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Stripers Forever members – the Massachusetts game fish bill H796 has been referred for further study by the Natural Resource committee. This is a maneuver designed to keep a bill from getting to the floor to be debated by the full legislature. In Massachusetts, as in many coastal states, the committee that oversees natural resources is stacked with coastal legislators who represent commercial fishing communities. Those who sell their catch of striped bass are very motivated to continue the practice, and they made a strong
showing at the committee hearing.
What does this mean for the future of striped bass game fish in the Commonwealth? In the longer run it doesn’t mean anything, because the issue is anything but static. But for now, it means that this bill will probably not come out of committee this year. The bill could be pulled out of study at any time if it became obvious to legislators that striped bass were really in dire straits, and we will be sure to introduce any evidence that further indicates that. Part of the committee’s skepticism towards H796 is the reliance on the Department of Marine Fisheries assurances that striped bass are in great shape, even though the recreational catch has been in serious decline for the last four seasons.
However, there are other ways to accomplish the goal of game fish designation for striped bass in Massachusetts. The social and economic impacts of recreational fishing for striped bass are far reaching. Showing key legislators that significant jobs, tourism, and tax revenues will be lost if striped bass fishing continues to decline could result in the bill being included in a more comprehensive piece of financial legislation. Educating lawmakers on the health issues related to consuming wild stripers can also heavily influence their vote. These and other ways to pass striped bass game fish legislation in Massachusetts are being worked on by Stripers Forever’s Massachusetts board and lobbyists.
Without a real and acknowledged crisis it is difficult to break the status quo. In the last year we have educated many Massachusetts legislators on the importance of the recreational fishing, tourism fishing and guiding industry for striped bass. We made a lot of friends who are committed to giving striped bass the same game fish designation in this state as three other New England states. The decision to send H796 to study rather than put it out onto the floor at this time may actually be a good thing, as it gives us additional time to build our case with more legislators. This is but a step along the way, as opposed to the end of the path, and our work will continue. Everyone in Massachusetts should be proud of Representative Matt Patrick for having the foresight to see striped bass fishing
for what it could be, and for not being afraid to champion it. The striped bass owe Matt a great deal for the start he has given to legislation that will eventually take the price off their head as they migrate through the waters of the Commonwealth.
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