Striped Bass Controversy

I have been dealing with changing striped bass regulations since 1986.  The regulations have always been very controversial because of the varied opinions about the appropriate size limits.  However, I have never seen more controversy than right now.  A bill was introduced that would change the current regulations to 2 fish at 28 inches.  This is the position that is supported overwhelmingly by JCAA’s membership.  In speaking with anglers at shows and meetings, I believe 2 fish at 28 inches is also the preferred option of other anglers as well.  The confusion the current regulation causes on the water is unbelievable.  New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware all have a 28-inch size limit.  Delaware and Pennsylvania have 2 fish at 28 inches and New York has 2 fish at 28 inches for party and charter boats and 1 fish at 28 inches on private boats.  There are no clear lines in Delaware and Raritan Bays and anglers are left to figure out what regulations apply where.  In order to be legal everywhere, including New Jersey, the only legal fish is a 34 inch fish unless you have a bonus tag.  Again, this forces anglers who want to follow the rules to harvest larger fish than they might normally take. 

In an attempt to make sure decisions are made with the best information, I would like to clear up a few misunderstandings. 

First, I keep hearing that the current regulations which allow 1 fish at 24 – 28 inches and 1 fish over 34 inches are more conservative than the 2 fish at 28 inches option.  This is not true.  According to the tables developed by ASMFC, the conservation equivalencies for these two options are in the same statistical range.  Some tables show a greater conservation by a slight percentage.  But anyone who knows statistics and understands degree of error knows there is really no difference statistically between these two options.  The current regulations allow the harvest of more fish than the proposed change to 2 fish at 28 inches.  But both regulations are designed to have the same impact on the spawning stock biomass. 

In addition, I also hear that ASMFC is doing a special stock assessment in 2005.  There is nothing “special” planned.  The stock assessment team always meets in August to determine what happened the previous year and then issues a report that is distributed at the winter meeting.  There was controversy last year because the VPA and the tagging studies didn’t match.  The VPA showed the harvest of striped bass was above the agreed-to limits.  The tagging studies did not produce the same results.  The scientists are still trying to correlate and examine the different figures and cannot give a clear response as to when the data will be available.  ASMFC produces new data every year and the data can be as controversial as the regulations.  However, we need to decide on regulations now for New Jersey and since most of the coast is at 2 fish at 28 inches, it makes sense to make this change.  If the data requires other changes later, we will, as always, make the changes required. 

It will be difficult to make the change to 2 fish at 28 inches this year despite overwhelming public support for the change.  On February 3^rd, the RFA issued a press release announcing they did not support any change in the current regulations.  On February 11^th, Assemblyman Smith, chairman of the Assembly Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee, issued a press release that reflects the RFA position.  Since he is the chairman of the committee that would move this bill to the full Assembly, it will be difficult to move this bill during this session.  Moving this bill would require an extraordinary effort by the anglers of New Jersey to convince the Assembly that is controlled by the Democrats.  If you feel strongly, write you state legislators in the Assembly and Senate and let them know how you feel.  Make sure to include the bill number (A3790 ) in your letters and mention it in your phone calls or emails. 

We would like to thank Assemblyman Sean Kean for introducing A3790 to change the striped bass regulations to 2 fish at 28 inches.  JCAA will continue pushing for 2 fish at 28 inches because that is what our membership wants and we believe it is the best solution available at this time. 

ASMFC Meeting Week Report

There was a lot of discussion on various topics.  We have reprinted the partial summary sent out by ASMFC.  A full summary will be on our web page.  One of the highlights was the decision to allow us to go to a 9-inch scup size limit.  This will be on a trial basis for one year and as long as we don’t exceed 3 percent of the recreational coastal catch, we should be able to stay at 9 inches. 

The Summer Flounder Board approved New Jersey’s proposal for the 2005 fishery.  The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council will now make a decision to fully implement or choose a more conservative option.  This decision will be made at their March meeting. 

There was a long discussion on weakfish.  The main question was the actual status of the stock.  New Jersey and Delaware have stated for the past few years that the actual number of weakfish is decreasing.  The catch figures for both recreational and commercial confirm our belief.  The stock assessment has shown a continued increase in the number of weakfish but the catch figures do not support the stock assessment.  The Technical Committee will be looking at this issue more closely. 

SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP AND BLACK SEA BASS MANAGEMENT BOARD (February 7, 2005)

Meeting Summary

The Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board approved all of the 2005 recreational summer flounder proposal submitted by member states.  States will finalize their 2005 management measures by March 11 (except for Delaware and the Commonwealth Massachusetts due to time constraints with public process).  The Board also approved a management proposal for the 2005 scup recreational fishery.  North Carolina, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware scup recreational regulations are set at an 8 inches minimum fish size, a 50 fish bag limit and an annual open season.  New Jersey dropped from a 10 to a 9 inch fish and the season is now open from January 1-February 28 and again from July 1-December 31.  The bag limit remains at 50 fish.  New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts adapted regional management for the 2005 scup recreational fishery.   The states will have a common bag limit (25 fish for the private and shore mode and 60 fish for the party and charter boat mode for a two month period after which the bag limit will drop to 25 fish), a season of at least 120 days, and a minimum fish size of 10 1/2 inches.  States may be more conservative in the size limit in order to extend the season.  New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will finalize their 2005 management measures by April 1.

The Board considered the initiation of an addendum to address the management tools used for developing summer flounder conservation equivalency in the recreational fishery.  The Board discussed how regional management and multi-year averaging of the Marine Recreational Fisheries Survey data would affect the recreational fishery.  The Board delayed the decision to initiate an addendum until the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council reviews technical advise on multi-year averaging of the Marine Recreational Fisheries Survey data.

The Board delayed establishing a compliance date for which the transfers of commercial summer flounder quota must be complete.  The Addendum establishes an allocation program for the quota increase that will accrue to the commercial summer flounder fishery in 2005 and 2006.  The Addendum requires four states to transfer a specified amount of summer flounder quota to receipient states and that each of the recipient states use the bycatch allocation to address bycatch issues in their respective state.  The Board requested that recipient states send a letter outlining how their management program will change to reduce bycatch.

For more information, please contact Toni Kerns, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at (202)289-6400 or tkerns@asmfc.org.

ATLANTIC MENHADEN TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (February 8, 2005)

Meeting Summary

The Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee met to address a number of charges from the Management Board meeting in November 2004.  Below are the charges (in bold) as well as the responses from the Technical Committee (TC).

Advise the Management Board on likely causes for low recruitment in Chesapeake Bay and a comparison of recruitment trends in other estuaries along the coast.

Some likely causes for low recruitment in no specific order are:

Low spawning stock biomass, however, this is unlikely given data from tagging studies (i.e. no apparent relationship between resident fish in Chesapeake Bay and the following years recruitment)

Larvae not being brought into Chesapeake Bay (transport)

Poor survival to at least several months old (unfavorable conditions of salinity, or temperature, mismatch of food, disease)

Predation

There is emerging evidence that climate forcing may play an important role.

Given reduced recruitment of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay due to changing environment, there may be an impact on the future spawning stock biomass if not compensated for by other areas. There is some suggestion of an increase in recruitment in the northern areas, no trend in North Carolina and no indices in the Mid-Atlantic. The trend in other forage species in Chesapeake Bay showed a similar decline.

Review the stock assessment model; evaluate the issues of inverse catchability, weighing factors for recruitment indices, and total morality and advise the Management Board on the inclusion of ecological reference points in the model.

The model does not explicitly include inverse catchability, however, it is included implicitly through catch at age composition. 

Weighting of Indices

The model is heavily driven by the age composition of the reduction fishery, and the weighting schemes of indices will have less of an effect on model output on reference points. 

Total Mortality (Z)

In the current configuration of the stock assessment model, natural mortality is constant across years and cannot be used to determine changes in total mortality in response to predation. A level of predator abundance cannot be estimated in the current single species model and therefore calculations of ecological reference points are not feasible at this stage. Ecological reference points may be addressed by the Multispecies Virtual Population Analysis (MSVPA) after it is peer reviewed.

