In case you didn’t know, the deadline to submit comments on Striped Bass Draft Addendum II is December 22nd. Comments can be emailed to [email protected] with the subject line “Striped Bass Draft Addendum II”.
The addendum is a follow up to the emergency action striped bass slot limit of 28-31 inches that was taken this past spring. The purpose of the addendum is to establish measures to reduce striped bass fishing mortality by 14.5%.
If you aren’t familiar with Striped Bass Draft Addendum II, then you can learn more by:
- watching this explanation of the proposal
https://youtu.be/epGxYo_P-bw - watching this video of a recent ASMFC Public Striped Bass Hearing:
https://www.youtube.com/live/cRyNuUXGRGU?si=rpROESwrwRH8bDuU
If you decide to submit a comment, then it is important to make your comment original. Include your own opinions, thoughts and feelings about the addendum.
A lot of fishing clubs and people who are well versed in the statistics and regulations, have submitted comments that do a nice job of addressing every single issue that’s talked about in the addendum.
If you aren’t sure what to say in your comment, then you can get ideas by:
- viewing the Massachusett’s Striped Bass Association’s guide to public comment:
https://www.msba.net/_files/ugd/0ff91d_9286879908b74dcaa2eb308aea3a65a4.pdf 1 - reading this in-depth analysis published by the American Saltwater Guides Association:
Striped Bass Addendum II – Public Comment Guide – American Saltwater Guides Association - viewing the Plum Island Surfcasters club response:
Striped Bass Fishing Regulations: Current Proposal from ASMFC | Plum Island Surfcasters
You can use the resources above as a guideline, but you definitely don’t want to copy/paste.
I’m not as well versed in those statistics and regulations, so I’ve decided to keep my comment short and sweet. I’ve included it below, but again it’s important to make your own comment unique to you!
Dear ASMFC,
I personally feel that striped bass, along with many species of fish and animals, are under tremendous stress right now. Fishing pressure, development, environmental changes, technology, and many other factors are having an impact on striped bass and other species.
Therefore my recommendation and hope is that the management board makes conservation of the species, and rebuilding the population, their most important objectives. I am personally onboard with whatever measures are necessary to achieve a 14.5% reduction in fishing mortality as quickly as possible.
Best regards,
Ryan Collins
Once again you can send your email to [email protected] with the subject line “Striped Bass Draft Addendum II”.
Comments do have an impact on the final decision, so if you care about this then it’s important to take a moment and send an email before the December 22nd deadline.
After the December 22nd deadline all the comments will be reviewed and ASMFC will be take final action on the addendum during their January 23-25 meeting.
Thank you all for reading this post. I really appreciate it! 🎣