ASMFC 2024 Winter Meeting (1/24/24) & Hudson River 2023 YOY Report
ASMFC 2024 Winter Meeting of the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board
To register for the live webinar please go here: ASMFC 2024 Winter Meeting- Striped Bass Management Board (GoToMeeting Webinar ID: 795-025-635)
ADDITIONAL LINKS
- Atlantic Striped Bass Board- Draft Agenda/ Meeting Overview/ Main Meeting Materials
- Atlantic Striped Bass Board- Supplemental Materials
Hudson River, NY 2023 YOY (young-of-year) Survey Results
The NYDEC Hudson River 2023 young-of-year survey results are in and we are sad to report another failed spawn. See the above graph and notice the big drop from 2022 to 2023. Many factors can affect spawning success, environmental conditions being one of them. Perhaps the warmer than usual winter with low snowpack is part of the problem. Maybe fishing shouldn’t be allowed when and where the fish are spawning, we have supported the introduction of seasonal closures since the beginning of the Amendment 7 process. Either way, this 2023 result only rubs salt in the wound, the Striped Bass stock is in big trouble.
ACTION ALERT- ASMFC Addendum II To Amendment 7
ACTION ALERT
Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 PM (EST) on December 22, 2023
ASMFC Addendum II to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass
The hope was for Addendum II to go above and beyond the emergency action currently in place. The likely reality is, even with the best options selected by the board, Addendum II will ultimately fail to do enough to get the stock back on track for recovery by 2029. In the face of 5 straight years of very poor, bordering on failed recruitment in the Chesapeake, the board has put forth options which would fail to protect the 2015 year class. In fact, some of the options within Addendum II work directly against the intentions of the original motion from which it was born.
To be honest, we still believe that an equitable (commercial and recreational) harvest moratorium is the most efficient and full proof way to rebuild the Striped Bass stock to abundance. Unfortunately that is not currently an option within Addendum II. While you may feel the same way and want to express that to the board, it is very important that we stay within the bounds of what is currently in the document. Feel free to add your thoughts in your own words but please make sure to clearly state that you support the options below. The stock is still in a bad place and there is very little margin for error. We absolutely need to make sure that the best possible options within Addendum II are selected by the board.
Below you will find our preferences for each of the six sections of options. The bullet points below briefly explain our rationale behind each choice. You can keep things simple and just comment to the board which options you support. You can also add your own reasoning and/or suggestions. The bottom line is, we all need to be part of the process to make our voice heard. The more who speak up in favor of the below options, the better chance we have for a positive outcome.
It is important to note, if you are unable to participate in your state’s scheduled hearing, you are welcome to participate in any of the virtual or hybrid hearings. Click here for the news release on all state public hearings.
The in person hearings are one way to participate but we strongly suggest that you submit written comments to the board. Instructions on how to do so are below.
Thank you for your involvement and continued support!
3.1.1 Ocean Recreational Fishery Options: Support Option B—1-fish at 28 to 31″ with 2022 seasons (all modes).
- There are three goals here; the greatest overall reduction, protecting the 2015-year class and making sure it is done in a fair and equitable way. Option A expands the slot to 28″-35″, Option C and D introduce ‘mode splits’. Essentially, recreational anglers are split into ‘private vessel/shore’ and ‘for-hire’, it is not the right thing to do now or ever. Since the inception of Amendment 7, we have heard from the board and law enforcement that no harvest and no target closures would be too difficult to enforce, the same applies here. All recreational anglers should make an equitable effort to reduce harvest and restore the Striped Bass stock to abundance. Option D shifts the slot up in size and would only do more damage to the 2015-year class as they continue to grow and enter that range.
3.1.2 Chesapeake Bay Recreational Fishery Options: Support Option B1—Apply a standard minimum size limit, maximum size limit, and bag limit to the Bay jurisdictions’ 2022 seasons. The minimum size shall be 19” and the bag limit 1 fish. Maximum size limit of 23”.
