Striper Proposals - August ASMFC Meeting

[Roccus7]

Still trying to figure this all out, but the group yesterday approved a real "Chinese Take Out Menu" approach, 1 from Column A, 2 from Column B" approach to the Addendum that will be out for public comment come fall with expected implementation before the 2020 season. The group seemed more split than previous years and are expecting many Conservation Equivalencies proposal, AAMOF none of the current ones, as they all must be resubmitted.

The target reduction was 18% in landings for Recs and Comms, there were no proposals on how to reduce recreational C&R. Of course that 18% has a 50% chance of being correct. Some of the Council members questioned the logic of that, but the response is that's the minimum degree of certainty needed, based on a court case a few years ago (think it was fluke).

They will also mandate non-offset circle hooks for bait fishing when targeting striped bass, but leave the details out for individual states. Maine has a circle hook law, but it is not needed when trolling Tube 'n Worms...

Here are the 10 most pertinent slides pertinent slides:

OK, that's it for now. Time to fish for my striped nemesis...

 

[Capt13]

I like how they have simplified the process !

 

[MakoMike]

Those slides do not include several other options that were voted in at the meeting, like an additional option for a slot with a minimum size of 30 inches and a maximum size at whatever will result in the required 20% reduction.

 

[ag3]

When will the final vote take place?

 

[Roccus7]

Those slides do not include several other options that were voted in at the meeting, like an additional option for a slot with a minimum size of 30 inches and a maximum size at whatever will result in the required 20% reduction.

True enough. That slot as added by NY rep at the end and wasn't an "official presentation" slide, as well as the other addition/change items added in. I'll see if they updated the slide deck yet on line.

When will the final vote take place?

Not sure, possibly after he public comment meetings?

The other thing that struck me was the absolute silence on Mycobacterial infection's impact on bass.

 

[george]

What happened with the new Amendment idea?

Does anyone, anywhere have any data supporting that circle hooks actually help C&R? The myco silence doesn't surprise me because they don't want to scare people. I'm under the impression that there's money for a myco test this year.

I like how they have simplified the process !

It is a true mess. Fisheries managers try, but they never get it right. we need simple!

 

[Roccus7]

What happened with the new Amendment idea?

Does anyone, anywhere have any data supporting that circle hooks actually help C&R? The myco silence doesn't surprise me because they don't want to scare people. I'm under the impression that there's money for a myco test this year.

It is a true mess. Fisheries managers try, but they never get it right. we need simple!

In order to put all effort in getting the Addendum implemented ASAP, they decided to put off the Amendment until the summer meeting next year. IMO it's a good decision because of the limited resources.

No real data circle hook were shown or discussed. It's pretty much a "couldn't hoit" scenario. They're leaving the implementation of this initiative to the individual states. All of the proposed regulations will reduce the legal rec HARVEST by 18%. That being said, they admitted that raising the minimum size will increase rec discards, so that could be a problem. They made no potential regulations nor initiatives that could reduce the fishing pressure on stripers.

And here we are again, looking at another pile of steaming chit purported to be the result of "best available science"...

 

[Capt13]

And here we are again, looking at another pile of steaming chit purported to be the result of "best available science"...

The perfect summation of fisheries management for the past 25 years.
Nobody can see the emperor has no clothes ......

I am so disillusioned and jaded.

 

[MakoMike]

What happened with the new Amendment idea?

Does anyone, anywhere have any data supporting that circle hooks actually help C&R? The myco silence doesn't surprise me because they don't want to scare people. I'm under the impression that there's money for a myco test this year.

It is a true mess. Fisheries managers try, but they never get it right. we need simple!

There are many studies that conclude that circle hook improve discard mortality.

 

[george]

There are many studies that conclude that circle hook improve discard mortality.

I hear that all the time but I've yet to see one. Have you? And not something funded by pure fIshing ?

I don't doubt that they help, but has there actually been a peer reivewed study? I honestly think they're throwing that in there as their effort to reduce cr mortality. It would be nice to know how much we are actually doing with this new suggested reg. How many fish are we actually saving? They easily tell us how many were killing, Now Tellus how many were saving by taking on this new burdensum tackle regulating law. I'll bet you half the States on the coast can't even tell exactly what a circle hook is.

 

[Roccus7]

Does anyone, anywhere have any data supporting that circle hooks actually help C&R?

George - Draft proposal cites some circle hook studies, but as you've mentioned, they are NOT peer-reviewed.

Caruso, P.G. 2000. A comparison of catch and release mortality and wounding for striped bass (Morone saxatilis), captured with two baited hook types. Completion report for Job 12, Sportfisheries Research Project (F-57-R), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. 16 pp.

Lukacovic, R.L. and J.H. Upohoff. 2007. Recreational catch-and-release mortality of striped bass caught with bait in Chesapeake Bay. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Technical Report Series No. 50. Annapolis, MD. 21 pp.

 

[george]

So looking at the Lukacovic study and I quote

"In the 1999 Study, we determined that overall 9.1% of the fish caught on conventional hooks died whereas only 0.8% of the fish caught on circles hooks died. "

So will recreational anglers get credit for .8% mortality on fish caught with bait?

 

[Roccus7]

So looking at the Lukacovic study and I quote

"In the 1999 Study, we determined that overall 9.1% of the fish caught on conventional hooks died whereas only 0.8% of the fish caught on circles hooks died. "

So will recreational anglers get credit for .8% mortality on fish caught with bait?

Got a copy of that for me?

 

[Capt13]

"In the 1999 Study, we determined that overall 9.1% of the fish caught on conventional hooks died whereas only 0.8% of the fish caught on circles hooks died. "

I don't buy it ..... there are many more factors in fish mortality besides type of hook. The disparity between circle and non circle is just too high for me to believe. Maybe if the study was done just using bait.......

I'd like to read that report as well George.

 

[Capt13]

Virginia took action :

VMRC VOTES TO LIMIT ANGLERS TO ONE ROCKFISH FOR THE 2019 SEASON
Aug 29, 2019

NORFOLK, Va. (AP)- Fisheries officials in Virginia have ruled that fishermen can keep just one rockfish instead of two per day for the upcoming season.

The Virginian-Pilot reports the Virginia Marine Resources Commission said in a statement that the move is meant to protect the species by keeping large breeding fish in the water. In 30-day emergency regulations passed unanimously on Tuesday, the commission said the changes are effective immediately. The public can comment in September ahead of opening day on Oct. 4.

Mike Standing has run the Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout for more than a decade and says the decision “kills it all.”

The one daily fish allowed will be restricted to 20 to 36 inches. The old rules allowed one of the two fish to be longer than 28 inches.

 

[george]

I smell a rat here. What measures did they take in the com sector? Isn't VA part of the group looking at a new amendment?

The number of fish saved Is minimal at best. It's nothing more that a publicity stunt.

 

[Roccus7]

I smell a rat here. What measures did they take in the com sector? Isn't VA part of the group looking at a new amendment?

The number of fish saved Is minimal at best. It's nothing more that a publicity stunt.

No doubt, I smell a huge CE proposal coming.

 

[BennyV]

How could they even conduct a circle hook study

 

[pequa1]

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