ASMFC votes on Increase in commercial limit of striped bass

[voyager35]

It amazes me how they could even think the stock is recovered to the point where this is warranted. :burn:


News Release
Coastal Conservation Association
Email: twvenker@joincca.org (tvenker@joincca.org) Website: www.joincca.org (http://www.joincca.org/)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2010 CONTACT: Ted Venker, 1-800-201-FISH
ASMFC Continues Effort to Increase Commercial Bass Harvest
Gamble to increase commercial take by up to 50 percent heads for public hearings

WASHINGTON DC – Anglers will soon have the opportunity to comment on a new effort to increase the coastal commercial harvest of striped bass by 20 to 50 percent, after the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Striped Bass Management Board voted this week to send the proposal out for public hearing.

Last February, conservationists were stunned when the Board chose to ignore a litany of significant concerns from scientists and enforcement officers about the health of the striped bass population, and instead directed its staff to draft the proposal. This week’s 10-6 vote to send the proposal out for public hearing indicates that many members of the Board are committed to ramping up commercial harvest even as anglers are seeing serious warning signs on the water.

“This is the wrong message at the wrong time for striped bass, but it is not surprising,” said Charles Witek, chairman of CCA’s Atlantic Fisheries Committee. “When recently faced with even worse situations involving weakfish and the southern New England stock of winter flounder, both very badly depleted and both faced with apparent increases in natural mortality, ASMFC ignored clear scientific advice and voted to maintain harvest at unsustainable levels. Our greatest conservation challenge may simply be to convince managers at ASMFC to do their jobs.”


Among the recent information presented to managers was a report on the declining trend in the striped bass Juvenile Abundance Index, a report from law enforcement personnel on “significant and unreported” poaching in the Exclusive Economic Zone, and a report on the potentially devastating impact of Mycobacteriosis in Chesapeake Bay, the primary striped bass spawning ground for the entire Atlantic Coast, where 70 percent of the fish sampled had lesions associated with the disease. In aquaculture, Mycobacteriosis infections are virtually always fatal.

“While the stock is still not overfished nor undergoing overfishing, ASMFC’s Striped Bass Technical Committee recently issued a report which predicts that the number of adult bass will steadily decline through the year 2015. Clearly, a cautious approach is warranted, yet the Board has chosen to roll the dice with the most important recreational species on the East Coast,” said Richen Brame, CCA’s Atlantic Fisheries director.

Unlike the 1970s when rampant overfishing was the primary cause of the stock collapse, the current wide variety of factors that are negatively impacting striped bass will be much more difficult to address. Nonetheless, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Delaware, Maryland, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, the District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service voted to push forward with increasing commercial harvest.
“This is a dangerous, unnecessary gamble,” said Brame. “We will be doing our part to make sure managers know that anglers do not want to risk the future of this fishery by increasing commercial harvest.”

[storminsteve]

“While the stock is still not overfished nor undergoing overfishing, ASMFC’s Striped Bass Technical Committee recently issued a report which predicts that the number of adult bass will steadily decline through the year 2015. Clearly, a cautious approach is warranted, yet the Board has chosen to roll the dice with the most important recreational species on the East Coast,” said Richen Brame, CCA’s Atlantic Fisheries director.



No overfishing but adult bass will decline by 2015?:huh:
Gee that makes lots of sense.

[Jackbass]

This proposed amendment was shot down by the NMFS. The last thing the feds need right now is any more bad blood with fisherman.

[finchaser]

ASMFC SCHEDULES HEARINGS ON STRIPED BASS PLAN
RFA Members Encouraged To Speak Out In Opposition To Draft Addendum


The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has officially announced that Atlantic coastal states from Maine through North Carolina have scheduled hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum II to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The first hearings get underway this week in Delaware and Maryland.
As stated previously in a press released issued on May 21 (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103479439001&s=10015&e=001cMv6BXOV4W9DHdz0BTl1U6F5oVy1OCa4BmW9T3vnI5iQD 3xTop2dDcsaJ5M10bq3dQP-Oi7Al0EGLtdd4ZQZzvHJfsxTQFd9SuQX6_Tq5GQGRpykLpZfqk E9T3w-q6poCT829GigYRy-cZz7XKOXl8OsDxurGTNr)by the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), the intended purpose of the draft addendum is specifically to consider options to increase the coastal commercial quota of striped bass and revise the definition of striped bass recruitment failure. "This proposal was not endorsed by the Striped Bass Advisory Panel, and it wasn't supported by anyone in the recreational fishing community," said RFA Executive Director, Jim Donofrio.