- Here we selected Option B1 for several reasons. Most importantly it produces the greatest overall reduction of -22.4% and the greatest harvest reduction of -38.4%. After 5 years of very poor spawns in the Chesapeake Bay, it is time for some simplification and a narrow slot. Option B1, with consistent minimum size, maximum size, and bag limit creates more uniform regulations across the bay. Again, as previously discussed in the ocean recreational options, mode splits are not something we can support in anyway.
3.1.3 For-Hire Management Clarification (if For-Hire Mode-Specific Limits are selected): Support Option B—For-hire management measures apply only to patrons during a for-hire trip; captain and crew during a for-hire trip are subject to the private vessel/shore angler limits.
- We do not support mode splits in anyway, as discussed in the first two sections. Should the board choose to adopt (most likely against public comment) mode splits we should do what we can to minimize the potential damage. Option B only allows the additional harvest to apply to the patrons during a for-hire trip. The captain and crew are subject to the same regulations as private vessel/shore anglers.
3.1.4 Recreational Filleting Allowance Requirements: Support Option B—For states that authorize at-sea/shore-side filleting of striped bass, establish minimum requirements, including requirements for: racks to be retained; skin to be left intact; and possession to be limited to no more than two fillets per legal fish. States should consider including language about when and where racks may be disposed of, specific to each mode allowed to fillet at-sea/shore.
- This is no time to be lax about regulations and keeping anglers honest. If we want to get the stock back on track for recovery then we should do all that we can to make sure fish are legally harvested and within the slot limit. Option B requires that, in states where at-sea/ shore-side filleting is allowed, anglers must retain the rack (what is left of the fish after cutting off fillets) and keep the skin on the fillets. This is very simple, in the event that a conservation officer boards a vessel or checks on a shore angler, it would be possible for that officer to know whether or not the fish was legally harvested. We are adding to the toolkit law enforcement has to ensure compliance by the anglers.
3.2.1 Commercial Quota Reduction Options: Support Option B—The ocean commercial fisheries and/or Chesapeake Bay commercial fisheries will be managed by quotas representing up to a 14.5% reduction from their 2022 quotas with their 2022 size limits. The Board will select the specific percent reduction between zero and 14.5%.
- Status quo is just not an option at this point. As stated, “Status quo has a reduced probability to achieve the objective of this addendum.” An equitable reduction in harvest gives us the best possible chance at getting the rebuild back on track. While it is unfortunate that the board will ultimately get to choose the percent reduction, the bottom line is Option B will reduce commercial harvest beyond the 18% reduction put in place by Amendment 7. In your comments please suggest that the board select the largest possible reduction of 14.5%.
- We should note that there are several concerning matters surrounding a commercial quota reduction.
- First off, it is important to understand that the reduction is to the allowable total harvest number, not to the actual harvest. So, states that do not max out their quota may not see any actual reduction in mortality. Let’s say a state only harvests 80% of its total allowable quota. In that case a 14.5% reduction in quota would not save a single fish. For example, in the past we have reported on Massachusetts struggling to fill its commercial quota. To us its a clear sign that there are just not enough fish around but the troubling part is that if history repeats itself, than this best case scenario of a 14.5% reduction could mean no actual change in commercial harvest. As we have always said, to rebuild this stock we need equitable reductions in mortality. We all need to give something to get something in return.
- Secondly, there was much discussion between board members regarding their ability (or inability) to getting these new commercial regulations in place for the 2024 season. The main reason seemed to stem from the timing of this Addendum II process. Public comments would be taken through December and then final board action would be taken in January. Several board members said it would be very difficult or flat out impossible for them to change commercial regulations at that point. It seemed to hinge on the production of the physical tags but in reality it really just seemed like they were reaching for an excuse to not get the job done. While this mainly pertains to more southern states where the commercial season begins earlier, it would be a complete farce if Addendum II reductions are only applied to the recreational sector.
3.3 Response to Stock Assessment: Support Option B—The Board could respond via Board action where the Board could change management measures by voting to pass a motion at a Board meeting instead of developing an addendum or amendment and different from the emergency action process.
