MAY. 26

[Fiddlehead]

On 5/23/2023 at 6:30 PM, albacized said:

I still don’t understand how authorities know how many stripers I catch or that 9% of my released fish die. I’ve been interviewed twice by fisheries management folks in my whole life. There’s no way they have a good handle on those figures…and no, this is not an argument against stricter rules as I see the evidence of declining stocks as many other do. I just think they’re not looking at all possible causes

MA DMF is actually working on a study that looks at where the fish was hooked, how long it was out of the water, and water temp.  Obviously there are way more factors than just these but good to see some sort of breakdown. Preliminary results that are not peer reviewed are available online on the ASGA website. 
 

If a fish is hooked in the mouth and released in under 30 seconds it is about a 3% mortality.  Gill hooked on the other hand has a release mortality of 55% even if it’s released in under 30 seconds.

 

From what I’ve seen with fish out of the water for minutes for photo shoots, fish dropped, kicked back in the water etc I wouldn’t be surprised if 9% is pretty accurate.  I’m not saying you do that but my understanding is that 9% is a coastwise estimate for all anglers.  A lot of anglers out there don’t treat them like a living breathing animal they treat them like garbage. 

[FishermanTim]

On 5/21/2023 at 11:43 PM, z-man said:

Lots of factors, environmental, weather, water temps, water flow, number of breeders, etc. This is why it’s important to take care of the fish that you are releasing. 

Valid points, but they have always been factors.

The one not mentioned is PEOPLE.

Between those making up rules on the fly to those that follow those rules to those that poach at will, it's PEOPLE that are the main affect on the fish.

 

A "new" slot limit is just another band-aid on a bullet wound.

 

No mention of any "new" slot limit for commercial fishing, or was that purposely omitted/ignored?

Still, no mention of any changes to the commercial fishing.

[z-man]

On 5/25/2023 at 11:43 AM, FishermanTim said:

Valid points, but they have always been factors.

The one not mentioned is PEOPLE.

Between those making up rules on the fly to those that follow those rules to those that poach at will, it's PEOPLE that are the main affect on the fish.

 

A "new" slot limit is just another band-aid on a bullet wound.

 

No mention of any "new" slot limit for commercial fishing, or was that purposely omitted/ignored?

Still, no mention of any changes to the commercial fishing.

Of course people are the biggest problem. It’s completely idiotic to allow the commercial fishermen to keep the big fish that the recs are trying to save. We all know that the comms would cry poverty if anything is taken away from them though. Striped bass fishing really just needs to go to catch and release only on the whole east coast and be done with all of the crazy management and regulations. 

[FoulHooker]

On 5/25/2023 at 12:14 PM, z-man said:

Of course people are the biggest problem. It’s completely idiotic to allow the commercial fishermen to keep the big fish that the recs are trying to save. We all know that the comms would cry poverty if anything is taken away from them though. Striped bass fishing really just needs to go to catch and release only on the whole east coast and be done with all of the crazy management and regulations. 

They already have taken things away.  Cut the quota, closed fishing days,  15fish instead of 30fish....and more is coming.  There will be a commercial slot next year.  But keep thinking with your emotions doesn't seem to matter what kind of facts you get

[Joe G]

On 5/25/2023 at 11:43 AM, FishermanTim said:

 

No mention of any "new" slot limit for commercial fishing, or was that purposely omitted/ignored?

Still, no mention of any changes to the commercial fishing.

Per Micheal Armstrong Deputy Director DMF…..this AM Globe.

 

”For next year, everything is going to be looked at, and if fishing mortality has to be cut, it will need to involve the commercial fishery too.  They won’t get a pass   
There will be debate, and they will be arguing that they didn’t cause this, but at some point if you’re part of the harvest you need to be part of the solution”. 

 

 

 

On 5/25/2023 at 12:14 PM, z-man said:

It’s completely idiotic to allow the commercial fishermen to keep the big fish that the recs are trying to save. 

This AM Globe reports that  the official explanation for this is posted on the DMF website. 

 

 

[FishermanTim]

On 5/25/2023 at 12:52 PM, Joe G said:

Per Micheal Armstrong Deputy Director DMF…..this AM Globe.

 

”For next year, everything is going to be looked at, and if fishing mortality has to be cut, it will need to involve the commercial fishery too.  They won’t get a pass   
There will be debate, and they will be arguing that they didn’t cause this, but at some point if you’re part of the harvest you need to be part of the solution”. 