Evaluate Ecological Reference points and recruitment indices for Chesapeake Bay and advise the Management Board on the incorporation of Chesapeake Bay values in the stock assessment model or whether a separate stock assessment model can be developed for Chesapeake Bay.

Given the lack of information on stock structure (i.e. stock exchange rate, assumption of closed population), the TC believes a separate stock assessment model cannot be developed for the Chesapeake Bay at the present time. Modeling can be done in theory, but the current data does not support it. In the current assessment model, catch and size composition is strongly represented by Chesapeake Bay data, and juvenile and adult indices used to tune the model are primarily weighted in the Chesapeake Bay. Ecological reference points can be developed coastwide using total mortality after successful peer review of the MSVPA scheduled for Fall 2005.   It should be recognized that Menhaden reference points will be contingent on management decisions for the predators involved. Management can set ecological reference points without MSVPA analysis as an allocation issue. Other important forage species are managed using this approach both in the U.S. and other countries.

 Advise the Management Board if localized depletion of menhaden stocks in Chesapeake Bay is occurring or likely to occur under current management of the coastwide stock of menhaden

There is a concern about localized depletion of age 0 menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay (juvenile abundance indices). This depletion is on a long-term scale from year to year and is driven by reduced recruitment and possible increased predation. Catch at age data shows that fishery removals on this age class in the Chesapeake Bay is not a potential cause for depletion. There is a lack of reliable data to determine if localized depletion within season for all ages and annually for ages 1s and 2s is occurring.         There is currently no apparent link between the number of age 2 and 3 resident menhaden and the following years recruitment to the Bay. 

Evaluate whether the effects of time and space openings/closures of fishing harvest caps in Chesapeake Bay and coast wide can be modeled, measured or monitored well enough to be considered for management tools.

The MSVPA model can be used to develop a coastwide multispecies maximum sustainable yield (MSY) level.  Optimum yield (OY) can be decided by the Management Board and area specific TACs can be derived from historic catch. This MSY cannot be specified using the single species approach. Setting an OY coastwide that can be taken from a smaller geographic area is extremely risk prone. Likewise, setting a specific catch cap for a particular area and not for other areas is also risk prone.

In other business, Alexi Sharov, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, was elected TC Vice-Chair. For more information, please contact Nancy Wallace, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at (202)289-6400 or nwallace@asmfc.org .

ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS MANAGEMENT BOARD (February 8, 2005)tc "NEAMAP Board – August 21, 2000"

Meeting Summary

The Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board met to hear a report from the Technical Committee (TC) on a series of outstanding tasks.  The first issue presented to the Board was a review of the striped bass discards in the New England groundfish fishery.  The TC reviewed an analysis developed by the National Marine Fisheries Service.  The TC determined that the analysis was sound and the discards of striped bass from the groundfish fishery would not have a significant impact on the stock of striped bass.

The TC presented a review of the different tagging and modeling approaches used to estimate a Chesapeake Bay specific fishing mortality rate.  The TC agreed that Maryland and Virginia would present results from the three modeling approaches to estimate Bay specific fishing mortality. 

The Board was presented with a description of the fully recruited ages of striped bass.  The description included a comparison between the biological reference points in Amendments 5 and 6. 

The TC presented the Board with an analysis of the implications of exceeding the target and threshold fishing mortality rate.  The analysis indicated that exceeding the target would lead to a slight decline in the abundance of striped bass.  Exceeding the threshold would lead to a significant decrease in the population.

The final issue presented by the TC was the framework for an otolith based aging project.  The TC estimated that about 2000 samples would need to be collected each year to accurately estimate the age of large striped bass.

Staff updated the Management Board on the progress of the development of an addendum to collect data on striped bass bycatch.  The Addendum will be developed and presented to the Board at the May meeting. For more information, please contact Robert Beal, ISFMP Director, at (202)289-6400 or rbeal@asmfc.org .

Motions

No motions made.

ATLANTIC MENHADEN MANAGEMENT BOARD AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (February 9, 2005)

Press Release

ASMFC Atlantic Menhaden Board Initiates Development of Addendum II

Addendum to Address Management Options and Research Needs for the Chesapeake Bay

Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board approved development of Addendum II to Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden. The Draft Addendum will present options to limit the catch of menhaden, including restricting the Chesapeake Bay purse seine harvest to no more than 110,400 mt annually in 2006 and 2007.  It also proposes initiating a research program immediately to determine the status of menhaden populations in the Chesapeake Bay and assess whether localized depletion is occurring in the Bay. 