- As we mentioned in our summary of this past ASMFC board meeting, there is a really good chance that Addendum II will only be in effect for a one year period. The next stock assessment results are expected in the fall of 2024. Given the 5 years of very poor recruitment in the Chesapeake, there is a good chance that stronger management changes will be need to ensure a greater than 50% chance of rebuilding by 2029. If the board is required to do so via another Addendum, that process could take close to a year to finalize. The Striped Bass stock does not have that kind of time right now. Option B would allow the board to react by voting by a simple majority. While we prefer to have a public comment period, it just becomes a cumbersome and time consuming process which puts us farther behind in terms of rebuilding. This is unfortunate, the writing has been on the wall for years and as you are probably already aware, Stripers Forever has been calling for the most conservative measures since the beginning of the Amendment 7 process. If the results of the next stock assessment are as bad as we anticipate, the conversation about a equitable harvest moratorium will most certainly be back on the table.
Submit Your Comment
All those interested in the management of Atlantic striped bass are encouraged to provide input either by participating in public hearings, which may be conducted via webinar, or providing written comment. If you are unable to participate in your state’s scheduled hearing, you are welcome to participate in any of the virtual or hybrid hearings.
Submit Comment: Draft Addendum II to Amendment 7
Email: comments@asmfc.org
Subject Line: Striped Bass Draft Addendum II
Emilie Franke
FMP Coordinator
1050 N. Highland Street
Suite 200 A-N
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 PM (EST) on December 22, 2023
Public Hearing Schedule
Below you will find all important information and links for each of the state hearings. Here is the official ASMFC news release on all state public hearings, it also contains contact info for each state/agency.
Please note: This schedule has been revised since its initial release and includes a change in location for Delaware’s November 28 hearing, the addition of a second hearing for Connecticut on November 30, a change to a hybrid hearing for Rhode Island’s November 30 hearing and the addition of a second hearing for New Jersey on December 5.
- Wednesday, November 15 | Webinar Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection & Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- The webinar registration link is available here.
- Thursday, November 16 | In-person Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Connecticut Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection
- Hearing Location: CT DEEP Marine Headquarters Boating Education Center (“Back Building”) 333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme CT 06371
- Tuesday, November 28 | Hybrid Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife
- Note: This is a hybrid meeting (both in-person and virtual). The webinar registration link is available here.
- Hearing Location: Dover Public Library 35 Loockerman Plaza Dover, DE 19901
- Thursday, November 30 | In-person Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Connecticut Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection
- Hearing Location: Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point 1 Milford Point Rd, Milford, CT 06460
- Thursday, November 30 | In-person Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management
- Note: This is a hybrid meeting (both in-person and virtual). The virtual Zoom link is here.
- Hearing Location: University of Rhode Island Bay Campus Corless Auditorium 215 South Ferry Road, Narraganset, RI 02882
- Monday, December 4 | In-person Hearing | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation
- Hearing Location: NYSDEC Division of Marine Resources 123 Kings Park Blvd (inside Nissequogue River State Park), Kings Park, NY 11754
- Note: NYSDEC will provide a listen-only livestream link to be posted on the NYSDEC calendar.
- Tuesday, December 5 | In-person Hearing | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
- Hearing Location: Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Admiral’s Hall 101 Academy Dr., Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
- Tuesday, December 5 | In-person Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection
- Hearing Location: Stafford Township Municipal Building 260 East Bay Avenue Manahawkin, NJ 08050
- Wednesday, December 6 | In-person Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
- Hearing Location: Calvary United Methodist Church, Basement Room 301 Rowe Blvd, Annapolis, MD 21401
- Thursday, December 7 | In-person Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Virginia Marine Resources Commission
- Hearing Location: Virginia Marine Resources Commission 380 Fenwick Rd, Building 96 Fort Monroe, VA, 23651
- Monday, December 11 | Hybrid Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- New Hampshire Fish and Game Dept.
- Note: This is a hybrid meeting (both in-person and virtual). The webinar registration link is available here.
- Hearing Location: Urban Forestry Center 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801
- Tuesday, December 12 | Webinar Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Potomac River Fisheries Commission & District of Columbia Dept. of Energy and Environment
- The webinar registration link is available here.
- Thursday, December 14 | Hybrid Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
- Note: This is a hybrid meeting (both in-person and virtual). The virtual Microsoft Teams link is here.
