Did anyone see the BS about striper fishing

[bassandsurf]

Did anyone see this BS in the washington Post something about banning pre trophy fishing for stripers.Bull this is stupid lobbiest for commercial fisherman.

[Tracker16]

I just saw it in the Annapolis paper. This is stupidity of the highest order. Not allowing catch and release while still allowing gill netting??? Give Striped Bass game fish status. That's the solution

[BlueHwy]

Can anyone post a link to one (or more) of the articles?

Thanks

[shaggy]

Originally Posted by BlueHwy

Can anyone post a link to one (or more) of the articles?

Thanks

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/new...hot-issue.html

[BlueHwy]

Thanks!

[AtlantaKing]

In and of itself, not fishing for pre-spawn fish if you can't keep them is not a bad idea. As the Chesapeake is the spawning ground for a major population of the striped bass in the mid-Atlantic region, there should be a fisheries wide moratorium on striped bass before the season opens: no commercial fishing for them, no recreational fishing for them, no trolling, no bait, nothing. The brood stock need to be protected.

[Normark]

Originally Posted by AtlantaKing

In and of itself, not fishing for pre-spawn fish if you can't keep them is not a bad idea. As the Chesapeake is the spawning ground for a major population of the striped bass in the mid-Atlantic region, there should be a fisheries wide moratorium on striped bass before the season opens: no commercial fishing for them, no recreational fishing for them, no trolling, no bait, nothing. The brood stock need to be protected.

Very well said

[RuddeDogg]

Originally Posted by AtlantaKing

In and of itself, not fishing for pre-spawn fish if you can't keep them is not a bad idea. As the Chesapeake is the spawning ground for a major population of the striped bass in the mid-Atlantic region, there should be a fisheries wide moratorium on striped bass before the season opens: no commercial fishing for them, no recreational fishing for them, no trolling, no bait, nothing. The brood stock need to be protected.

Yep.

[Lipyourown]

The catch and kill season is harder on the brood stock no matter how you slice it. If we are truely concerned about the health of a fish species we would regulate the catch and kill season more and leave the c&r anglers alone. Just my opinion.

[dreadK]

I'll support whatever policy is backed up by the hardest science and places the greatest equity on all classes of fishermen (e.g. catch&release, catch&kill, commercial). By equity I mean imposing restrictions on some sort of "effect" basis. If pre-season rockfishing can not be shown to have a demonstrated effect that's greater then the catch and kills season, for example, then it shouldn't be singled out. Personally, I don't fish the pre-season...but why waste time implementing a regulation that's not outcome based. I'm open to regulating most things if it's necessary, as long as its outcome based. Sometimes we have to sacrifice, but it should be for a good reason....not because someone has a hunch. I want to see more info that QUANTIFIES the impact of the various seasons and info that allows you to compare those impacts.

[Tracker16]

Originally Posted by AtlantaKing

In and of itself, not fishing for pre-spawn fish if you can't keep them is not a bad idea. As the Chesapeake is the spawning ground for a major population of the striped bass in the mid-Atlantic region, there should be a fisheries wide moratorium on striped bass before the season opens: no commercial fishing for them, no recreational fishing for them, no trolling, no bait, nothing. The brood stock need to be protected.

I hear what you're saying AK but that would mean NO FISHING in the bay until trophy season starts. Sorry but that's not gonna fly. Stripers aren't the only fish people target in the spring so how would DNR enforce a 'no fishing for stripers law' ?? You are always going to have bycatch. What else can you do but release them right away?

I just reviewed NOAA Fisheries data for Striped bass taken in MD and compared it to MD DNR's stats on commercial SB licenses issued. There are only 1231 commercial Striped bass fishing licenses issued period. In 2008 Comms caught 2,672,088lbs of Stripers While Recs caught 3,178,237 lbs. That means out of all the people licensed in MD (Comm&Rec) 1231 people were allowed to catch 44% of the all the Striped bass taken. Somethings broken here. Like I said earlier. You wanna protect the fishery?? Give Striped Bass 'Game Fish Status'

[surfnsam]

i think banning charter boats from going out before C&R season opens is a good idea. these guys go out with 15+ rods out, when they hook up the don't stop and fight a fish they keep going pulling the fish in while going 3-4 mph, this isn't good on the fish and they will just throw it back without reviving it. the mortality rate is something like 30%. the only thing these captains are doing is killing fish while trying to locate them. i am not saying we should ban rock fishing, just stop killing them needlessly, make these charter captains respect the rock and revive and release these breeders.

