The Fisherman Magazine's Jim Hutchinson

[Chrisper4694]

This weeks episode is really cool if you've ever heard of a little magazine called The Fisherman or a guy named Jim Hutchinson 😆

It was both entertaining and informative sitting down with Jim to talk about the future of the striped bass fisheries, fishing technology and its' effects on the fisheries, and other topics.

Youtube link to the episode below:

https://youtu.be/w7Ov3krDtXE?si=eIjirLoanjAjuL6w

[Gerry Zagorski]

Great episode!

[Broad Bill]

Jim's a smart guy, very informed, does his research and is committed. Unfortunately he's up against the same bureaucratic corrupt system and politicians any one else who has gone to battle with the Department of Commerce, NOAA, NMFS, ASMFC and MAFMC have. These combined organizations have caused enormous problems for stocks causing long term issues which won't be solved in the short term and certainly before an entirely new philosophy of fisheries management is adopted. Both fluke and striped bass have been harmed by decisions or lack thereof causing recruitment levels for both stocks to fall off the cliff. Protecting recruitment, including environmental issues with bass, protecting the spawning stock and controlling commercial catch and waste is the answer to every failed or failing fishery. It really isn't rocket science, it's common sense but common sense unfortunately takes a very back seat to the $250 BILLION industry in this Country which has become yet again another slush fund involving a public resource lining politicians, state and federal governments and business's bank accounts.

[Mark G]

You are correct in that Jim is a very knowledgeable guy he is someone I respect and follow every week its great to have him in our corner Thanks Jim

[AndyS]

Where is governor Murphy ??? You ever hear the guy udder the words fish, trees, ocean, fishing, hunting, sportsmen, hell no !!! All he cares about is concrete and asphalt, the last two things this State needs. Christie Todd Whitman used to shop at Efingers.

[Chrisper4694]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Where is governor Murphy ??? You ever hear the guy udder the words fish, trees, ocean, fishing, hunting, sportsmen, hell no !!! All he cares about is concrete and asphalt, the last two things this State needs. Christie Todd Whitman used to shop at Efingers.

At least he will be gone, now we just need to get bill spadea in!

[dales529]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Where is governor Murphy ??? You ever hear the guy udder the words fish, trees, ocean, fishing, hunting, sportsmen, hell no !!! All he cares about is concrete and asphalt, the last two things this State needs. Christie Todd Whitman used to shop at Efingers.

Playing devils advocate here: I agree about Murphy lack of attention to our sport . Have you been stuck in the Rte 80 sinkhole traffic the last 3 weeks with no timeline coming. Some concrete and asphalt is much needed sooner than later

Also Christie Todd Whitman did more for our sport and cleaning up our rivers, oceans etc than anyone. I remember that Saturday radio call in with Jim D from RFA to then Gov Chris Christie and the Gov said Hi Jim my secretary told me to take this call about the Fluke thing!
Really the Fluke "thing" LOL / Largest economic influx from rec fishing in NJ and its just a "thing"

Not sure Bill Spadea has a track record any different for rec fishing? Or does he/just asking? It appears he is only talking about tax remedies for small business including charter and commercials which is a good thing but I dont see anything on understanding NJ fishing regulations ?

[Broad Bill]

The one thing I heard repeatedly from Mike Plaia, Advisory Panel Member who happened to be a complete tool, and select Members from ASMFC, MAFMC and NJ Marine Fisheries is the power is at the Federal level, not the state level. Quotas are set by NMFS, the states are given regulatory options relative to the stock assessment based on data the North East Fisheries Science Center provides.

By the time the original quota is set and options are provided to the states, the states including ASMFC and MAFMC are limited in authority to either choose from those options or propose alternate options that meet conservation equivalency standards. In other words the federal government has the power of setting quotas and the states are limited to choosing regulations in support of those allocations. So in other words the key decisions are made at the federal level and not the state level so whoever the governor ends up being is going to have in my opinion very little impact on the recreational fishing community.

Department of Commerce, NOAA and NMFS is where change needs to occur and I believe if there's ever a chance to protect the spawn, take year round pressure off his fishery especially during winter months or adopt policy changes to address the insane levels of commercial discard waste, those decisions will also need to be made at the federal level. It's possible ASMFC and MAFMC would have more say in closed seasons similar to what is happening with striped bass right now but I still believe the federal government would be required to have final say in decisions of that nature. I don't know how much clout Governors have in the fisheries management process.

[dales529]

Originally Posted by Broad Bill

The one thing I heard repeatedly from Mike Plaia, Advisory Panel Member who happened to be a complete tool, and select Members from ASMFC, MAFMC and NJ Marine Fisheries is the power is at the Federal level, not the state level. Quotas are set by NMFS, the states are given regulatory options relative to the stock assessment based on data the North East Fisheries Science Center provides.

By the time the original quota is set and options are provided to the states, the states including ASMFC and MAFMC are limited in authority to either choose from those options or propose alternate options that meet conservation equivalency standards. In other words the federal government has the power of setting quotas and the states are limited to choosing regulations in support of those allocations. So in other words the key decisions are made at the federal level and not the state level so whoever the governor ends up being is going to have in my opinion very little impact on the recreational fishing community.

Department of Commerce, NOAA and NMFS is where change needs to occur and I believe if there's ever a chance to protect the spawn, take year round pressure off his fishery especially during winter months or adopt policy changes to address the insane levels of commercial discard waste, those decisions will also need to be made at the federal level. It's possible ASMFC and MAFMC would have more say in closed seasons similar to what is happening with striped bass right now but I still believe the federal government would be required to have final say in decisions of that nature. I don't know how much clout Governors have in the fisheries management process.

BB / 100 % correct, Once the Feds develop the quotas the states (in this case NJ) ONLY get to choose from typically 5 options to meet conservation equivalency and /or present another option that still meets what the Fed mandated. NJDEP has the power to present and through the BS public opinion mandate submit NJ option. Governors are not that much involved except for figure head. NJDEP has kept NJ as our own region outside of NY and CT which is a good thing. Having said 2025 Fluke regs remain status quo from last year to the best of my knowledge.