- Hearing Location: Maine DMR Office – Augusta Room 118, Marquardt Building 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta, ME 04330
- Monday, December 18 | In-person Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation
- Hearing Location: NYSDEC Region 3 Headquarters 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561
- Note: NYSDEC will provide a listen-only livestream link to be posted on the NYSDEC calendar.
- Tuesday, December 19 | In-person Hearing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
- Hearing Location: Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station 30 Emerson Ave Gloucester, MA 01930
Additional Links
- Addendum II to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass
- Public Hearing Schedule
- Atlantic Striped Bass Board 2023 Annual Meeting: Presentations (PDF)
- Atlantic Striped Bass Board 2023 Annual Meeting: Meeting Recording Audio/Video (YouTube)
- ASMFC 2023 Annual Meeting: 2023 Annual Meeting Summary (PDF)
ASMFC 2023 Annual Meeting Summary
ASMFC 2023 Annual Meeting Summary
Taylor Vavra | Vice President
Last Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board met during the ASMFC 81st Annual Meeting and approved Draft Addendum II for public comment. This will be the second addendum to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. It has become clear that the board continues to struggle with a solution to get the stock back on track and recovered by 2029. Six days prior to the meeting, the Maryland DNR (Department of Natural Resources) released the Chesapeake Bay 2023 young-of-year Striped Bass survey results. The unfortunate news is that we now have a fifth straight year of very poor recruitment, an index of 1.0, well below the long-term average of 11.1. The Maryland side of the Chesapeake Bay is by far the most important spawning area on the Atlantic coast with an estimated 65-90% of fish spawning and nursing within it. It is our belief that this board cannot and will not rebuild the stock with the provisions which arise from Addendum II. There are simply not enough new fish entering the stock and it is only a matter of time before we find ourselves witnessing a catastrophic collapse. Many anglers point to incredible fishing and while that might be the case in some isolated areas, the reality is that the 2015 year class is just that, a single year class of fish. What will follow that is exactly what we need to be concerned about, it is incredibly important to have a long term vision of the fishery.
Stripers Forever took the bold stance during the Amendment 7 process that there is only one thing will successfully rebuild the stock, an equitable (recreational and commercial) harvest moratorium. It did not become an option in Amendment 7, it was not an option in Addendum I and unfortunately for Striped Bass, it is not an option in Addendum II. Perhaps the next stock assessment will force the hand of the board, only time will tell. Between now and then, Striped Bass will suffer the consequences and we will be that much farther behind in finding a viable solution to rebuild the stock. Below are some of the main takeaways from the annual meeting. Once Addendum II is released for public comment, we will review it, do our best to simplify it and help make your voice heard in the most productive way possible.
- The board approved Addendum II for public comment and it will be released by the ASMFC sometime on or before October 31st. Public hearings will then commence in November and continue into December. Final action on Addendum II will likely take place at a meeting sometime in January. The goal would be to have new regulations in place for the 2024 fishing season. BUT…with commercial regulations likely to be impacted, the board made it clear that it would be very difficult or impossible to do so in 2024. Some commercial seasons begin soon-after and updating tags may be undoable. More on this in our action alert for public comment.
- Recreational options for both the ocean and Chesapeake Bay were further adjusted and in some cases simplified. There were also a few additions, most notable of which was an option to up the current slot limit to 30-33″. This is mind boggling, the board set out to protect the 2015 year class and we now have an option on the table to essentially track their growth and allow more to be removed from the stock. This will be one item to strongly oppose in your comments to the board.
- Mode splits for charter/for-hire remain in Addendum II and it is our belief that this is a dangerous slippery slope. Equity must play an important part in the rebuilding of the stock and we all must give in order to receive. Dividing recreational anglers will only create more animosity and confusion in regards to enforcement. Again, more on this in our action alert for public comment.
- Commercial options in Addendum II were greatly simplified and both the ocean and Chesapeake Bay fisheries will very likely see commercial quota reductions.