The RFA cites a grossly unregulated illegal striper harvest occurring in federal waters as reason enough to go against the draft addendum. "It's against the law for anyone, recreational or commercial, to target stripers in the EEZ, and until the fed can adequately enforce the rules in their own waters, it's irresponsible to make motions at the Commission level which would lead to more overharvest in this fishery," Donofrio said. The RFA believes there should no increases on striper harvest in either sector until the illegal and unreported fishery is officially brought under control by NOAA Fisheries.


Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum, either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. The Draft Addendum can be obtained via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103479439001&s=10015&e=001cMv6BXOV4W_NA0H8CZLnatHcwS9-H8gt8jHcYJkI4OKjgmX6aVfcuYmLqVxAX7oPTLs_RSBKeNTRlc-dOphoBxM8iD1AlU5gpDQ8J-BChw9Ro8PHFKpmXA==) under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at 202-289-6400. Public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. on October 1, 2010 and should be forwarded to Nichola Meserve, FMP Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; 202-289-6051 (FAX) or at nmeserve@asmfc.org (Subject line: Striped Bass Addendum II). The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings are as follows.
Again, these are public hearings and anglers are encouraged to attend.

Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
June 16, 2010; 7:30 PM
Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium
89 Kings Highway
Dover, Delaware
Contact: Craig Shirey at (302) 739-9914

Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
June 17, 2010; 7:00 PM
Ocean Pines Library
11107 Cathell Road
Berlin, Maryland
Contact: Carrie Kennedy at (410) 260-8295
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
June 28, 2010; 6:00 PM
2600 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor
Newport News, Virginia
Contact: Jack Travelstead at (757) 247-2247

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
June 29, 2010
Location to be determined
Contact: Michelle Duval at (252) 808-8011

NC Division of Marine Fisheries
July 7, 2010; 6:00 PM
Central District Office
5285 Highway 70 West
Morehead City, North Carolina
Contact: Michelle Duval at (252) 808-8011

Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection
July 13, 2010; 7:00 PM
Fayerweather Yacht Club
51 Brewster Street
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at (860) 434-6043

Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection
July 14, 2010; 7:00 PM
Marine Headquarters
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at (860) 434-6043

Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
July 19, 2010; 7:00 PM
Tawes State Office Building, C1 Conf. Room
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland
Contact: Carrie Kennedy at (410) 260-8295

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
July 20, 2010
Location to be determined
Contact: Leroy Young at (814) 359-5177

New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation
July 21, 2010; 7:00 PM
Marine Resources Headquarters
205 North Belle Mead Road, Suite 1
East Setauket, New York
Contact: Steve Heins at (631) 444-0436

New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
July 22; 7:00 PM
Toms River Township Clerk's Office
L. Manuel Hirshblond Room
33 Washington Street
Toms River, New Jersey
Contact: Brandon Muffley at (609) 748-2020

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
August 16, 2010; 6:00 PM
Holiday Inn
55 Ariadne Road
Dedham, Massachusetts
Contact: Jared Silva at (617) 626-1534

Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife
August 17, 2010; 6:00 PM
URI, Narragansett Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium
215 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Contact: Mark Gibson at (401) 423-1935

New Hampshire Fish and Game
September 13, 2010; 7:00 PM
Urban Forestry Center
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Contact: Doug Grout at (603) 868-1095

Maine Department of Marine Resources
September 14, 2010; 6:00 PM
Town of Yarmouth Log Cabin
196 Main Street
Yarmouth, Maine
Contact: Terry Stockwell at (207) 624-6553











About Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103479439001&s=10015&e=001cMv6BXOV4W8EUa3eNTe1flRY-beGUQ26EWAq0IOz4J44-hVY6lvNY0xkYnrZOFDfDF47af6uJ1efqRxeDPv3RZLiE4bjerz t_4yjGeITAEtlopy7HG3Qiw==).

