striper slughter continues even worse with new regs

[seapower]

I'm an old commercial guy myself and I was there at the Inlet sea trialing a boat the last time this happened. I saw what was there from the bar to the bridge, they weren't sea gull's. I hate to say it but this isn't a very efficient way to catch a quota. Frank

[wahoojack]

The following letter was sent to me by a friend...I do not know the gentleman, but I like the way he thinks. His letter...

NCDMF Commission Members,

Let me begin by saying that I am not writing to insult you, but to give constructive input. I am an avid recreational fisherman and I value the fishery resources found in our great state.

In a state which depends heavily on monies generated by both the commercial and recreational fishing industry, one would think that conservation of resources would be a top priority. Given the outcome of your vote regarding the North Carolina striped bass commercial fishery on Friday February 11th, I would say it is the furthest thing from your mind. The current practice of discarding appropriately sized dead fish as by-catch is simply unacceptable, from a resource standpoint. There is no reason these fish should be discarded. Many of the fish seen in recent kills were of reasonable size and could have simply been added onto the fisherman's catch weight for the day. This leads me to the first option - open the fisherman's quota to include all fish of appropriate species caught. If the commercial fisherman were to keep all fish caught, this would eliminate the wasteful by-catch and allow them to catch their quotas more efficiently. If the fish are already dead, they may as well be kept. In addition, states like Maryland and Virginia have instated the hook-and-line method of commercial striped bass fishing. This method would eliminate the by-catch which results from the current method of fishing.

Whatever your decision, one thing is certain - something needs to change! Killing fish in order to catch them, no matter your ratio of by-catch to keep, is the opposite of resource management. It is resource waste. Your website states that your purpose is this:

"The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is responsible for the stewardship of the state's marine and estuarine resources."

Merriam-Webster's second listed definition for stewardship is this:


"the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially : the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care <stewardship of natural resources>"

Careful, Responsible. Towards a resource entrusted to your care. I am sorry gentlemen, but there is nothing careful OR responsible about the way you are managing this resource. I will end this message as I began it, in a state which depends so heavily on monies generated by both commercial and recreational fishing it is absolutely vital that its fisheries be protected. I ask this of you, gentlemen. Do your jobs as outlined in the mission statement of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, as defined above. That is all.

Thank you for your time,

Alec Chatham

Campbell University
Supporter, OBPA
Member, CCA
Committee Chairman, Ducks Unlimited
Avid Recreational Fisherman