FYI: Striped Bass Managers Approve Conservative Management Options for 2024
Pennsylvania Fishing
Jan 25, 2024 21:21:49 #
The Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board approved conservative management options for striped bass at their winter meeting in Arlington, Virginia. The options were part of Draft Addendum II, and the decision considered public input collected at public hearings in recent weeks.
For the ocean (non-Chesapeake Bay) fishery, the striped bass slot limit of 1 fish at 28 to 31 inches remains in place for all recreational anglers, whether fishing from shore, a private boat, or a charter (for-hire) vessel. After a vote to consider a mode split that would allow a larger slot for for-hire vessels failed 7-9, the measure (Option B) was approved 14 to 2, with only New York and New Jersey voting against. Both states’ representatives spoke in favor of an option that would allow a larger slot for for-hire vessels.
For the Chesapeake Bay fishery, managers approved the striped bass slot limit of 1 fish at 19 to 24 inches for all anglers. The measure (Option B2) was approved 14 to 2, with Maryland and New Jersey voting against. The Maryland representative spoke in favor of options that would allow a 2-fish bag for anglers fishing on for-hire vessels.
The Board also voted to reduce the commercial striped bass quota by 7%. This was a compromise reached after a 14% reduction was proposed as a number equal to the estimated reduction to the recreational fishery.
The Board initiated Draft Addendum II in May 2023 in response to the low probability of meeting the 2029 stock rebuilding deadline if the unexpectedly high 2022 fishing mortality rate continues. The Draft Addendum built upon the 2023 emergency action by considering management measures intended to reduce fishing mortality to the target level in 2024. For the recreational fishery, the Draft Addendum proposed recreational bag and size limit options for the ocean and Chesapeake Bay regions, including options with different limits for the for-hire modes.
https://www.onthewater.com/striped-bass-managers-approve-conservative-management-options-for-2024
by On The Water Staff January 24, 2024
For the ocean (non-Chesapeake Bay) fishery, the striped bass slot limit of 1 fish at 28 to 31 inches remains in place for all recreational anglers, whether fishing from shore, a private boat, or a charter (for-hire) vessel. After a vote to consider a mode split that would allow a larger slot for for-hire vessels failed 7-9, the measure (Option B) was approved 14 to 2, with only New York and New Jersey voting against. Both states’ representatives spoke in favor of an option that would allow a larger slot for for-hire vessels.
For the Chesapeake Bay fishery, managers approved the striped bass slot limit of 1 fish at 19 to 24 inches for all anglers. The measure (Option B2) was approved 14 to 2, with Maryland and New Jersey voting against. The Maryland representative spoke in favor of options that would allow a 2-fish bag for anglers fishing on for-hire vessels.
The Board also voted to reduce the commercial striped bass quota by 7%. This was a compromise reached after a 14% reduction was proposed as a number equal to the estimated reduction to the recreational fishery.
The Board initiated Draft Addendum II in May 2023 in response to the low probability of meeting the 2029 stock rebuilding deadline if the unexpectedly high 2022 fishing mortality rate continues. The Draft Addendum built upon the 2023 emergency action by considering management measures intended to reduce fishing mortality to the target level in 2024. For the recreational fishery, the Draft Addendum proposed recreational bag and size limit options for the ocean and Chesapeake Bay regions, including options with different limits for the for-hire modes.
https://www.onthewater.com/striped-bass-managers-approve-conservative-management-options-for-2024
by On The Water Staff January 24, 2024
Managers decide to maintain slot limits for private and for-hire anglers.
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