Want Bass to last?

[Tom Farrell]

If you want Stripe Bass to be around in the future in you may want to go to http://www.nycrf.com/nycrf909.pdf . You can download the letter, print it out, sign your name, print your address and drop in the mail box. The letter is in a pdf format. This is important for all of us.

Thank you,
Tom Farrell
Vice President - NYCRF

[Frankiesurf]

You can also make your voice heard at upcoming meetings the ASMFC is having regarding the transferring of unused commercial quotas. This means that, if a state has a quota of 1,000,000 pounds and they only catch 900,000 pounds that 100,000 pounds is then added to the next years quota. Resulting in 1,100,000 pounds.

The science behind this is just ridiculous. It means that either the commercial fisherman are not really trying to catch fish or the stocks are lower than the fishery managers studies really show. This will also make it much more lucrative to under report their catches or sell them illegally. With all the news stories you hear about blackmarket fish, you think the ASMFC would take all of this into consideration but it seems it doesn't cross their minds.

Please make every effort to attend these meetings. Here is a list of scheduled meetings and times.


States Schedule Public Hearings on Striped Bass Draft Addendum II
Washington, DC – Atlantic coast states from Maine through North Carolina have scheduled their hearings togather public comment onDraft Addendum II to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings follow. Please note that some states will also be conducting hearings on other ASMFC proposed species management actions.


Maine Department of Marine Resources
October 5, 2009; 6:00 PM
Freeport Community Library
10 Library Drive
Freeport, Maine
Contact: Terry Stockwell at (207) 624-6553
* Public comment will also be gathered on Shad Draft Amendment 3 and Menhaden Draft Addendum IV


New Hampshire Fish and Game
October 8, 2009; 7:00 PM
Urban Forestry Center
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Contact: Doug Grout at (603) 868-1095
* Public comment will also be gathered on Lobster Draft Addendum XV (6:30 PM) and Shad Draft Amendment 3 (7:30 PM)


Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
September 30, 2009; 7:00 PM
Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station
30 Emerson Avenue
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Contact: ~Melanie Griffin at (617) 626-1528
* Public comment will also be gathered on Shad Draft Amendment 3


Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife
October 1, 2009; 6:00 PM
URI, Narragansett Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium
215 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Contact: Jason McNamee at (401) 423-1943
* Public comment will also be gathered on Shad Draft Amendment 3 and Scup and Black Sea Bass Draft Addendum XX


Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection
October 6, 2009; 7:00 PM
Marine Headquarters (Boating Education Center)
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at (860) 434-6043
* Public comment will also be gathered on Shad Draft Amendment 3 and Scup and Black Sea Bass Draft Addendum XX

New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation
September 24, 2009; 7:00 PM
Marine Resources Headquarters
205 North Belle Mead Road, Suite 1
East Setauket, New York
Contact: Steve Heins at (631) 444-0435
* Public comment will also be gathered on Scup and Black Sea Bass Draft Addendum XX

New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
October 6, 2009; 7:00 PM
Toms River Township Clerk's Office
L. Manuel Hirshblond Room
33 Washington Street
Toms River, New Jersey
Contact: Tom McCloy at (609) 292-7794
* Public comment will also be gathered on Weakfish Dr


Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
September 29, 2009; 7:00 PM
Tyler State Park
101 Swamp Road
New Town, Pennsylvania
Contact: Leroy Young at (814) 359-5177

* Public comment will also be gathered on Shad Draft Amendment 3

Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
October 7, 2009; 6:00 PM
Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium
89 Kings Highway
Dover, Delaware
Contact: Craig Shirey at (302) 739-9914
* Public comment will also be gathered on Weakfish Draft Addendum IV (6:30 PM) and Shad Draft Amendment 3 (7:30 PM)

Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
October 6, 2009; 5:30 PM
Tawes State Office Building, C1 Conference Room
~580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland
Contact: Harry Hornick at (410) 260-8305
* Public comment will also be gathered on Shad Draft Amendment 3 and Menhaden Draft Addendum IV

