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RJ
01-22-2003, 07:32 PM
I’ve seen and read with humor and amusement the “new” striped bass regulations being proposed by the DEC on many of the so-called most popular message and discussion board Internet sites. The lack of knowledge on many of these web sites that try to preach the “gospel” of fishing really is amazing, but more importantly very disappointing.

These Message Board type-sites allow the public to post their own comments and what they have “heard” through the grapevine. As both Marvin Gaye and CCR sang in that song was “believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see.” I spoke with Byron Young of the DEC’s Marine Resource department today (1/22) and I will lay out for you the rumors and the truths and what I learned.

Rumor taken off Internet site: “I am surprised that nobody has brought up the proposed new Striper Regulations for the upcoming season. I heard the rumor from several good sources that NY was about to agree to a new 2 fish per person limit-1 fish at 28" and one TROPHY fish over 41" per day per angler. Hear it’s a done deal!

Answer…False! Mr. Young says that while giving recreational anglers two fish per person is a viable and open option in accordance with the Amendment 5 and Amendment 6 plans, the DEC has not heard that request come in from the public and no other user group has requested it, so for the time being everything is remaining the same. One bass per person on private boats or off the beach and again 28 inches the magic size. Unless the public asks for two fish, this current regulation will remain intact.

Rumor: “I am surprised that nobody has brought up the proposed new Striper Regulations for the upcoming season. I heard the rumor from several good sources that the commercials got a 750,000 pound increase!”

Answer…Again False! Mr. Young says the commercial sector did get an increase in their quota for 2003. The increase takes them from 590,000 pounds to a total of 843,000 pounds, a far cry from what the rumor mill has been crying about. However at the same time recreational anglers are getting an increase as well with the DEC proposing to open the striped bass season earlier…around April 15 with the same season closing date of December 15th.

One of the main reasons I started The Fishing Line Message and Discussion Boards at www.thefishingline.org was to put the truth out there so anglers wouldn’t rely on message boards that do NOT do their homework and cry foul all the time.

We here at The Fishing Line are in touch with the officials in charge of making the rules we play and live by, so we always have the accuracy and up to the minute information for you. This way you can tell the difference between fact and fiction. The so-called reliable sources everyone claims to have are not the same line of communication we have, directly from the proverbial horse’s mouth…the DEC.

surfbeater
01-23-2003, 03:08 PM
RJ:

How many total pounds are allowed to recreational fishermen, and what is the proposed increase in pounds?

Don't you think the proposal to lengthen the season by opening the season earlier is a bit of a crap shoot? The way this winter is panning out, we won't hit 50 degree water until July.

Fluke
01-23-2003, 08:20 PM
I need someone with knowledge to explain how you can equate days into poundage.
If I read the proposed regulations right, the commercial striper fishermen are getting about a 42% increase in poundage and the recreational fishermen are getting about 10% more days.
Another way of looking at it, is, the DEC is giving an additional, specific, 20 days. To get full benefit of the increase, you have to be able to fish all of those days and catch your one fish per day. What are the odds of that happening.
I'm not an avid Striper fisherman, but, I don't think I like that brand of equity.:argue:

BigBrewDude
01-23-2003, 09:06 PM
I have to agree with Fluke. The new regs, while not unfair, don't see equally fair. RJ, what would we have to do to let the DEC know we want a two fish per day limit?
Is the Striper population healthy enough for this? :confused:

jpfsurf
01-23-2003, 10:33 PM
Why would you want 2 fish per day?
The commercial fishiery is getting a 30%increase in tags from last year,thats bad enough.

Rockfish
01-23-2003, 10:55 PM
Rich,
It sounds like only the squeaky wheel is getting the grease.
How do we go about asking for that second fish?
If its available, we should have it.
Dan
in Massapequa

RJ
01-23-2003, 11:38 PM
The squeaky wheel always gets the grease. If you want 2 fish per day (no one says you have to keep them) we have to make our voice heard. Letters to Byron Young or Gordon Colvin at the DEC will be needed and they will be read and listened to.

The science and numbers DO support the fact the biomass can hadle the increase in fish taken. Remember, much of the poundage given to user groups is based on history...so if the numbers say the fishery can handle 2 fish, we need to "claim" these fish so in the future they too are not given over to the other side.

