January 28, 2015

Opinion: N.J. striped bass rules shortsighted

Guest Author

Guest Author:

Leslie Taylor

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This important northeastern fish population has collapsed before and will again without moderate conservation efforts.

Past decades of striped bass moratoriums, fish hatchery programs, and a united effort restored the prized striped bass to our coastal waters. This success restored a valued economic resource, terrific fishing opportunities, and a fish biomass at viable reproducing levels.

We have fished them too hard. The recreational fisherman must help reverse a current downtrend in their numbers.

For 2015, as widely reported, there is a mandated 25 percent reduction in place by the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Council for the striped bass 2015 catch.

All states in The ASMFC except New Jersey have recommended regulations that will reduce the daily catch limit to one striped bass per day per person, at 28 inches or larger.