Public Hearing dates for the proposed Striped Bass Management Amendment 7 announced.

[Roccus7]

If you value catching striped bass, time to pony up and get involved with in one of these public hearings!!

STATES SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS DRAFT AMENDMENT 7​

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
February 16, 2022 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Atlantic coastal states of Maine through Virginia have scheduled hearings to gather public input on the Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Amendment 7. Some hearings will be conducted via webinar and some hearings will be conducted in person. Additional details on participating in the webinars can be found later in this release.
The public hearing details are as follows:

Date and Hearing Format	State/Agency	Contact
Tuesday, March 8 In-person Hearing 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.	Potomac River Fisheries Commission & District of Columbia Dept. of Energy and Environment Hearing Location: Potomac River Fisheries Commission 222 Taylor St, Colonial Beach, VA 22443	Martin Gary, 804.224.7148 Daniel Ryan, 202.597.1244
Wednesday, March 9 Webinar Hearing 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.	Virginia Marine Resources Commission	Pat Geer, 757.247.2236
Thursday, March 10 Webinar Hearing 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.	Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife	John Clark, 302.739.9108
Monday, March 14 Webinar Hearing 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.	New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection & Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission	Joe Cimino, 609.748.2063 Kris Kuhn, 814.359.5115
Tuesday, March 15 Webinar Hearing 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.	Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management	Jason McNamee, 401.222.4700 x2772414
Wednesday, March 16 In-person Hearing 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.	New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation Hearing Location: NYSDEC Division of Marine Resources 123 Kings Park Blvd (inside Nissequogue River States Park), Kings Park, NY 11754	Maureen Davidson, 631.444.0483
Monday, March 21 Webinar Hearing 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.	Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries	Michael Armstrong, 978.282.0308 x109
Tuesday, March 22 Webinar Hearing 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.	Connecticut Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection	Justin Davis, 860.447.4322
Wednesday, March 23 Webinar Hearing 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.	Maine Dept. of Marine Resources	Megan Ware, 207.446.0932
Monday, March 28 In-person Hearing 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.	Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources Hearing Location: Calvary United Methodist Church 301 Rowe Blvd, Annapolis, MD 21401	Michael Luisi, 443.758.6547
Tuesday, March 29 Hybrid Hearing 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.	New Hampshire Fish and Game Note: This hearing will be held in a hybrid format. To virtually attend this hearing, please follow the webinar registration instructions. You can attend in person at this address: Urban Forestry Center 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801	Cheri Patterson, 603.608

 

[captmike28]

Thanks for the heads up, Roccus. I plan on attending the in person hearing at Kings Park on 3/16.
Capt. Mike

 

[Roccus7]

If you can't be there for the hearing on the 16 and want to be heard, please get your comments in to DEC.

I may not make our Maine meeting on the 23 so I've sent my comments, albeit Maine centric, today. See below...

Ms. Megan Ware, Director of External Affairs
Maine Department of Marine Resources
via Email

Dear Megan:

Hope all is well. I’m concerned that my schedule may not allow me to participate in Maine’s March 23, 2022 ASMFC public hearing on the Atlantic Striped Bass Amendment 7 proposal so I decided to write down my comments and provide them directly to you.



Management Triggers:

• Keep as is, no dilution of them, nor extensions of time to react.
• Ensure Trigger 3 remains.
  

Rebuilding the spawning Stock:

• Include 4.4 option for the rebuilding plan: If the 2022 stock assessment indicates that the Amendment 7 measures have less than a 50% probability of rebuilding the stock by 2029 (as calculated using the recruitment assumption specified in Amendment 7) and if the stock assessment indicates at least a 5% reduction in removals is needed to achieve [the fishing mortality level needed to rebuild the stock] the Board may adjust measures to achieve [such reduced level of fishing mortality] via Board action.
• Stop using the damn 50% probability metric. It should be something like 75% or greater!!
• Eliminate any situations that allow for “stalling” rebuilding plans like mandatory public hearings. Having a write-in Public Comment option is time enough instead of the 6 months a hearing schedule allows. I think this is an “Option B”.
  

