The Striped Bass Bonus Program - yes or no?

[hookedonbass]

I think it's time to eliminate this program. Only an elite few people know about or partake in it. It's hard to predict the honesty of everyone in the program, will they be accurate about the reporting or not? So who's for it, who's against it, and why?





The Striped Bass Bonus Program



Striped Bass Bonus Program Logbook Now Online (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/news/2008/strbasslog.htm)
Rewards for Striped Bass Tags (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/images/marine/strbass_tag_flyer07.jpg)


http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bonusbas.htm



The Striped Bass Bonus Program (SBBP) has been an integral part of New Jersey's striped bass management since 1990. It is a popular program with the fishing community and provides valuable data for assessing stock status and fishing trends.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife (Division) initiated the program in 1990 to allow the harvest of an additional striped bass for New Jersey recreational anglers. Although the program has been modified throughout the years, the main goal of the SBBP is to allow anglers to participate in the management process while enjoying their favorite recreational pastime.



BACKGROUND
New Jersey is allocated a commercial harvest quota of striped bass under the Striped Bass Interstate Fisheries Management Plan (http://www.asmfc.org/strippedBass.htm) as administered by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (http://www.asmfc.org/) (ASMFC). Since New Jersey does not allow netting or sale of striped bass, this quota was transferred to the recreational fishing sector resulting in the origin of the SBBP.
The current allocation from ASMFC is 321,750 pounds to be distributed between individual anglers and party/charter boats. Should NJ overshoot this quota in 2009, any overage would be subtracted from the 2010 quota. Although this program does allow for the harvest of an additional striped bass for New Jersey anglers, the Division encourages catch and release whenever possible so this species can prosper for future generations.
REGULATIONS/CHANGES TO PROGRAM
Under current striped bass recreational size limits set by the New Jersey Legislature (http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/), anglers can harvest two fish at 28 inches or greater per day. With a bonus permit, anglers can keep a third striper at 28 inches or greater. Visit the Marine section of the Regulations page (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/njregs.htm#fishing) to check current Federal and State possession and season regulations for striped bass fishing in your area.
Participants in the Bonus Program can receive immediate notification of regulation updates, emergency closures, special notices, etc., by subscribing to the free NJ Marine Fishing E-mail List. For details, visit the E-mail List Subscription page (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/lstsub.htm).
APPLICATION PROCESS

All applicants must complete the Child Support Certification each year. See www.njfishandwildlife.com/child_support_info.htm (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/child_support_info.htm) for details.

Striped Bass Bonus permits are available ONLY on the Division's license Web site, www.wildlifelicense.com/nj/ (http://www.wildlifelicense.com/nj/). For a $2.00 application fee, individuals have the ability to immediately print one bonus permit. The permit is non-transferable and valid for the 2009 calendar year. Only one permit can be used per day.
HARVEST REPORTING
All harvest must be reported online. Updated information will be posted on this page when available.
All information on the permit must be completed immediately after harvest and prior to transportation. Report harvest information at www.wildlifelicense.com/nj/ (http://www.wildlifelicense.com/nj/). Harvest information must be reported online. A $2.00 processing fee will be charged for each additional permit.
STRIPED BASS FISHING LOG
The most valuable asset of the SBBP since 1990 has been the data acquired through volunteer logs. All participants receive a log with their Bonus permit and are encouraged to report all striped bass fishing activity for the 2009 calendar year, but are encouraged to use the online logbook (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bonusbas_log.htm) in place of the paper logbooks.


If completing a paper log, there are some important things to remember while entering information:

Fill out the log for yourself only and list fishing days individually, not grouped together.
Record all striped bass fishing trips even if no stripers were caught.
Please measure all fish caught. This is extremely important! NO SIZE RANGES!
Make as many copies of the log as necessary or download additional copies (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bonusbas.htm#forms).
Feel free to comment, especially if there are issues such as the health of the stripers.
If you harvest a Bonus fish, please enter the used card number onto the log in the Additional Information section.
Instructions for completing the online logbook (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bonusbas_log.htm) - This page also has a link to the actual online logbook.
Online SBBP Logbook Site (http://snapper.accsp.org/pls/htmldb_safis/f?p=109:101:)
Individuals who returned 2008 logs will not automatically receive a 2009 Striped Bass Bonus Permit. Online Striped Bass Bonus Permit Application Site (http://www.wildlifelicense.com/nj/)
Striped Bass Bonus Program Log Sheet (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/sbbplog.pdf) (pdf, 38kb)
Striped Bass Bonus Program Instructions (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/strbass_instruction.pdf) (pdf, 27kb)

[surfwalker]

I participating in this program for quite a few years and sent in the logs at the end of the year. I don't remember for sure, but in 1990 I think the Bass size had to be 36" minimum, one per day. They used to send you a metal truck seal to put in the mouth and out the gill. I don't participate anymore because now everything is on line and they charge you two bucks each time, and I hardly keep any Bass anyway. As far as it being accurate, I doubt it very much. It's based on the catchers word. People that keep every Bass they catch, I guess like it. I would imagine that there has to be a certain percentage of plus or minus factored into the total catch tallied at the end of the year. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter one way or another.

Happy Trails

[DarkSkies]

"It's based on the catchers word."- surfwalker


I used to participate in that program too a few years ago, so I don't want to judge anyone who still does. Hookedonbass I'm also concerned it's up to the honesty of the people involved. The way it seems to me now is you don't have to give up your tag. Theoretically you do to get another tag. But you could keep your tag for an extended time period, even if they dated it, no? So you could continue to take that extra bass, or multiples. I'm not sure if this is accurate, maybe someone who still gets these tags could chime in.

I met some really knowledgable boat guys at the LI show 2 weeks ago. One guy, the Greek, had it all laid out why we should have stricter limits on the numbers we catch now. I'm gonna put up his suggestions as a poll one of these days when I have the time. Whatever the numbers end up to be, it's hard to expect voluntary compliance with something that is suggested as beneficial, unless it's part of the law.

So I think it would be better for the future of striped bass to eliminate this program, my .02.

[storminsteve]

Multiply all guys out there taking 3 bass instead 2. It lets you see clearly that program is not needed. Get rid of it.

[gjb1969]

no get rid of it two bass thats it no more there no need for three bass with the size fish we get u dont need three bass 20 lb or more :beatin:thats what the fish stocks will take in the long run:burn:

[bababooey]

no get rid of it two bass thats it no more there no need for three bass with the size fish we get u dont need three bass 20 lb or more :beatin:thats what the fish stocks will take in the long run:burn:

I know quite a few guys who would fight to keep that program, because they're greedy, plain and simple. They will take their limit every time as long as the law allows it. That being said, I say we are better off without it.

[zev]

the only way i could ever envision myself keeping 3 bass is if i already had 2(which i never do anyways) and then caught a special fish after...

wen i catch and keep a bass, its for when I know my friends who like to eat bass are going to be around and it will be eaten the next day, never in the freezer. I always feed at least 4 people with one fish and I usually try to cook it 4 different ways. its like a filet mignon, every1 gets a couple oz's. I wouldnt even know wut to do with 20lbs of fish.

[basshunter]

I know quite a few guys who would fight to keep that program, because they're greedy, plain and simple. They will take their limit every time as long as the law allows it. That being said, I say we are better off without it.

I agree. Too much oversight is needed to make sure people are doing the right thing.

[VSdreams]

Get rid of it. :clapping: