Certainly better than the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission . . . . . which drove striped bass (among many other species) to near extinction back in the 80's, and seems very capable of doing so again.
John, again, I'm sorry. This isn't aimed at folks who follow the rules, but at the folks who make them so badly.
Suspending the rant . . . . for now.Jeff it wasn't the ASMFC that drove Striped Bass to near extinction in the 80's it was over fishing. By guys like me and 10,000 guys like me. In those days before regulations, licensing and having to prove you had a history of selling Striped Bass in order to get a license. In New York State and up and down the east coast Striped bass were over fished and sold by everybody that owed a rod and reel or a gill net. Every teacher that was off for the Summer every construction worker that was laid off, Doctors and Lawyers that had a boat was shipping fish to market. It was 365 days a year 24 hours a day. In 1986 NYS put a moratorium on catching Striped Bass, effectively putting me out of business. You take the price off of the fishes head and the recovery was miraculous.Based upon historical landings each state was given its quota, to do with as it saw fit. Conn. and NJ chose to keep Striped Bass as a game fish, no commercial fishery. In Rhode Island and Mass. its a free for all, opening on a day the state sees fit and fishing ends when the quota is filled . I believe that in Rhode Island in order for a fish to be marketed it has to be over 35", no slot size. I do not know what the size limits are in Mass. Here in New York, we have a tagging system. In order to get Striped Bass tags you had to prove a history of selling Striped Bass and that 50% of your income comes from fishing, In my case all of my income comes from fishing, whether Commercial or Chartering. This year I am allowed to catch and sell 224 Striped Bass between 24" and 36" everything else is released. No new Striped Bass licenses are issued. When somebody dies you can will them to a family member. Monday was a good day, I had a charter was Shark Fishing on Tuesday the boats that went out tagging stroked it. At $4.50 a gallon for diesel there wasn't much profit. My New York State Food Fish License costs me $250 Striped Bass Tags another $.50 ea. My Charter license costs me another $250. All this comes right off the top before I ever sail a trip or sell a fish. I've heard it a million time s" Boy Capt you've got the best life, what a way to earn a living" They should only know what its really like. I could go on for hours but that's enough for now