 

 

Unfortunately this has all the makings of a good talking point. 

The real proof will be in it being put into action.

 

What's ironic is that they are taking steps now when they should have taken them (rec's and commercial) years ago.

Again, it's the band-aid on a bullet wound scenario.

[z-man]

On 5/25/2023 at 12:45 PM, FoulHooker said:

They already have taken things away.  Cut the quota, closed fishing days,  15fish instead of 30fish....and more is coming.  There will be a commercial slot next year.  But keep thinking with your emotions doesn't seem to matter what kind of facts you get

Thanks for proving my point about the crying. 

[z-man]

On 5/25/2023 at 12:52 PM, Joe G said:

Per Micheal Armstrong Deputy Director DMF…..this AM Globe.

 

”For next year, everything is going to be looked at, and if fishing mortality has to be cut, it will need to involve the commercial fishery too.  They won’t get a pass   
There will be debate, and they will be arguing that they didn’t cause this, but at some point if you’re part of the harvest you need to be part of the solution”. 

 

 

 

This AM Globe reports that  the official explanation for this is posted on the DMF website. 

 

 

I’ll believe that only when I see it. You know damn well comms will be on the news saying we’re ruining centuries of family tradition by not letting them fish and they can’t put food on the table to feed their children anymore. 

[Joe G]

On 5/25/2023 at 1:16 PM, FishermanTim said:

 

Unfortunately this has all the makings of a good talking point. 

The real proof will be in it being put into action.

 

What's ironic is that they are taking steps now when they should have taken them (rec's and commercial) years ago.

Again, it's the band-aid on a bullet wound scenario.

Well you’re right about Armstrong of course. The guy is 9 months into the job and a lot can change as the pressures from stakeholders exert their influence on him. 
 

Thank this 2023 rec change to that sectors healthy harvest in 2021-2022.  According to the D M F , in 2022, “ the commercial fishery, which is managed under a hard quota, had no increase in harvest, while the recreational fishery harvest almost doubled. Therefore the Emergency Act was directed at that sector that was responsible for the greatest increase from 2021-2022”. 
 

Had not the rec fishery experienced this over the top harvest, I suspect there would have been no change  to the rec fishery in 2023.   Too much of a good thing got us to this point. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FoulHooker]

On 5/25/2023 at 1:46 PM, z-man said:

Thanks for proving my point about the crying. 

you cry.  I read the post and correct your spreading of emotions instead of facts.  

[z-man]

On 5/25/2023 at 1:54 PM, FoulHooker said:

you cry.  I read the post and correct your spreading of emotions instead of facts.  

I’m not crying at all. I’m actually happy that the smaller slot size is getting implemented. I’ll be even happier when all harvest gets completely shut down. 

[Running Ape]

I was in New Brunswick a few months ago, and talked to a fly shop owner. They (Canada) have two distinctive, non mixing populations. One spawns in the Miramachi river and lives in the Gulf of St Lawrence. They have greatly increased in numbers in the past 25 years to the point 50 plus fish schoolie days are not uncommon during May and June.

 

There is another population in the bay of Fundy that spawns in rivers that feed both sides (though very limited on the New Brunswick side) of the bay. There are also many migrant bass from the south in those areas. 
 

 

[FoulHooker]

On 5/25/2023 at 3:08 PM, Running Ape said:

I was in New Brunswick a few months ago, and talked to a fly shop owner. They (Canada) have two distinctive, non mixing populations. One spawns in the Miramachi river and lives in the Gulf of St Lawrence. They have greatly increased in numbers in the past 25 years to the point 50 plus fish schoolie days are not uncommon during May and June.

 

There is another population in the bay of Fundy that spawns in rivers that feed both sides (though very limited on the New Brunswick side) of the bay. There are also many migrant bass from the south in those areas. 
 

 

I believe these fish are spawning up and down the north east river systems.  Most of the studys are done in the cheasapeak and hudson but I think a few are staying around and not migrating like they used to.  Kind of like how some canadian geese have developed there own populations that dont head north.  More and more holdovers each year and plenty of food for them.  

[Pescador710]

Well it’s May 26! Are the signs on the canal saying that the slot is 28”-34” taken down yet?

[bdowning]

57 mins ago, Pescador710 said:

Well it’s May 26! Are the signs on the canal saying that the slot is 28”-34” taken down yet?

 

On the same subject, I don't suppose the holiday weekend plus the new slot regs will increase epo presence for at least the next few days? Hope springs eternal...