Great video about discussing the status of our Striped Bass fishery and thanks for addressing it. I have been fishing for about 40 years and have fished during the crash of the 80s to the resurgence of the 90s into the early 2000s to present situation we find ourselves in now. I figured I would share a letter I wrote about a month ago to one of the former members of the ASMFC. Some items have changed since I wrote that letter. I got one keeper, yes only one, and I did speak with the gentleman I had addressed this letter to. The conversation went well and I would suggest you express your concerns to Governor Cuomo and those responsible at the ASMFC. If don't care about fishing, don't say anything but if you do, I suggest you voice your concerns.
I can tell you this much, when the Striped Bass collapsed in the 80s, a lot of people said it was pollution, the weather, they're staying offshore, there are plenty everywhere you are not, etc but in reality the problem was very simple, over-fishing. The bottom line is we hammer them up and down the coast and they simply can't reproduce as fast as we eat/kill them.
No arm chair quarter backing here. I have been saying this for years. As a matter of fact I said history was going to repeat itself when you and others advocated for the 2 @ 28". I have also been writing those in charge for years. I did not call you at that point because I said what I had to say; however, at this point I am very curious to hear what you have to say now. I am extremely busy with work and grad school but I will certainly call you this time around when time permits.
As far as the minutes from past meetings, I don't believe I need to rehash what I already know. Correct me if I am wrong but these decisions are based on commercial and recreational landings, and haul seine samplings which I agree is the best science we have. I worked an as analyst so I am well aware how one uses the information they have to come to a conclusion. What I have a problem with is folks such as yourself don't manage this resource for the good of everyone and instead manage it for the commercial and for hire interests. That is wrong and is what I am very upset over. I am able to conclude this by years and years of mostly poor recruitment and nothing being done until way too late. That is unacceptable. Think about about, you have a business and each year you have less money coming in but your bills are constant. If you don't cut back you risk of going out of business. Hence here we are again with the Striped Bass. Years of poor recruitment, yet no change until recently to the restrictions. This is why I am writing you and not on the beach doing what I love.
This is not rocket science. It is more like common sense yet it appears to be so hard to grasp. It is very sad, unfair and needs to change. After all aren't you and others supposed to advocate a healthy fishery for everyone? Not catching one keeper this year and not one Bass in the Fall is not a healthy fishery, nor is this an anomaly. Its been getting progressively worse for years in my home waters.
Striped Bass MORATORIUM? - A Word From Paul - Our Long Island Striped Bass Fish