Reducing Recreational Release Mortality:

• Unlike all of the other ASMFC states, striped bass is the ONLY inshore recreational fish in Maine, and we’re faced with a short season. To our “benefit” side, our water temperatures rarely exceed 70°F so we are releasing fish into cool water, a proven benefit to reduce release mortality. Additionally, is such a proposal even enforceable?? I leave one Conservation Officer involved with reviewing Amendment 7 suggested enforcement would be problematic.
  
  Therefore, I think a two-week closure suggestion is inappropriate as a mandatory measure here in Maine, and other options should be considered:
• NOBODY should be doing any sort of striped bass fishing on spawning grounds, Catch and Release included. Extending the Kennebec special regulations to exclude Catch and Release fishing for 2 weeks during the spawn. During this closure, folks could fish in many close-by adjoining areas.
• NOBODY should be gaffing striped bass, RECREASTIONAL or COMMERCIAL fishing.
  

Management Plan Equivalency: Any Management Plan proposed by a state must ensure that it does not undercut the goals of the entire coast’s management plan, PERIOD!!!!!!


That’s about it. I know I’ve expressed these thoughts to you on many occasions and I hope I’m not being too much of a pest in doing so. I’ve been fishing for striped bass for over 55 years and the fish has played a major role in my life. To say I’m a very interested and concerned participant in this process would be a gross understatement.

 

[Roccus7]

In case you're not too busy moaning and pissing about the economy, stock market, Ukraine, COVID, and or the impending pillorying of some pet peeve, and give more than an occasional chit about striped bass, you should also email any comments you may have regarding the draft Amendment 7 directly to ASMFC even if you intend to attend the session at DEC. Your email should be sent to: [email protected] (subject line: Draft Amendment 7)

 

[Roccus7]

If you really care about fishing, something that seems to be in very short supply around here as opposed to pontification about how you'd manage fisheries, time to get ready to participate in the determination of the Striped Bass Amendment 7.

Here's a great article to help guide you as how to be a part of the process...

Let You Views Known on Striped Bass Amendment 7

 

[Roccus7]

The silence here is deafening, and most dishearteniing. So who here is actually going to attend or send comments to DEC/ASMFC regarding Amendment 7?

Wednesday, March 16 In-person Hearing 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation Hearing Location: NYSDEC Division of Marine Resources 123 Kings Park Blvd (inside Nissequogue River States Park), Kings Park, NY 11754

Maureen Davidson, 631.444.0483

I thought this, being a "NY Fishing Website", would mean that many members would be participating in this important aspect of the management of one of the most important inshore fish in NY? Guess I was sorely mistaken that folks on this website actually care more about fishing than spreading disinformation and picking on each other...

 

[captmike28]

I still plan on attending Roccus. In fact, I was just reviewing the details of Amendment 7 today in preparation for the meeting. I sure hope I am not alone tomorrow evening.

I will post a summary of what goes on, probably on Thursday morning.

 

[Roccus7]

I still plan on attending Roccus. In fact, I was just reviewing the details of Amendment 7 today in preparation for the meeting. I sure hope I am not alone tomorrow evening.

I will post a summary of what goes on, probably on Thursday morning.

I knew we could depend on you!! Hopefully there will be more attending, but I'm afraid most people find it easier to moan and piss using their computers instead of getting their hands dirty.

Looking forward to your report, thanks!!

 

[captmike28]

I sure hope the "silent majority" shows up.

We shall see.

 

[george]

Roccus,

While I won't get into the particulars as to what I do and what I don't agree with what you've written, I do agree we need more anglers involved in the process. Sadly the majority of anglers today have either been beaten to death in their struggle to conserve striped bass. While those new to this guessing game of fisheries management simply don't understand it. It's such a convoluted process that's it's just too hard to follow.

