Opening EEZ?

[zimmy]

There needs to be a system that allows for by-catch estimates to be used so that by-catch can be kept in the EEZ. By design the limits must be very strict and based on how many bass are being killed anyway. There should not be an increase in the commercial quota and the regulations should aim to limit or prevent targeting of bass in the eez. I think we are shooting ourselves in the foot when we allow bass to be tossed dead into the ocean. Count them and make em count toward the overall commercial take.

[beamie]

Mass Commercial Regs still state that Bass will be catch with Hook and Line only......so bycatch from gillnets and draggers still cannot be sold. Maybe longline and tub trawls would be allowed, But the way I read it still no netting. Who knows..........

I don't believe this vote will pass to open the EEZ anyway....

[likwid]

Originally Posted by beamie

Mass Commercial Regs still state that Bass will be catch with Hook and Line only......so bycatch from gillnets and draggers still cannot be sold.

Get friendly with some fish houses.

Amazing things happen.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by zimmy

I think we are shooting ourselves in the foot when we allow bass to be tossed dead into the ocean. Count them and make em count toward the overall commercial take.

There is no way to count them if we force the fishermen to thorw them over the side. The only way they will be counted is if we allow them to be kept and sold, and if you do that then you provide an incentive to target them. Tis a problem!

[beamie]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

There is no way to count them if we force the fishermen to thorw them over the side. The only way they will be counted is if we allow them to be kept and sold, and if you do that then you provide an incentive to target them. Tis a problem!

This is the main reason I don't think they would open it. You'd have a dragger targeting bass (bycatch) he'll throw a few rod and reel setups on the boat and call it rod and reel catch fish. Like MM said this would creacte an incentive.....it is human nature.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by beamie

This is the main reason I don't think they would open it. You'd have a dragger targeting bass (bycatch) he'll throw a few rod and reel setups on the boat and call it rod and reel catch fish. Like MM said this would creacte an incentive.....it is human nature.

If a enforcement officer can't tell the difference between a line caught fish and a net caught fish he should quit and go back to school. Picture a fish that looks like it went through a clothes washer, that's what a net caught fish looks like.

[Sweetwater]

You know, every time something gets good again (striped bass recovery), everyone wants to go back to the old ways that decimated the population to begin with. I'm an RFA member but I haven't (yet) bought in to the "make S-B a recreational only fishery"...but I'm tempted.