This is a repost by a Capt, our friend who holds the NJ State record Tog caught last year and who we stand on the same position of this proposal. One thing is for sure, the northeast winds will change for the better, unlike any regulations that will be imposed.
Well, I have to say, what a pyss poor turn out that was. Kind of embarrassing to only have 11 people from the entire state to show up for an asmfc meeting. There will be another meeting coming up so any of you Internet jockeys that want to complain when we get cut way back, you may want to make time to get to the next meeting.
Now to the finer points. None of the options presented other than status quo, was a viable option for NJ. In option 2 (NJ, NY, LIS) mortality rate is set at a cautionary level. I brought up the question that reducing the numbers farther, would they show that NJ's Numbers are lowering the morality rate for NY? Didn't seem like he wanted to answer that. So we know what that means. Also, I asked about being lumped in with the Delmarva region. That would affectively make a 2 region breakdown and they really want 3 or even 4 if LIS is made its own region. In my view, if regionalization does occur, we need to be in the Delmarva region. we have much lower fishing pressure, both recreational and commercial, than NY and north. From 2012-2014, Connecticut took nearly as many blackfish as NJ and NY combined. So option 3 would be devistating. So we know overfishing is occurring there. Our seasons will be mixed up horribly if lumped together with NY as they have no spring season, and a much earlier fall season, with no winter season. NY has a longer commercial season than recreational season. This would also mess up our commercial season and not to mention the problems occurring with varying gear types. And don't even get me started on the Pirates paradise they have going on up there with illegal fish being taken for the live market.
There was much more talked about, if you would like to be more informed, get to the next meeting.
