New Striper Regs ????

[SURF GHOST]

Well guys stopped in Big Timber B&t & was talking about Stripers on the Surf, when the storekeeper tells me that the regs. were changed this wk.-- :eek: No More slot ??? Anybody got any info ???----- :( -- SG

[NIGHTSTRIKES]

Nothing Yet Buddy,
Looks like Aug.1,will be the date for any
changes....

Stay Tuned......

[TWIN D'S]

Ghost, the meetings on the issue were just completed. Any change has to go through the legislature since the bass is a game fish. Like Steve said, looks like August 1 is the date.

[CaptTB]

Hold on, someone told you no more slot?

Dam, doesn't anyone read the papers anymore?
(not busting on you Surf Ghost, just the person that gave you incorrect information as if it was fact)

On Monday, the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee unanimously passed Assemblyman Smith's Bill, which will now go to the House and Senate to be voted on. I will copy and paste the RFA anouncement to save time typing, but rest assured no regs have changed yet, but they will be changing very soon, more than likely before August 1st.

NJ Striped Bass Bill Passes Unanimously With Important Amendment

Yesterday, A-3007 which modifies catch and possession limits for taking of striped bass, passed unanimously with a 5-0 bipartisan vote in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee of the New Jersey Assembly.

The bill sponsored by Assemblyman Robert J. Smith, Chairman of the Committee, Assemblyman Douglas H. Fisher, Vice Chairman, and Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli, Assistant Majority Leader, will establish a striped bass catch limit of one fish from 24 to less than 28 inches in length and another of at least 34 inches in length, with the opportunity to retain a "bonus fish" of at least 28 inches in length under a separate program.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) testified in support of the bill which is necessary to keep the State in compliance with federal restrictions concerning the taking of striped bass imposed through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).

"We are convinced that this set of measures are socially and economically best for NJ considering the options presented and the diversity of this State," said Herb Moore, Jr., RFA counsel and Director of Government Affairs. "The majority of the feedback we've gotten from our members and the comment at the public hearings was largely in support of being able to keep a 24-28 inch fish."

"From Sandy Hook to Cape May there are significant differences in the striped bass fishery," continued Mr. Moore. "Under the circumstances NJ is in, we feel like this bill will give all NJ anglers the best shot to take home a striper for dinner."

RFA also testified against the implementation of a fee to participate in the striped bass "bonus fish" program and instead urged the Committee to take the right steps to obtain proper funding for the program run by the State Division of Fish and Wildlife.

"Considering the revenue that's generated by the striped bass fishery in NJ and the contribution it makes to our quality of life, there's no reason why this program should not be adequately funded," said Mr. Moore.

The RFA and United Boatmen, which represents many NJ party and charter boats, also offered a proposed amendment adopted by the Committee which will allow party boats to fillet striped bass at sea under their current "Special Fillet Permit".

"Striped bass have become more important to NJ's party boat fleet over the last couple years and this amendment will help these guys run a more efficient operation," said Mr. Moore.

[CaptTB]

Here's a little background (I should have posted this first, sorry) to give you guys an idea of what's been going on lately, ending with my post above with what just happened on Monday.

Permanent changes loom for striper anglers
Published in the Asbury Park Press 6/11/04
Single-fish limit possible even as commercial plan advances
One of the safest predictions one can make on striped bass fishing in the Shore area is that it is never going to get any better than it was in late May and early June.

The end of the run is in sight. The menhaden netters are working feverishly along the coast, and, with the water warming up and as the great schools of bunkers are caught or dispersed, striped bass catches will begin to fall off.

More significant than that, however, are the revelations that have come out of the controversy over the proposed striped bass rules and the management assessments of the stocks.

The bass stocks have been restored, but biologists said this week that when New Jersey's new rules are in place we will never go back to more liberal landings.

New Jersey was ordered to cut its mortality by 32 percent this year. The options left no room to please everyone. Lose the slot, lose fish between 28 and 34 inches, lose something, but cut back 32 percent was the mandate.

Remember the days of the 10-fish limit and 18-inch minimum? Now management officials say that, despite the restored stocks, there are not enough striped bass to allow more than a one-fish limit from 24 inches up when the coastwide plan is revisited.

Mortality is the problem. Management officials figure mortality, including hook-and-release mortality, and the stocks are insufficient to provide a coastwide limit of even two fish from 24 inches up.

New Jersey will still have a slight edge with its 310,000-pound bonus quota, but this is not a lot of fish to divide among the fishing public.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is pushing ahead with its plan to open the extended economic zone to striped bass fishing, and there are fears of the commercial impact on the stocks, if this goes through.

Currently the commercial landings are about 25 percent of the overall landings.

Capt. Sal Cursi, skipper of the charter boat Cathy Sea out of Sewaren, is watching the development of the new striped bass rules carefully.

"I wouldn't even be in the charter boat business, if it were not for striped bass," he said. "This is the fish that people are interested in catching."................

And.....

Local anglers not thrilled about introduction of tag bill
Published in the Asbury Park Press 6/12/04
The Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will take a look Monday at a bill that would require a tag to catch a striped bass between 28 and 34 inches in length.

Assemblyman Bob Smith, D-Gloucester, introduced the bill Thursday that provides for taking one fish at 24 to 28 inches and a second from 34 inches and longer, and retention of the bonus program.