While the Board specified that the Draft Addendum include a cap of 110,400 mt (five-year average of Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery harvest) for 2006 and 2007, it directed staff to identify a suite of management options for consideration by the public, including various cap limits and timeframes, and gears to be addressed. The Addendum will also include a review of current state rules and regulations for Atlantic menhaden and the roles these measures have played in localizing menhaden harvest to the Chesapeake Bay, and coastal waters of Virginia and North Carolina.

At today’s meeting, the Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee responded to the list of tasks it received at the Board’s last meeting. These included questions regarding the possibility of localized depletion of menhaden stocks in Chesapeake Bay, the likely causes of low recruitment of menhaden in Chesapeake Bay; and Bay-specific ecological reference points and recruitment indices. 

“The Technical Committee has done an outstanding job in addressing the issues placed before it,” stated Board Chair Jack Travelstead of Virginia. “It has conducted a thorough analysis of its charges with the best data available and has identified research needed to address outstanding questions on the status of Atlantic menhaden populations in the Chesapeake Bay.”

The Board will meet in May to review the Draft Addendum. Upon its approval, the Addendum will be released for public review and comment. It is anticipated that many states will be conducting public hearings on the Addendum. For more information, please contact Nancy Wallace, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at (202)289-6400 or  nwallace@asmfc.org .

WEAKFISH MANAGEMENT BOARD (February 9, 2005)

Meeting Summary

The Weakfish Management Board reviewed state compliance and the FMP Review for the 2003 fishing season.  Commercial landings in all jurisdictions dropped from 2002 to 2003 and coastwide recreational landings reached a time series low in 2003.  Several states did not fulfill the biological sampling requirement in Amendment 4.  The Board tasked the Weakfish Technical Committee to provide a report on what samples are needed and how states should sample in light of continued reduced landings. 

The Board heard a stock assessment presentation from the Technical Committee.  The Committee reported that weakfish appear to have declined to low levels of abundance. At this point, fishing does not appear to be the main cause of the decline.  Current evidence suggests an increase in natural mortality is a more likely cause.  The Committee also noted that more synthesis of the data in the assessment may provide more definitive insight into weakfish’s stock status.  The Board tasked the Committee to determine the cause of the decline and work with the Plan Review Team to develop alternatives for how to deal with the decline.  Bill Mandulak was approved to the Weakfish Advisory Panel. For more information, please contact Braddock Spear, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at (202)289-6400 or bspear@asmfc.org .

ASMFC Approves Winter Flounder Amendment 1

Plan Seeks to Rebuild Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Stock and Sustain Gulf of Maine Stock

            Alexandria, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Inshore Stocks of Winter Flounder. The Amendment revises management goals, objectives, biological reference points, and rebuilding goals for winter flounder populations in the inshore portions of the Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) and Gulf of Maine (GOM) stock areas.  The Amendment also updates commercial and recreational management measures for both stock components.

Amendment 1 responds to the latest stock assessment information and is the product of extensive preparation, deliberation, and public comment. Scientific advice indicates that the SNE/MA stock of winter flounder is overfished and overfishing is occurring. Further, a reduction in fishing mortality is needed to rebuild the spawning stock biomass to sustainable levels. While the GOM stock is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring, reports of localized depletion in inshore areas north of Massachusetts remain a concern.

Amendment 1 establishes the following biological reference points to restore the SNE/MA stock and maintain the status of the GOM stock:

For the SNE/MA stock, recreational measures include a 12-inch minimum size limit, a 10-fish creel limit, and a 60-day open season. Twenty days of March and April must be closed and the 60-day open season cannot be divided into more than two periods.  For the GOM stock, recreational measures include a 12-inch minimum size limit, an eight-fish creel limit, and no requirements for closed seasons.

