Mortality rate reduction discussion and future petition...

[ShaneY]

I would like to put together a petition asking for lowered mortality rates that would be presented to the managers later on. What I am looking for now is to see what people would like to see on it so that we can get as many names on there as possible.
1. rec. take lowered to one fish per licensed angler(like it or not there will be a SW license next year).
2. circle hooks required for bait fishing
3. a tag system that would be required for keeping bass and limited to X amount per year per angler (money from tags and fines for not tagging will go toward enforcement and habitat improvement for both stripers and baitfish).
4. no gaffing of stripers

I welcome all your input on this and if anyone has experience in putting together an effort like this your help would be appreciated as well. Also I know there will be some opposed to this but for the purpose of this thread keep it civil or please don't post.
Thanks, now lets get the ball rolling...

[FlyFishFrostie]

Great thoughts, Shane, and thanks for taking the initiative.

What about also proposing a commensurate reduction in the commercial quota, or at least to levels no higher than 2009's actual commercial take, if nothing more than a bargaining chip?

Or, what about proposing an across-the-board reduction in aggregate take to 1993 levels until striper stocks rebound to levels of the early 2000s, with the argument being that the MSY seems to have been seriously miscalculated?

Why anyone who cares about the striper fishery would not electively use circle hooks with bait is beyond me, but watch how much ire this statement will raise here.

[Onshore]

[QUOTE=FlyFishFrostie;276854]Great thoughts, Shane, and thanks for taking the initiative.
What about also proposing a commensurate reduction in the commercial quota, or at least to levels no higher than 2009's actual commercial take, if nothing more than a bargaining chip? QUOTE]

I'd let sleeping dogs lie. The coms just took it on the chin over the rollover addendum. They are pretty riled up, from what I hear.

[Onshore]

[QUOTE=ShaneY;276851]I would like to put together a petition asking for lowered mortality rates that would be presented to the managers later on. What I am looking for now is to see what people would like to see on it so that we can get as many names on there as possible. QUOTE]

Shane,
Before anyone gets up a petition, someone in each state- assuming your dealing with folks from ME, NH, MA, RI should have a talk with one or more of their 3 ASMFC commissioners and sound them out as to what has a chance to get through the Commission. I'd caution to start out with something that has a fair chance of success and build on it. Also, the folks at ASMFC look on giving advice as one of their principal duties. What they don't like is to be presented with an idea like a petition that forces them to support it or not with them having no input before seeing it. That's just MHO.

[Doug Jowett]

Originally Posted by ShaneY

I would like to put together a petition asking for lowered mortality rates that would be presented to the managers later on. What I am looking for now is to see what people would like to see on it so that we can get as many names on there as possible.
1. rec. take lowered to one fish per licensed angler(like it or not there will be a SW license next year).
2. circle hooks required for bait fishing
3. a tag system that would be required for keeping bass and limited to X amount per year per angler (money from tags and fines for not tagging will go toward enforcement and habitat improvement for both stripers and baitfish).
4. no gaffing of stripers

I welcome all your input on this and if anyone has experience in putting together an effort like this your help would be appreciated as well. Also I know there will be some opposed to this but for the purpose of this thread keep it civil or please don't post.
Thanks, now lets get the ball rolling...

I like the ideas.

[ShaneY]

I like your idea Bill it is best to get them in on it from the beginning I will see if I can make contact with them tomorrow(im at work now) and see what they say. It would be really great if we can get this in front of them and almost have them think it was their idea in the first place and then they'll be behind it. Also thanks for the constant posts on this stuff over the years you've got me motivated and I hope others will join us.

[averagejoe]

I like it but my biggest issue is a complete lack of inshore baitfish- how can you address that? (peanut bunker)