Berkeley Striper Club Spring Tournament
| Berkeley Striper Club Spring Tournament Benefits Our FisheriesThe Berkeley Striper Club will be holding its 10th Annual Spring Tournament 5/31/13 – 6/8/13. The tournament will be for striped bass and bluefish. The boundaries have been expanded this year to include all New Jersey waters. The only restrictions are that no fishing is allowed from piers, bridges or boats.Merchandise prizes having a total value of over $10,000. will be awarded. The fees to enter are $15. for the bluefish category, $20. for the striped bass category or $30. to enter both. There will be 1st to 20th place prizes for bluefish and 1st to 20th place prizes for striped bass. Those not interested in the merchandise prizes may opt to enter the various cash categories. Of course you may enter all the categories if you prefer. The door prizes and food that we will have at our awards ceremony will make your entry fee well worthwhile even if you don’t weigh in a fish. All those who enter the merchandise categories are guaranteed to win at least one door prize. The awards ceremony will be held at the Seaside Park Municipal Building on 6/9/13 from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
All the money raised is earmarked for our Fisheries Defense Fund and is then donated to organizations that protect or enhance our recreational fisheries. To date our club has donated over $25,000. to these organizations. Stripers Forever has been our biggest beneficiary. For those who may not know, SF is the Internet group seeking to make striped bass a no sale or game fish along the entire east coast rather than just in certain states like New Jersey. We have also donated a large amount of money to the Jersey Coast Anglers Association and the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance and lesser amounts to other organizations.
Those interested may download an application, check out the prize list, rules registration and weigh-in stations as well as and obtain other information by visiting www.berkeleystriperclub.org or by contacting Paul Haertel at (973)943-8201 or anglerpmh@aol.com. Mail in registrations are currently being accepted but you may also register at various tackle stores from Long Branch to Brigantine. |
New! John Rice artwork for auction
| Stripers Forever members – we have an exciting auction of two original John Rice watercolors. John is a fisherman, and his work is always popular because he captures scenes that go right to the heart of what we love about this sport. The quality of John’s work represents one of the best art values available. Our last auction of his paintings saw some of the best bidding of this auction season.Both of the paintings are 111/4 X141/4 watercolors of surfcasting for striped bass. One is inspired by the rocky shores of Northern New England, and the other is under the cliffs at Gay Head on Martha’s Vineyard. We think you’ll agree that these are really terrific. Check them out. |
Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission Unfair Representation
| At their April 4th meeting the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission MMFAC – which together with the Director has the power to set regulations in MA state waters – discussed and voted on a petition by Stripers Forever signed by upwards of 700 of our members, that would have reduced the recreational and commercial harvest in MA by 50%. In an open acknowledgment that things are not good with striped bass, and that ASMFC mandated reductions will likely be required next season, the commission refused to act now. This is, of course, the pattern with saltwater fishery management. The lack of proactive conservation, and management designed to accommodate harvest instead of safeguarding the species, is why our ocean fisheries are in a shambles.
This is nothing new to many of you, but we are pointing it out in detail in this e-mail to help everyone understand why we have taken our arguments to the MA legislature instead of working primarily through the regulatory process. What we found in analyzing the makeup of the MMFAC was that with the exception of one head boat owner the rest of the commission are all commercial fishermen – even commercial lobbyists.
Dean Clark has prepared a document called Why Get The Legislature Involved in Wild Striped Bass Oversight. You can find it attached above. It is an eye opener. Stripers’s Forever will be investigating steps in MA to correct this situation. |
WHY GET THE LEGISLATURE INVOLVED IN WILD STRIPED BASS OVER
Nantucket Island and Merrimack River Guided Trip Auctions!
Stripers Forever members – we have a Massachusetts striper fishing double-header to offer at auction! Captain Hal Herrick of Nantucket and Captain Dave Rimmer of Plum Island are both very experienced captains in their respective areas, and both of these fishing locations are absolutely top notch!
The waters surrounding Nantucket are filled with surging tide rips and extensive sand flats that are a pivotal part of the striper migration in early summer. Nantucket is also one of the prettiest places on earth to go fishing.
The Merrimack River, home of the famous Joppa Flats, and the Plum Island beach complex including the Parker River, comprise what may be the most important estuarial area for striped bass in New England. Fishing there has continued to be terrific even as the number of striped bass has thinned in most places during recent years.
Each trip is for auction separately, and you’ll be able to get good dates and perhaps even book some other days if you are coming in from out of town.
All the proceeds go to benefit the game fish and conservation efforts of Stripers Forever.
Thank you. Brad Burns
