No-Target Fishing Closures on the Table for Striped Bass Anglers

Striped bass fishermen could face stricter regulations, including no-harvest or no-target seasons, in 2025. The potential changes will be considered by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)’s Striped Bass Management Board at a special meeting on Dec. 16.

The latest assessment of the striped bass population showed that striped bass remain overfished. In October, the Striped Bass Management Board voted to reconvene at a special meeting to evaluate potential action for striped bass to increase the probability of rebuilding the stock by 2029.

In preparation for the meeting, scientists on ASMFC’s Technical Committee prepared rebuilding projections for a number of different scenarios with management options the Board could consider to reduce fishing mortality. They include potential changes to recreational size limits, seasonal no-harvest closures, and seasonal no-target closures.

ASMFC held an informational webinar on the striped bass options Dec. 5. A recording of the webinar can be found here.

Speak up: Public comments on proposed management options will be accepted via email to [email protected] through Dec. 10.

Read On The Water’s comment letter below:

December 9, 2024

Dear Ms. Franke and the ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board:

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the 2025 management actions being discussed at the December 16, 2024 Striped Bass Management Board meeting.

I am the Publisher/Owner of On The Water Media, which includes On The Water Magazine, On The Water’s Angling Adventures TV show, the Striper Cup tournament, and the StriperFest event. On The Water was launched on Cape Cod in 1996 and has grown for the past 28 years to cover all waters where Atlantic striped bass swim. Like so many other fishing- and tourism-related businesses in our region, our existence depends upon the abundance of striped bass.

There is perhaps no better example of the economic importance of an abundant striper stock than our Striper Cup. The 5-month tournament began with a traditional weigh-in format in 2006, but participation grew sharply after we converted to a catch-and-release format in 2016. It has attracted support from national sponsors and grown to over 5,000 participants.

I applaud the Board for its commitment to rebuilding the Atlantic striped bass stock by 2029. However, I remain deeply concerned about the long-term implications for the Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB), as six consecutive years of poor spawns will severely impact the stock in the coming years.

Recreational anglers have led the way on conservation, overwhelmingly supporting regulatory measures like the current restrictive slot limit and voluntary efforts to reduce release mortality. Further reducing harvest opportunities for recreational anglers is a decision not to be taken lightly, as it will undoubtedly cause pain for some for-hire operations and impact the recreational fishing economy. However, when it comes to striped bass, a largely catch-and-release fishery with outsized importance to Atlantic coast recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing economy, meeting conservation goals to maintain a robust fishery must be the priority.

Input on Management Options

1. I Strongly Oppose No-Targeting Closures

Large-scale no-targeting closures are not a viable option as they are virtually unenforceable. They would cause significant economic impact to for-hire captains, the boating industry, gear manufacturers, tackle shops, and tourism.

2. I Urge Equal Commercial and Recreational Reductions

If the board decides on a percent reduction, it must be equal across sectors. Commercial reductions must come off harvest and not unused quota.

3. I Support Equitable No-Harvest Closures

While reducing angler access to harvest striped bass is a sacrifice, no-harvest closures are strongly preferred over no-targeting closures. However, such closures must be equitable and not unfairly burden anglers in states with shorter fishing seasons, lower harvest rates, and less access to the fishery.

4. I Support Maintaining or Narrowing the Slot Limit

I support either maintaining the slot limit or narrowing it if necessary to reduce removals. I am concerned by proposals to lower the slot limit to target immature fish as smaller striped bass are more accessible to anglers, likely resulting in increased removals.

Thank you for your consideration of my comments.

Chris Megan

On The Water Media

Source: https://onthewater.com/no-target-fishing-closures-on-the-table-for-striped-bass-anglers

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