Why is The Striped Bass Conservation Bill so hush hush?

[BasicPatrick]

Has anybody making comments on the science related to this bill actually talked to a scientist that works with stock asessment programs?

Can anyone state directly what the new "f" rate will be?

The Mass Striped Bass Assn will be soon be releasing a position on the bill that includes analysis of the science behind the bill.

The bill will not slip by quietly by any means...in MA the next step is a hearing.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by BasicPatrick

Has anybody making comments on the science related to this bill actually talked to a scientist that works with stock asessment programs?

Can anyone state directly what the new "f" rate will be?

The Mass Striped Bass Assn will be soon be releasing a position on the bill that includes analysis of the science behind the bill.

The bill will not slip by quietly by any means...in MA the next step is a hearing.

I spoke with a friend who is an emeritus scientist from WHOI. He was at a meeting with the scientists in charge of stock assessment and obtained a very chagrinned admission from them that their current stock estimates were probably wildly inaccurate and that the real number might well be less than 1/2 of what they are choosing to use for management decisions. There is also the issue of increased natural mortality in MA waters related to the burgeoning seal population.

So is MSBA in favor of maintaining the current maximum use of the resource, or reducing pressure on the population by some other means?

[BasicPatrick]

Numby, I am not really sure what you are asking, nor do I see how resource "use" (which I assume you mean fishing mortality) is related to this bill.

It is clear that this bill will increase fishing mortality.

My question and my point is to have an intellegent informed discussion we need details on analysis not I think of you think.

We all should consider the merits of the Bill, not the emotions of the bill.

1. If MA eliminates it's commercial fishery it can not keep those fish without harvest. Sure, MA could do what Jersey has done and add a third fish to the recreational take, but it can not hold these fish in reserve. The management plan will give that quota to another state.

So let's discuss this element of the Bill, what do we do???

[davisd]

Maybe Patrick will let us know when we will be discussing this subject. So any of you guys on here that want to understand it better can attend the meeting. They are very informative and believe me Patrick does a good job on informing.

[numbskull]

I don't have a preconceived notion about this, other than that I think the population data is wrong and has probably been buffed to present the most favorable possible estimate because of political pressures and commercial bias on the board.

I would hope MSBA's experienced fisherman recognize the same issue and are interested in addressing it. To do so every idea should be considered on its own merit. Why, for instance, assume MA must give up any of its quota it chooses to use for conservation purposes? Why assume the recreational catch can not be limited by other means such as adjusting the slot limit or establishing a season (not that that is likely to be popular). And why prioritize the quantity of the fishery as opposed to the quality of the fishery?

I don't have a strong opinion regarding this bill........though I think it is ill conceived and poorly timed.....and very unlikely to pass. From a purely selfish standpoint I hope it does pass, after which the recreational limit would likely need to be severely curtailed to keep mortality below current levels (you get what you ask for) and a court case if necessary could ensue (probably backed by the Conservation Law Foundation) to establish a state's right NOT to kill fish if they so choose........which I suspect would be successful and ultimately save some decent fish for me to target over the waning years of my life.

[l.i.fish.in.vt]

why not let the commercial qouta stay as it is and have the recreational be a catch and release only fishery?

[striprman]

Originally Posted by l.i.fish.in.vt

why not let the commercial qouta stay as it is and have the recreational be a catch and release only fishery?

Because, I want a fish for the bbq, the one I caught

[maddmatt]

Originally Posted by l.i.fish.in.vt

why not let the commercial qouta stay as it is and have the recreational be a catch and release only fishery?

hear!! hear!!