Stripers Forever members – the latest version of the Southwick Study, which specifically addresses the socio economics factors surrounding striped bass fishing in the State of Maryland is now available. Here are just a couple of the important findings.
· Making the striped bass a game fish would produce $146 million in additional economic activity for Maryland's economy.
· Currently the recreational fishery provides 7,037 full time equivalent jobs, and the commercial fishery only 1,129. Making the striped bass a gamefish would add 1,031 net new full time equivalent jobs, bringing total employment by the recreational striped bass fishery in Maryland to 9,197 jobs.
· Recreational fishing now produces $339 million in retail sales compared to just $13 million for the commercial fishery.
· The value of the commercial fishery is fully dependant on killing large numbers of fish whereas the recreational fishery, utilizing stringent bag limits or catch and release regulations' can be sustained even during the inevitable times when striper populations are low.
· To read either the four-page summary Roadmap, or the full Southwick Study, go back to the button on the left side of the home page that says “Southwick Study On Line”. There you'll find the full national study, the Massachusetts study, and now the Maryland study. All documents are available as PDF files, and they can also be ordered from Stripers Forever in printed form.
When you've read the Roadmap or the full study, we hope that those of you who live or fish in Maryland will contact Governor Robert Erlich and Secretary of Natural Resources Ronald Franks. You'll find the contact information on our website by clicking on MD. Send these men an e-mail that urges them to act on the findings of the Southwick Study and to take steps to end the commercial fishery for striped bass in Maryland. Tell them that a purely recreational/personal use fishery will provide both economic and employment benefits to the State of Maryland. Just as importantly, making striped bass a game fish will help to conserve this irreplaceable species for the benefit of current and future generations of the fishing public.
Richard Weaver and Ross Staley, Co-chairs Maryland Stripers Forever
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