follow now thanks for the clarification.

To put my demented twist on it, almost feels like there is no voice that makes a diff as the fat cats get what they want.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[JohnR]

Fisheries meeting on Striped-Bass regs?

Where is the link for a February 16th meeting?

Thanks

[scottw]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Fisheries meeting on Striped-Bass regs?

Where is the link for a February 16th meeting?

Thanks

I'll have it all up today John

[scottw]

Originally Posted by iamskippy

Ahh ok i follow now, i thought you were implying that "this is strip bass .com " so the members here should be more active. I follow now thanks for the clarification.

To put my demented twist on it, almost feels like there is no voice that makes a diff as the fat cats get what they want.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

feeling that way....time to run it over the goal line rather than trying to lob a pass

[DZ]

Here is the Feb 16 meeting announcement:

http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatr...d/pn021615.htm

[iamskippy]

Originally Posted by scottw

feeling that way....time to run it over the goal line rather than trying to lob a pass

Love it lol.

Maybe you can answer this question i have not found the answer.

The people that make these decisions are they hired or elected?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[DZ]

Originally Posted by iamskippy

Love it lol.

Maybe you can answer this question i have not found the answer.

The people that make these decisions are they hired or elected?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Some are hired, some elected, some appointed.

[iamskippy]

Originally Posted by DZ

Some are hired, some elected, some appointed.

Seems like after the dust settles that would be the first point of attack.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[scottw]

here they are in RI......

State of Rhode Island
Office of the Governor
Gina M. Raimondo
82 Smith Street
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 222-2080
Fax: (401) 222-8096
http://www.governor.ri.gov/contact/


Janet Coit
Director
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908
Office Number: 401/222-2771
E-mail: janet.coit@dem.ri.gov





Sen. Susan Sosnowski
RI Legislature
680 Glen Rock Road
W. Kingston, Rhode Island 02892 E‐Mail: Sen‐sosnowski@rilin.state.ri.us
Tel: 401.222.4200

[scottw]

I'd encourage concerned SB members to send email, snail mail, call, smoke signal and any other method and ALL if possible to remind these folks.and then of course, get to the meeting if you can

[scottw]

Originally Posted by iamskippy

Seems like after the dust settles that would be the first point of attack.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

as much as I want to motivate the troops we all still need to be able to talk to each other regardless of the outcome after the dust settles...we don't need "Striper Wars"...but I don't know how this goes well moving forward with mode splits given the level of emotion I see on both sides... particularly if we don't see a change in the decline and that will probably take a while...I just hope everyone takes the time to contact the people above

[iamskippy]

Originally Posted by scottw

as much as I want to motivate the troops we all still need to be able to talk to each other regardless of the outcome after the dust settles...we don't need "Striper Wars"...but I don't know how this goes well moving forward with mode splits given the level of emotion I see on both sides... particularly if we don't see a change in the decline and that will probably take a while...I just hope everyone takes the time to contact the people above

I will be sending an email with my 2cents for sure, it just drives me nuts how people in these places make these decisions with out recourse, but then again i see that from one side not the Other.

Maybe they should open it up to an actual vote,.let the voices decide. You can.vote using your.license number....
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Clammer]

cOIT JUST GOT REAPPOINTED . soooooooooo SHE CAN GO BACK TO HER PET PROJECT ...............use of the 195 land .. which was suppose to be mainly a addition to the existing parks with a foot bridge joining them .
But since the initial [plans] talk] it has switched to who & how much can we best utilize this land .
well , Brown U already has a property up / Geez /no property taxes & they have just made a agreement with a developer for another piece of the pie .

I don,t even what to guess what will actually end up with the old SHOOTERS land .

do you know that good lobyists [sp] make routine icome in the 6 fugure bracket

[scottw]

some positive things from the meeting to our south today...need to continue to apply pressure to the RI contingent....

highlights per Ross Squire in attendance....

*Technical Committee concerns - complexity of regulations and angler behavior not calculated into analyses..

