SurfRats.com

[tiderunner70]

Here is the link to the Coalitions letter of our stance regarding the increase of the Commercial Harvest on Stripe Bass. This is an extremly important situation we need to deal with. The ASMFC has been advised by their own technical committee and by the DEC in why they should not be increasing the Comm's harvest however it was ordered for an addendum to me made to do so anyway. We need to stand up and fight this assanine increase. Comm's can come up with all of the money they want folks. We far out weigh them with our votes when the time comes. Stand up and make your voice heard to prevent the demise of the Bass! The Comms are counting on you not doing anything about it!

http://www.nycrf.com/asmfcmarch2010.doc
_________________
Tom Farrell
weakfishin@yahoo.com
631-475-1133 x120

Vice President-New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing

MSA
LIBBA

[tiderunner70]

March 2010

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Mr. Jack Travelstead, Chair

Management Board

1444 Eye Street, NW, 6th fl.

Washington, DC 20005



Dear Mr. Travelstead,



The New York Coalition for Recreational fishing Inc. is writing to you with regard to the ASMFC’s Striped Bass management Board direction to the staff to draft an addendum to the management plan that would increase the coastal commercial harvest. We agree with the CCA that this move is both unexpected and unwarranted. We believe, given a variety of troubling facts, that this is a time when we should be considering conservation of both Striped Bass and their food supply in the Chesapeake Bay, not increasing mortality. The following are our reasons for opposing an increase in the commercial harvest.



1. Mycobacteriosis: According to reports 70% of Chesapeake Striped Bass are infected, and given that at this point we believe the disease to be generally fatal. Allocating more Stripers to harvest is ill advised. Further, some Scientists have asserted that the sudden rise of the disease coincides with lower weights and slower growth. Coinciding with slower growth, scientists have suggested that the large harvests of “Peanut” Bunker in the Chesapeake Bay may be weakening the immune system of Striped Bass due to an inadequate food supply and the resulting stress on their physiology.



2. Poaching: Many anglers, Scientists and managers have been indicating for decades at hearings and in writing that poaching has been underestimated. It now seems that even some ASFMC personnel have begun to allude to the “significant and unreported” poaching in the Exclusive Economic Zone. In addition, extensive poaching on small fish continues in places like Baltimore Harbor, the lower Hudson River and Boston Harbor. We believe that mortality estimates indicated in the management plan are underestimated and that poaching should be given more serious consideration when determining overall mortality.



3. Juvenile Abundance Index: The young of the year index in the two biggest stocks (Chesapeake and Hudson) has clearly been erratic and declining since 2004. Given all the problems Striped Bass are facing that are and can reduce the East Coast population, it seems odd, illogical and contrary to sound scientific practice to increase the harvest when recruitment has declined sharply . As a case on point, consider recent poor recruitment in the Hudson Stock. Other than the 2007-year class, recruitment has been poor for that stock as well. Comparative recreational catch indicates that the 2007-year class that was reported to be so large has not materialized. If the 2007-year class is in reality as large as has been reported, very small fish should have dominated catches among estuarine anglers in the Western Sound and the lower Hudson system during 2009. Further, given the possibility that the estimates of the index for both the Chesapeake and the Hudson stocks in recent decades has been unreliable, we are forced to believe that over all recruitment has been over estimated.



4. Member Observations: We have several members who are educated, trained, degreed, research scientists who keep careful records of fish caught, catch per unit effort, locations and size distributions. These anglers fish from the beach, boats, offshore, in the estuaries and from Montauk to Virginia. Although commonly dismissed as “anecdotal” by bureaucrats, these detailed records kept by trained people and kept over several decades should not be dismissed out of hand and may indicate a trend that some of those in management fail to recognize. In all cases, these members produce graphs and charts with declining catches and a decrease in the catch per unit effort.



5. Uncertainty: Because of the factors there is great uncertainty about the future of Striped Bass. It is not sound science or sound management to increase harvests during periods of uncertainty. In fact, the success of Striped Bass has been, in part, a result of stated willingness and necessity to adjust harvests based upon the health of the stocks. Many of our angler members have lived through the debacle of the late 70’s and 80’s, and we do not want to see that happen again. In fact, this management plan has been a model for successful management and should not become the instrument for another decline. In our eyes, that would be unforgivable.



6. Economic Considerations: We urge you to consider this information carefully as the management of Striped Bass moves forward. An abundant and healthy east coast population of Striped Bass is crucial to many local economies along the coast. As the Stripers recovered in the 90’s, vast fleets of light tackle and traditional charter boats sprung up due to the demand among recreational anglers to enjoy the revived sport. Bait and tackle stores also flourished, as did general tackle sales, boat and motor sales, tourism, clothing sales and a host of other economic expansions followed suit. The dollar and recreational value of a large population of Striped Bass on the East Coast to these economies should not be overlooked; especially in light of domestic and global economic difficulties.



Sincerely,



William A. Young

President – New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing Inc.
_________________
Tom Farrell
weakfishin@yahoo.com
631-475-1133 x120

Vice President-New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing

MSA
LIBBA

[tiderunner70]

Here is a link for you to see the position of the NYCRF regarding draggers for Bass in the state of NY to the MRAC.

http://www.nycrf.com/basslettertomrac.doc
_________________
Tom Farrell
weakfishin@yahoo.com
631-475-1133 x120

Vice President-New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing

MSA
LIBBA

[tiderunner70]

Next Board Meeting

Thursday, April 15, 2010 7:30 p.m.

