Quote:
Originally Posted by pddmd
If I may share what happens if the Marine Fisheries Council votes to maintain our current regulations.
1) The ASMFC board would have to meet, and take a vote to find NJ out of compliance. Normally this would not happen until the August meeting, but we have been told there will be a virtual meeting if necessary. As the Board voted 15-1 that vote is certain.
2) If found out of compliance, NJ would have 30 days to put forward a defense of its action. Said defense could be based on procedural, biological, or economical issues for example.
3) ASMFC would then send the case to the Secretary of Commerce, who would be in a position to arbitrate. If he rules against NJ, then the ASMFC would move forward with a moratorium.
4) The moratorium would effect only striped bass. But it would be an effort moratorium, meaning no harvest or catch and release. It would also stop the Striped Bass Bonus Program, as it is based on NJ prior commercial landings.
5) To end the moratorium, the NJMFC would have to meet and vote to come in to compliance. Then, the Commisioner would have to sign off on the document for the ASMFC to rescind the moratorium.
|
Thanks for the clarification. I thought the moratorium when New Jersey was considering going out of compliance during the "Enough is Enough" 2017 fluke debacle involved a potential moratorium of all recreational and commercial fishing for said species. Link to article attached, if "pddmd" is John DePersenaire, you're quoted in the article.
The reality is saltwater management decisions driven by the Department of Commerce, NMFS, ASMFC and MAMFC are and have been for some time based on the economics of fisheries and not about the management of stocks themselves. Until these regulatory bodies stop playing trading for dollars and start actually managing resources, nothing will change.
https://www.nj.com/entertainment/201...egulation.html
Either way for a vote that was 15 - 1 in favor of the new regulations, New Jersey or any state stands zero chance of a different outcome if they opted to go out of compliance. A choice with severe downside risks and no upside benefit. The Feds would never allow NJ or any state to dictate policy decisions and set a precedent.
Choosing to go out of compliance would in my opinion not soon be forgotten by the Secretary of Commerce and NMFS. It wouldn't surprise me if New Jersey opted to fight this, next years fluke regulations would be 2 fish at 21" with a shortened season and it wouldn't end there.
