Stiper Gamefish?

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Mike P

By a factor of seven, actually. Approximately 28 million pounds as compared to 4 million.

OK, I'll bite. How many fisherman is that 28 million pounds spread amoungst, and how many individuals is that 4 million pounds spread amoungst? Next subtract the charter boat totals (which is another commerical use of the fish) and tell me how many pounds of fish does one average recreational fisherman utilize in one year, and how many pounds of fish does one commerical fisherman utilize in one year. Since farm raised striped bass offer an alternate food source to the nonfishing public, the "food for the (affluent) masses" argument to support a commerical fishery is suspect at least. Seems to me then that a "fair" allocation of the resource would allow each average commerical and recreational fisherman to kill the same proportion of the resource each year. Do the numbers suggest this is presently the case? Would any commerical guy agree to this formula? Answer that, then tell me who is in favor of "resource grabbing". Thanks.

[Team Rock On]

I think you have to remember that the com. fisherman is harvesting the fish for public consumption, so technically those 4 million pounds are spread amoungst 300 million people (the US population, and that doesn't include tourists that might want to eat fish). Also remember that the dead discards of the rec. fisherman exceeds the total harvest by the com fishery. Some good info to support these facts here...http://www.asmfc.org/speciesDocument...review2007.pdf
So one could argue that 1% of the population is killing 70% of the fish if you believe the above science...

Originally Posted by numbskull

OK, I'll bite. How many fisherman is that 28 million pounds spread amoungst, and how many individuals is that 4 million pounds spread amoungst? Next subtract the charter boat totals (which is another commerical use of the fish) and tell me how many pounds of fish does one average recreational fisherman utilize in one year, and how many pounds of fish does one commerical fisherman utilize in one year. Since farm raised striped bass offer an alternate food source to the nonfishing public, the "food for the (affluent) masses" argument to support a commerical fishery is suspect at least. Seems to me then that a "fair" allocation of the resource would allow each average commerical and recreational fisherman to kill the same proportion of the resource each year. Do the numbers suggest this is presently the case? Would any commerical guy agree to this formula? Answer that, then tell me who is in favor of "resource grabbing". Thanks.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Team Rock On

I think you have to remember that the com. fisherman is harvesting the fish for public consumption, so technically those 4 million pounds are spread amoungst 300 million people (the US population, and that doesn't include tourists that might want to eat fish). Also remember that the dead discards of the rec. fisherman exceeds the total harvest by the com fishery. Some good info to support these facts here...http://www.asmfc.org/speciesDocument...review2007.pdf
So one could argue that 1% of the population is killing 70% of the fish if you believe the above science...

Reread my post and try again. There are alternate sources of striped bass for public consumption now, so you can argue that a commerical season only serves to discourage the further development of aquaculture (what is cheaper, Alantic Salmon which is 100% farmed, or Striped Bass?). I also do not believe for one moment that the dead discards by the average individual recreational fisherman exceeds the combined dead discards and dead sold fish of an average commerical fisherman. So again, how is it fair that a commerical guy should be able to kill more of the public resource than a recreational guy? Help me out here. Thanks.

[numbskull]

The link you provided says commerical harvest was 28% of the catch, and recreational harvest 71% of the catch. Nowhere near the 7:1 ratio claimed above, and indicates a grossly higher individual consumption of a public resource by each commerical fisherman than the original numbers suggested. I don't have any objection to the commerical utilization of Striped Bass, but at least those enriching themselves doing it should acknowledge they are getting one hell of a deal.

[big jay]

[QUOTE There are alternate sources of striped bass for public consumption now, so you can argue that a commerical season only serves to discourage the further development of aquaculture (what is cheaper, Alantic Salmon which is 100% farmed, or Striped Bass?)[/QUOTE]


Farm Raised Striper tastes like Chit....

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by big jay

Farm Raised Striper tastes like Chit....

Never tried it, and have no desire to do so.....though I don't mind farm raised salmon or shrimp. For that matter I also don't mind farm raised duck or beef....though I'm sure wild stuff tastes better. So why is it that we don't have commerical hunting seasons, but still have commerical fishing seasons? Shouldn't we all have a right to go shoot some plover and seal to sell so we can support our families? What is the difference?

[RIROCKHOUND]

Except that farm raised shrimp (in particular) and salmon (somewhat) have MONUMENTAL environmental risk.
Use Google earth to look in SE Asia at the shrimp farms... ugly. they use the area and then move on....