I would support two fish per day. Another theory and an actual proven practice in freshwater is...to bring back the big bass you have to weed out many smaller bass. There are too mnay smaller bass in our waters and they are competing for the limited amount of food available, Smaller fish always beat big fish to the bait and have to eat more and more often to get big. Large bass may only feed once or twice a day, but larger quantities wheh they do feed.

Big bass don't get big by being stupid and the are quite a few big bass around. In lakes when ther eis a lack of big fish and the population becomes stunted, they either allow you to take many small fish or put in a slot limit where you can take smaller fish and larger fish but leave the the medium large fish to spawn.

For example a lake may allow you to keep bass under 12 inches and bass over 20 inches, but everything in between has to be returned.

BigBrewDude
01-23-2003, 11:53 PM
Now that's interesting... keep shorts (obviously they have to be above a minimum size as well) and the cows, but the leave the inbetween to spawn...
A few of my friends have talked about a system like that.
Where do we send correspondence to Byron and Gordon? Do you have their addresses?

RJ
01-24-2003, 12:02 AM
Send questions and comments to
DEC Marine Resource
205 Bellmead Rd.
E. Setauket, NY 11733

Fluke
01-24-2003, 12:28 AM
My concern would be with "jumping the gun". Why not wait another year before the regulations are changed, just to prove the DEC's estimates (and that's all they are) are correct. Cyclical factors could change fish populations.
If it is determined that the biomass can handle an increase in the catch, then do it gradually.
It is important that the recreational fishermen claim their 2nd fish. Not that they have to take it, but if the numbers prove to be wrong, then they'll have something to give back.:rock:

RJ
01-24-2003, 12:30 AM
The numbers have supported a second fish for a couple of years now.

Rockfish
01-24-2003, 10:10 AM
We might as well claim the second fish while its available, and protect our rights for the future. If in fact there are shortages in the future and a reduction in limits is needed, we will be able to give up 50% and still have 1 fish. Otherwise our position relative to the comms. may continue to deteriorate, and the regs will say we never spoke up, so we must be satisfied.
If the fish are there and we want our share we will have to speak up before it is to late and the rules are set in stone!
Dan
in Massapequa
P.S. you can bet that the comms are not sitting quietly

Fluke
01-24-2003, 02:22 PM
If, in effect, the numbers substantiate an increase in the biomass that would afford the taking of more fish, why not make that increase a gradual one. Why jump the commercial take, by 40%. That's quite an increase in poundage. Why not a 20% increase initially and see what happens.
I agree with Rockfish on the need to claim a 2nd fish for the reasons stated. Ironically, the Rec. fishermen may or may not take that fish. Is there any doubt that the commercials won't take,at least, their increase.
As I previously stated, I'm not an avid striper fisherman, but I do advocate using a little common sense. We should collectively be interested in conservation, not just satisfying a particular entity.:thumb:

LkyLindy
01-24-2003, 02:51 PM
Absolutely must take that 2nd fish-The Dec loves historical data-Unfortunately if we don't show the increase in catch,the recs sure will and ratchet up their numbers.Sadly we have to follow suit just to stay even.That is what I meant in past posts that if we don't reaCH OUR QUOTAS, indirectly,the comms will get them:argue:

Rockfish
01-24-2003, 03:09 PM
So lets start writing gentlemen. I am sending letters out today to both of those DEC officials Rich mentioned.

We have an opportunity to do something more than just gripe.

Rich showed us the way.

Lets ask for our second fish and see if we get it!

later
Dan
in Massapequa

BigBrewDude
01-24-2003, 06:28 PM
Have any of you guys read the thread of the same name on the Boat Fishing forum? There are some other opinions and points made that y'all may want to hear...
Hey Rich,
How about a special cross forum thread on the subject? This affects the boaters, party boats, surf casters, kyakers... almost all of us who fish in salt water...

Fluke
01-24-2003, 07:12 PM
Suggestion:

How about hitting their websites with the request for the 2nd striper???????

Billfish
01-26-2003, 05:51 PM
Just read and enjoyed all the arguments pro and con but I'd like to bring up the obvious increase in fishing pressure. Take a look at the people fishing the bridges and the inlets day and night on an ebb tide. Often heard the comment there are more keeper bass than keeper fluke so they switch from one specie to another.Could the 17" size limit on fluke be affecting the bass harvest? I wonder if anyone has ever studied the interaction of regulations of all the species on one another.