Virginia Marine Resources Commission
September 28, 2009; 6:00 PM
2600 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor
Newport News, Virginia
Contact: Jack Travelstead at (757) 247-2247
* Public comment will also be gathered on Shad Draft Amendment 3 and Scup and Black Sea Bass Draft Addendum XX

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
October 14, 2009; 6:00 PM
Roanoke Island Festival Park
1 Festival Park
Manteo, North Carolina
Contact: Michelle Duval at (252) 808-8011
* Public comment will also be gathered on Weakfish Draft Addendum IV (7:00 PM)
__________________

[Tom Farrell]

New York Coalition of Recreational Fisherman

89 Narwood Road
Massapequa, NY 117 59-5925
Tel: 516-647-8492

Ms. Tina Berger
Public Affairs Specialist
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
14441Streeto NW Sixth Floor
Washington, D.C.20005

Dear Ms. Berger;

We are submitting these comments for consideration regarding Draft Addendum II for Striped Bass and wish that it be entered into the public record.

Many of us involved in various aspects of recreational fishing for striped bass are often amazed at some of the proposals and rule changes that are offered for the species. Striped Bass management is one, if not the best, management success story in the history of
saltwater fisheries, yet there seems to be an ongoing agenda on the part of some people to undo this great accomplishment in management by surrendering more and more Striped Bass to mortality caused by various user groups.

Although we’re confident that the efforts of the Technical Committee are both well intentioned and based on reasonable science, sometimes the scientific data doesn't tell the entire story nor does it relate reality entirely accurately. For example, we've surveyed the logbooks of a number of the best surf and small boat Striped Bass anglers on Long Island. Although some report having continued good years, most revealed logs to us that showed a steady decline over the last decade or so in both the number of stripers caught and the size of those fish. These data were recorded in spite of either steady or increased fishing effort. Such consistent and common place data over a period of 15 years of record
Keeping should not be dismissed as idiosyncratic, anecdotal, or a reflection of new habits of the species.

We have repeatedly heard these excuses used to explain recent reclines in the fishing quality for striped bass in some areas and venues of fishing, yet logic demands that although such excuses arid explanations may be valid for the short term (l or 2 Years), it cannot explain consistent data that persists among many records for more than a decade. At some point, anecdotal evidence gains in significance.

Beyond old surveys, the ASMFC web site shows declines in female spawning biomass and many more inconsistencies in the young of the year indices than was true in the bulk of the 1990s. It seems to us that a decline off the Striped Bass pendulum high of the 1990s and early 2000s that stimulated so much interest in conservation, fisheries management, and economic recreational fishing growth (as applied to striped bass fishing) should not be taken lightly. Although good numbers of Stripers continued in the east coast migration, we are concerned because we are beginning to see the same declines in widespread consistent good catches that were noted, and yet ignored by many fisheries managers and Biologists during the early 1980s. In spite of the reluctance of these experts to believe that a major problem was developing with striped bass populations then, the population quickly crashed and a moratorium was necessary to revive the migration. In the 1980s the excuse for diminishing catches was 'cycles". Let's not make that kind of mistake again. Although recruitment declined in the 1970s and 1980s, it was greed, over harvesting, and neglect that created the steep decline and the need for strict management intervention.

In light of the experiences of reduced catches; both regionally and by venue, it seems to us that we should once again consider conservation rather than increasing mortality. Although it is tempting to assuage the demands of commercial fishermen who are intent on making as much money off of a given species as they can and as fast as possible, there exists here a greater economic imperative. There are more jobs, more economic benefits, and an overall greater benefit to regional economies achieved through heightened recreational interest than via a small number of commercial fishermen. Consistent recreational success throughout the east coast requires a very large coastal striped bass population; because unlike nets, fish must choose to hit a lure or bait.

With a saltwater license looming in our future, it also stands to reason that once anglers pay for a license their expectations for success will increase. We note the precedent for this statement is found in the history of freshwater licenses and changes in the goals of
fisheries management. We believe we should stay ahead of this curve and anticipate this future.

Therefore, given all of these realities, as well as present and future imperatives, we are strongly against rolling over unused commercial quotas from one year to the next. We are also strongly against increases in the commercial quotas.