Amendment 1 anticipates a large reduction in fishing mortality for the offshore commercial fishery with implementation of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Amendment 13 to Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish. To complement these actions in state waters, Amendment 1 establishes commercial management measures of a 12-inch minimum size limit and a minimum 6.5-inch diamond or square mesh size for the SNE/MA stock. States in the region must also retain their existing commercial season closures. Additionally, states have the option to impose more conservative regulations.

For the GOM stock, the Amendment establishes a 12-inch minimum size limit, a mesh size consistent with that in the EEZ adjacent to state waters (currently 6.5-inch diamond or square mesh), and maintenance of existing commercial season closures.

States have until March 15, 2005 to submit their proposals for plan implementation. The Board will meet in May 2005 to review Technical Committee comments on the proposals and discuss their approval. Implementation of the provisions of Amendment 1 will be required by July 31, 2005.  Annual compliance reports will be due on November 1 of each year, beginning in 2006. Copies of Amendment 1 are available via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org or by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400. For more information, please contact Lydia Munger, FMP Coordinator, at (202) 289-6400 or lmunger@asmfc.org .

Motions

Move on behalf of the Winter Flounder Management Board to approve Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Inshore Stocks of Winter Flounder.

Motion made by Mr. Augustine. Motion carries (11 in favor, 1 abstention).

Published in the Asbury Park Press 1/28/05

By John Geiser

Thousands of striped bass fishermen in New Jersey have been clamoring for a new striped bass law, and Assemblyman Sean T. Kean, R-Monmouth, has responded.

The assemblyman said Wednesday that he will introduce the bill that the majority of fishermen want: a daily possession limit of two fish of 28 inches or more and a bonus fish of 28 inches or over. "Two at 28!" is the rallying cry heard in tackle shops and marinas as grass roots anglers and activists organize to let legislators know their position.

Kean said the law passed in September is confusing and unfair to many anglers. Further it has hurt charter and party boatmen and has resulted in the suspension of the bonus fish program.

The present law provides for the harvest of one fish between 24 and less than 28 inches, no fish between 28 and less than 34 inches, one fish from 34 inches up, and there is no bonus program.

"I am a striped bass fisherman and I can tell you that many of the individuals that I run into that also fish are confused by these new rules," he said. "Fishermen in Monmouth County are bewildered as to why the state passed such a complicated scheme."  Kean said his bill, which will be introduced Feb. 7, will be easy to understand and comply with. It is also acceptable to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and conforms to the coastal standard.

"Recreational fishing is one of the most popular activities of both residents and visitors to Monmouth County and New Jersey," he said. "Going forward with these unnecessarily complex regulations will hurt the fishing and related industries and will ultimately impact tourism."

"New Jersey needs a fair and easily understandable striped bass policy that lets the state's fishermen concentrate on battling fish instead of battling bureaucratic red tape," he pointed out.

Kean acknowledged that different regions of the state have different needs, and he respects efforts to provide regional autonomy with respect to fish size, but until a system is worked out, he said the state needs to simplify and clarify the regulations to avoid confusion, and accommodate the majority.

Two fish at 28 inches or over is not a demand spawned in New Jersey, it is the coastal standard, the base agreed upon by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Two fish at 28 inches is the choice of the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, and it is the only measure that will allow them to continue the traditional bonus program for all striped bass fishermen who want to participate.   Any other bonus option that might be created under the present law will exclude some, if not most, bass fishermen from the bonus program.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance has compiled the results of its membership questionnaire on bass fishermen's preferences, and it was found that the majority favor two fish at 28 inches or above.

A total of 814 respondents or 45 percent chose two fish at 28 inches with a bonus program, and 1,034 or 57.66 percent favored two fish at 28 inches without a bonus program.  The survey revealed that 645 anglers or 35.7 percent favored the present law with a bonus program of some form and 441 or 24.59 percent favored the present law without a bonus program.

Another 346 persons or 19.1 percent favored one fish between 26 and 30 inches and a second fish at 33 inches or over with some form of a bonus program, and 318 or 17.73 percent favored one fish between 26 and 30 inches and one fish 33 inches or over without a bonus program.

