ASMFC Weakfish Board Adopts Addendum IV

[CaptTB]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

ASMFC Weakfish Board Adopts Addendum IV in Response to
Depleted Stock Status

Newport, Rhode Island – The Commission’s Weakfish Management Board approved measures to reduce exploitation by over 50 percent in both the recreational and commercial sectors. Addendum IV requires states to implement a one fish recreational creel limit, 100 pound commercial trip limit, 100 pound commercial bycatch limit during closed seasons, and 100 undersized fish per trip allowance for the finfish trawl fishery. All other management measures previously adopted to conserve the stock and reduce bycatch remain in effect.

The Board’s action comes in response to the stock status of weakfish.........

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PRESS RELEASE (http://www.asmfc.org/press_releases/2009/pr46WeakfishAddendumIvApproval.pdf)

[bunker dunker]

i guess the bait shops will have to sell there worms 1 in a bag

[dales529]

At least this one is somewhat understandable. Weakfish have not been plentiful nor have I heard major complaints about throwing back weakfish due to regs. Unless I am missing something we are not going to be hurt too bad by this ammendment (assuming the reason is valid in this case).
Guess the point is that in SOME cases the regs make sense but this is the ONLY one I can say that for based on the recent closures / regs for species that are NOT deemed to be in trouble yet are regulated / closed anyway.

[Reelron]

i guess the bait shops will have to sell there worms 1 in a bag
Nah, you buy a dozen in March for your two flounder then keep them in the back of your Fridge until late August for your one Weakfish.

[bunker dunker]

thats funny!!!!.the way their shutting things down,bait will be cheap next year.

[Pete]

Tony,

Thanks for these timely postings.

Sadly, it looks as if the weaks have gone the way of the whiting. It used to be a nice transition from fluke before the fall bass run. I am still holding out hope that the species "demise" is only cyclical. Honestly, however, it has been a couple years now since we had a true weak run. Hey, I didn't target weaks at all this year. The sea bass filled in that gap. Let's hope we can still target them next season. I really feel for those guys trying to scratch out a living in the party/ charter boat business. They are being regulated right out of business.

[CAPT RALPH]

WOW we can keep our 2 flounder and freeze then until we get our 1 weakfish and, holy cow we can have 1 meal.