[stupidjet]

whats the difference in a trophy fish being killed during the spring or in the middle of the summer? fact it, neither will lay it's eggs.

so now to come out and say Marylanders cant even C&R for trophy bass, but the whole noreast can is not fair. If Noreasters didnt keep these huge fish, then they would come down and spawn too....

[Nakedjeeper]

There a lot of issues that are hurting our rocks.. nasty bay water, fertilizer run off, wasting disease, over harvesting of menhaden. too few oysters.. I hope the scientists get accurate information before any laws are passed. The last thing I think anyone wants is another moretorium like we had in the 80's.

[Tracker16]

Originally Posted by surfnsam

i think banning charter boats from going out before C&R season opens is a good idea. these guys go out with 15+ rods out, when they hook up the don't stop and fight a fish they keep going pulling the fish in while going 3-4 mph, this isn't good on the fish and they will just throw it back without reviving it. the mortality rate is something like 30%. the only thing these captains are doing is killing fish while trying to locate them. i am not saying we should ban rock fishing, just stop killing them needlessly, make these charter captains respect the rock and revive and release these breeders.

You have a point about the huge spreads. Maybe they should limit it to say four rods. But I don't agree with eliminating it all together. But ! I do agree with eliminating commercial fishing for Stripers. It is already the law in federal waters and many states. Why not MD.

Federal Government Confirms Red Drum and Striped Bass Gamefish Status
Announcement affirms 2007 Executive Order signed by President Bush

Alexandria, VA – October 17, 2008 – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NFMS) announced in the October 17, 2008, Federal Register that the requirements set by Executive Order 13449 which established striped bass and red drum as gamefish have been fulfilled. NMFS determined that the current rules banning the sale of striped bass and red drum caught in federal waters in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico achieve the intent of Executive Order 13449, signed by President George W. Bush on October 20, 2007.

“This ruling ensures that striped bass and red drum will survive and grow for generations of anglers to enjoy,” ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman said. “We are very pleased that NMFS has completed this ruling ensuring that federal waters will be closed to commercial fishing for these important gamefish.”

Executive Order 13449 established gamefish status for striped bass and red drum in federal waters. Gamefish status means that the two species are provided regulations and management measures to promote their well-being as a fish sought for recreational fishing and not for sale if caught in federal waters.

This announcement insures the recreational, economic and environmental benefits of two of the most popular gamefish in the United States. The order protects the fisheries in federal waters from commercial harvest, which include three miles to 200 miles offshore. The Order does not cover state waters, which go from the coastline to three miles offshore. Many states have conferred gamefish status for these species and the executive order encourages those that have not conferred gamefish status to do so. The announcement on October 17, 2008 signifies that the regulatory requirements of the executive order were fulfilled.

###

[Normark]

Originally Posted by stupidjet

whats the difference in a trophy fish being killed during the spring or in the middle of the summer? fact it, neither will lay it's eggs.

so now to come out and say Marylanders cant even C&R for trophy bass, but the whole noreast can is not fair. If Noreasters didnt keep these huge fish, then they would come down and spawn too....

Fair ? Not much is these days regarding fish .
The thing about this whole situation is this .. Over the years it has grown to a "TROPHY" status and is advertised that way , the result being that anyone can literally go out and possibly bag a "trophy" and all the pressure is not good .
I really dont see how anyone in MD can complain about Striped Bass anyways .. You can keep the best ones (18 to 20 inches) while we are stuck trying to find 28"+ fish all year (with the exception of the slot this year and one other year a few years ago) .
What you have to remember is that this is the largest Spawning grounds for Striped Bass and should be protected better .

[UnknownFish]

Originally Posted by AtlantaKing

In and of itself, not fishing for pre-spawn fish if you can't keep them is not a bad idea. As the Chesapeake is the spawning ground for a major population of the striped bass in the mid-Atlantic region, there should be a fisheries wide moratorium on striped bass before the season opens: no commercial fishing for them, no recreational fishing for them, no trolling, no bait, nothing. The brood stock need to be protected.

Very well said.

