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(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association October 2003 Newsletter)
Mr. John Nelson, Chairman ASMFC
1444 Eye Street, NW, 6th floor
Washington, DC 20005
Dear Mr. Nelson:
I am writing you concerning the recent action on Amendment VI to the Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan (Plan). We believe the position taken by the Striped Bass Management Board (Board) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) to forgo protection of spawning areas on a coastwide basis is a serious flaw in striped bass management.
During the 1970’s when the decline of the coastwide striped bass population due to inconsistent fisheries management became evident, the coastal states came together to develop a cooperative interstate fishery management plan. One of the underpinnings of that plan was the complete protection of designated striped bass spawning areas. That approach has continued until the most recent changes to the Plan in Amendment VI.
The critical link in the life history of the striped bass is its need to return to a few specific spawning areas, and prior to Amendment VI the Commission supported protecting these critically important areas. Through Amendment VI, the Commission has departed from complete protection of these areas and is moving to reduce protection by only giving consideration to the prohibiting fishing in these areas during the spawning season.
The action taken by both the Board and the Commission was not discussed at the recent round of public hearings on Amendment VI, nor at any Board meeting where Amendment VI was discussed. When the Board met last December at its special meeting to take action on Amendment VI, it was reassuring to hear that the coastal striped bass population is increasing, that successful juvenile recruitment is occurring and that the age structure of the population continues to expand. All of these factors indicated that the resource was continuing to improve. As a result, New Jersey and all other members of the Board were willing to continue the status quo; that is, to extend complete regulatory protection of the spawning areas. In fact, at the time, the Board was so satisfied with the conditions of the striped bass population that it voted to increase the commercial harvest approximately 40%, the maximum allowed under the Plan.
The subsequent actions taken on Amendment VI, however, result in a potential 33% reduction of New Jersey’s harvest. Other states that have spawning and nursery areas in the Chesapeake region and North Carolina were allowed special consideration for harvesting. No consideration, however, was given to the fact that New Jersey shares an important spawning area at the head of Delaware Bay with the States of Delaware and Pennsylvania as well as an important nursery area in the Hudson Estuary with New York. New Jersey consider these actions unreasonable and inequitable.
New Jersey Commissioners have expressed these concerns during both the February and June Board meetings. While no action has been taken to date, you have agreed to spend time on this subject at the August 2003 Policy Board Meeting. Martin McHugh, the Director of Fish and Wildlife for the State of New Jersey will attend this meeting to address our concerns.
Sincerely,
Joanna Dunn Samson
Deputy Commissioner
For Bradley M. Campbell
Commissioner
cc:Lewis Flagg
Vince O’Shea
Martin McHugh