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Last fall, at a meeting in Mystic, Connecticut, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission***8217;s Striped Bass Management Board voted to implement new coastwide recreational striped bass regulations of 1 fish per day at a minimum size 28 inches, which scientists estimated would achieve a 31% reduction in the harvest.
However, they also gave states the option to form their own ***8220;equivalent***8221; regulations, as long as they achieve at least a 25% reduction.
Every state is approaching this option differently, with some state managers accepting the 1-fish bag limit and other states attempting to come up with 2-fish solutions.
Here is the breakdown by state. I***8217;ll update this information as it changes.
Maine: Two options will be offered for public comment at hearings in January. One option will be a daily bag limit of one fish 28 inches or larger. The other option is still being determined by the department, but would likely be an adjusted slot system. Under current regulations, anglers in Maine can catch one striped bass per day as long as the fish is between 20 and 26 inches in length (known as a slot limit) or more than 40 inches.
New Hampshire: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.
Massachusetts: The Mass DMF is currently accepting public comment on a proposal to reduce the bag limit to 1-fish at the existing 28-inch minimum size and adopt alternative measures for anglers onboard for-hire vessels to allow a 2-fish bag limit at a higher minimum size.
Proposed Massachusetts For-Hire Options include:
1. 2-fish bag limit with a 33-inch minimum size; or
2. 2-fish bag limit with one fish between 28 and 36 inches and one fish of at least 40 inches.
Rhode Island: Rhode Island has not yet announced any additional public comment opportunities. Rick Bellavance of the R.I. Party and Charter Boat Association has suggested that Rhode Island will be submitting a two-fish option for customers on charter and party boats at the ASMFC***8217;s meeting on February 5 in Alexandria, Virginia.
Connecticut: Connecticut has not yet announced any additional public comment opportunities. It has been rumored that the state is considering a two-fish option for customers on charter and party boats.
New York: On January 13, NY***8217;s Marine Resources Advisory Council voted to recommend a 2-fish bag limit for the entire recreational sector. These regulations have not been finalized.
1 fish 28***8243;-34***8243;
1 fish over 36***8243; (or at a minimum size that scientists find to be in compliance)
New Jersey: The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council approved a two-fish limit that is waiting on legislative approval.
NJ 2015 Striper Regs (pending): 1 fish 28 to 43 inches & 1 fish 43 inches or above per day
Delaware: Delaware***8217;s Division of Fish & Wildlife will schedule a public hearing on the recreational options in ***8220;early 2015.***8221; The hearing record will be open for 30 days at that time and Delaware***8217;s 2015 recreational regulation will be set after thorough consideration of public input.
Maryland: Maryland officials held a public comment period in December on a proposal to reduce the individual daily creel limit from 2 to 1 fish and maintain the current season and 28-inch minimum size limit. An official announcement has not yet been made.
Virginia: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.
North Carolina: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.
Last fall, at a meeting in Mystic, Connecticut, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission***8217;s Striped Bass Management Board voted to implement new coastwide recreational striped bass regulations of 1 fish per day at a minimum size 28 inches, which scientists estimated would achieve a 31% reduction in the harvest.
However, they also gave states the option to form their own ***8220;equivalent***8221; regulations, as long as they achieve at least a 25% reduction.
Every state is approaching this option differently, with some state managers accepting the 1-fish bag limit and other states attempting to come up with 2-fish solutions.
Here is the breakdown by state. I***8217;ll update this information as it changes.
Maine: Two options will be offered for public comment at hearings in January. One option will be a daily bag limit of one fish 28 inches or larger. The other option is still being determined by the department, but would likely be an adjusted slot system. Under current regulations, anglers in Maine can catch one striped bass per day as long as the fish is between 20 and 26 inches in length (known as a slot limit) or more than 40 inches.
New Hampshire: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.
Massachusetts: The Mass DMF is currently accepting public comment on a proposal to reduce the bag limit to 1-fish at the existing 28-inch minimum size and adopt alternative measures for anglers onboard for-hire vessels to allow a 2-fish bag limit at a higher minimum size.
Proposed Massachusetts For-Hire Options include:
1. 2-fish bag limit with a 33-inch minimum size; or
2. 2-fish bag limit with one fish between 28 and 36 inches and one fish of at least 40 inches.
Rhode Island: Rhode Island has not yet announced any additional public comment opportunities. Rick Bellavance of the R.I. Party and Charter Boat Association has suggested that Rhode Island will be submitting a two-fish option for customers on charter and party boats at the ASMFC***8217;s meeting on February 5 in Alexandria, Virginia.
Connecticut: Connecticut has not yet announced any additional public comment opportunities. It has been rumored that the state is considering a two-fish option for customers on charter and party boats.
New York: On January 13, NY***8217;s Marine Resources Advisory Council voted to recommend a 2-fish bag limit for the entire recreational sector. These regulations have not been finalized.
1 fish 28***8243;-34***8243;
1 fish over 36***8243; (or at a minimum size that scientists find to be in compliance)
New Jersey: The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council approved a two-fish limit that is waiting on legislative approval.
NJ 2015 Striper Regs (pending): 1 fish 28 to 43 inches & 1 fish 43 inches or above per day
Delaware: Delaware***8217;s Division of Fish & Wildlife will schedule a public hearing on the recreational options in ***8220;early 2015.***8221; The hearing record will be open for 30 days at that time and Delaware***8217;s 2015 recreational regulation will be set after thorough consideration of public input.
Maryland: Maryland officials held a public comment period in December on a proposal to reduce the individual daily creel limit from 2 to 1 fish and maintain the current season and 28-inch minimum size limit. An official announcement has not yet been made.
Virginia: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.
North Carolina: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.
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