Quote:
Originally Posted by stripermaineiac
You know speaking of Stripers Unlimited. Bob Pond hit the nail on the head a long time ago. As long as the buck is part of the equation the greedy will never stop trying to make it no matter what damage they do. It all come down to removing the buck from the equation. Ron
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Plenty of damage gets done by those who never sell a bass. And keeping bass to eat, weigh, compete, or giveaway are certainly as valid a reason to fish as catching and releasing fish.
The analogy with freshwater LMB (or muskies) is worth considering. That sport seems very healthy, primarily because the fish are considered more valuable alive than dead. Killing them is looked down upon enough so that very few do it (as far as I know). Once killing and displaying them is no longer admirable behavior, the fishing improves in leaps and bounds, more people take part, and the resource generates huge amounts of economic activity. Nobody seems all broken up that they feel guilty keeping and eating them. Quite the contrary, the sport has grown in leaps and bounds as people discover the joys of releasing fish.
Northeast saltwater fishermen deserve a gamefish that is valued for the sport it provides, not for its food or monetary value. Striped Bass should be that fish. Fishing for the table can be directed for other species, just like "panfish" in freshwater.
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