Sea Bass Regulations for 26/27: your comments are needed by MAFMC by Wed!

[OVERBORED]

Recs. need to counter with their own science and numbers. Problem is we have people in our own community who fish casually and don't care or they drink cool aide our fisheries managers give them.

Striped Bass is a perfect example. Guys want gamefish status.........others don't. Some only C&R......etc, etc

Comms. have always had a strong lobby. Thats why they get what they get while we settle for crumbs

 

[george]

Science and numbers have little to do with what we're dealing with. There are plenty of fish to be had right now. I know I'd be happy with a 15-inch fish. Problem is not only equivalents it's also "historical landings" Which in my view should have zero to do with any recreational fishery. Commercial is one thing, but to say because @heartattack 's grandfather caught them they deserve them now, just doesn't work.

That's the unfair part that a normal politician will look at and quickly question what's happening. He will never look or care what the science says. Only what do my constituents think. I'm telling you that's how it work

Here's another point, they both have constituents and know each other well. I'm telling you this is set up for us to win.

 

[OVERBORED]

I'll believe it when I see it!

Until then we settle for crumbs.......

 

[george]

@OVERBORED Would you join in the effort? I pushed the bunker boats out of New York. Not single handedly, but almost. It was the relationships I built. I am currently the Weakfish Advisor to the ASMFC and you would be hard pressed to find anyone with more creds than I.

 

[george]

I have been running a super deep dive into how we got here. All of which I will put together and publish here. But here is the feedback I'm getting from the worlds smartest AI today:

The Bottom Line on NY's Options​

New York is not powerless. The state has multiple avenues to challenge the current unfair system:
1.File immediate appeal using 2021 precedent
2.Challenge technical basis of NJ's calculations
3.Develop alternative proposal for NY conservation equivalency
4.Build political coalition for broader reform
5.Use federal leverage on discrimination and commerce issues
The key is political will - NY needs to decide that fighting for fair treatment of its anglers is a priority worth the effort and resources required to challenge the current system.
Given that NY successfully challenged commercial allocations in 2021, there's no reason the state couldn't mount a similar challenge for recreational regulations that are clearly creating unfair outcomes for NY anglers.

 

[OVERBORED]

@OVERBORED Would you join in the effort? I pushed the bunker boats out of New York. Not single handedly, but almost. It was the relationships I built. I am currently the Weakfish Advisor to the ASMFC and you would be hard pressed to find anyone with more creds than I.

The reason I have NOT joined the effort is because there is a lack of cohesion and direction when it comes to the recreational side of things.

 

[george]

Don't take it the wrong way, I'm asking if you will get onboard an effort to change things? I am tlaking myself into getting involved here . . . anyhow check out this Video I had AI do on this. It's totally unbiased but coming from my questioning.

 

[hartattack]

So from the NJ perspective they are going to increase the catch by 30-40%?
Does that mean they will lower the size to 11” and increase the bag to a dozen?
Will NY have to increase to 18” and drop the bag to one fish to make that happen?

I apologize if Im missing something here and absolutely not trying to attack you but what am I missing here?

Mitch and all:
Yesterday's MAFMC meeting indicates that Black Sea Bass stocks have improved (so far) and that a rec increase could be in the cards FOR ALL MAFMC STATES - NY. NJ. PA, DE. MD. VA.. The disproportionality between the states is what really needs to be addressed. But hey, this is a promising first step FOR ALL.

 

[hartattack]

If you're thinking of getting involved in rec fishery regs, the time now may be right politically speaking. The fed fishery agencies fall under Dept of Commerce. It now appears new secretary of commerce director Howard Lutnick has appointed or is trying to appoint more Rec friendly people to the boards vs predecessor Wilbur Ross .

Commerce Department Announces Regional Fishery Management Council Appointments

Washington, D.C. – July 2, 2025 – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick finalized this year’s appointments to the Regional Fishery Management Councils (RFMC). The recreational fishing community appreciates the Trump Administration considering their preferred candidates and appointing many...

sportfishingpolicy.com

 

[george]

Mitch and all:
Yesterday's MAFMC meeting indicates that Black Sea Bass stocks have improved (so far) and that a rec increase could be in the cards FOR ALL MAFMC STATES - NY. NJ. PA, DE. MD. VA.. The disproportionality between the states is what really needs to be addressed. But hey, this is a promising first step FOR ALL.

That sure sounds promising.