Quote Originally Posted by finchaser View Post
Last time it was more do to the commercial guys,this time it's being done at a much faster pace and primarily by the recreational fisherman.

Things that are different this time around.

1)Back then we didn't have the number of people fishing for bass mostly caused by restrictions on other fish kinda like fluke fisherman gone wild
2) The explosion of bunker creating the bunker snagging so call bass fisherman who can't catch bass with out live bunker. They are demolishing the breeding stock. Here and north in the Spring and Virginia in winter months
3) The illegals who keep everything they catch no matter what size and no one does a thing about it,even when the authorities are called in.
4) In NJ the bonus tag that started as a trophy tag and is now a way to keep 3 fish most of the time going unchecked. most true bass fisherman don't apply for them.
5 in general people have no understanding how long it takes a bass to reach 20,30,40,50 pounds.
6) The YOY index is way down fewer and fewer small fish in the fall
7) Next to no resident fish in winter and spring
8) 2007 and 2008 reported lower catches
9) Same signs as last time only this time.
10) Even worse this time most NMFS and NOAA jobs are government appointed jobs to people who don't have a clue.
11) Last months meeting in Galloway they admitted something needs to be done but it could take 2to 3 years.

Finchaser's Ezy follow outline, 101. I don't think there's a school out there that could teach you the wisdom contained in that post. Thanks.


The Act and official language -

Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act
Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act -- P.L. 98-613, approved October 31, 1984, (98 Stat. 3187, 16 U.S.C. 1851) recognized the commercial and recreational importance, as well as the inter-jurisdictional nature of striped bass, and established a unique State-based, Federally backed management scheme.

The original Act required the Secretary of Commerce to impose a moratorium on fishing for striped bass in any state that, according to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), with confirmation by the Secretary, is not in compliance with the Commission's Plan for Striped Bass. Secretaries of Commerce and Interior were to review the ASMFC Plan and make recommendation to the House and Senate Committees and the Commission by March 31, 1985.

ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS CONSERVATION ACT
16 U.S.C. - 1851 note, October 31, 1984, as amended 1986, 1988, 1991 and 1993.

Overview. This Act recognizes the commercial and recreational importance of Atlantic striped bass and establishes a consistent management scheme for its conservation.
Coastal states that fail to adhere to the required management plan are subject to a striped bass fishing moratorium enforced by the federal government.

The Act also requires an annual survey of striped bass fisheries in the coastal states. Findings / Policy.
Congress found: Atlantic striped bass have historic importance and economic benefit to the Atlantic coastal states and the nation; certain stocks of Atlantic striped bass are severely reduced in number due to increased fishing pressure, pollution, loss and alteration of habitat, and inadequate fishery conservation practices; because no single governmental entity has full management authority for the fish, state regulation has been inconsistent and intermittent, resulting in harm to their long-term maintenance; effective inter-jurisdictional species conservation and management is in the national interest. The purpose of the Act is to support and encourage the development, implementation and enforcement of effective interstate conservation and management of the Atlantic striped bass. - 1851 note ( 2).

Selected Definitions. Coastal States:
Pennsylvania; states bordering the Atlantic north of South Carolina; District of Columbia; Potomac River Fisheries Commission. Commission: Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Plan: Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for Striped Bass prepared by the Commission, dated October 1, 1981 and all amendments related to striped bass fishing. Secretaries: Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of the Interior. - 1851 note (3).

Plan Compliance and Moratorium. The Commission must determine at least annually whether each coastal state has adopted all regulatory measures necessary to implement the Plan, and whether each coastal state's enforcement of the Plan is satisfactory. The Commission must notify the Secretaries of any negative determination. If the Secretaries jointly determine that a coastal state is not in compliance with the Plan, they must declare a moratorium on fishing for Atlantic striped bass within the coastal waters of that state.

During a moratorium, it is unlawful to:
catch, take or harvest Atlantic striped bass,
or attempt to do so, within the restricted area;
land or attempt to land Atlantic striped bass taken in violation of the moratorium;
land lawfully harvested Atlantic striped bass within the boundaries of a coastal state under moratorium;
fail to return to the water Atlantic striped bass to which the moratorium applies that are caught incidental to commercial or recreational harvesting.

Violation of these prohibitions is subject to civil penalty imposed by the Secretaries. Vessels used in violation, along with fish taken, are subject to forfeiture to the federal government.

The Secretaries are responsible for enforcing moratoriums declared under this Act. By agreement, to enforce the Act the Secretaries may use personnel and facilities of federal agencies and coastal state agencies, and enforcement authorities provided in the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act. - 1851 note (4 and 5).

Annual Survey. The Secretaries must conduct a comprehensive annual survey of the Atlantic striped bass fisheries. The survey, to be published in the Federal Register, must include a compilation and assessment of the recreational and commercial landings of the species in the coastal states. - 1851 note (6).

Appropriations Authorized. Congress authorized appropriations necessary to carry out the Act for fiscal years 1986-1994. The Secretaries may use appropriated funds to support financially the Commission's functions under this Act. - 1851 note (7).