[ed robinson]

Why is this important to us in Maryland? To add to the states that already have gamefish status, Stripers Forever has been able to introduce a bill in the Mass. legislature to make Stripers a gamefish in that state. The more states that prevent commercial take of our beloved rockfish, the more pressure that will eventually be placed on Maryland to follow suit.

Striped Bass Bill Divides Fishermen - 2/6/09 - Vineyard Gazette Online

This also adds to the discussion here about the status of the Striper population along the coast.

 

[heimdall]

Why is this important to us in Maryland? To add to the states that already have gamefish status, Stripers Forever has been able to introduce a bill in the Mass. legislature to make Stripers a gamefish in that state. The more states that prevent commercial take of our beloved rockfish, the more pressure that will eventually be placed on Maryland to follow suit.

Striped Bass Bill Divides Fishermen - 2/6/09 - Vineyard Gazette Online

This also adds to the discussion here about the status of the Striper population along the coast.

Guy in the article brings up a good point. 80% are caught by rec fisherman. Why cut out a group that isn't doing the most damage to the stock?

 

[paxfish]

The bill also proposing cutting the rec harvest by half. That's an even bigger chunk. Plus a slot.

It looks like they are considering a roughly 60% reduction.

More importantly, they are seeing the same population drop up there that we are seeing. That sucks.

 

[ed robinson]

An Act Relative To The Conservation Of Atlantic Striped Bass - The Bill

 

[capt.george]

The bill also proposing cutting the rec harvest by half. That's an even bigger chunk. Plus a slot.

It looks like they are considering a roughly 60% reduction.

More importantly, they are seeing the same population drop up there that we are seeing. That sucks.

Q-More importantly, they are seeing the same population drop up there that we are seeing. That sucks.-Q

---Tell that to the Soft Crab population -Before a Full moon would be better rather than After, if for only a Larger audiance Participation --

---Your Striper stock , Migratory & Resident , at least in Md. Where we Fish , is Ok ---Tear filled Pleas from the Decks of Yankee Boats will always flo into their Scuppers --These are the same tears we see in in Virginia Hotels ---Beware of what you are told by Sea Lawyers --

 

[iFishMD]

According to the online fishing reports Mass did seem to have a very down year on stripers this year. However, Long Island and Rhode Island had banner years. It is possible the exceptionally cold ocean water this year shortened the migratory run. I dont know purely, speculating. Since a lot of seasoned fisherman up and down the coast in traditionally strong areas are reporting lower catches, either the increased pressure is forcing the fish offshore or the populations are declining. Hopefully this will be looked into more closely by those managing the species. While I am not a commercial fisherman or desire to be one, I am not sure gamefish status is the answer as the commercial market is a vital part of our economy and it serves the general public. I do think there can be greater steps taken in smart managment and stricter enforcement on both sides.

 

[goose70]

Guy in the article brings up a good point. 80% are caught by rec fisherman. Why cut out a group that isn't doing the most damage to the stock?

The problem is, as we are now seeing, the commercial numbers may be wildly undereported. The current commercial number is not particularly useful. Of course, the recreational number is also a guess. The point is, we simply don't know and commercial methods are far more capable of quickly decimating a species than rec methods. Do we cut out commercial fishing altogether? I'm not sure that I'm prepared to take that position, but commercial business as usual cannot continue (same may be true for rec business as usual).

 

[Shawn Kimbro]

The theory that the public has a right to eat rockfish just blows me away.

 

[iFishMD]

It is the same as recreational fisherman believing they have the right to fish for them. (which I beleive we do-- I dont believe the state owns our natural resources but they have the power to regulate it so the public may enjoy it)

 

[Shawn Kimbro]

I don't think I have that *right.* I look at it as a privilege and a responsibility. Don't most people see it that way?

 

[iFishMD]

No I see it as a right. Responsibility and regulations comes with a lot of rights too. I am "privileged" to be able to afford to do in the fashion that I do. Natural resources such as the bay and the species that live in it were put here by God (or by accident in a big explosion if you are an athiest) for man to rule over and enjoy. I dont believe the state owns the bay. They just regulate/organize it for all of us to enjoy it fairly.

In other countries it may not be viewed this way. (or in some leftist circles that believe the state "owns" everything )

 

[Scott McGuire]

Well none of it is a right.

It is a privledge issued to you by the State of MD, when you purchase a license.

 

[iFishMD]

Yes they tax it in order to manage it but can they deny you the license if you pay the tax?

 

[goose70]

Rights and ownership are two different animals, although the latter can, in some circumstances, give rise to the former.

Maryland does, in fact, own the navigable waterways within its territory. This goes back to its original crown charter and continued after the formation of the U.S. Of course, Maryland, itself, is a state established by the people, so one can easily make the argument that the citizens of Maryland own these waterways. But recognizing practical limitations of having a committee of millions (or hundreds of thousands, at that time), Maryland's government has the constitutional mandate to administer those waterways, including the fish and game in it. The laws governing this administration are formed by representatives elected by the citizens.

OK. You probably knew all of that. But this takes us to whether fishing, or catching fish, is a right. The U.S. and Maryland Constitution set forth our rights. Whether or not favored by a majority of the citizens, a state's regulatory authority cannot be used to regulate away these rights. I do not recall fishing being one of these rights (in VA, though, it may actually be a right). Accordingly, in MD, fishing can be regulated away, at least arguably, so long as the State can demonstrate some rational basis for doing so ("rational basis" being the lowest legal standard used by courts to examine the constitutionality of a law).

 

[Doggydaddy]

Are recs here in Md willing to catch & release large breading stock stripers without regulations?

 

[Scott McGuire]

Yes they tax it in order to manage it but can they deny you the license if you pay the tax?

Goose explained it better than me.

Thanks Goose!

 

[Shawn Kimbro]

Something's wrong with me, I keep finding myself on the same side as Crow Bait lately. I think I'll switch over to Greg's side just for the sake of argument!

 

[Scott McGuire]

You need to take me Yellow Ned Fishing, Shawn.

 

[tksmitty]

Whether granted by god or a government body it is a privledge no matter how you look at it. If there are no fish to catch did someone take away your "rights"?

 

[iFishMD]

Thank you mr lawyer. This had me do some research. It is a right in Virginia. Constitution of Virginia by adding in Article XI a section numbered 4 in 2000 (page 35 here http://legis.state.va.us/Laws/search/constofva.pdf ). There is no such language in the constitution of Maryland. However I would think that there would be a million law suits and it would be successfully argued that it is a right whether it is written or not. Like I said, many rights can be managed for the common good and I believe this one of those rights whether it is written in our state constitution or not.

Google "Right to Hunt and fish".. Tons of information! Big debate. (as seen here too)