 |
Stripers Forever Virginia - The Virginia recreational striped bass fishing quota in Chesapeake Bay was exceeded in 2006, and therefore a quota reduction is required for this fall’s fishery. The VMRC has created several regulatory options to achieve this reduction. Virginia anglers can view these options and vote on the one of their choice at the following
website https://www.vasaltwaterjournal.com/. A public hearing will be held at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at the Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News to discuss the options.
Stripers Forever sent the following letter on this issue:
Mr. John Bull
Virginia Marine Resources Commission Main Office
2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor
Newport News, VA 23607
Dear Mr. Bull:
Stripers Forever believes that the appropriate way for Virginia to address any catch reduction for striped bass to meet its NMFS quota is to reduce the commercial allocation by the required amount.~
First, stripers are worth far more per pound when taken recreationally, and second, there is established precedent in wildlife management that recreational harvest for personal use should have priority over market gathering.~Individual citizens should always have preference to fish or hunt for their own sustenance; that was the basis for ending market gunning for game and fowl as well as the commercial harvest of freshwater game fish.~
Stripers Forever has no objection to the existence of a commercial fishery as long as conservation targets are met and the public can fish throughout seasons of natural availability without unreasonably restrictive bag or size limits. At present,~the restrictions already placed on placeStateVirginia’s recreational anglers are considerable by any historical standard, and they are worse for coastal anglers.~ Any further reductions in the Virginia state quota should come from the commercial, not the recreational side until the commercial fishery is finally eliminated.
Sincerely,
Ron Staples
Ron Staples, Virginia State Chairman for Stripers Forever
SF urges you to cut and paste a copy of our e-mail or something similar in your own words to John Bull in the Commission's office at the following e-mail address. [Link]John.Bull@mrc.virginia.gov
| |