I also think they should make it that we cant keep fish bigger then 30" as these fish are the spawning fish that do all the reproducing, just like they do with red drum. Just my opinion though.

[bassandsurf]

always the idiots that agree to such stupid control BS by local governments.do you think for one minute they are going to stop gill netting and our fishing to.Wake the --- up Jesus where do you people come from.I can tell some of you aren't or should i say don't have common sense or stand up for what you beleive.Just like the BS about the PCBs dont eat local fiah but its ok to eat commercial caught,Daaa they come from the same waters,

[bassandsurf]

They should ban commercial in VA just like in the bay.But the GOV needs the pocket money,They wont do it.Not going to happen until the species is in trouble again.But they are plentiful.The way they think ,We will wait until the trouble sighns and then bann it for a year or so --on sport fisherman that is.

[Lipyourown]

I think part of the intent here is to keep the blinders on recreational fishermen. Some charters and netters want to ban pre season catch and release because they claim it hurts the stock overall.

If enough folks realized there is better fishing for fun in April than May-Sept, more folks would practice C&R tin the preseason and thus take money from the catch and kill charters.

If they were really interested in protecting the stock they would start the catch and kill season after the spawn. I'd be game but not excited about it.

Banning catch and release just makes no sense to me. I'm all for protecting the fish where they actually spawn but to shut down the bay catch and release fishery is stupid (and would hurt many baitshops and marinas). Let's not forget, the spawning run really started recently as the northern fish make their slow migration south to the Bay. It doesn't matter when or where a fish dies, it won't spawn.

Who ever said the mortality rate of trolled preseason rockfish is 30% is far from knowing the truth. Warm water summer catch and release is far harder on the stock. Also, Our spring fling at SPSP would be next on the chopping block....even though we are releasing them.

[shaggy]

Me, stopped the C&R season years ago,but, once the eggs are laid and fertilized, new batch up and comming.

Prefer the 28" plus from the shore as they are better steaks and fillets.

Now if we could get Virginia to tighten up the menhadden catch, well that wouldnt hurt the species too much, may even help with the striper reproduction and overall health.

[sand flea]

Interesting. Sounds like this is aimed more at trolling than all C&R.

I understand those of you who don't do C&R during the spring season, but can anyone actually cite a study on mortality for spring C&R? It's one thing to follow your own conscience; it's another to want to shut it down for everyone else. Why stop with stripers? Why not shut down C&R for drum fishermen, too?

[bassandsurf]

With the revenue the parks and GOV pocket off of these licenses at crazy ass cost to us.To fish waters we basically own,Our taxes pay for. They want ridiculous charges for plus charges to park and to enter parks that our money pays for,They are not going to do it.They would have so much grief over it it would benefit from it.And if you think for a minute that stripe rs are endangered again you crazy.

[transamsam98]

woa hold on here fella's I am one of those charter boat guys. I agree the C&R wont get shut down mainly due to hw many private non comercial guys would get mad about it and would hurt the politicians on getting re elected as well as cash flow. however keep this in mind whille comercial fishing we are targeting 18-26 inch fish and ye their are some 27-36 taken as well. by law we must release all 36 and over fish and our poundage is limited also. Not only this but comercial fising makes up somewhere around 45% of the quota and is shut down as soon as it is met sometimes before it is met. Take this month for example all of our 67,000lbs quota was cought in the first week and 2 days and is shut down for the month anything over our quota would have had to been cught tuesday is it happened our quota next year will be lower due to our overage. Also I am not sure why or how you guys can figure fighting a prespawn rockfsh on light tackle for 15+mins is easier on them than charter guys catch and release prospect fishing and getting them in the boat in less than 5. I personaly swim all of my throw back fish and make sure they swim before letting go of them. The big concer I have is the susquehana flats that needs to be shut down one of the major spawning grounds open to fishing yet all the rivers are shut down. I know I will not be well liked after this and I personally could care less after the ignorance I have read in this post and the horrible way you paint us comercial guys to be. either way have fun enjoy the bay.







also I will say gill netting in january and feb and march just like any commercial fishing is heavily regulated.

[transamsam98]

Also I must ask how many of yall make the trip to va for winter striper fishing? f you do that you are catching them prespawn at just about full wieght. have any of yall looked at the egg sacks of post spawn rockfish? they stay purple and bruised for 2-5 days then revert back to orange and begin producing for next year.