MSBA Action Alert--Stripers Forever Bill Could Pass- Only One Hearing--This Thursday

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by CowHunter

I know you want whats best for the fish, so do I, as do all I would hope.... Im not arguing that... The problem is your with a very small group if fishermen that want a catch and release fishery for themselves. define Gamefish for me please? New jeresy is a Gamefish State, So you dont have a problem with me killing 12,000 lbs on my charters in May and June, but you have a problem with me killing 11,500 lbs in mass July and august because Im killing them and then selling them???

Game fish status as I understand it is no commercial take and severely limited Rec take. If "Jersey Shore" on MTV has taught us anything, it's that NJ shouldn't be taken as the rule with regards to anything.

Just because you RARELY Keep a bass doesnt mean others should.... I happen to eat Bass regularly, so does my family, whats wrong with that??? You want to have people dictate what your allowed to eat or not?

There is a lot wrong with it, if you have read recent reports concerning mercury and PCP content in Striped Bass. As Makia stated, some studies have shown that women and children shouldn't eat *any* striped bass.

Its a shared resource that needs to be shared, and managed properly...

Exactly. And the most effective way to properly manage it is to drastically limit how many fish can be taken. The tons of juvenile SB being netted in the Chesapeake isn't doing anyone any favors, nor is 2 fish @ 28" for Recs or 30 fish/day and 5 on Sundays for Comms.

Let's lay it all out there. You're a commercial guy and you run charters. Legislation like this would certainly take money out of your pocket and many others. Nothing about this legislation is beneficial to you. You are also in a drastic minority and you're right, it's not fair. On the other hand, there is no way you can argue that no Commercial take and 1 fish/day @ 36" for everyone is not in the best interest of the Striped Bass. You'd still be able to eat striped bass for dinner with your family and no one is telling you what you can and can't eat.