We recently received the latest figures for the National Marine Fishery Service, Marine Recreational Fishing Survey - MRFS. From their website we were able to get the data for the recreational catch of striped bass from 1995 through 2008. The number of fish caught by recreational anglers peaked in 2006. This includes both harvested and live release. Since that time it has dropped by approximately 50%. The catch in 2008 was the lowest since 1996. This trend is in line with the results of our annual fishing survey in the past few years. These statistics may well be harbingers of real danger for striped bass.
At the same time the recreational catch has dropped by 50% the commercial quotas have not dropped at all, and as we have seen with recent arrests and convictions the illegal commercial fishery continues undoubtedly spurred on by the higher prices paid for the dwindling fish supply. It is the vicious cycle that has destroyed many of our marine resources. The time is at hand to make striped bass a game fish throughout their range.