*rep commented that 1@28 then turned into 8 pages of conservation equivalency proposals

*Paul Diodati going to recommend 1@28 for MA fishery

*Law Enforcement report - recommend one size and bag limit for all rec modes

*after the vote the Chairman asked states to remember simplicity and consistency


simple and consistent seemed to be the theme and one that is not accomplished through mode splits and slots

[striperswiper75]

Yet they still approved all C.E. plans and kicked the decision back to the individual states to implement final guidelines. RI will probably dictate how CT proceeds. NJ seems like a lost cause, I mean done deal. Nice to read that MA may proceed at 1 fish.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[DZ]

The formal announcement from yesterday's ASMFC meeting: Emphasis highlighted. Will the states work together? Diodati stated he was recommending 1@28.

Alexandria, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board approved Addendum IV implementation plans and conservation equivalency proposals for all the states and jurisdictions. The implementation plans, which were reviewed and approved by the Technical Committee, contain state-specific management options that achieve a 25% reduction in harvest from 2013 levels for the coastal fishery and 20.5% reduction in harvest from 2012 levels for the Chesapeake Bay fishery. Given the wide range of options being considered, the Board recommended neighboring states and jurisdictions work together to implement consistent management measures, especially on shared water bodies. This recommendation was also supported by the Commission’s Law Enforcement Committee. Additionally, the Board reminded states there is greater certainty in the percent reductions of simple management measures (i.e., changes in bag or size limits) relative to more complex measures (e.g., slot/trophy fish and mode-specific options).

[MakoMike]

RI is holding a public workshop and hearing on all proposed rule changes for the 2015 season on Feb. 16th. Among them are the striped bass rules, including a 1 fish at 28 inches for everyone and a 1 fish at 28 inches for general public and 2 at 32 inches for Charter/party boats.

Workshop - http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatr...df/021615p.pdf

Hearing - http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatr...f/021615pp.pdf

[scottw]

nice rundown in the current RISSA newsletter explaining the nature of the Feb 16th meeting and RIDEM's "LEAN" initiative....it would be great for the deciders to get a steady flow of opinion on this throughout the week and leading up to the meeting....we can be sure the the folks pushing a two fish option are not resting

I noted in a recent RISSA newsletter that in recognition of the noted striper decline their annual spring bass tourney will now be catch-and-release only

page 3 and continued on page 21
http://www.risaa.org/newsletter/newsletter0215.html

[dannyplug1]

Scott letters to all the contacts you listed have been sent. Hope it does some good. But it wont if others are not doing the same. We need to make our presence and views recognized. If we don't it will business as usual and we will be ignored.

[scottw]

here's the state by state proposals as reported in OTW http://www.onthewater.com/states-wei...-options-2015/

you can see that RI can be the key to a 1@28 all modes consistency from Maine to Connecticut...a good showing on Monday would send an effective message...

here are some bullet point and an additional address to submit your thought s and feelings prior to the Monday workshop and meeting...Connecticut residents should be aware that their state will lean in favor of what ever RI decides and should feel free to contact the RI folks above and below, Mass residents should also remind these folks that Mass is leaning toward 1@28 all modes and RI expressed a need for consistency state to state as a rationale for offering a mode split option....the best option for consistency for MA,RI CT will be 1@28 all modes...let the NY boats fish their own abundant waters

Bullet Points

-ASMFC Enforcement Committee pleaded for “simple and consistent regulations for all recreational modes” and stated that “mode exemptions, narrow slots and on board filleting and are all difficult to enforce”

- ASMFC Technical Committee (TC) made it clear their data confidence is negativly impacted by complex and differing regulations by state.

- ASMFC Chief closed the session stressing the need for “simple and consistent regional regulations”

-TC only ever provided options with >50% likelihood of success.

- All CE 2015 analyses by TC assume 100% angler compliance

-Massachusetts: The Mass DMF has basically rejected the idea of special limits for the “for-hire” fleet and is recommending a daily limit for striped bass of 1 fish, 28″ or larger.

-Connecticut has indicated they will likely align with RI’s regulations.


Questions for RIDEM Director regarding mode splits….

-What evidence has been presented to establish the potential negative impact to the for-hire industry caused by a 1 fish per client kill limit regarding bass? There is no % reduction of fishing, only killing of a species in documented decline.

-Why create an exception which benefits primarily out of state residents?

-Why promote the continued plundering by out of state vessels in RI waters that provide zero economic benefit for RI? The 1 @ proposal would keep them in their own waters reducing pressure on RI waters, it’s summer bass population and on already stretched RI enforcement officials.

