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by Ed Cherry
Chairman JCAA Striped Bass Committee
(from Jersey Coast Anglers
Association November 2004 Newsletter)
On October 13, JCAA held a special striped bass advisory meeting. Thirteen representatives of member clubs attended.
Russ Allen from the Division presented the most current striped bass stock assessment. Based on the technical committee report (as reviewed elsewhere in this issue), it appears there is a possibility of no action by asmfc, despite extremely high VPA mortality values There appears to be a large conflict with the tagging studies and the VPA results.
Only the asmfc striped bass board can determine if any changes are required in the coastal striped bass management plan. This will occur on November 10th.
The 3 NJ Commissioners to the ASMFC (Assemblyman Bob Smith, Tom Fote, and Marty McHugh) have submitted an appeal to the ASMFC striped bass board to restore NJ’s producer status under Amendment 6. This appeal is critical to allow NJ to implement possible smaller size regulations in select areas of the Delaware and Hudson River basins.
jcaa will call for a meeting with the Division after November 11th to determine the direction and status of the bonus program for 2005. Because of implementation of Amendment 6, the bonus tag program can no longer run as previously and will have to be changed for 2005.
Most member clubs have expressed dissatisfaction with the current regulations. They still support the position that they voted for which is 2 fish at 28 inches, the official JCAA position. Depending upon the ASMFC ruling, JCAA will hold a special meeting after November 11 to discuss changes in the current regulations for NJ for 2005. Remember, any changes in NJ 2005 must be done by legislation.
