Help Save The Striped Bass - Take The Pledge

[Hemingway]

CCA MD does not participate in forums, but they did address some of our comments!!!

Hello from CCA,
First and foremost I would like to say how much I like this group of anglers. In my interactions at various tournaments and events, I have found this group to not only be awesome fishermen but true conservationists. There are a lot of great questions on here and I would like to take the time to answer a few.
First, recreational numbers are based on survey responses, charter logs, and dockside interviews. If you have ever had a statistics course, you understand that you don’t need a huge sample to extrapolate decent information. We will never be able to count every fish and we have to accept the best science available. Along the same lines, we also believe that if you think something is broken, don’t complain… fix it from the inside. That’s why we participate in the fisheries management process on the local, state, and interstate levels. We have chapters on both coasts from Texas to Maine and Oregon and Washington. I am only saying this because the rec numbers will never be perfect and we are working to make them better. We must have more accountability in the process. Take a look at the Snook Foundation under angler action. This system is working in Florida and providing managers with the best data they have ever had on snook. This is just a glimpse of the future and I am only discussing it because good questions were asked regarding recreational catch numbers. This is one awesome solution we are examining.
I would also like to point out that this is a voluntary effort. If you like to eat fish, that’s OK! We aren’t condemning someone for doing something that is perfectly legal. This movement would be a complete success if it simply made people ask themselves “Should I let her go to spawn?” or “We are having burgers tonight so I guess I will throw this one back.” We need a complete shift in paradigm to save striped bass. The days of killing cows for hero shots are coming to a close.
I also noticed that folks were interested in the economics of the striped bass fishery. It varies drastically from state to state. Maryland has a very robust commercial fishery so they do have a substantial impact in the state. That said… this isn’t a commercial vs. recreational issue. This is a conservation issue. We… recreational anglers.. are partly responsible for the decline in striped bass. We have to clean up our own house first. That doesn’t mean that if illegal gill nets are found, I won’t be standing on the docks taking videos.. again. We will always speak out against violations of resource law. However, My Limit is One is for recreational anglers. It is our way to send a message loud and clear that striped bass should be managed for abundance. Currently, we study how many we can kill and have enough left over to sustain… SUSTAIN the population. That doesn’t work. The science isn’t that perfect. There are too many variables that the guys in pointy hats don’t fully understand. We manage a fishery by teetering on the edge and expect nothing to go wrong.
In closing, we want you all to know how much we respect each and every one of your opinions. We are always here to help. Anything I can do, just let me know. We will fight for you, the fish, and the future. We will never give up. Knowing there are anglers like this group out there makes it so much easier. I thank you all and wish you the best in 2014.

Tony Friedrich

Thanks Tony, for all you and CCA do!
To everyone else who has taken the time to share your thoughts, I would like to extend a cyber pat on the back! You make me proud to know that the sport of kayak fishing is the vanguard of Bay conservation. Let's all keep this issue on the front burner with our fellow fisherman and with the appropriate governmental agencies.

[dsiekman]

Rec vs Comm: http://grab.by/tlBu

From http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries.../2014quota.pdf

I stand corrected. Thanks for the info.

[kevinfry]

I'll pledge to just keep one. Hope seafood establishments will pledge to not use illegally caught rockfish

[dsiekman]

Has anyone looked at the kill rate of C&R for various types of fishing? For example, my guess would be that live lining would be far more likely to gut hook a fish making a safe release much less likely than say top water. Not looking to start a fight, just curious. I've also seen a few schoolies drowned when drug behind a power boat because the strike was not evident on heavy tackle.

In regards to the commentary on Snook fishing, I was in Florida at a fishing show several years ago during what I believe was one of the first years of the Snook moratorium. Those folks were BIG on education. Lots of how tos on safe handling and dehooking. Maybe we need to step things up on the public education side. Other than forum posts, I don't believe I have ever seen anything locally about how to give a C&R fish the best chance for survival. Wet hands, dehooking boatside, etc.

[Hemingway]

Other than forum posts, I don't believe I have ever seen anything locally about how to give a C&R fish the best chance for survival. Wet hands, dehooking boatside, etc.

In fact, on CCA's www.mylimitisone.com website there is a drop down tab that offers C&R recommendations including videos.

[dsiekman]

In fact, on CCA's www.mylimitisone.com website there is a drop down tab that offers C&R recommendations including videos.

That's great for those of us who are CCA members or who have enough concern about conservation to make the effort to self educate. What I'm talking about is a high visibility public campaign. Demonstrations at all of the local fishing shows, boat shows, Tackle shops, public ramps, local news, etc. Like I said, when I was in Florida a few years back, it seemed to be everywhere.

