SB stocks dwindling

[PaulS]

A big part of the problem is the rec. release mortality so gamefish will help but is not the solution. It will certainly help. Maybe closed seasons like the winter and during breeding periods in certain areas??
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[clambo]

Years ago there was a moratorium on Striper fishing. At the same time I saw spotter plane images of schools in the hundreds of thousands taken offshore around 100 miles. So it seems that if there are fewer fish inshore where the counts are taking place ergo there must be fewer fish. This is sloppy science! The Stripers were offshore feeding on ocean Herring as blackback Herring inshore have been depleted by commercial fishing and a lack of oversite by the very agencies that were supposed to protect them. This may always be happening until all areas where Stripers are located are looked at.

[zimmy]

Originally Posted by clambo

Years ago there was a moratorium on Striper fishing. At the same time I saw spotter plane images of schools in the hundreds of thousands taken offshore around 100 miles. So it seems that if there are fewer fish inshore where the counts are taking place ergo there must be fewer fish. This is sloppy science! The Stripers were offshore feeding on ocean Herring as blackback Herring inshore have been depleted by commercial fishing and a lack of oversite by the very agencies that were supposed to protect them. This may always be happening until all areas where Stripers are located are looked at.

So if the stripers were everywhere, and they are now only "offshore," and they are unsuccessful at breeding year after year, it is a pretty good scientific conclusion that there is a problem. I can't figure out what you mean by your last sentence. What would change "all areas" are looked at? Do you mean we would realize there is no problem? What you suggest seems like not sloppy science, but bad science.

[afterhours]

Originally Posted by PaulS

A big part of the problem is the rec. release mortality so gamefish will help but is not the solution. It will certainly help. Maybe closed seasons like the winter and during breeding periods in certain areas??
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

What's the acknowledged mortality rate amongst recs? Probably a goog thing as all guys I know would do most anything to avoid killing one. Something has to be done.

[hq2]

The number I have typically seen for mortality
rates is about 10%.

[bloocrab]

The current 3" slot-window is ridiculous..... shut it down already -
(it still maintains the same amount of pressure on the stocks, angers more "googs" when the fish is outside that window for a not-so-pleasant release... it may have made sense scientifically & statistically on paper, but in reality, I don't see it helping AT ALL...

IF they REALLY wanted to help this fishery, they'd institute an entire shut-down including the ENTIRE east coast for 5-7 years, then return to a 36"+ @1fish...and while they're at it, take a 3-5 year break on sea-herring/menhaden harvesting.... . . . ...... sumbuddyslapme, I'm dreaming, ... .


off to find me sum rubba-lipps

[JohnR]

We've only been crying out about this for a decade.

[PaulS]

Originally Posted by afterhours

What's the acknowledged mortality rate amongst recs? Probably a goog thing as all guys I know would do most anything to avoid killing one. Something has to be done.

As was stated the mortality is est. at 10%.

What I meant was the following:

"From 2018-2021, recreational release mortality made up
50% of total removals, with recreational harvest making up 37%, commercial harvest making up 11%, and commercial discards making up 2% of the total"

So even with gamefish status, maybe some comms will still fish, and the people who kept fish will now release all of them, we are killing more than 50% of all fish we catch. I used to fish all winter when it was decent out and could catch as many fish as I wanted. I haven't done that for a while as it has gotten crazy w/the amount of people I see out in the winter now.

[wdmso]

now release all of them, we are killing more than 50% of all fish we catch.

I just don’t buy 50% of total removals, with recreational harvest making up 37%, of release mortality

And having more recreational fisherman does not translate that they are all targeting and catching Bass

But for them to claim commercial harvest making up 11%, and commercial discards making up 2% of the total" release deaths.

Is crazy. They are taking the breeding stock they are removing with no slot limit
Just 36 or larger

We see the same madness with Black Sea bass. Rec 16.5 4 fish Comms 12 in. 100 lb. If pots 500 lbs

Fluke. Min: 16.5 5 fish .. comm 14in 600lbs

Guess how many Black sea bass and fluke keepers I saw. This year. 3 sea bass and no keeper Fluke. Striped Bass in the 28 -31 inch range. maybe 10. Kept 3. Over 31inch 25 plus .. even Albies I have not caught 10. And I’ve spent hours chasing them.

I fish a lot …. Yet the avg rec guy gets out 2 days a month 90% fish from shore the rest a boat…. I doubt their trips are always lights out….
And this is why I’m skeptical of the fish, mortality rates, based on license, recreational or commercial