DaveRimmer-1
03-07-2000, 09:54 AM
I am not able to monitor this forum daily but am usually informed when something is posted that relates to CCA Massachusetts. I want to respond briefly to the thread about the upcoming public hearings.
Althoughthe MADMF probably met the required 3 weeks of public notice by publishing the meeting times in a couple of newspapers, no effort was made to reach anglers at large. You know information is not getting out when CCA MA doesn't even hear about it until last Wednesday, Mar 1. But we still worked OT to get a notice out to our members and contrary to an earlier thread, the hearings were mentioned at our recent banquet by Board Chairman Jim Blackwell.
Massachusetts is proposing 2 options for Striped Bass in 2000: status quo (1 fish per day at 28") or and increase in the minimum size from 18-34". Although the Striped Bass Management Board of the ASMFC is mandating all states reduce mortality on older, 8+ age and older bass by 14% in 2000, language in the ruling allowed states to take credits if they had regulations more conservative than the 2 fish per day at 28" allowed for all coastal states since 1995. Massachusetts reps to the ASMFC SB Board (Diodati) made a case that our credits equalled more than a 14% savings, thus no reductions should be required for 2000. The SB Board approved the plan.
The MA Citizens Striped Bass Advisory Panel met in January to discuss 2000 options. This panel consists of organizations such as Mass Striped Bass, Cape Cod Salties, Surfcaster groups, Beach Buggy Assoc., MA Sportsman Council, Vineyard Derby, Charter Boat Associations, Commercial Fishing Associations and CCA, to name some. Also there were tackle shop owners, seafood dealer etc. This group prefered a status quo option for 2000 as well, feeling that MA had already done its share for the conservation of Striped Bass and other states should reduce to 1 fish like us. Although in support of the notion that other states should be more conservation-minded, CCA lead an effort to support an increased minimum size in 2000 to 34"
The final result was 2 options from the Panel that are now out for public comment. CCA supports a hiher minimum limit because older fish are experiencing mortality rates above those targetted in the management plan. Remaining at status quo reduces the debate to allocation, with MA not willing to give up anything more. Raising the minimum size is the correct conservation approach and is best for the fish. That is why CCA MA supports the latter.
Please try to attend one of the public hearings if you can.
Tuesday, Mar 7 at 6:00 PM
Fuller School, Gloucester
Wednesday, Mar 8 at 6:00 Pm
Mass Maritime Acad., Buzz. Bay
Friday, Mar 10 at 4:00 PM
Senior Center, Martha's Vineyard
Althoughthe MADMF probably met the required 3 weeks of public notice by publishing the meeting times in a couple of newspapers, no effort was made to reach anglers at large. You know information is not getting out when CCA MA doesn't even hear about it until last Wednesday, Mar 1. But we still worked OT to get a notice out to our members and contrary to an earlier thread, the hearings were mentioned at our recent banquet by Board Chairman Jim Blackwell.
Massachusetts is proposing 2 options for Striped Bass in 2000: status quo (1 fish per day at 28") or and increase in the minimum size from 18-34". Although the Striped Bass Management Board of the ASMFC is mandating all states reduce mortality on older, 8+ age and older bass by 14% in 2000, language in the ruling allowed states to take credits if they had regulations more conservative than the 2 fish per day at 28" allowed for all coastal states since 1995. Massachusetts reps to the ASMFC SB Board (Diodati) made a case that our credits equalled more than a 14% savings, thus no reductions should be required for 2000. The SB Board approved the plan.
The MA Citizens Striped Bass Advisory Panel met in January to discuss 2000 options. This panel consists of organizations such as Mass Striped Bass, Cape Cod Salties, Surfcaster groups, Beach Buggy Assoc., MA Sportsman Council, Vineyard Derby, Charter Boat Associations, Commercial Fishing Associations and CCA, to name some. Also there were tackle shop owners, seafood dealer etc. This group prefered a status quo option for 2000 as well, feeling that MA had already done its share for the conservation of Striped Bass and other states should reduce to 1 fish like us. Although in support of the notion that other states should be more conservation-minded, CCA lead an effort to support an increased minimum size in 2000 to 34"
The final result was 2 options from the Panel that are now out for public comment. CCA supports a hiher minimum limit because older fish are experiencing mortality rates above those targetted in the management plan. Remaining at status quo reduces the debate to allocation, with MA not willing to give up anything more. Raising the minimum size is the correct conservation approach and is best for the fish. That is why CCA MA supports the latter.
Please try to attend one of the public hearings if you can.
Tuesday, Mar 7 at 6:00 PM
Fuller School, Gloucester
Wednesday, Mar 8 at 6:00 Pm
Mass Maritime Acad., Buzz. Bay
Friday, Mar 10 at 4:00 PM
Senior Center, Martha's Vineyard