[J.A. Veil]

I preface this post by complimenting CCA Maryland for its untiring efforts to protect and enhance Maryland fisheries. I have no doubt that the management and volunteers of the organization are sincere in their desire to make a difference. I had some disagreement with the details of the new My Limit is One campaign. Rather than dash off a quick reply to this and other fishing boards, I spent several hours yesterday trying to organize my thoughts, rationale, and arguments. I ended up with a four-page document. I decided to share the document with CCA management late yesterday and give them an opportunity to point out any inaccuracies in my discussion. To CCA’s credit, I received phone calls from both executive director Tony Friedrich and from legislative affairs director Trent Zivkovich. Neither man disputed my scientific points. They did stress that the new initiative is designed to promote broader awareness of the value of discretion in taking home all the legal we catch. While I am fully supportive of the goals and the reasons for reducing harvest, I still do not agree with the specific terms of the new initiative.

For me, I will not commit to the exact terms of CCA’s proposal, although I pledge to follow an even more restrictive personal harvest policy. Rather than focusing on catch per day and size range, I prefer to focus on catch per season and on letting any large and medium fish go back to reproduce again.

Beyond personal habits and choices, we can all work harder to educate our children and those other less-informed anglers with whom we fish occasionally on discretion in keeping fish, and on ways to more safely catch and release fish that we return to the water.

For those who want to read a more detailed discussion of my thoughts, please send an email to john@veilenvironmental.com. I will send the comment document back to you.

[Hemingway]

That's great for those of us who are CCA members or who have enough concern about conservation to make the effort to self educate. What I'm talking about is a high visibility public campaign. Demonstrations at all of the local fishing shows, boat shows, Tackle shops, public ramps, local news, etc. Like I said, when I was in Florida a few years back, it seemed to be everywhere.

Excellent point, I wasn't appreciating how comprehensive the educational outreach needs to be. There really needs to be a broad public awareness and education on the subject. My personal technic for C&R has changed quite a bit this year, and with the cold weather, I plan to do a lot more research on the subject.

[buzz]

I do not believe that there are any hybrid striped bass in Lake Anna....yet. It is being considered. Striped bass "Morone saxatilis" are stocked in Lake Anna annually by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.- ASSESSING STRIPED BASS HABITAT IN LAKE ANNA, VA, Walter S. Via, 12/2/2012. They are the same stripers as we have in the bay.

My bad. I remember reading before that Virginia stocked Hybrid Striped Bass in some of their lakes. I erroneously attributed that to Lake Anna.

But my point was that we've been farming striped bass in the US for over 30 years now. Although I don't know what percentage of striped bass vs hybrid striped bass end up in restaurants and grocery stores, but US hybrid striped bass production was at about 11 million pounds in 2005. Enough that we export some to Europe.

[jffoley]

I pledge zero. Not really hard for me as I can't tell you the last time I took a rockfish for my table. Stripers are my favorite inshore fish to catch. And release. (Although, redfish might beat them out soon. Didn't have them up north in my formative years)

I'll bet most of the stripers I caught in 2013, including December CBBT, were 2011 year class fish. Best couple of fish I caught went about 24". Most were under that. So, let's take 14% more of them!

I certainly don't begrudge anyone taking a legal fish. Personally, I'll err on the side of the fish. :-)

[DOGFISH]

My prediction: With an increase in the rec portion of the take, next year those 2011 year fish will be seriously damaged and any recovery will be dramatically weakened. Regardless of educational awareness, there are more than enough fisherman, recreational and commercial, that will just load up on those 2011 year fish. Of which, each one taken, will never spawn. I have watched this situation since before the moratorium, during and after. A lot of the same arguments are being made. I just don't get their reasoning. Just remember, each one of those 2011 year fish taken is a little less future for the striped bass.

Also, don't be naïve. The Maryland legislature and Maryland administrators are controlled by the commercial lobby. Money talks and we just get the left overs. States that are serious about their fisheries have banned nets and put meaningful regulations in place to control the pressure on sport fish populations. Their fish stocks have flourished. You don't need to be a scientist to see the affects.

[dsiekman]

[QUOTE=DOGFISH;76008]Regardless of educational awareness, there are more than enough fisherman, recreational and commercial, that will just load up on those 2011 year fish.
QUOTE]

Very good point. I think those of us on this forum start to think that ALL fisherman think like us, at least to a point. However, I'm afraid that based on what I've witnessed on the water, on other forums, and at public launches like SPSP, there are a lot of folks who just don't care or don't think the laws apply to them. I'm not sure there is a solution for arrogance.

