On Monday, the American Sportfishing Association submitted a comment letter opposing removal of the prohibition on recreational striped bass fishing in an area of the EEZ between Long Island and Block Island known as the Block Island Transit Zone.
“Striped bass are the lifeblood of our fishery in the Northeast, and the prohibition on striped bass harvest in the EEZ has unquestionably been an extremely valuable conservation measure,” said Chris Megan, Chairman of the ASA and Publisher of On The Water. “Opening a portion of the EEZ is a step in the wrong direction for recreational anglers and could risk the future health of the striped bass stock.”
The full text of the comment letter follows:
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the trade association representing the recreational fishing industry, does not support removing the current prohibition on recreational Atlantic striped bass fishing in the Block Island Transit Zone (BITZ) and asks that the National Marine Fisheries Service not move forward with rulemaking.
While we understand the motivations behind this proposal are focused simply on allowing recreational harvest in this geographical anomaly so as to reduce regulatory confusion and spread out fishing effort, we are concerned about potential unintended consequences. If allowed in this instance, it is likely that proposals to reopen other parts of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to striped bass harvest, including for commercial harvest (citing “non-discrimination” under National Standard 4 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act), will emerge. The cumulative impacts of expanding striped bass harvest into areas of the EEZ may threaten the sustainability of the stock.
Many anglers and fisheries managers are concerned with trends in the condition of the striped bass population. Given that a new benchmark stock assessment will not be ready until 2019, and that no analysis has been conducted to determine the potential impacts of opening the BITZ to harvest, moving forward with this proposal could risk the future health of the striped bass stock.
The prohibition on striped bass harvest in the EEZ has unquestionably been an extremely valuable conservation measure. The “slippery slope” that could be created by allowing harvest in the BITZ is too great of a risk. We therefore request that the National Marine Fisheries Service safeguard the EEZ closure and maintain the existing prohibition on striped bass harvest in the BITZ.
I stated in the letter sent by the ASA the area is an anomaly. As for this opening, creating a slippery slope is not necessarily true and the fight should be not for this area to remain closed. If in the future should I push be made for either commercial harvest in easy we’re opening up to recreational fishing in other areas this fight shouldto be taken up then.
This prohibition prevents anglers from fishing for other species while in possession of striped bass in the BITZ. It is for this reason that I fully support opening of the b i t z to recreational harvest of striped bass.
Good work Chris, thanks for all your efforts.
We need to keep the EEZ closed to striper fishing, period. Also, there is a need to end commercial exploitation of a fish that is already being farmed. Like redfish I think we also need a slot so that all breeders are released. Of course, without a real investment in enforcement would make any regulations meaningless, regardless of specie.
Thanks OTW for standing up for the bass instead of backing the greed stricken charter boat industry who would shoot themselves in the arse givin a chance. Now start backing gamefish status and I might renew my subscription.