Striped Bass Regs for 2020

[Gerry Zagorski]

So it looks like we are over fishing again and there will be changes recommended to the regulations as a result.. Going through the internal draft stage now and will likely open up for public comment in August.

The stock assessments indicate a decline in the Spawning Stock Biomass which is a leading indicator of what's to come and deemed to be below the predetermined thresholds... In plain English this means there are thought to be not enough spawning Stripers to bring the fishery back to sustainable levels.

The other issue besides the stock assessments that comes into play when setting future regulations are assumed landings. You apply the "Best Science" assumptions which predicts future landings and the regulations are then decided upon that hopefully keep you under your quota and recover the Spawning Stock Biomass to sustainable levels...

Is your head hurting yet Are you still with me

It's assumed the 90% of the recreational fish are caught and released which is the good news. The bad news is they assume a 9% mortality rate (9% die after being released) which is responsible for 49 % removals since the fish are assumed dead and the remaining 51% is what was assumed to be caught and kept/removed.

The 9% mortality rate seems high to me, not sure about others here. I believe it's less since fishermen are a lot more careful about landing and handling Stripers then they used to be... I see very few gut hooked fish partly due to circle hooks and since people are not clamming as much. I've personally revived some big fish I thought we're done only to see them swim away...

Having said that, there are some fairly detailed scientific reports and studies that would dispute my gut feel on this... Like this one https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/D...tyresearch.pdf

Not sure where everyone else is on this fishery but one thing I am sure of is we are going to be looking at more stringent regulations in 2020. And, when public comment comes around and the options to keep us in compliance are presented (bag limits, season length, slot fish etc) you need to be prepared to make your voice heard if you want your opinion to count... Belly aching here does not count

OK..... let's have it!!