Here's a copy of the survey:
IMO we should regulate the fish as I see too many people keeping way above the limit. I like the SLOT of not keeping 18-28 in fish and requiring mandatory Circle hooks. I also made the suggestion of ELIMINATING the high dollar fishing contests. As much as I like these it entices anglers to keep too many large females that normally would have been let go if not for the contest. I think the regulations on larger spawning females should be more strict. The smaller males seem to be plentiful and are better for eating anyway. I have NEVER kept a spawning female in my entire fishing career no matter how big it was.
2015 Hudson River striped bass recreational fishing regulation options
Why we are seeking stakeholder input
On October 29th 2014, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission adopted Addendum IV to Amendment 6 of the Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for striped bass. The new addendum requires a 25% coast-wide reduction in harvest to reduce fishing mortality on the striped bass stock. The reduction is necessary to stop the decline in the coastal migratory stock’s spawning stock biomass (SSB) of large female striped bass.
The Hudson River stock is part of the coastal migratory stock. In the Hudson, annual young of year production has dropped in recent years. The Hudson’s SSB is following the declining trend in the coastal SSB. This will translate into a decrease in the number of spawning fish over the next seven to 10 years.
New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation must implement the reduction prior to the 2015 fishing season. There are several options we can take to meet this reduction. We are requesting your input by answering the questions below.
CURRENT REGULATIONS
Area: Hudson River, above the G. Washington Bridge
Season: Mar 16 – Nov 30
Possession & Size limit Requirements: 1 fish per day 18 inches total length (TL) minimum
Other: Anglers must be on the Marine Registry
PLEASE NOTE the Possession limit of one fish per day will NOT change.
*
1. Do you fish for striped bass in the Tidal Hudson River above the G. Washington Bridge from April 1 to June 15?
Do you fish for striped bass in the Tidal Hudson River above the G. Washington Bridge from April 1 to June 15?
Yes
No
2. Do you fish for striped bass in the Tidal Hudson River above the G. Washington Bridge from June 15 to November 30?
Do you fish for striped bass in the Tidal Hudson River above the G. Washington Bridge from June 15 to November 30?
Yes
No
3. Do you fish for striped bass in the Marine District (Long Island and waters south of the G. Washington Bridge)?
Do you fish for striped bass in the Marine District (Long Island and waters south of the G. Washington Bridge)?
Yes
No
*
4. To catch striped bass, do you use:
To catch striped bass, do you use:
Lures
Natural bait with J hooks
Natural bait with CIRCLE hooks
*
5. Please rank the following regulatory options for the HUDSON RIVER ABOVE THE G. WASHINGTON BRIDGE: [1 = MOST preferred, 5 = LEAST preferred]
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New SLOT limit of 18-28 inches total length, and require mandatory circle hooks when using natural bait [This would eliminate harvest of large spawning females and reduce catch and release mortality]
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New SLOT limit of 18-28 inches total length [This would eliminate harvest of large spawning females]
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New minimum size limit of 28 inches Total Length, AND require mandatory circle hooks when using natural bait. [Using circle hooks reduces catch and release mortality].
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New minimum size limit of 28 inches Total Length.
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Create a “spawning season”, allow catch and release fishing ONLY and require mandatory circle hooks when using natural bait [Season could be Apr 1 to May 31, May 1 to May 31, or May 1 to Jun 15. This would protect mature fish while they are spawning]
6. Please enter any other comments you have:
Please enter any other comments you have:
DEC seeking our input on new regs.
