Captblock
02-03-2004, 10:35 AM
Ristori: Slot striper likely to stay until fall
BY AL RISTORI
Star-Ledger Staff
While Amendment 6 to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Striped Bass Management Plan doesn't allow for the slot striper that has become so popular in New Jersey, ASMFC commissioner Tom Fote is confident the state will be able to put off the day of reckoning for quite awhile -- perhaps into the fall.
There didn't appear to be any such problem when the amendment was being debated, but after approval there was language added that eliminated special consideration of producer areas even though the Chesapeake states were exempted so they could continue catching 18-inch stripers. New Jersey had producer status due to the Delaware and Hudson river stocks, and we could have had separate regulations allowing small bass in those rivers plus adjoining bays. State officials didn't take advantage of that situation, and made law enforcement a lot easier by maintaining the same regulations statewide.
That used to be two stripers at a 28-inch minimum size, but several years ago there was concern about too many larger bass being landed so New Jersey used its producer status to allow a single slot striper from 24 to less than 28 inches along with just one of 28 inches or more. Many anglers prefer the smaller bass for eating, and the slot has become a welcome addition.
Under the latest regulations, we must revert to two bass at the 28-inch minimum, and the state's delegation took a beating at the December ASMFC meeting in Manhattan when only Pennsylvania supported its effort to obtain an exemption. Unless there's a drastic change in the ASMFC, the slot is certainly out next year, though Fote is confident we can postpone the seemingly inevitable well into the season. Fote, the Governor's Appointee to ASMFC, said Division of Fish and Wildlife chief Marty McHugh is preparing a proposal for the next ASMFC meeting in an attempt to demonstrate conservation equivalency savings by various means.
For instance, the state will forgo taking the increase in our Trophy Tag allocation (which is derived from the former commercial catch) that we're entitled to since the amendment boosted the coastal commercial quota by 42 percent.
Chances are this offer will be turned down and New Jersey will be voted out of compliance. Yet, that's not the end of the story since there's an appeal process involved before the fishery can be shut down -- and also the likelihood of a legal challenge by the state, which can't act quickly in any case because the striped bass is the only species controlled by the Legislature rather than the Division, and the legislative process takes time.
It's quite likely all this could stretch into the fall, and it seems certain the spring fishery is safe from change.
BY AL RISTORI
Star-Ledger Staff
While Amendment 6 to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Striped Bass Management Plan doesn't allow for the slot striper that has become so popular in New Jersey, ASMFC commissioner Tom Fote is confident the state will be able to put off the day of reckoning for quite awhile -- perhaps into the fall.
There didn't appear to be any such problem when the amendment was being debated, but after approval there was language added that eliminated special consideration of producer areas even though the Chesapeake states were exempted so they could continue catching 18-inch stripers. New Jersey had producer status due to the Delaware and Hudson river stocks, and we could have had separate regulations allowing small bass in those rivers plus adjoining bays. State officials didn't take advantage of that situation, and made law enforcement a lot easier by maintaining the same regulations statewide.
That used to be two stripers at a 28-inch minimum size, but several years ago there was concern about too many larger bass being landed so New Jersey used its producer status to allow a single slot striper from 24 to less than 28 inches along with just one of 28 inches or more. Many anglers prefer the smaller bass for eating, and the slot has become a welcome addition.
Under the latest regulations, we must revert to two bass at the 28-inch minimum, and the state's delegation took a beating at the December ASMFC meeting in Manhattan when only Pennsylvania supported its effort to obtain an exemption. Unless there's a drastic change in the ASMFC, the slot is certainly out next year, though Fote is confident we can postpone the seemingly inevitable well into the season. Fote, the Governor's Appointee to ASMFC, said Division of Fish and Wildlife chief Marty McHugh is preparing a proposal for the next ASMFC meeting in an attempt to demonstrate conservation equivalency savings by various means.
For instance, the state will forgo taking the increase in our Trophy Tag allocation (which is derived from the former commercial catch) that we're entitled to since the amendment boosted the coastal commercial quota by 42 percent.
Chances are this offer will be turned down and New Jersey will be voted out of compliance. Yet, that's not the end of the story since there's an appeal process involved before the fishery can be shut down -- and also the likelihood of a legal challenge by the state, which can't act quickly in any case because the striped bass is the only species controlled by the Legislature rather than the Division, and the legislative process takes time.
It's quite likely all this could stretch into the fall, and it seems certain the spring fishery is safe from change.