Final Sea Bass and Blackfish Proposals

[Ryan W]

Originally Posted by captadamnj

Yes, it's under consideration. Hoping for the best.

Thank you very much Capt. Adam

[SaltyAngler]

Bump.

[Blackfish Doug]

I wonder if any of our sponsors are considering a RSA permit so we could still fish for Sea Bass during that closure period. I would love to see that as others here would as well. I would not underestimate your Sea Bass customer base. I see a lot of our NJ fisherman fishing the NY RSA boats.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Blackfish Doug

I wonder if any of our sponsors are considering a RSA permit so we could still fish for Sea Bass during that closure period. I would love to see that as others here would as well. I would not underestimate your Sea Bass customer base. I see a lot of our NJ fisherman fishing the NY RSA boats.

I wonder why here in NJ, they don't acquire these permits, a lot of NS Long Island Boats, have been catching them up pretty good.

[RnK]

will third that - would be great, we'd jump on some trips

[Gerry Zagorski]

I wonder why here in NJ, they don't acquire these permits, a lot of NS Long Island Boats, have been catching them up pretty good.

Not sure if this is available here in NJ and if it is, I think boat owners might be looking at this option as a slippery slope here in NJ. If captain "x" buys one then captain "y" is forced to buy one and now they are both paying more to fish.

Seems to me this pay to play mentality is just a way to get everyone to pay more for a fishery that is a natural resource and should be free.

I'm a novice on these matters so I might be all wet here.

[tautog]

I believe not many boats get the RSA here because the state is very slow in moving along the paperwork to allow them to fish as compared to NY which seems to be more efficient. I remember that several boats tried in the past and the state held up their paperwork for months after the official season opened, let alone in time for early fishing.

[Angler Paul]

Option 2 for sea bass passed as well as the blackfish proposal. However, it was pointed out that the proposed regulation to open sea bass in federal waters on 5/19 has not yet been signed into law and probably will not be signed by that time. Therefore as of now the federal regulations remain the same as they were last year with the season opening on 5/22.