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Ted Williams on striped bass
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Size: 2.4M |
Last Updated: 2006/11/15 |
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Stripers Forever – you will find attached a recent article by Massachusetts own Ted Williams, noted conservation author. We don’t agree with Williams’ labeling of part time commercial fishermen as recreational anglers. We think if you sell your fish you are a commercial fisherman. If you fish for your own enjoyment and personal use you are a recreational fisherman.
We also feel that Ted’s attack on the Jersey Coast Angler’s Association is unwarranted. The bonus fish program in New Jersey does indeed give what would have been the commercial quota to recreational fishermen. However N.J.'s commercial quota would have been transferred to other commercial states if that program had not been adopted. Recreational anglers in NJ have never come close to harvesting this quota; if the quota had been given to other commercial states, all of those fish would have been killed.
This kind of maneuver was necessary because the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission manages striped bass with the same objective that they do other commercial species, which is for the highest poundage yield that can be wrung from the stock without causing a complete collapse. This will continue as long as commercial fishing for striped bass is allowed to continue. Stripers Forever believes the objectives would change if striped bass were a game fish and managed with recreational fishing goals in mind, which are to maintain a well-balanced stock including a more natural distribution of larger old fish thus protecting the stock and providing a higher quality fishing experience.
Although we do not agree with every assertion that Mr. Williams makes, we think his critique of the so-called commercial striped bass fishery in MA is especially appropriate, and for that reason the piece is well worth reading by all who love fishing for this creature. Brad Burns SF
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