-What constitutes “for-hire” and “clients”?…there are many captain’s licenses granted, is any “captain” with a vessel and those on board his/her vessel granted a 2 bass mode split exception(clients paying full fare, partial fare, friends, family, fellow fishing club members)? Shore guided clients?...kayak guided clients? Other? How can/will this be enforced?

-At a time when anglers, organizations, clubs, industry publications as well as many “for-hire’s” are recognizing the need for conservation and reacting, even without changes in the regulations, to lessen their impact and promote stewardship, why would we create a 2 fish “exception” for those who are admittedly(out of state visitors) the least likely to have a long term interest in the species?

-How does the economic hardship claim by some “for hire’s” align with the fact that many have already successfully become largely catch and release or reduced their impact without changes in regulations and the support of organizations such as the Cape Cod Charter Boat Association’s support of a 1 bass all modes?

-How is a mode split exception consistent with requests of the ASMFC committee’s requests and the RIDEM’s own “LEAN” initiative?

INSTRUCTIONS FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS:
Written comments concerning the proposed regulations may be submitted to

Peter Duhamel, Division of Fish and Wildlife Marine Fisheries office, 3 Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, RI 02835 peter.duhamel@dem.ri.gov

no later than 12:00 Noon on February 16, 2015. A copy of the proposed regulation(s) will also be available on the DEM website at the following web address:http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatr...d/pn021615.htm.

[iamskippy]

Thanks for the points scott.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[massbassman]

Scott, thanks for clearing up a few things I wasn't aware of. Alot deeper of an issue than I thought.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[thefishingfreak]

Letter sent

[DZ]

This came in this morning - comment period extended.

{This is just a note on the end of the comment period for the February 16th public hearing. The public comment period for all public hearing items will be extended beyond the night of the hearing until 12:00 PM on February 26th. This is done to accommodate anyone who wishes to contemplate the public hearing items beyond the night of the hearing and still affords an ability to submit written comments before the items are reviewed by the RI Marine Fisheries Council.
The extension will be officially made on the night of the hearing.}

[scottw]

here are the main players including Fisheries Council members and some to contact as these folks will ultimately be deciding the issue for RI and are the folks to focus your efforts on...you can quickly access most of their emails linked through RISSA http://www.risaa.org/links.html ...

Janet Coit
Director
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908
Office Number: 401/222-2771
E-mail: janet.coit@dem.ri.gov


Robert Ballou CHAIRMAN - Div. of Fish & Wildlife
RI Dept. of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street
401- 222-4700 x4420
Providence, RI 02908
robert.ballou@DEM.RI.GOV

Fisheries Council

Richard Hittinger VICE CHAIRMAN (recreational)
rhittinger@allianceenvironmentalgroup.com
hittinger@risaa.org
401-739-1875

Kenneth Booth (commercial - rod & reel)
kenbbooth@yahoo.com
401-793-0454

William Mackintosh, III (commercial - gillnetter)
fvthistle@verizon.net
401-477-0603

Christopher Rein(science - marine environmental)
401-525-4969

Michael Rise, Ph.D. (science - marine environmental)
401-874-2943

David Monti (recreational)
401-480-3444
dmonti@rdwgroup.com

Jeffrey Grant (commercial - shellfish)
401-243-5123

Peter Duhamel, Division of Fish and Wildlife Marine Fisheries office, 3 Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, RI 02835 peter.duhamel@dem.ri.gov

[scottw]

there was some confusion created by an article in the Providence Journal on Feb 11th, a correction is supposed to be made but just to clarify, the RI Marine Fisheries workshop and public comment etc meeting is still scheduled for this coming Monday February 16 beginning at 4:30 public hearing beginning at 7pm ...the early March date that was referred to in the article is the follow up RI Marine Fisheries Council meeting ......

[scottw]

you have until noon today to post your comments and have them entered into the public record, it is clear that your efforts are being heard, let's take it across the finish line....and many thanks to all who have weighed in...

Janet Coit
Director
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908
Office Number: 401/222-2771
E-mail: janet.coit@dem.ri.gov


Peter Duhamel
Division of Fish and Wildlife Marine Fisheries Office
3 Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, RI 02835
peter.duhamel@dem.ri.gov