Mass. weighs tougher protections for striped bass

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Interesting. Clearly states no commercial harvest and a Slot limit for Recs. The only thing missing is calling it a state gamefish - purely speculating that some that wrote the this would not want to call it a gamefish to give it some long term legitimacy.

Whenever the topic has come up, this is what most people have wanted. I don't believe changes like this in only one state is going to make any difference though.

[MarshCappa]

If this passes through when would it become effective? Has anybody lived through a similar mandate like this? I've only fished within the current regulations but this is alot different and I don't know what to think. Seems ok for the conservation of the species but the Comms would be drastically affected by this. How many dollars are we talking about commercially per season in MA? Sorry for all the questions which may seem stupid to others more in tuned to this.

[striperman36]

John were did you find that?

Bill

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Whenever the topic has come up, this is what most people have wanted. I don't believe changes like this in only one state is going to make any difference though.

I think it would make a minuscule difference but not a big one.

Originally Posted by MarshCappa

If this passes through when would it become effective? Has anybody lived through a similar mandate like this? I've only fished within the current regulations but this is alot different and I don't know what to think. Seems ok for the conservation of the species but the Comms would be drastically affected by this. How many dollars are we talking about commercially per season in MA? Sorry for all the questions which may seem stupid to others more in tuned to this.

I don't think the comm money on SB is a drop in the bucket compared to the rec dollar generation. Very few dedicated comm fishers make a sizeable dollar off it and the majority of SB comm fishers are generally recreational anyway. NOBODY can make an annual living off selling SB in Mass.

Personally I'm for tighter regs on both Recs & Comms, coastwide but not for eliminating the commercial take. Allocation isn't the issue.

Originally Posted by striperman36

John were did you find that?

Bill

In PRBuzz's post above

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Is this the reference to bill: H796...

[Canalman]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Whenever the topic has come up, this is what most people have wanted. I don't believe changes like this in only one state is going to make any difference though.

Sets an example for other states to follow. Seems like all the remaining comm states are dancing around a pool of cold water and afraid to be the first to dip their toe in.

Lowering the size limit to 20" is a measure to reduce release mortality. Won't work, but at least they're trying