http://www.onthewater.com/states-weighing-striped-bass-regulation-options-2015/
******************************************
States Weighing Striped Bass Regulation Options for 2015
by OTW Staff | January 14, 2015 | Featured, Regulations, Saltwater, Stripers & Blues, Stripers & Blues.
*Updated March 5, 2015
Last fall, at a meeting in Mystic, Connecticut, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Striped Bass Management Board voted to implement new coastwide recreational striped bass regulations of 1 fish per day at a minimum size 28 inches, which scientists estimated would achieve a 31% reduction in the harvest.
However, they also gave states the option to form their own “equivalent” regulations, as long as they achieve at least a 25% reduction.
Every state is approaching this option differently, with some state managers accepting the 1-fish bag limit and other states attempting to come up with 2-fish solutions.
Here is the breakdown by state. We’ll update this information as it changes.
Maine: Two options are being considered.
Option A: One fish 28″ or larger.
Option B: One fish slot, 24″ to 26″
New Hampshire: The daily limit for striped bass has been reduced to 1 fish per day, 28″ or larger.
Massachusetts: Massachusetts rejected the idea of special limits for the “for-hire” fleet and adopted a daily limit for striped bass of 1 fish, 28″ or larger.
Rhode Island: Rhode Island is considering two options.
Option A: One fish, 28″ or larger.
Option B: Introduce special rule for “for-hire” captains allowing 2 fish 32″ or larger.
Connecticut: Connecticut is considering two options.
Option A: One fish, 28″ or larger.
Option B: Introduce special rule for “for-hire” captains allowing 2 fish 32″ or larger.
New York: On January 13, NY’s Marine Resources Advisory Council voted to recommend a 2-fish bag limit for the entire recreational sector. These regulations have not been finalized.
Proposed Option: 1 fish 28″-34″ AND 1 fish over 36″
New Jersey: The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council approved a two-fish limit that is waiting on legislative approval.
NJ 2015 Striper Regs (pending): 1 fish 28″ – 43″ AND 1 fish 43″ or above
Alternate Option: 1 fish 29″ – 36″ AND 1 fish 36″ and above
Delaware: Delaware’s Division of Fish & Wildlife will schedule a public hearing on the recreational options in “early 2015.” The hearing record will be open for 30 days at that time and Delaware’s 2015 recreational regulation will be set after thorough consideration of public input.
Maryland: Maryland officials held a public comment period in December on a proposal to reduce the individual daily creel limit from 2 to 1 fish and maintain the current season and 28-inch minimum size limit. An official announcement has not yet been made.
Virginia: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.
North Carolina: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.
******************************************
States Weighing Striped Bass Regulation Options for 2015
by OTW Staff | January 14, 2015 | Featured, Regulations, Saltwater, Stripers & Blues, Stripers & Blues.
*Updated March 5, 2015
Last fall, at a meeting in Mystic, Connecticut, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Striped Bass Management Board voted to implement new coastwide recreational striped bass regulations of 1 fish per day at a minimum size 28 inches, which scientists estimated would achieve a 31% reduction in the harvest.
However, they also gave states the option to form their own “equivalent” regulations, as long as they achieve at least a 25% reduction.
Every state is approaching this option differently, with some state managers accepting the 1-fish bag limit and other states attempting to come up with 2-fish solutions.
Here is the breakdown by state. We’ll update this information as it changes.
Maine: Two options are being considered.
Option A: One fish 28″ or larger.
Option B: One fish slot, 24″ to 26″
New Hampshire: The daily limit for striped bass has been reduced to 1 fish per day, 28″ or larger.
Massachusetts: Massachusetts rejected the idea of special limits for the “for-hire” fleet and adopted a daily limit for striped bass of 1 fish, 28″ or larger.
Rhode Island: Rhode Island is considering two options.
Option A: One fish, 28″ or larger.
Option B: Introduce special rule for “for-hire” captains allowing 2 fish 32″ or larger.
Connecticut: Connecticut is considering two options.
Option A: One fish, 28″ or larger.
Option B: Introduce special rule for “for-hire” captains allowing 2 fish 32″ or larger.
New York: On January 13, NY’s Marine Resources Advisory Council voted to recommend a 2-fish bag limit for the entire recreational sector. These regulations have not been finalized.
Proposed Option: 1 fish 28″-34″ AND 1 fish over 36″
New Jersey: The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council approved a two-fish limit that is waiting on legislative approval.
NJ 2015 Striper Regs (pending): 1 fish 28″ – 43″ AND 1 fish 43″ or above
Alternate Option: 1 fish 29″ – 36″ AND 1 fish 36″ and above
Delaware: Delaware’s Division of Fish & Wildlife will schedule a public hearing on the recreational options in “early 2015.” The hearing record will be open for 30 days at that time and Delaware’s 2015 recreational regulation will be set after thorough consideration of public input.
Maryland: Maryland officials held a public comment period in December on a proposal to reduce the individual daily creel limit from 2 to 1 fish and maintain the current season and 28-inch minimum size limit. An official announcement has not yet been made.
Virginia: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.
North Carolina: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.