Respectfully submitted;

[DarkSkies]

I'm asking all our NY members who read this to consider copying it, printing it, and mailing to the above address. Just substitute your address for the NYCRF address.

Anyone else who feels strongly about this, please see if you might help them as well.

Although a personalIy written letter is most effective, even sending this template in and signing your name at the bottom can help to make a difference. It will only take a few minutes. Although we all have free choice, I think it's important to point out here that groups like the NYCRF are working hard to see that we have free choice and fishing access well into the future.

Thanks, guys and girls. :HappyWave:



New York Coalition of Recreational Fisherman

89 Narwood Road
Massapequa, NY 117 59-5925
Tel: 516-647-8492

Ms. Tina Berger
Public Affairs Specialist
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
14441Streeto NW Sixth Floor
Washington, D.C.20005

Dear Ms. Berger;

We are submitting these comments for consideration regarding Draft Addendum II for Striped Bass and wish that it be entered into the public record.

Many of us involved in various aspects of recreational fishing for striped bass are often amazed at some of the proposals and rule changes that are offered for the species. Striped Bass management is one, if not the best, management success story in the history of
saltwater fisheries, yet there seems to be an ongoing agenda on the part of some people to undo this great accomplishment in management by surrendering more and more Striped Bass to mortality caused by various user groups.

Although we’re confident that the efforts of the Technical Committee are both well intentioned and based on reasonable science, sometimes the scientific data doesn't tell the entire story nor does it relate reality entirely accurately. For example, we've surveyed the logbooks of a number of the best surf and small boat Striped Bass anglers on Long Island. Although some report having continued good years, most revealed logs to us that showed a steady decline over the last decade or so in both the number of stripers caught and the size of those fish. These data were recorded in spite of either steady or increased fishing effort. Such consistent and common place data over a period of 15 years of record
Keeping should not be dismissed as idiosyncratic, anecdotal, or a reflection of new habits of the species.

We have repeatedly heard these excuses used to explain recent reclines in the fishing quality for striped bass in some areas and venues of fishing, yet logic demands that although such excuses arid explanations may be valid for the short term (l or 2 Years), it cannot explain consistent data that persists among many records for more than a decade. At some point, anecdotal evidence gains in significance.

Beyond old surveys, the ASMFC web site shows declines in female spawning biomass and many more inconsistencies in the young of the year indices than was true in the bulk of the 1990s. It seems to us that a decline off the Striped Bass pendulum high of the 1990s and early 2000s that stimulated so much interest in conservation, fisheries management, and economic recreational fishing growth (as applied to striped bass fishing) should not be taken lightly. Although good numbers of Stripers continued in the east coast migration, we are concerned because we are beginning to see the same declines in widespread consistent good catches that were noted, and yet ignored by many fisheries managers and Biologists during the early 1980s. In spite of the reluctance of these experts to believe that a major problem was developing with striped bass populations then, the population quickly crashed and a moratorium was necessary to revive the migration. In the 1980s the excuse for diminishing catches was 'cycles". Let's not make that kind of mistake again. Although recruitment declined in the 1970s and 1980s, it was greed, over harvesting, and neglect that created the steep decline and the need for strict management intervention.

In light of the experiences of reduced catches; both regionally and by venue, it seems to us that we should once again consider conservation rather than increasing mortality. Although it is tempting to assuage the demands of commercial fishermen who are intent on making as much money off of a given species as they can and as fast as possible, there exists here a greater economic imperative. There are more jobs, more economic benefits, and an overall greater benefit to regional economies achieved through heightened recreational interest than via a small number of commercial fishermen. Consistent recreational success throughout the east coast requires a very large coastal striped bass population; because unlike nets, fish must choose to hit a lure or bait.

With a saltwater license looming in our future, it also stands to reason that once anglers pay for a license their expectations for success will increase. We note the precedent for this statement is found in the history of freshwater licenses and changes in the goals of
fisheries management. We believe we should stay ahead of this curve and anticipate this future.

Therefore, given all of these realities, as well as present and future imperatives, we are strongly against rolling over unused commercial quotas from one year to the next. We are also strongly against increases in the commercial quotas.

Respectfully submitted;