Also, don't be naïve. The Maryland legislature and Maryland administrators are controlled by the commercial lobby. Money talks and we just get the left overs. States that are serious about their fisheries have banned nets and put meaningful regulations in place to control the pressure on sport fish populations. Their fish stocks have flourished. You don't need to be a scientist to see the affects.

Unfortunately, I am afraid you may be correct here as well as it applies to politicians in general. Just my opinion.

[camelbird]

Also, don't be naïve. The Maryland legislature and Maryland administrators are controlled by the commercial lobby. Money talks and we just get the left overs. States that are serious about their fisheries have banned nets and put meaningful regulations in place to control the pressure on sport fish populations. Their fish stocks have flourished. You don't need to be a scientist to see the affects.

Where does the 800 lb gorilla sleep?

You find the amount of money involved, you find the size of the power. You find the motive, money and power you'll understand the length at which they will go to protect it

[kayakjoe]

Good on ya Gary, I'm sure a lot of us got that email and are equally outraged about the potential further decline of the bass and with enough of us we can take a stand and make a change for the better to preserve this once excellent fishery for our children and they're future children. Imagine what would happen if bass were on the endangered species list. Omega would win. And we can't have that! They're raping the bay as we speak! With all the money the CG and DNR are spending on stealth not radar detectable boats and the advent of unmanned drones patrolling the EEZ its only a matter of time until recreational catches are limited to one fish per BOAT not per PERSON and I strongly agree with that. Even if its only C&R for five years something needs to be done and we CAN NOT wait! After 2011s spawning stock that was through the roof for the first time in years and them being the only really "successful" spawn in years before that we are steadily on the decline and we are all sad to see it but it is a fact, not speculation. The time is now. Not tomorrow or next week, its now. And we all know it. Good on ya CCA and let's make this right. We don't need a chef Paul prudhome to put the bass numbers way below like they did to the reddish and look what had to be implemented there for the stocks to return to average levels and look how the redfish is doing now! Proof is in the facts. Not the rumors. My personal limit is zero as well but unfortunately I/we are the little man on the not ai bussiness end of things so our voices are nil. Let's make they're futures shine just like the redfish. It's only a matter of time.

[Hemingway]

Good on ya Gary, I'm sure a lot of us got that email and are equally outraged about the potential further decline of the bass and with enough of us we can take a stand and make a change for the better to preserve this once excellent fishery for our children and they're future children. Imagine what would happen if bass were on the endangered species list. Omega would win. And we can't have that! They're raping the bay as we speak! With all the money the CG and DNR are spending on stealth not radar detectable boats and the advent of unmanned drones patrolling the EEZ its only a matter of time until recreational catches are limited to one fish per BOAT not per PERSON and I strongly agree with that. Even if its only C&R for five years something needs to be done and we CAN NOT wait! After 2011s spawning stock that was through the roof for the first time in years and them being the only really "successful" spawn in years before that we are steadily on the decline and we are all sad to see it but it is a fact, not speculation. The time is now. Not tomorrow or next week, its now. And we all know it. Good on ya CCA and let's make this right. We don't need a chef Paul prudhome to put the bass numbers way below like they did to the reddish and look what had to be implemented there for the stocks to return to average levels and look how the redfish is doing now! Proof is in the facts. Not the rumors. My personal limit is zero as well but unfortunately I/we are the little man on the not ai bussiness end of things so our voices are nil. Let's make they're futures shine just like the redfish. It's only a matter of time.

Thanks Joe,
And once again congratulations to you and Emily on that new baby girl! The response to this thread has been truly amazing, but not surprising. I say that because I feel kayak fishermen are the most conservation minded fishermen on the water…guess in part, it is hard to not be in touch with the water when your butt is sitting in it But, jokes aside, all though there has been minor differences of opinion in the details of the MyLimitIsOne program from some of the commenters, many actually are pledging zero. And, I think everyone has supported the concept of being mindful of preserving the resource while fishing. We all can be truly proud of each other. The next thing is to communicate to other fishermen in a non confrontational way, why everyone needs to re evaluate if there are any changes they can make in their fishing activity to support the striped bass. Perhaps, it is improving the way we release fish we are not going to harvest, in addition, to modifying catch or size. For me, the plan is to have the discussion and plant the seed of conservation, it is a voluntary program, so everyone will be making their own personal decisions. Hope you can get the time to build those new rods in between changing diapers