Sport Fishing Education Center and Aquaculture Facility
_________________
Tom Farrell
weakfishin@yahoo.com
631-475-1133 x120

Vice President-New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing

MSA
LIBBA

[Willy Young]

The Coalitional made our annual trip to Albany. Those who went Tom Farrell, Captain Stu Peterson, Hemi, and myself we had meetings with Assemblywoman Ginny Fields, Assemblymen Robert K. Sweeny, Assemblymen Andrew Raia, Assemblymen Joseph S. Saladino, Assemblymen Marc S. Allessi, Senator Owen Johnson, Senator Frank Padavan,and Senator Carl L. Marcellino. It was a busy day and one that gave us a chance to thank those who try to help us.
Willie

[Willy Young]

U.S. Interior secretary Ken Salozer announced his dicision to approve the nations first offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound , 5 miles off Cape Cod
Willie

[tiderunner70]

Here is our letter that you can copy and send out to the Governor if you would like to see Pat Augustine removed from the position of the Governor's appointee to the ASMFC. Please remember to add your own name and address to the letter and to sign it prior to sending it off.






To: Governor David A. Patterson
State Capital
Albany, NY 12224


Dear Governor Patterson,

The New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing is writing to express our concern about the governor’s appointee to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for Striped Bass management. The Governor’s appointee has consistently dismissed recent data showing the east coast Striped Bass population has declined by ~26%, that the Chesapeake stock is threatened by a serious infectious disease, and that poaching level on primarily small fish in the inner cities of Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston is out of control and threatens the population. Furthermore, poor recruitment in all spawning estuaries has not produced a sufficient number of new fish to overcome the negative effects of the factors mention supra.

Many of us who are old enough have seen this drama unfold before when many concerned citizens asked for a larger size limit and other harvest restrictions, and yet they were denied. We were told the “fish were swimming somewhere else”, or “there are plenty of fish but their migration patterns have changed because of changes in bait distributions”. All of this “wisdom” proved foolish when the Striped Bass population collapsed in the late 1970’s and 1980’s. Wise men warned us; “those who do not learn from the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them”. Why, we ask, are we expanding harvests at a time of poor recruitment and declining stocks. Have we not learned from lessons of prior decades? Why are we compromising one of the best fisheries management comebacks in history because misguided people believe more harvest means better economic benefit? Even if we believe there is short term economic gain, which do we believe to be true, history teaches us that long term economic benefit involves conservation and wise management.

We’ve had many conversations with the Governor’s appointee and he turned a deaf ear each time. Most recently he introduced a motion to expand the commercial harvest of Striped Bass over our objections.

We respectfully that the Governor’s appointee be replaced with someone who better represents recreational anglers and who is interested in a dialogue with the people he or she represents.

Sincerely,



William A. Young
President – New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing Inc.

Cc: Governor’s appointee Secretary Martin J. Mack, Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeny, NYS DEC Commissioner Peter Grannis, Senator Owen H. Johnson, Senator Frank Padavan, Senator Carl L. Marcellino and Senator Antoine M. Thompson.
_________________
Tom Farrell
weakfishin@yahoo.com
631-475-1133 x120

Vice President-New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing

MSA
LIBBA

[tiderunner70]

Our next board of directors meeting is coming up. June 17, 2010 - Sport Fishing Education Center and Aquaculture Facility Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.
_________________
Tom Farrell
weakfishin@yahoo.com
631-475-1133 x120

Vice President-New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing

MSA
LIBBA

[Willy Young]

A gamefish bill for Striped Bass in the Hudson River has passed the N.Y. State Senate .
Willie

[Bass Assassin]

We as fisherman can fight and write letters all day to the higher ups, they won't listen and don't care about us (recreational fisherman). They don't care about the decline of striped bass. All they care about is who will pay them the most money. Obviously the comm's are paying more money (Bribing) to those greedy politician bastards. This is the basis of our Gov't, Corruption!!!!!!! We will never win unless we pay off top officials. It's the way it is and will always be that way! Willie i really do appreciate all that you do for us fisherman, But unless the striped bass get dangerously close to extinction, Nothing will change!!!! Frank-
_________________
"Fish 4 Life!"

GATEWAY STRIPER CLUB

[Willy Young]

If enought voters tell them what they want it will get done, just like the Brodsky bill . By the way he is a sponsor of this bill.
Willie

PS how many letters did you write to your Senator about this bill . I only sent one to each Senator.

[tiderunner70]

Votes carry the weight. We have the votes. It is up to recreational fisherman to let them know that. I have been finding out that many people who state that letters do not get anything done do not write or even send in any letters. For whatever reason it may be some people just won't send in a letter. If it is because you don't feel comfortable writing letters or that you feel you do not have enough time we can do it for you. All you have to do is either print them out or pick up a copy at the tackle shops when they are there. Sending in a letter is not that difficult and it can be worth its weight in Gold.
_________________
Tom Farrell
weakfishin@yahoo.com
631-475-1133 x120

Vice President-New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing

MSA
LIBBA

[Bass Assassin]

Unfortunately i haven't sent any letters to the law makers, Because i feel that it will just fall on deaf ears and get discarded with the rest of them. But if we send money with those letters then we will probably get somewhere with the fight!!!!!! Money talks in this game, You all know that. As long as these corporations pay off the pigs they will win every time.
_________________
"Fish 4 Life!"

GATEWAY STRIPER CLUB

[Tiderunr]

[tiderunner70]

Bass Assassin you can either jump on board and do what you can to support the improvements of recreational fishing or you can keep quiet and do nothing. I am surprised by the comments you are writing on here knowing you have people in Gateway that do many good things in hopes of improving access and other recreational endeavors.
_________________
Tom Farrell
weakfishin@yahoo.com
631-475-1133 x120

Vice President-New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing

MSA
LIBBA