Public comment - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

zimmy · 11-01-2005, 11:01 AM

Wanted to share some info from a conversation I had with my former graduate adviser who is the science director for the ASMFC. We were just shooting the general bs about what is on the calender for asmfc and I learned a few tidbits of interest.

A. no decision on eels will be made until at least August of 2006. The plan has to be written and the public comment period opened prior to reconvening the board and initiation of the laws. Most striking is the fact the the eel data will be several years old until any action is taken. My adviser is rather concerned and disturbed by the time it takes for action particularly because the data indicates that the population is/was well below sustainability. Also, anyaction will not reflect the population of eels at the time measures are inacted.

B. Not really new news to me, but the scientific background of many of the decisionmakers involved is quite limited and even the science behind the decisions is rather archaic.

C. Most important to me: public comment is actually an important part of the process. It is statistically analyzed and presented at the meetings. Statistics do lie, but the power of a group like recreational fisherman can be influential if we speak up. The lack of input likely has at least as big of an impact.

d. There are only four meetings a year by the board in D.C. Call them annual quarterly meetings. Now think of all of the issues that must be addressed in 4 meetings on top of all of the other issues with fisheries and it becomes clear why fisheries are such a mess.

e. Nobody knows how to handle the by-catch problem.

eelman · 11-01-2005, 11:23 AM

ahhhhh another year with eels !

Squibby17 · 11-01-2005, 12:39 PM

If the Eel population is under distress, why not commercial raise them?
Does anyone at this point?

It seems given their durability and adaptation to fresh and Salt waters this wouldn't be that difficult.

cheferson · 11-01-2005, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squibby17

If the Eel population is under distress, why not commercial raise them?
Does anyone at this point?

It seems given their durability and adaptation to fresh and Salt waters this wouldn't be that difficult.

They do farm raise them , but only with elvers collected in the wild. I dont think they know how to get them to breed in captivity yet.

zimmy · 11-01-2005, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheferson

They do farm raise them , but only with elvers collected in the wild. I dont think they know how to get them to breed in captivity yet.

This is correct. I am hoping to get the chance to work on this sometime soon...

Joe · 11-01-2005, 01:09 PM

I hear there is a dvd coming out about the mating habits of eels... it's called, "Eels Gone Wild, Hot Nights In The Sargasso Sea" maybe we'll learn more after its release.

Swimmer · 11-02-2005, 07:51 PM

are not the netting or capturing of elvers just a tad illegal? I would bet that thier are many obstacles to overcome if someone tried to farm raise eels.

cheferson · 11-02-2005, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimmer

are not the netting or capturing of elvers just a tad illegal? I would bet that thier are many obstacles to overcome if someone tried to farm raise eels.

Illegal everywhere but maine and canada , i think.

NIB · 11-03-2005, 06:56 AM

If I am not mistaken I think the Saragasso sea is more of a condition. A by product of the gulf stream than a particular place.It can be in lots of places.Seams loke a long ride to have sex.I don't go more than a few miles.At least i ain't a salmon.