- While not talked about during the meeting, the reality is that Addendum II will likely only be a bridge for the 2024 seasons. A new stock assessment is due in late summer or early fall of 2024. Given the current trajectory of stock status, we tend to believe that the results will be very bad. If that is the case, the board will go back to the drawing board in an effort to further correct and ensure a rebuild by 2029. As that time, if things continue to go as they have, we may finally see the board with no choice but to enact stronger measures in the way of seasonal closures and perhaps a harvest moratorium.
From the ASMFC:
Atlantic Striped Bass Board Approves Draft Addendum II for Public Comment to Consider Measures to Reduce Fishing Mortality in 2024
Beaufort, NC – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board approved for public comment Draft Addendum II to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Striped Bass. The Draft Addendum considers management measures designed to support stock rebuilding by reducing fishing mortality to the target in 2024.
The Board initiated the Draft Addendum in response to the low probability of meeting the 2029 stock rebuilding deadline if the unexpectedly high 2022 fishing mortality rate continues. The Draft Addendum builds upon the 2023 emergency action by considering management measures intended to reduce fishing mortality to the target level in 2024. Projections indicate that a 14.5% reduction in total removals relative to 2022 is needed to have a 50% chance of being at or below the fishing mortality target in 2024. For the recreational fishery, the Draft Addendum proposes recreational bag and size limit options for the ocean and Chesapeake Bay regions, including options with different limits for the for-hire modes. To address concerns about recreational filleting allowances and compliance with recreational size limits, the Draft Addendum includes an option that would establish minimum requirements for states that authorize at-sea/shore-side filleting of striped bass (e.g., racks must be retained). For the commercial fishery, the Draft Addendum proposes a quota reduction option that would reduce commercial quotas by up to 14.5%, with the final percent reduction to be determined by the Board.
For measures beyond 2024, the Board will consider the results of the upcoming 2024 stock assessment update to inform subsequent management action. To enable an expedited management response to the 2024 stock assessment update, the Draft Addendum proposes an option that would enable the Board to respond to the results of the stock assessment updates more quickly, via Board action, if the stock is not projected to rebuild by 2029.
The Draft Addendum will be posted to the website no later than October 31st at https://asmfc.org/about-us/public-input. A subsequent press release will provide the details on the public hearing schedule and how to submit written comments. The Board will meet to review submitted comments and consider final action on the addendum in January 2024 at the Commission’s Winter Meeting in Arlington, VA. For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at efranke@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.
The press release can also be found at http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/653159e0PR28_AtlStripedBassDraftAddenumII_PublicComment.pdf
ADDITIONAL LINKS
- Atlantic Striped Bass Board 2023 Annual Meeting: Presentations (PDF)
- Atlantic Striped Bass Board 2023 Annual Meeting: Meeting Recording Audio/Video (YouTube)
- ASMFC 2023 Annual Meeting: 2023 Annual Meeting Summary (PDF)
ASMFC 81st Annual Meeting (10/18/23) & Chesapeake Bay 2023 YOY Report
ASMFC 81st Annual Meeting of the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board
To register for the live webinar please go here: ASMFC 81st Annual Meeting- Striped Bass Management Board (GoToMeeting Webinar ID: 807-430-387)
ADDITIONAL LINKS
- Atlantic Striped Bass Board- Draft Agenda/ Meeting Overview/ Main Meeting Materials
- Atlantic Striped Bass Board- Supplemental Materials
- Atlantic Striped Bass Board- Supplemental Materials 2
Maryland Chesapeake Bay 2023 YOY (young-of-year) Survey Results
Unfortunately the Maryland DNR 2023 young-of-year survey has brought more bad news to the table. The juvenile Striped Bass index is dangerously low for a fifth consecutive year. The 2023 young-of-year index is 1.0, well below the long-term average of 11.1 and the second-worst spawn on record. It is very concerning that the Chesapeake commercial quota has seen no reduction. Between Menhaden and Striped Bass, the bay is being sucked dry of all life. The DNR is placing the blame on environmental factors, we don’t disagree with the possibility of that. But if that is true, we need to adjust management of the fishery to offset those factors as fixing those environmental issues is a much longer process. Let’s hope this news does some in good in the way of encouraging the ASMFC board to get a handle on commercial quota in the bay and also keep more conservation minded options in draft Addendum II.