Right now we have NY Anglers reading this thread and thinking: Do these regulations really only have a 50/50 chance at being correct? Will we be waiting for 1/2 a decade to see if it's correct? Didn't we just take a huge cut back in the fishery? After all, the Holy Grail of a 50-pounder or a world record for the largest striped bass has been stripped away. What else can they take from us?

That's kinda how I feel. What else do you want from us? We gave up a shorter season, we gave you a slot limit, which I HATE, by the way, we use those friggin circle hooks. What else do you want?

I hope there's a good turnout of rec anglers and the industry they support. I can remember going to these meetings with hundreds of people there fighting to save the striper. I just don't see it happening now.

 

[Roccus7]

Roccus,

While I won't get into the particulars as to what I do and what I don't agree with what you've written, I do agree we need more anglers involved in the process. Sadly the majority of anglers today have either been beaten to death in their struggle to conserve striped bass. While those new to this guessing game of fisheries management simply don't understand it. It's such a convoluted process that's it's just too hard to follow.

Right now we have NY Anglers reading this thread and thinking: Do these regulations really only have a 50/50 chance at being correct? Will we be waiting for 1/2 a decade to see if it's correct? Didn't we just take a huge cut back in the fishery? After all, the Holy Grail of a 50-pounder or a world record for the largest striped bass has been stripped away. What else can they take from us?

That's kinda how I feel. What else do you want from us? We gave up a shorter season, we gave you a slot limit, which I HATE, by the way, we use those friggin circle hooks. What else do you want?

I hope there's a good turnout of rec anglers and the industry they support. I can remember going to these meetings with hundreds of people there fighting to save the striper. I just don't see it happening now.

Yes, we have differences on "How To", but this document is more a "When To" event, in that it's a blueprint for when action must be taken. To me, the tactics that some states take to kick the can down the road need to be severely limited and a big part of this document deals with that. Another critical aspect in this document is LOCKING A TARGET DOWN.

A classic stall tactic has been moving what target they're trying to reach/sustain. One of the big problems with bass management if never keeping things set for more than a couple of years so nobody can figure out if anything's working.

I do wish their 50% target would be put to death. Although I can't see anywhere to interject this into discussions, I'd love for them to up the ante to at least 75%. My comment will be, "Is there anyone at ASMFC who would be willing to invest their retirement nest egg with a 50% chance of being profitable?" We know how they'd answer that. It's a shame that they can't remember that.

Beyond that, your comment regarding participation is dead on, but truly tragic. I blame that on the social media. People feel that expressing their opinions on line, hopping on internet petitions, and making up little polls, etc. mean that they are doing something when, in fact, it means nothing to the regulators and they've essentially done bupkis. Yes, that frustrates folks who think they're being ignored, when in fact they haven't done anything.

Back in the "old days", when we had to go face to face, there were certain Jedi Masters who really knew that art by using The Force, and I'm not worthy to be addressing the head of that Jedi Council, @george .

 

[george]

@Roccus7 I couldn't agree with you more on all points. Especially the social media piece. Although it is monitored by regulators there is never a cohesive message.

 

[captmike28]

I attended the public input session for Amendment 7 of Striped Bass regulations at the DEC last evening. Here is what I observed.

First, the number of folks actually attending in person was fairly small. Aside from the members of the ASFMC board and DEC officials there were only about 35-40 actual attendees, a far cry from what I have seen at prior meetings. Of this mix, only 4, including myself, were members of the "for-hire" industry. Several had noted that this meeting was not well publicized, which I have mixed feelings about. Yes, there was a notification in the local newspaper, and we have good soul like Roccus who keep us informed. However, the small contingent from "for hire" all noted we never received an update from the DEC itself. They certainly have all our contact information from license fees and are quick to send us snail mail updates when regulations change. Still, the DEC reply was that we should go register on their website to receive more frequent updates. Sounds good but still seems like they are trying to shift some of the blame.

