MAKE STRIPED BASS A GAMEFISH!

[Hooper]

You know, I agree with Mako Mike here...

Stripers Forever wants the fishery for themselves, and their interests, simply put. I cannot see how this striper fishery, both commercial and recreational cannot coexists together with a proper management.

My view on it is this should be strictly a rod and reel take fishery. Haven't we learned anything from the total collapse of the northeast groundfishery? Nets completely decimate fish stocks, be it trawls, gillnets driftnets, whatever... They are indiscriminate methods for killing whatever happens by.

But, if responsible commercial limits are set and then harvest is allowed only by rod and reel, it seems there could be a balance. Many commercial codfisherman that I know have said that if it were a hook and line world only we'd never overfish the oceans. While I may not go quite that far and say never, I tend to agree that selective harvest of fish by hook and line is far better than other more harsh methods.

Thanks, Hooper