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S-B is a cutting edge web site...I just finished typing up the following release to MSBA:
To all MSBA Members & Friends,
I just returned from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)Spring Meeting in Alexandria VA. During the Striped Bass Management Board there was a lot of discussion by some commissioners that there are too many striped bass in the ocean. I am not kidding or over exaggerating . The commissioners discussed the question if spawning stock biomass (SSB) is too high. There is a scientific definition to the term carrying capacity which in layman speak suggests that a given amount of ocean can only support "x" amount of life or in this case fish, no matter what kind. There was also the not so new talk of too many striped bass eating all the forage. At least one commissioner suggested that too many striped bass might be the cause for troubles with the rebuilding of weakfish or squeteague.
This whole discussion took place because the ASMFC is considering an addendum or change to the striped bass management plan that would increase the commercial quota. The addendum was initiated by the state of New York at the last ASMFC meeting. To be fair, there is some science that states an increase in commercial quota will not effect the spawning stock biomass, however that is only half the scientific picture.
There was some very serious confusion by some commissioners who clearly did not understand the language in the the addendum and thought the increase was going to be taken from the recreational catch and transferred to the commercial quota. This is not true. There is no hard number or set amount of recreational catch, thus fish can not be transferred from a number that does not exist. The addendum will INCREASE the total number of striped bass harvested.
Back to the science. This increase in catch is especially concerning because the managers discussed the fact that they know in the coming year or two, the scientists will place a number on the increase of natural mortality due to mycobacteriosis. This new higher natural mortality means there is a need to reduce the harvest to compensate for that higher mortality. A second problem on the scientific horizon is that the commissioners also discussed and admit that fishing mortality is higher than the numbers currently being used due to unreported fishing in the EEZ. Scientists are struggling to come up with how much to increase fishing mortality numbers however commissioners know this higher number will also bring about a second need to reduce harvest. When these two matter of facts are considered, the proposal to increase the commercial quota truly seems to fly in the face of common sense.
In the end, the vote was 9-6 in favor of sending the addendum to public comment. I am proud to state that MA voted against. I did not write down the other states votes. The next step is that there will be hearings coming up this summer.
I think it is necessary to report that this proposal has gone through the process in the past and eventually failed. That being said, when the process opens to public comment, I hope all fishermen overwhelm the managers so this subject never comes up again.
Patrick Paquette
MSBA Gov't Affairs
RFA MA
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