New Jersey has been ordered by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to cut its striped bass mortality by 32 percent, and the bill is a response to that.

However, the only way a 28- to 34-inch fish could be caught would be through use of the bonus tag program.

The measure, if approved, will impose a real burden on the state Division of Fish and Wildlife's bonus program staff, which is already running from a month to six weeks behind in issuing tags for taking a third fish 28 inches or larger.

The demand for the tags could be substantial since 28- to 34-inch fish are the most commonly caught, and anglers who do not now have tags would want them as insurance.

Last year about 17,000 anglers signed up for bonus tags. The number could easily jump to between 30,000 and 50,000 since it would not be a case of wanting a third fish or a trophy fish, but simply to keep a fish between 28 and 34 inches.

Not talked about, but a very real possibility, is that the bonus program, with 310,000 pounds or perhaps 25,000 fish between 28 and 34 inches, might be quickly filled and that opportunity closed.

Thomas P. Fote, legislative chairman of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, said his organization supported two fish at 28 inches plus the bonus, and will push to have the bill changed.

"We believe that two at 28 is less complicated for the rest of the year," he said. "I support a slot -- I always have -- but let's leave well enough alone for this year."

Fote pointed out that two fish at 28 would not only be easier for anglers to understand and comply with, but would mesh nicely with the rules of nearby states.

Delaware and Pennsylvania both have two fish at 28 inches, and New York has two fish at 28 inches for party and charter boats and one fish at 28 inches for private boats and anglers.

Fote added that, if the bill becomes law for next year, the bonus program might possibly provide only enough 28- to 34-inch fish to keep that fishery open until June.

At that time it would be legal to keep only a 24- to 28-inch fish and a fish greater than 34 inches long.

Capt. Ron Santee Jr., Fishermen, Atlantic Highlands, said the striper fishery already is beginning to change in his area.

"We're getting shots of bass for an hour or so," he said. "We're fishing between the channels. (Thursday) was the best bite in a long time, and Wednesday was good for about 45 minutes."

Ken Stork of Colts Neck had two bass -- one measuring 28 inches and the other 31. There were very few slot fish in the catch.......

Hope that helps answer any questions.
(By the way, I edited out the end of John's columns, didn't think you guys needed to read the fishing reports from the highlands etc.... if you do, go to http://fishing.injersey.com and you can read all of John's and Dusty Rhode's articles, including today's.)

[SURF GHOST]

Thanx for the Update Capt TB,NStrikes,& Twin D's, Seems I always gotta ask fellow Barners for the Straight Scoop !!! --- :D -- SG

[eddy]

Read the official bill here:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2004/Bills/A3500/3007_I1.PDF
Bill# A3007 for 2004-2005

[TWIN D'S]

Well, I gotta' say "simplicity" is a lame reason to vote for 2 @ 28. For some guy on a bridge, or boat for that matter, at Corsons inlet, what does he care what NY does?

It must not be that important. We've asked for years for the same fluke regs between DE and NJ in the DE bay.

Maybe if NJ went to 4 fluke at 17.5 like DE, those voting wouldn't much care for simplicity anymore.

Phil

[upchuck]

Don't make sence to me, just recieved my bonus cards in the mail, only took six weeks. Last year I go them in one week. I'll have them for the fall run, if there are such a thing as a slots this fall.

[RalphD]

It says on the NJ State site that Assembly Bill 3007 (striper size and limit modifications) has been "withdrawn from consideration" on 6/17.

That doesn't sound good. I thought we had to comply by 7/1 or face possible closure by ASMFC.

Link

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp

[TSStriper]

Published in the Asbury Park Press 6/18/04
The state Assembly Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee liked the striped bass rules proposed by Assemblyman Bob Smith, D-Gloucester, and approved them unanimously in a hearing Monday.
The rules advanced by Smith include: one striped bass between 24 and less than 28 inches, one striped bass 34 inches and over, and a third fish 28 inches and over with a bonus tag.

Thomas P. Fote, legislative chairman of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association and proponent of the option allowing two fish at 28 inches and over and a third fish 28 inches or over with a bonus tag, feels there are big problems ahead, if the rules are adopted.

"The only way you can catch a fish between 28 and 34 inches is with a bonus tag," he said. "The state Division of Fish and Wildlife is already a month to six weeks behind in issuing tags.

"My advice is that, if this goes through, and you want to catch a fish between 28 and 34 inches next year, you'd better send in for your bonus tags right now," he said.

What Fote and others are already warning, however, is that the 310,000-pound bonus quota only represents about 25,000 fish, and these fish could be caught by June, at which time the bonus program would be out of business.

If the division is unable to keep up with the paperwork, and there is an overrun, it would be would be subtracted from the quota the following year.

[fishnjbass]

the recreational fishermen can't get a brake :rolleyes:

[NIGHTSTRIKES]

Ralph,
I think we need to come into compliance by
7/31/04 or face possible closure....

[SURF GHOST]

Still Waiting to hear the Results !!!! :eek: :(
---- :D -- SG

[3D]

SG,

If you talked to Paul I'd be surprised if he gave you bum scoop. I was in there Tuesday night myself, Paul told me it would probably be slot 24-28, trophy 34 and above and bonus over 28 to be in place by 8/1/04.
I know Paul called the state & he was told the Legislature had voted on it.

Jay Mann is reporting the same info on his site:
"slot 24-28, trophy 34 and above and bonus over 28"