Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Emergency Action for Striped Bass Fishing
Posted May 5, 2023
This week, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved an emergency action to implement a 31-inch maximum size limit for striped bass recreational fisheries, effective immediately for 180 days (through October 28, 2023). According to the ASMFC, “This action responds to the unprecedented magnitude of 2022 recreational harvest, which is nearly double that of 2021, and new stock rebuilding projections, which estimate the probability of the spawning stock rebuilding to its biomass target by 2029 drops from 97% under the lower 2021 fishing mortality rate to less than 15% if the higher 2022 fishing mortality rate continues each year.”
For Maryland anglers, the current trophy striped bass season is exempt, for which one fish per angler of a minimum size of 35 inches may be kept (from May 1st through May 15th). However, when trophy season ends, Maryland must adopt the new upper creel slot of 31” for any kept fish.
My opinion: Do away with the trophy season altogether next year. Maintain a catch-and-release only season until June 1st, when a 19—31” slot could be adopted. No breeder size striped bass should ever be kept. Thankfully, many anglers are already practicing catch-and-release of large stripers.
What do you think of this emergency mandate, and do you think this is enough action to help rebuild the striped bass population? And what do you think of Maryland’s current trophy season?
Here’s what you said:
James, THANK YOU for spreading the word on this. Let's discuss other ways to work together to highlight these important issues.
—David Sikorski, Baltimore
Stop Omega Protein, Inc. in Reedville, VA from devastating the menhaden population!
—James Dick, Stevensville
When a declaration of emergency is warranted ...a true/real emergency would incorporate actions from everyone involved. This is a play on words and an insult to the recreational fisherman. When there is no criteria to involve everyone (aka commercial) then there is clearly not a problem but a sensationalized expression of concern for someone who clearly wants to just change regulatory terms because it is not worthy of making the really tough choices.
K Glas, Princess Anne
Do you really think that limiting my catch on the beach compares to the commercial fishing that is being done? Come on ! Let's put regulations where they belong.
Ed Hoffman, Berlin
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