The Jersey Coast Anglers Association, representing 75 fishing clubs, met Tuesday night in Brick, and representatives voted overwhelmingly to change the present law to two fish at 28 inches or over plus a bonus program.

Bruce L. Freeman, research scientist for the state's Bureau of Marine Fisheries, said Tuesday that the bonus program can be continued as it has for 13 years without additional funding, if the law is changed to two fish at 28 inches or over.

Thomas P. Fote, legislative chairman of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, said that organization decided that it will circulate a petition at the upcoming Atlantic City Boat Show to get further support for changing the present law to two fish at 28 inches.

More than 60,000 persons went through the show last year, and a larger crowd is expected this year.

"This will be a simple petition asking people if they support 28 inches and a bonus program the way it has been for 13 years," he said.

Joe Pallotto, president of the Asbury Park Fishing Club, which has over 100 members, said he is heartened by the results of the RFA membership poll and the stand of the JCAA's clubs, the state's backing of two at 28 and the support of the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.

"This proves to everyone that two at 28 is the way to go," he said. "It has already been approved by the ASMFC -- no hang up there -- all we have to do is get a bill introduced, and impress upon the state Legislature that this is what the majority of bass fishermen wants."

The Asbury Park Fishing Club, which dates back over 100 years, has been in the forefront of striped bass regulations in New Jersey since the first measures were passed in the last century.  "We don't have an axe to grind here," Pallotto said. "We're not interested in party politics, we're interested in doing what is right for the majority of the fishermen in New Jersey.

Greg Hueth, a spokesman for the Shark River Surf Anglers, another club with over 100 members, said his membership is unified in its support for two fish at 28 inches plus the bonus program as they have known it for 13 years.

"It's pretty clear what is in the best interests of the fishermen of New Jersey -- what's right for them," he said. "We need to move forward now; we can't wait on this."

Lack of bonus program hurts more than anglers

PRESENT LAW: Impossible to monitor thoroughly

By JOHN GEISER  CORRESPONDENT

ASBURY PARK PRESS  JAN 28, 2005

The striped bass fishing season opens in estuarine waters in 32 days, and, for the first time in 13 years, there will be no bonus program.

Greg Heuth, a spokesman for the Shark River Surf Anglers, a club with over 100 members, said it is a shame that, under the present law, state biologists will be deprived of the valuable data from the bonus program.  “I hope everyone understands that at present there is no bonus program,” he said.  “The division has told us that they need the bonus program for research and gathering data on striped bass, but they can’t implement it with the present law – they just don’t have the money or the manpower.”

            “I‘ve talked to the biologists, and they need the data from a bonus program to support New Jersey’s position with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission down the road,” he said.  “That ‘s the best way to monitor the stocks.”

            Heuth’s club is unanimous in its support for changing the present striped bass law to two fish at 28 inches or above.  With this law in place, the state Division of Fish and Wildlife has the funds and personnel to continue the bonus program as it has in the past.

            With the present law, it would be impossible for the division to meet the enormous demand for bonus tags, monitor the harvest and close the season in a timely fashion to prevent an overrun of the quota.

            The problem is that the bonus fish, instead of being a third fish over 28 inches as it was in the past, would now have to be a fish between 28 and less than 34 inches,  a size prohibited , otherwise, by the present law.

            That fish must be released now.  Bonus tags left from 2004 cannot be used in 2005, and there is no other legal way to keep that fish, which usually weighs from 10 to 16 pounds.

New Jersey has a bonus quota of 327,000 pounds.  If this were divided by 13 pounds per fish, i.e., the average fish between 28 and less than 34 inches, it is equivalent to only 25,153 fish.  Biologists estimate that  this number of fish could be caught in seven weeks and the program shut down.

Some activists had hoped that they could persuade the state Legislature to come up with $300,000 to administer some other kind of bonus program under the new law, but the lawmakers have already approved $100,000 for the state’s artificial reef program as well as the regular annual appropriation for marine fisheries.

It is unlikely, with   the state facing a projected $4 billion budget deficit and income tax payments off $1 billion from 2000 that they can be persuaded to part with more money for a striped bass program.

It is sad that the striped bass law had to be rewritten in 2004 to begin with.

