bowfishing for cow nose rays.

[Delawareriver]

Since my thread was locked because guys couldn't debate without getting nasty i wanted to clear a few things as a bowfishing myself who has traveled across the country shooting in 15 different states, as well as being on the bowfishing association of America board of directors.

OK I don't expect everyone to want this to happen and I'll be glad to answer any questions on the subject.

Yes the large explosion of ray population up and down the east coast is believe to caused by the reduced shark population. No one ever said that was a good thing, yet it still leaves the ray populations growing with no natural predators. No we don't want to wipe out the population and as many have said an recreation fishery will never deplete a fishery as long as common sense is used. Especially with the numbers of guys actually practicing bowfishing I don't believe there would be any chance if wiping out the population. It hasn't happened yet in any state south of us down the Atlantic Coast line which every state from Delaware to texas allows saltwater bowfishing.
But I do believe it would either slow the growth of the population or even better stabilize it. It's like white tail deer, was it right we killed off the eastern mountain lion, eastern wolves, and bears, no of course not but without natural predators we now have to control the white tail population through hunting not only for the forests health but also for their own health as uncontrolled would destroy their food sources as the rays are adding to the problem of decreasing shellfish populations

No i highly doubt it opens the door for a commercial fishery of the rays as Maryland and Virginia have tried to open a commercial fishery for several years to help reduce the population but we're unsuccessful. The blind taste test proved to pass yet the visual and sound of cownose stingray ultimately lead to poor sales.

Sure some guys might not see bowfishing as a recreational way to fish. Sure it's not traditional especially here in New Jersey but what is the definition of recreation fishing. Recreation is something you do for fun and fishing is a way to catch a fish. I've done every type of fishing imaginable with all kinds of different types of tackle and techniques, some throughly enjoy others i didn't care for yet as a sportsman I will help fight to all techniques even if it's not one i practice

As far as the current legality of bowfishing currently in marine water it states the only means of recreation fishing is with a rod and reel or a hand line unless specific regulations say otherwise

Then another regulations specifically for spear fishing says one must be fully submerged while spear fishing.

No regulaton states anything about bowfishing leaving it an illegal way to fish in marine waters.

Last in the thread one guy mentions the rays a bottom fish with really no chance of bowfishing being practical for them. Actually cow nose are the diamond shaped rays that swim any where in the water column. On warm sunny days often times they will cruise the surface sun bathing sometimes even lifting their wing tips out of the water. Other times they move into shallow grass flats to feed on crabs. So yes bowfishing for cow nose rays could be very practical here in new jersey if given the chance.

As I said be glad to answer any questions. I don't expect everyone to agree but from sportsman to another I ask guys that believe this makes sense to sign the petetion and help a good cause for open up a recreational fishery