Striper Bass Slot Restrictions - Some data for the reduction from 28 - <35" to 28 - 31"

[Roccus7]

Maine had it's call today and presented some very interesting data that catalyzed the drive for this emergency action.

Here's a comparison from 21 to 22 for Recreational Striped Bass Retention by State as recorded in the MRIP program. Look at the big bump in NY, > 400% increase!!

Here's the accompanying data for Recreational Releases. Remember that 9% of these numbers were recorded as Recreational Release Mortality.

Some Maine Anglers including myself, share their catch data with the DMR. From these data, the following size distribution for Maine was generated. The key take home message here is that in 2023 the mean length of the 2015 class of fish, last magnificent spawning year, and the class that entered the slot in 2022, will be just over 31", so that's why the slot maximum of 31" was established, to save a good chunk of that fish class. Also, the 26" bump in the graph is the 2017 spawn class, the last "decent" spawn in the Chesapeake. Some of those will be popping into the slot this year.

Here's a graph of the number of recreational fishing trips with striped bass as the primary target. Once again, NY had a big bump.

So what did this big recreational harvest in 2022 mean for striped bass. Well in brief, there would be NFW that the stock would recover by the 2029 deadline that was recently set without significant action. Things looked good at the close of 2021, with >90% chances of recovery, BUT when the 2022 data are considered, that number drops to 15%!!

So that's the story, tough times call for tough measures. This is an emergency measure. The "regular" measure that will be put in place for 2024 may further refine changes, and will include commercial considerations and the Chesapeake Bay fishery, which were not included in this emergency action.

 

[george]

I will be doing an interview with asmfc next week on this issue. If anyone has any specific questions they'd like me to ask please post it here.

 

[Roccus7]

I will be doing an interview with asmfc next week on this issue. If anyone has any specific questions they'd like me to ask please post it here.

Is NJ really threatening NOT to abide by the new slot? Reliable sources say that is true, those SOBs...

 

[george]

I will ask it. But I think I will also go straight to the source and ask my good friend Tom Fote.

You and I agree on just about every regulatory issue. But I'm not an NJ hater. Many forget that they eliminated their entire commercial fishery.

I know many anglers in this state that wish we had the results they do. They fish more and they keep more, all while staying within the plan.

 

[Roccus7]

You and I agree on just about every regulatory issue. But I'm not an NJ hater. Many forget that they eliminated their entire commercial fishery.

And turned around to use that for a "bonus tag" fish that was not in the agreed on slot for those years.

They should man up and just not use their commercial quota like ME, CT and some other states if they care about the resource, not about making sure they get every last possible fish.

 

[george]

And turned around to use that for a "bonus tag" fish that was not in the agreed on slot for those years.

True. But the recs have taken just 5% of those fish. Not to mention unlike NY and other states, there are no gill nets in the waters of NJ targeting bass. Those nets have a 50% mortality rate. Then there's the dragger by-catch to consider. None of that is happening in NJ.

Fact is, striped bass are safer in NJ waters.

 

[CELLFISH]

ask em if they those BOZOS are still sticking it killing bass with this nonsense, “YELLOW LOOP TAG” thanks george… cellfish…
.

 

[hartattack]

Is NJ really threatening NOT to abide by the new slot? Reliable sources say that is true, those SOBs...

My NJ sources say that NJ will comply effective 7/1. Some points to consider, raised by my same NJ source:
....... If there's a decline in Striped Bass populations you certainly don't see it here in NJ, our area is practically polluted with them. I think we've been good stewards of the fishery here. No commercial fishing allowed and Bunker reduction boats have been banned in our state waters. We've also taken recent measures with our regs to try and avoid the harvest of the larger breeders and our bonus program, which used to be for larger fish is now a slot between 24 and 28 inches. That and circle hooks and no gaffing to help with release mortality. I think we've done our part and I'm glad NJ voted against this.

The cause of all this is a result of the decline in the Chesapeake Bay fishery recruitment. This was caused in part by farm run off and lack of Bunker. What are the states along the Chesapeake doing about that? Omega who accounts for 70% of the bunker harvest are still allowed fish for them in the bay and farms continue to pollute and now we all have to suck it up??

I know this a highly migratory fishery and has to be managed regionally but time for the Feds to do some critical thinking here. If this is a Chesapeake problem, force change in the Chesapeake states and how about getting after the root causes?

Seems like there is no state sovereignty any longer. Look what recently happened with Fluke when the feds made a unilateral decision and no states were allowed a choice in tweaking their regulations this year. Now the same with Striped Bass? Why even have a state fisheries council.... The federal government knows what's best for you and they're on top of things

 

[george]

My NJ sources say that NJ will comply effective 7/1. Some points to consider, raised by my same NJ source:
....... If there's a decline in Striped Bass populations you certainly don't see it here in NJ, our area is practically polluted with them. I think we've been good stewards of the fishery here. No commercial fishing allowed and Bunker reduction boats have been banned in our state waters. We've also taken recent measures with our regs to try and avoid the harvest of the larger breeders and our bonus program, which used to be for larger fish is now a slot between 24 and 28 inches. That and circle hooks and no gaffing to help with release mortality. I think we've done our part and I'm glad NJ voted against this.

The cause of all this is a result of the decline in the Chesapeake Bay fishery recruitment. This was caused in part by farm run off and lack of Bunker. What are the states along the Chesapeake doing about that? Omega who accounts for 70% of the bunker harvest are still allowed fish for them in the bay and farms continue to pollute and now we all have to suck it up??

I know this a highly migratory fishery and has to be managed regionally but time for the Feds to do some critical thinking here. If this is a Chesapeake problem, force change in the Chesapeake states and how about getting after the root causes?

Seems like there is no state sovereignty any longer. Look what recently happened with Fluke when the feds made a unilateral decision and no states were allowed a choice in tweaking their regulations this year. Now the same with Striped Bass? Why even have a state fisheries council.... The federal government knows what's best for you and they're on top of things

Thanks for your feedback. You make some excellent points that I will address. Thanks again!