ACTION ALERT – ASMFC Addendum III
ACTION ALERT – ASMFC ADDENDUM III
COMMENTS DUE BY FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 AT 11:59 PM EST
It’s been a while since you last heard from us, we do intend to update you on what’s been going on but the focus of this blog post is an important ASMFC action alert. The ASMFC is currently in a public comment period for Draft Addendum III to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. Amendment 7 was initiated in 2022 with the goal of rebuilding the striped bass SSB (spawning stock biomass) to it’s target level by 2029. Since then, the ASMFC striped bass board has kicked the can down the road at every turn. Facing 6 years of historically low (essentially failed) recruitment (spawning) in the Chesapeake Bay, the board still refuses to take strong preventative steps to rebuild the stock. Instead focusing on measures such as no-targeting closures. Declared unenforceable by the law enforcement committee and unquantifiable by the technical committee, this option should not be on the table. It is merely a distraction, we have never supported it and will never support it.
Instead, as we have since the inception of Amendment 7, Stripers Forever continues to support an equitable coast-wide harvest moratorium. It is the only proven way to rebuild the stock. While there have been plenty of naysayers who have opposed this option, we are now inching closer and closer to that exact outcome. Had the board acted more proactively at an earlier date the length of the moratorium could have potentially been shorter. Instead the board has decided to prolong the inevitable and push the stock closer and closer to complete collapse. Even if we rebuild the SSB by 2029, the impact of 6 straight years of failed recruitment offer very little hope for an abundant stock in the future.
Unfortunately, an equitable coast-wide harvest moratorium is not an option in Addendum III. Still, we urge you to tell the board that you believe it is the only way forward. You can do so as part of your comments while also supporting the strongest conservation options presented in Draft Addendum III. Below are the options we support and we urge you to support them in your comments to the board. Of the options presented, we believe these give the stock the best shot at rebuilding.
3.1 Method to Measure Total Length of a Striped Bass
- RECOMMENDATION: Option B. Mandatory Elements for Total Length Definition
3.2 Commercial Tagging: Point of Tagging
- RECOMMENDATION: Option B. Commercial Tagging At the Point of Harvest
3.3 Maryland Chesapeake Bay Recreational Season Baseline
- RECOMMENDATION: Option C. New Chesapeake Bay Recreational Season Baseline Plus 10% Uncertainty Buffer
3.4 Reduction in Fishery Removals to Support Stock Rebuilding
- RECOMMENDATION: Option B: Even Sector Reductions: Commercial -12% and Recreational -12% Sub-options 01 & CB1
Additional Options and added comments;
- Only support no-harvest closures.
- Do not support any for-hire exemptions.
- NY, CT and RI should all be included in the New England region.
- Support wave 4 closures for New England and wave 6 for the Mid-Atlantic regions.
- Let the board know that they should be taking strong preventative actions now, especially as we face 6 straight years of failed spawning in the Chesapeake Bay.
- Let the board know that you support a an equitable coast-wide harvest moratorium as the best and only way to rebuild the stock.
HOW TO COMMENT
The ASMFC now has a new website and staff has developed a special public comment form to facilitate the gathering of input on the Draft Addendum’s specific options.
Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Addendum III Public Comment
You can also comment by emailing to comments@asmfc.org
Please reach out to Emilie Franke, FMP Coordinator, with any questions at efranke@asmfc.org.
COMMENTS DUE BY FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 AT 11:59 PM EST