Emilee Franke did her very best to explain all the regulations being considered for potential change but that brings me to my next point. A lot of the options are so complex to the average person that I am convinced this is what puts many people off. Even with the summary discussion offered by our own Roccus and the related articles he posted by Charles Witek,, a lot of the language is confusing. This was openly noted during the public comment section. Between her slide presentation and the many questions asking for clarification, this section took up almost 3/4 of the meeting time. If the majority of the folks who have a stake in the health of any of our fisheries are going to be encouraged to participate, there has to be some extra effort made to create a set of regulations the average person can understand. I do think that part of this responsibility lies with the fisheries managers themselves. However, I will also admit that the written summary provided by ASFMC at the meeting made things easier for me to comprehend. So, once again everyone's involvement at a reasonable level is one of the keys.

My next observation is that little has changed over the years when it comes to our approach to fisheries management, at least from what I have learned both reading and attending meetings. So much of what is considered "science" and "hard data" are nothing more than educated guesses. Emilee freely admitted that the 9% mortality figure they use for recreational catch and release data is based upon a single survey done in MA. And, the time frame between stock assessments is so long that many question the viability of this data too. In fact, Emilee noted that the last Amendment was completed in 2003,, nearly 10 years ago and the last stock assessment done in 2016! Naturally we heard a lot of comments about the lack of recreational input to the data collection process, which at this time in all of NY state is done by only 6 individuals. And the "for hire" industry continues to lament how it seems their vast amount of on the water actual experience is not appropriately weighted.

So, to try and tie this all together, the main goal of this meeting was to gather input on the time intervals to be implemented that would trigger actual changes in the various aspects of regulating the Striped Bass fishery. In this regard, what I heard from the board was the same excuse I have for years in that they are afraid of acting too quickly as it might negatively impact the "for hire" and commercial industries ability to react to these changes. However, at least there was solidarity expressed by the attendees last evening,. I counted a total of 9 persons, including myself, who offered a public comments at the close of the session and we all seemed to agree that when the biomass appears to be reduced or overfishing occurs something must be changed on a much faster timetable than we are currently dealing with to protect the Striped Bass themselves.

I know this process can be very frustrating at times but if we do not make our voices heard then we have no business complaining if things do not go in the direction we want. As of today, it seems that there will be no regulation changes for 2022. So, now is the time to study and understand the data as best you can. The deadline for sending written comments to ASFMC is April 15, 2022. The board is expected to finalize its direction by the end of May 2022 with new regulations issued for calendar year 2023.

 

[Roccus7]

Thank you @captmike28 for you participation and summary. So glad it seems that people are fed up with the "kicking the can down the road" method of striper management that ASMFC has propagated over the the years. IF this is the one thing that this amendment corrects, that would be a major milestone, IMO.

I'm in 100% agreement with the complexity of this document and how the "Two from Column A and One from Column B" attitude that ASMFC likes to propagate makes for a very confusing situation. They would be far better to fight out a complete draft document and then ask for comments instead of putting out a multitude of "What ifs". It's like trading in an Eastern Bazaar!!!

 

[captmike28]

Trying to manage any natural resource has to be one of the toughest jobs around. I recognize the challenge is every bit as frustrating from both the managers side as well as the anglers and commercial parts of the equation.

What I tried to point out with my comments last night is that, at least in the case of the Striped Bass we have successfully done this in the past. In the course of my lifetime, I have seen the species go from great abundance in the 70's to near extinction in the 80's, back to great abundance from the 90's to around 10 years ago and now another cycle of decline.

Although the regulations in the 80's were very tight we did rebuild the stocks to very health levels beginning in the 90's. If you asked me back in the 80's if I thought there would be a viable Striped Bass fishery ever again, I probably would have said no. But look how the stocks rebounded to the point where everyone, commercials and anglers alike have been enjoying a viable fishery for a long time.

So, at the meeting I did acknowledge the fact that sound fisheries management can work and many of us have witnessed this. Let's hope we can get some reasonable regulations put in place to restore this important fish to a level that can be sustained for everyone to enjoy.