Ask An Expert: How Are Stripers Managed?

Part III of a Multi-Part Series:

Part I: Are Striper Regulations Really Working?
Part II: Threats to the Striper Population
Part III: Ask an Expert: How are Stripers Managed?
Part IV: Ask an Expert: What is Gamefish Status?

The Atlantic states Marine Fisheries Commission (AsMFC), formed by the 15 Atlantic coast states in 1942, has managed striped bass since 1981. Three commissioners represent each state: the director for the state’s marine fisheries management agency, a state legislator, and an individual appointed by the governor. Each commissioner is allowed to appoint a proxy. During debate on any issue, each commissioner is allowed to participate independently. When it is time to vote on a motion, the three commissioners from an individual state will caucus and must come up with one vote for that state.

Although the full ASMFC must approve all items in the Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP); most of the analysis, debate and decision-making is done by a smaller subset of the full ASMFC entitled the ASMFC striped Bass Management Board. The striped Bass Management Board is made up of the commissioners of states from Maine to North Carolina. When the board meets, they are regularly provided information from the FMP Coordinator (dedicated staff members who coordinates all striped bass business), chairperson of the SB Technical Committee, (a group of scientists that provide scientific advice to the board), and chairperson of the sB Advisory Panel, (a group of recreational and commercial anglers appointed by the AsMFC to advise the board).

Amendment 6 to SBFMP provides the current management guidance. it includes target and threshold biological reference points, and sets regulations aimed at achieving the targets. Required regulatory measures include recreational and commercial minimum size limits, recreational bag or creel limits and commercial quotas.

Once the ASMFC has set the guidance in the FMP, states can either enact mirror regulations or can implement alternative management measures that are deemed to be a conservation equivalent to the preferred measures in Amendment 6.

An example of a conservation equivalent is how new Jersey handles its commercial quota. Many years ago New Jersey decided striped bass are more valuable to the state as a recreationally harvested species than as a commercially harvested species. So, new Jersey harvests its commercial quota under a recreational trophy fish system. The plan is accepted by ASMFC because it is equal to or more conservative than the FMP guidance.

Patrick Paquette is a three term past president and for ten years has served as the government affairs officer of the Massachusetts Striped Bass Association. Patrick is a recreational fishing community advocate and works on issues from Maine to North Carolina.

OTW Staff

The On The Water staff is made up of experienced anglers from across the Northeast who fish local waters year-round. The team brings firsthand, on-the-water experience and regional knowledge to coverage of Northeast fisheries, techniques, seasonal patterns, regulations, and conservation.