Save the bunker - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

sternline · #1 10-29-2013, 07:39 PM

On November 5, let's remember who ordered the NJ delegation to the ASMFC meeting in Baltimore last December to vote AGAINST any significant protection for what's left of the bunker population. When New Jersey consistently voted with Virginia it was voting against the interests of all recreational anglers and for the interests of Omega Protein, the company that has been annihilating the bunker population.

bulletbob · #2 10-29-2013, 08:31 PM

Look, I am not one to piss in anyone's cheerios, however, I must disagree.. In all my life, I have never seen anything like the huge masses of bunker in Sandy Hook and raritan bays past couple years.. i mean miles of them, schools as far as the eye could see, this year and last.. Perhaps I am just seeing whats in the bays, and there may be more of a population problem than I am aware of, but man, the bunkers I have seen past several years has been unlike anything I can remember. and I have been fishing NJ waters for 50 years on and off...

Captain Rich · #3 10-29-2013, 08:51 PM

Bob-Unfortunately we are not seeing the schools stretch for miles out in the ocean, all indicators agree that commercial reduction fleets are decimating this resouce. Water quality in Chesapeake Bay stinks because there is no bunker, oyster fishing stinks because there is no bunker and a virus bloomed and wiped out the oyster beds, crabbing there stinks because the stripers have switched over to juvenile crabs because there is no bunker. The stripers you catch in the upper bay look scrawney and have skin sores because there is no bunker. Start to see a picture ? All of this is to protect Omega and approximately 60 employees and a couple of very wealthy owners. Unfortunately we never see the big picture until it is too late. We need the bait boats, we don't need the reduction fleets.

Captain Rich · #4 10-29-2013, 08:52 PM

Sternline - do you have any particular names in mind ??

sternline · #5 10-29-2013, 08:58 PM

Just one name. Clue: He is the one person who has the authority to order NJ delegates to the ASMFC to vote one way or another. Clue #2: You can vote for or against this person on Tuesday.

bulletbob · #6 10-29-2013, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Rich Adler

Bob-Unfortunately we are not seeing the schools stretch for miles out in the ocean, all indicators agree that commercial reduction fleets are decimating this resouce. Water quality in Chesapeake Bay stinks because there is no bunker, oyster fishing stinks because there is no bunker and a virus bloomed and wiped out the oyster beds, crabbing there stinks because the stripers have switched over to juvenile crabs because there is no bunker. The stripers you catch in the upper bay look scrawney and have skin sores because there is no bunker. Start to see a picture ? All of this is to protect Omega and approximately 60 employees and a couple of very wealthy owners. Unfortunately we never see the big picture until it is too late. We need the bait boats, we don't need the reduction fleets.

Understood, and I stand corrected.. You guys are out in the ocean all the time,near and far, each and every day.. You are getting a broad view that I am not...
I saw the big bunker numbers in the bays past few years and figured the population was like that everywhere... I appreciate the explanation..bob

Capt. Debbie · #7 10-30-2013, 10:43 AM

I don't know about 40 or 50 years ago, but I would say the bunk population is definitely better than it was in the 1990's when I was running charters out of Belmar and Raritan bay. That I have no doubt about that.

So don't vote for Christie is the cryptic message? Not really sure why it's cryptic? What is this like Harry Potter for "he who must not be named"? LMAO

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulletbob

Understood, and I stand corrected.. You guys are out in the ocean all the time,near and far, each and every day.. You are getting a broad view that I am not...
I saw the big bunker numbers in the bays past few years and figured the population was like that everywhere... I appreciate the explanation..bob

Ol Pedro · #8 10-30-2013, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Frank

So don't vote for Christie is the cryptic message? Not really sure why it's cryptic? What is this like Harry Potter for "he who must not be named"? LMAO

I get it, lets vote for the "Nice Lady" who's party is pro catch share and see how bad things will get. The current Pres.'s administration could care less about us. His appointee's are pushing their agenda and refuse to listen to the people. It doesn't matter that it cost jobs in the middle of a recession. They don't want us to fish, hunt, or own firearms. At least you can talk to Gov. C. He will be at the rally this weekend. If you have concerns you can voice them. I generally don't vote the party line but this time I AM !

sternline · #9 10-30-2013, 04:53 PM

[QUOTE=Capt. Frank]I don't know about 40 or 50 years ago, but I would say the bunk population is definitely better than it was in the 1990's when I was running charters out of Belmar and Raritan bay. That I have no doubt about that.

/QUOTE]

Hey, Capt. Frank, what you are forgetting is that until 2002 the reduction industry (that is, Omega Protein) was scooping up most of the bunker schools in New Jersey waters. Then we passed a law--thanks to all the folks who understood what was happening--that kicked the reduction industry out of our waters. So, yes, then we started seeing bunkers like nobody had seen in a long time. But these are just the remnants left by the reduction industry. The bunker population along this whole coast has crashed because Omega Protein is annihilating the babies in the Chesapeake and annihilating the schools of adult spawners in federal waters, that is beyond the 3-mile jurisdiction of New Jersey. Every coastal state except Virginia has now banned the reduction industry, but we are fast approaching the point where the species will not be viable as an important fish. That's why our delegation should not have been voting with Virginia at that crucial ASMFC meeting.

Capt Sal · #10 10-29-2013, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulletbob

Look, I am not one to piss in anyone's cheerios, however, I must disagree.. In all my life, I have never seen anything like the huge masses of bunker in Sandy Hook and raritan bays past couple years.. i mean miles of them, schools as far as the eye could see, this year and last.. Perhaps I am just seeing whats in the bays, and there may be more of a population problem than I am aware of, but man, the bunkers I have seen past several years has been unlike anything I can remember. and I have been fishing NJ waters for 50 years on and off...

Most of the bunker this year were not ''spawners''.We are missing a year class.Although there were bunker schools around it is nothing like what it supposed to be.In the past Raritan Bay was loaded with mature bunker all fall.This is not the case anymore.No mature bunker no peanut bunker no bunker to mature and spawn.If you saw the quantity of bunker we had 40 and 50 years ago you would be amazed!