In an effort to protect one of the last large classes of fish now reaching breeding age, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission dropped the recreational maximum keeper size limit for a striped bass from 35 inches to 31.
There is no purer pleasure for anglers on Martha’s Vineyard than the tug on the line of the first striped bass of the season. That first hit in early May or June renews a seasonal relationship that is as old as the Island itself.
In a last minute effort, the Governor of Massachusetts yesterday intervened in a successful effort to convince the state marine fisheries commission to remain conservative in adopting striped bass management for the coming season.
In a three hour meeting, held in Weston, state officials after lengthy discussion adopted a uniform 34-inch minimum size for the catching of striped bass for both recreational and commercial fishermen. This represents a drop in two inches from last year's minimum.
Responding to the precipitous drop in the Atlantic striped bass population, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has mandated an 18 per cent cut in commercial and recreational harvest quotas for 2020.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has drafted new rules for both the recreational and commercial fisheries to preserve the dwindling stocks.
