ASMFC regulation meeting reaches final decision on draft addendum III
MARYLAND. – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission hosted its annual meeting in Dewey Beach Wednesday.
The move focuses on Addendum Three for final approval. At the meeting, fishermen from across the East Coast got together for public comment at the hearing.
The addendum considers management actions to support rebuilding the stock by 2029. To address those requirements, the board initiated the response.
The action which would mean reducing fishery removals by 12%. This would essentially bring the stock to the proposed number in 2029.
Nicholas Manzione is a commercial fisherman in New York. He made the trek to Dewey Beach to speak his mind. He tells WMDT that this has been an ongoing problem for years.
“The funny thing I say is when I started fishing, I would be fishing by the Verrazano Bridge smoking a joint, and catching striped bass. I think 40 years later, you could smoke a joint but still can’t catch a striped bass. It’s kind of mind-boggling.”
Patrick Pacquette disagrees. He is the Government Affairs Officer for the Massachusetts Striped-Bass Association. He said the potential move might not work. The striped-bass classes have been so devastated that a recovery would take years.
“This is all we can do is control our fishing effort. Try and tamper it down some, hoping this stock gets some good year classes. It might not happen.”
Fishermen got together for the interview and told WMDT their message in Dewey Beach.
“Over the last 3 years, with the prior cutbacks, it has reduced our business by at least 50% in all categories, with catching fish and the number of trips we have, and the number of passengers we have taken out.”
For Pacquette, who advocates for striped-bass conservation. He tells WMDT, it’s a situation that has damages for both sides.
“There is not anyone wrong in the room. It’s not an angling problem. This is not fishermen’s fault. It’s a climate problem. The winners and losers are going to get chosen here.”
After hours of dialogue and collaboration. The ASMFC will not move forward with Draft Addendum III.
WMDT will keep you updated on any further developments regarding the fisheries.