There are probably more striped bass in the waters of the East Coast than there have been since colonial times, but marine biologists still claim that they are concerned  about the future of the stocks.

The ASMFC announced Jan 1, 2004 that the estimated population of striped bass was 56 million fish, an increase of 10 million fish over the estimated over the estimated population of 2003.

The worries of the scientists were transmitted to the ASMFC, and last year, that body informed New Jersey that it would have to cut back its harvest or stop fishing.

Striped bass abundance has been increasing steadily since 1982, and reached a level of around 45 million fish in 1996.  It remained at this level until 2002 when it jumped to 52 million fish.

New Jersey has ranked as one of the top four states in the number of striped bass harvested since 1996, and in 2002 ranked second to Maryland in number of striped bass caught, 391,000 to 491,000, and was first in pounds of striped bass landed.

New Jersey ranked third in number of anglers (961,000) on the East Coast behind Florida (2.2 million) and North Carolina (1.8 million).  Of the total number of anglers in New Jersey, 34 percent or 326,740 fished from beaches, jetties and bridges, and some authorities believe that most fished for or caught striped bass incidentally sometime during the year.

Ristori: Striper regs a complicated mess

Thursday, February 03, 2005

By Al Ristori

Star-Ledger Staff

Every striped bass angler in the state has his or her idea of what regulations should be imposed on that fishery, and achieving a consensus is a continuing problem that may be coming to a head.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has a coastal standard of two bass at a 28-inch minimum, and required New Jersey to give up its 24-to-less than-28-inch slot striper (half of the daily limit we enjoyed for years along with a 28-inch or larger bass) unless a conservationally equivalent plan was enacted.

In the scramble to avoid having our fishery shut down last fall, the legislature voted for a law that retains the slot bass but requires the other half of the limit be at least 34 inches. That 6-inch gap between 28 and 34 inches created lots of confusion as anglers had to release bass that many considered a prize catch. In most cases, stripers over 34 inches were hard to come by during the fall, though such sizes are routine when bunker is utilized in the spring.

An additional complication involves the Bonus Card Program that allows anglers who sign up to take a third striper of 28 inches or more. The Division of Fish and Wildlife declared it doesn't have adequate funding to continue that program under the present rules. It already was running weeks behind in getting bonus cards out, and there was fear the new regs would greatly increase that burden as it would be the only way a 28-to-less than-34-inch bass could be kept. The anticipated increase in demand would not only outstrip the Division's ability to deliver cards, but could also result in quick capture of the entire 327,000 pound quota derived from the old commercial catch before N.J. became a striped bass game fish state. Thus, there will be no Bonus Card program if the current regulations continue, though it will be run if two at 28 inches becomes law.

The simple solution to the problem involves adopting the ASMFC coastal provision of two bass at 28 inches or more. Most anglers in northern N.J. were in favor of that last year, and the Jersey Coast Anglers Association (JCAA) supported that position after an almost unanimous vote of its constituent clubs from all over the state. On the other hand, the slot was so popular in the southern portion of the state that the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) came out in favor of the present law that South Jersey Assemblyman Robert Smith passed through his committee.

The RFA took a survey of its members here and in Pennsylvania over the winter. In answer to the question, "Which management plan do you prefer the most with a Bonus Program?," 45 percent voted for two at 28 inches while 36 percent favored the present regulation -- and 19 percent opted for one bass 26 to less than 30 inches plus one 33 inches or more. Keep in mind the fact that the Division already has stated there will be no Bonus Program except with the two bass at 28 inches. When RFA members were asked "Which management option would you prefer without a Bonus Program?" 58 percent preferred two at 28 inches. The RFA has suggested the state be split, with different striper regulations north and south -- but the Division has rejected that due to both law enforcement problems and lack of documentation with which to get ASMFC approval.

The political reality is Assemblyman Smith must be willing to put any possible change in the present law through his committee. He's meeting with both Tom Fote of the JCAA and Jimmy Donofrio of the RFA today at the Atlantic City Boat Show in order to come up with a solution that all parties can live with and which meets the ASMFC standards.

Al Ristori appears regularly in The Star-Ledger. He can be reached at cristori@aol.com .

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