[jonthepain]

the above states that the NC meeting will be at a "location to be determined."

that location will be:

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
June 29, 2010; 6:00 PM
Roanoke Island Festival Park, Small Auditorium
One Festival Park
Manteo, North Carolina
Contact: Michelle Duval at (252) 808-8011

as well as:

July 7, 2010; 6:00 PM
NC Division of Marine Fisheries
Central District Office
5285 Highway 70 West
Morehead City, North Carolina
Contact: Michelle Duval at (252) 808-8011

The commercial's websites are all railing against us recreationals, how we have an unfair allowance, so you can bet there will be a lot of pressure at the meetings to up the commercial quota and reduce the recs.

[gjb1969]

just a nother slap in the face of the little guy:2flip::burn:

[storminsteve]

ASMFC SCHEDULES HEARINGS ON STRIPED BASS PLAN


RFA Members Encouraged To Speak Out In Opposition To Draft Addendum

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has officially announced that Atlantic coastal states from Maine through North Carolina have scheduled hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum II to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The first hearings get underway this week in Delaware and Maryland.
As stated previously in a press released issued on May 21 (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103479439001&s=10015&e=001cMv6BXOV4W9DHdz0BTl1U6F5oVy1OCa4BmW9T3vnI5iQD 3xTop2dDcsaJ5M10bq3dQP-Oi7Al0EGLtdd4ZQZzvHJfsxTQFd9SuQX6_Tq5GQGRpykLpZfqk E9T3w-q6poCT829GigYRy-cZz7XKOXl8OsDxurGTNr)by the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), the intended purpose of the draft addendum is specifically to consider options to increase the coastal commercial quota of striped bass and revise the definition of striped bass recruitment failure. "This proposal was not endorsed by the Striped Bass Advisory Panel, and it wasn't supported by anyone in the recreational fishing community," said RFA Executive Director, Jim Donofrio.

The RFA cites a grossly unregulated illegal striper harvest occurring in federal waters as reason enough to go against the draft addendum. "It's against the law for anyone, recreational or commercial, to target stripers in the EEZ, and until the fed can adequately enforce the rules in their own waters, it's irresponsible to make motions at the Commission level which would lead to more overharvest in this fishery," Donofrio said. The RFA believes there should no increases on striper harvest in either sector until the illegal and unreported fishery is officially brought under control by NOAA Fisheries.


Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum, either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. The Draft Addendum can be obtained via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103479439001&s=10015&e=001cMv6BXOV4W_NA0H8CZLnatHcwS9-H8gt8jHcYJkI4OKjgmX6aVfcuYmLqVxAX7oPTLs_RSBKeNTRlc-dOphoBxM8iD1AlU5gpDQ8J-BChw9Ro8PHFKpmXA==) under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at 202-289-6400. Public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. on October 1, 2010 and should be forwarded to Nichola Meserve, FMP Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; 202-289-6051 (FAX) or at nmeserve@asmfc.org (Subject line: Striped Bass Addendum II). The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings are as follows.
Again, these are public hearings and anglers are encouraged to attend.



New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
July 22; 7:00 PM
Toms River Township Clerk's Office
L. Manuel Hirshblond Room
33 Washington Street
Toms River, New Jersey
Contact: Brandon Muffley at (609) 748-2020











About Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103479439001&s=10015&e=001cMv6BXOV4W8EUa3eNTe1flRY-beGUQ26EWAq0IOz4J44-hVY6lvNY0xkYnrZOFDfDF47af6uJ1efqRxeDPv3RZLiE4bjerz t_4yjGeITAEtlopy7HG3Qiw==).



bump to the top, the NJ meetings are July 22 Toms River.Thanks for posting finchaser.

[Pebbles]

Thanks for keeping everyone informed Finchaser.

My problem with the commercials keeping bass is that I think they will scoop them up in a short period of time. The bass wouldn't even have a chance to come in to the recreationals.

The next thing you know there will be no more bass for anyone, and I have not even caught a keeper yet! What the hell is up with that?:waaah:

[rip316]

They will scoop them up before they spawn. Than it won't be long before they are gone forever.