ASMFC Talks New Striped Bass Regs

WBOC, ASMFC Annual Meeting Discusses Possible Rockfish Regulations

Last week, the Department of Natural Resources' report from this year showed a steep decline in the number of juvenile rockfish in the Chesapeake Bay.

Wednesday, The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission met to strategize on how to improve those numbers.

Several options were discussed for both recreational anglers and commercial watermen within the Chesapeake Bay. For recreational fisherman, all possible options centered around lowering the maximum size of rockfish that can be kept. Currently, the maximum size is 31 inches. But, the commission is considering lowering that to a range between 23 and 26 inches.

Given that the majority of Stripers kept be recreational fisherman are just over the current 19 inch minimum, with very few near the current 31 inch maximum, it would take a significant downward move in the upper limit to make a large reduction in the recreational catch. And when you consider that the recreational 'catch' is currently calculated to largely consist of post-release mortality caused by anglers throwing back smaller fish in and trying to catch larger ones, it may cause more mortality in the classes over the maximum when they have to be thrown back too. I would suggest lowering the minimum to 18 inches where it was for years, in addition to whatever reduction in the maximum is, so that recreational anglers catch their one fish more easily and go home. An 18 inch fish is a respectable eating size.

For commercial watermen, there could be a reduction in quota and a change in the maximum size limits.

It's important to note no decisions were made. DNR did discuss which options to remove or add for future public discussion. The commission says a public comment period will begin in November. No decisions will be made until at least January 2024.

As far as the commercial quotas and sizes, I trust the DNR, under the watchful eyes of the Maryland Watermen's Association, will treat the watermen as generously as they can justify (and maybe a little more). 

At this point, it's hard to imagine a moratorium is not in our future.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Best Wrench Wench And Gun Bunny Too? up at The Other McCain more or less on time.