Should NJ Go Out of Compliance on Stripers?

[pddmd]

If I may share what happens if the Marine Fisheries Council votes to maintain our current regulations.
1) The ASMFC board would have to meet, and take a vote to find NJ out of compliance. Normally this would not happen until the August meeting, but we have been told there will be a virtual meeting if necessary. As the Board voted 15-1 that vote is certain.
2) If found out of compliance, NJ would have 30 days to put forward a defense of its action. Said defense could be based on procedural, biological, or economical issues for example.
3) ASMFC would then send the case to the Secretary of Commerce, who would be in a position to arbitrate. If he rules against NJ, then the ASMFC would move forward with a moratorium.
4) The moratorium would effect only striped bass. But it would be an effort moratorium, meaning no harvest or catch and release. It would also stop the Striped Bass Bonus Program, as it is based on NJ prior commercial landings.
5) To end the moratorium, the NJMFC would have to meet and vote to come in to compliance. Then, the Commisioner would have to sign off on the document for the ASMFC to rescind the moratorium.

[Broad Bill]

Originally Posted by pddmd

If I may share what happens if the Marine Fisheries Council votes to maintain our current regulations.
1) The ASMFC board would have to meet, and take a vote to find NJ out of compliance. Normally this would not happen until the August meeting, but we have been told there will be a virtual meeting if necessary. As the Board voted 15-1 that vote is certain.
2) If found out of compliance, NJ would have 30 days to put forward a defense of its action. Said defense could be based on procedural, biological, or economical issues for example.
3) ASMFC would then send the case to the Secretary of Commerce, who would be in a position to arbitrate. If he rules against NJ, then the ASMFC would move forward with a moratorium.
4) The moratorium would effect only striped bass. But it would be an effort moratorium, meaning no harvest or catch and release. It would also stop the Striped Bass Bonus Program, as it is based on NJ prior commercial landings.
5) To end the moratorium, the NJMFC would have to meet and vote to come in to compliance. Then, the Commisioner would have to sign off on the document for the ASMFC to rescind the moratorium.

Thanks for the clarification. I thought the moratorium when New Jersey was considering going out of compliance during the "Enough is Enough" 2017 fluke debacle involved a potential moratorium of all recreational and commercial fishing for said species. Link to article attached, if "pddmd" is John DePersenaire, you're quoted in the article.

The reality is saltwater management decisions driven by the Department of Commerce, NMFS, ASMFC and MAMFC are and have been for some time based on the economics of fisheries and not about the management of stocks themselves. Until these regulatory bodies stop playing trading for dollars and start actually managing resources, nothing will change.

https://www.nj.com/entertainment/201...egulation.html

Either way for a vote that was 15 - 1 in favor of the new regulations, New Jersey or any state stands zero chance of a different outcome if they opted to go out of compliance. A choice with severe downside risks and no upside benefit. The Feds would never allow NJ or any state to dictate policy decisions and set a precedent.

Choosing to go out of compliance would in my opinion not soon be forgotten by the Secretary of Commerce and NMFS. It wouldn't surprise me if New Jersey opted to fight this, next years fluke regulations would be 2 fish at 21" with a shortened season and it wouldn't end there.

[baseballman]

This is a no-win situation, but I can't imagine anyone benefits from a potential fishery shutdown.

[NoLimit]

What is the data? There seems to be more stripers these past few years so what’s the problem? Why shut it down? And don’t believe the experts or the other states without an explanation

[Capt Sal]

Originally Posted by NoLimit

What is the data? There seems to be more stripers these past few years so what’s the problem? Why shut it down? And don’t believe the experts or the other states without an explanation

The Hudson stock is fine as you can see with the great striper fishing in the Raritan Bay Sandy Hook area. It is better now than 20 years ago! The Chesapeak stock is in decline and commercial and recreation both crushed the stock. Now they want a coast wide ridiculous limit at 28-31''? They are making the Northern states pay for the over fishing to the South! We are a PRODUCER STATE and should not be lumped in to one big category. If they do this it will bankrupt for hire vessels and stop recreational interest in this great fishery. It is a lose lose situation. We are screwed by our government in every way possible!!!