New Striped Bass Regulations

[Striper_Sniper12]

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Striped Bass Board decided Wednesday to address the sharply declining numbers of striped bass along the Atlantic seaboard, including the Chesapeake Bay, by requiring an 18 percent harvest reduction relative to 2017 levels.

Approved sub-options included allowing, within established seasons, 1 fish per angler per day between 28 and 35 inches in ocean waters. Public comment on this sub-option had supported, by a more than 4-1 ratio, setting a 1 fish limit with a minimum size of 35 inches. In the Chesapeake Bay, the approved sub-option was limiting anglers to 1 fish per day with a minimum size limit of 18 inches. It passed with by a 12-3 vote.

There was also a question about whether circle hooks should be mandatory when fishing with bait. Max Appelman, striper fishery management plan coordinator for ASMFC, told commissioners there was “little doubt that circle hooks save fish.” Circle hooks reduce fish mortality from “deep hooking” as the fish swallows the bait. Of the 5,003 comments received by the public related to circle hooks, 4,930 were in favor of their mandatory use.
The board approved unanimously the option requiring states to implement regulations requiring use of circle hooks with the intent of reducing striped bass release mortality in recreational fisheries.

 

[pequa1]

copy and paste from the official decision:

Sustainable and Cooperative Management of Atlantic Coastal Fisheries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT: Tina Berger
October 31, 2019 703.842.0740 ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Board Approves Addendum VI New Castle, NH –
The Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board approved Addendum VI to Amendment 6 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The Addendum reduces all state commercial quotas by 18%, and implements a 1 fish bag limit and a 28”-35” recreational slot limit for ocean fisheries and a 1 fish bag limit and an 18” minimum size limit for Chesapeake Bay recreational fisheries. States may submit alternative regulations through conservation equivalency to achieve an 18% reduction in total removals relative to 2017 levels. Addendum VI was initiated in response to the 2018 Benchmark Stock Assessment, which indicates the resource is overfished and experiencing overfishing. The Addendum’s measures are designed to reduce harvest, end overfishing, and bring fishing mortality to the target level in 2020. Since catch and release practices contribute significantly to overall fishing mortality, the Addendum requires the mandatory use of circle hooks when fishing with bait to reduce release mortality in recreational striped bass fisheries. Outreach and education will be a necessary element to garner support and compliance with this important conservation measure. States are required to submit implementation plans by November 30, 2019 for review by the Technical Committee and approval by the Board in February 2020. States must implement mandatory circle hook requirements by January 1, 2021. All other provisions of Addendum VI must be implemented by April 1, 2020. Additionally, in February 2020, the Board will consider a postponed motion to initiate an Amendment to rebuild spawning stock biomass to the target level and address other issues with the management program. Addendum VI will be available on the Commission’s website (www.asmfc.org) on the Atlantic Striped Bass webpage in early November. For more information, please contact Max Appelman, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at [email protected] or 703.842.0740.

 

[pequa1]

Do the states still have until November 30 to submit an alternative conservation equivalency ?

 

[george]

Yes. I Haven't seen the NY options yet. I do know that NJ will get to figure a way to actually increase ASMFC regs as it will result in a 25% reduction not the 18% they're required. I wonder if this is the case in other states?

 

[pequa1]

Countdown to three days.

 

[Roccus7]

If they’re not written up now, there’s nothing to submit; they have to be submitted by Saturday.

Any solid leads on EXACT proposals state by state?

 

[george]

I have been trying to get what New York is proposing. I heard that NJ won't have to go to a slot to stay at the required 18% reduction.

It is strange that there was no comment period for conservation equivalencies here in NY. I suspect someone knows them, but I guess it's going to be handled differently this time. That keeps them out of that controversy.

 

[george]

I spoke with DEC this morning. The processes is they're working up conservation equivuilentcie options that will get us to an 18% that will then go to the technical committee. Once approved, they will come back to us for public input.

 

[pequa1]

"NJ won't have to go to a slot " What is so terrible about a slot ? Preserves the female breeders and the filets fit on a cutting board ! For the "look at me" crowd there is always a quick photo.
But wasn't there already "public input?" I know I submitted my preference a month or two ago. What was that for ? I thought they would simply see what brings in the alleged conservation equivalent and then go with those submissions and make another SWAG. (Fort Sill taught me that a SWAG is a sure fire wild ass guess.)

 

[Roccus7]

"NJ won't have to go to a slot " What is so terrible about a slot ? Preserves the female breeders ...

(Fort Sill taught me that a SWAG is a sure fire wild ass guess.)

I’m with you on slots, although it would have been better a few years ago.

SWAG in my work world was Silly, Wild-Ass Guess, same idea.

 

[george]

"NJ won't have to go to a slot " What is so terrible about a slot ? Preserves the female breeders and the filets fit on a cutting board ! For the "look at me" crowd there is always a quick photo.
But wasn't there already "public input?" I know I submitted my preference a month or two ago. What was that for ? I thought they would simply see what brings in the alleged conservation equivalent and then go with those submissions and make another SWAG. (Fort Sill taught me that a SWAG is a sure fire wild ass guess.)

As long as we get to the 18% I don't have a preference. But there are a lot of tourney anglers and directors that aren't going to like it. And I guess I'll have to wait until they're restored to catch my first 50 pounder.

As for input there's federal input a a local input. You told asmfc what you wanted and now the states decide how they're going to do it. For example NYS may decide to change the slot size or shorten the season. Then there's the Hudson to deal with. We should know everything by the February meeting.

 

[pequa1]

You can catch it, just have to release it (lol) if I get my druthers. Most of my surfcasting brethren will want the slot. (Wrong thread but I would like to see a slot and smaller bag for fluke)

 

[Bucktail]

a slot limit will put ALL the harvest pressure on a certain year class or classes and the very real prospect exists of those classes getting wiped out. As subsequent year classes reach the lower threshold they will get wiped out too.

 

[pequa1]

hmmm, its worked for years in some freshwater locales...

 

[george]

ASMFC will release the CE (conservation equivalencies) after they have been approved by the TC (Technical Committee), which will be 2-weeks before the February meeting.

I will be speaking with Tom Foote from NJ later today for an upcoming podcast. Hopefully we' will know what they have submitted.

 

[Roccus7]

ASMFC will release the CE (conservation equivalencies) after they have been approved by the TC (Technical Committee), which will be 2-weeks before the February meeting.

I will be speaking with Tom Foote from NJ later today for an upcoming podcast. Hopefully we' will know what they have submitted.

Anything about NY CE submissions? Maine ain't talking, which probably means they'll live with the slot, but can't be certain...

 

[buddha162]

But there are a lot of tourney anglers and directors that aren't going to like it.

They can go by tag + length/photo. That's how kayak tournaments are done and every fish gets released...no hero shots at the dock but we're wayyy past that. Tournament guys can bitch and moan or they can be part of the solution, imho.

 

[george]

They can go by tag + length/photo. That's how kayak tournaments are done and every fish gets released...no hero shots at the dock but we're wayyy past that. Tournament guys can bitch and moan or they can be part of the solution, imho.

Agreed 100%.