DarkSkies
04-02-2011, 08:22 AM
Sent in by Finchaser, thanks!
http://brick.patch.com/articles/sea-bass-quota-to-be-cut-but-winter-flounder-bite-remains-strong
By Daniel Nee (http://brick.patch.com/users/daniel-nee) | Email the author (http://brick.patch.com/articles/sea-bass-quota-to-be-cut-but-winter-flounder-bite-remains-strong#) | April 1, 2011 Opinion, (http://brick.patch.com/search/articles?cat=1998198825)Sports (http://brick.patch.com/search/articles?cat=1998198869)
Sea Bass Quota to be Cut, But Winter Flounder Bite Remains Strong
ASMFC decision will significantly cut back on sea bass harvest
Your humble columnist caught this winter flounder in March 2008.
http://o2.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/thumbnail/117x88/crop/88x88+15+0/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/3786a59ab018ad2ead63e9beeee03a2d (http://o2.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/600x450/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/3786a59ab018ad2ead63e9beeee03a2d)Credit Daniel Nee (http://brick.patch.com/users/daniel-nee)
I know some of you have probably been thinking in recent weeks, “geez, this is the most depressing fishing column I’ve ever read!”
Well, get ready to have your point proven again. We’re about to lose 40 percent of our recreational sea bass quota. Don’t shoot me, hook me or gaff me – I’m just the messenger.
A March 28 ruling from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has established new state shares for black sea bass that will see the overall recreational quota reduced.
“The 2010 regulations resulted in a preliminary estimated harvest of 2.98 million pounds, approximately 1.15 million pounds above the 2010 target,” said ASMFC spokeswoman Tina Berger in a news release. “Given that the 2010 regulations were not effective in staying within the target, coastwide harvest will need to be reduced by 37% to achieve, but not exceed, the 2011 target of 1.78 million pounds.”
New Jersey, according to the release, will have to reduce its share by 40 percent overall. Over the next two months, state officials will be required to submit proposed recreational measures to meet the required reduction for technical review and board approval.
Present regulations on sea bass call for a 25 fish bag limit and a 12.5 inch minimum size limit. The season is currently open from May 22 through Oct. 11 and Nov. 1 through Dec. 31.
There is no telling what the new cuts will amount to, though in recent years regulators have called on state marine fisheries officials to account for at least half of a cut by reducing season length.
http://brick.patch.com/articles/sea-bass-quota-to-be-cut-but-winter-flounder-bite-remains-strong
By Daniel Nee (http://brick.patch.com/users/daniel-nee) | Email the author (http://brick.patch.com/articles/sea-bass-quota-to-be-cut-but-winter-flounder-bite-remains-strong#) | April 1, 2011 Opinion, (http://brick.patch.com/search/articles?cat=1998198825)Sports (http://brick.patch.com/search/articles?cat=1998198869)
Sea Bass Quota to be Cut, But Winter Flounder Bite Remains Strong
ASMFC decision will significantly cut back on sea bass harvest
Your humble columnist caught this winter flounder in March 2008.
http://o2.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/thumbnail/117x88/crop/88x88+15+0/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/3786a59ab018ad2ead63e9beeee03a2d (http://o2.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/600x450/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/3786a59ab018ad2ead63e9beeee03a2d)Credit Daniel Nee (http://brick.patch.com/users/daniel-nee)
I know some of you have probably been thinking in recent weeks, “geez, this is the most depressing fishing column I’ve ever read!”
Well, get ready to have your point proven again. We’re about to lose 40 percent of our recreational sea bass quota. Don’t shoot me, hook me or gaff me – I’m just the messenger.
A March 28 ruling from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has established new state shares for black sea bass that will see the overall recreational quota reduced.
“The 2010 regulations resulted in a preliminary estimated harvest of 2.98 million pounds, approximately 1.15 million pounds above the 2010 target,” said ASMFC spokeswoman Tina Berger in a news release. “Given that the 2010 regulations were not effective in staying within the target, coastwide harvest will need to be reduced by 37% to achieve, but not exceed, the 2011 target of 1.78 million pounds.”
New Jersey, according to the release, will have to reduce its share by 40 percent overall. Over the next two months, state officials will be required to submit proposed recreational measures to meet the required reduction for technical review and board approval.
Present regulations on sea bass call for a 25 fish bag limit and a 12.5 inch minimum size limit. The season is currently open from May 22 through Oct. 11 and Nov. 1 through Dec. 31.
There is no telling what the new cuts will amount to, though in recent years regulators have called on state marine fisheries officials to account for at least half of a cut by reducing season length.