Stripers Forever CT - at the bottom of this page is a letter written by CT Congressman Rob Simmons to one of our members. It shows that he, or one of his staff, put some work and thought into this response. I don't think it would take a lot to make a believer of the congressman, and to get him signed on to HR 1286. The striper is already a gamefish in CT, it is CT's most important recreational saltwater species, it supports a large guiding business, and since stripers are so highly migratory the
excesses of one state harm the other states. No state is immune from this, and that is a big reason why a federal gamefish designation is needed.
Congressman Simmons points out that different states have different needs, and HR 1286 would not change that. It would simply remove the negative influences of a commercial fishery everywhere as CT has already done. In Maine both of our congressmen are already co-sponsors of HR 1286. Here are our suggestions:
1. First, write and e-mail the congressman. Everything that you need including sample letters can be found on our website www.stripersforever.org under How To Take Action.
2. Call his office and tell his staff that you want Congressman Simmons to stand up for CT's gamefish law and cosponsor the federal bill to make stripers a gamefish everywhere.
3. If you know the congressman, and/or feel equipped to discuss this issue in person, get one or two of your fishing friends and ask for an appointment to see him in person. This is a very motivating step to take with any congressperson. Any congressperson is very interested in being popular with his or her constituents. No pinhooker form MA or gillnetter from MD can cast a vote for your congressperson.
Make It A Gamefish
Brad Burns
Dear Gregory:
Thank you for contacting me in support of federal game fish designation for
Atlantic striped bass. I appreciate your taking the time to contact me on
this issue.
Like you, I believe the Atlantic striped bass is a valuable resource, and I
am encouraged by the populations rebound on this fishery since its crash of
the late 1970s. As you may know, this promising trend recently inspired the
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to increase its commercial quota
and open the exclusive economic zone to striped bass fishing.
For better protection, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) introduced H.R. 1286,
legislation to prohibit the commercial harvesting of Atlantic striped bass
in the coastal waters of the exclusive economic zone. In doing so, Rep.
Pallone hopes to reserve this resource for recreational catches only.
I share your interest in promoting a sustainable fishery, but I am not yet
convinced that a federal regulation is the most effective approach because
different coastal regions experience different fishery management needs.
Nevertheless, your thoughts are important to me, and I am closely monitoring
this issue.
H.R. 1286 has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Fisheries
Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans where no hearings have yet been held. I
look forward to reviewing the Committee's report on this issue upon its
release.
Thanks again for contacting me. Your opinions help me to serve you and the
people of Connecticut better. Should you have any further concerns about
this or any other issue, please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff
All the best,
Rob Simmons
Member of Congress
Second Distict, Connecticut
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