Virginia has taken action to protect striped bass ahead of regulatory action expected for the 2020 season. On Tuesday, August 27, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission unanimously approved the staff recommendation to adopt emergency amendments that lower the recreational possession limit in the Chesapeake Bay area from 2 to 1, establish a recreational maximum size limit of 36 inches in the Chesapeake Bay area fall season, and establish commercial maximum mesh size requirements in the Chesapeake Bay and Coastal areas.
Earlier this year, Virginia closed their spring trophy season. These actions are in response to a recent striped bass stock assessment which shows that striped bass are overfished and overfishing is occurring.
According to an article in the Virginian-Pilot, some fishermen are angry about the impact these new regulations will have on the fall charter and tournament fishing scene.
Increase the mesh size : This is a joke right? Virginia and MD need to make commercial fishing Rod and Reel ONLY! NO NETS!
Correct the mesh size increase is a sad joke because when the net gets layered nothing can escape and they all die. It happened in the cod fishery larger and larger mesh did not work and they continued to net them when they were spawning. No nets on bass and no fishing during the spawn in the producer states. Managed rod and reel fishing will not destroy the fishery. When will the regulators wake up. Also increasing the keep size is going the wrong way save the spawners and give a slot of 1 fish in the 20-24″ size for a take. Where has commonsense gone, they are regulating on the emotions of sport fishermen.
Maine has no commercial striped bass fishing and a one fish limit. We are doing the right thing with regards to this challenged species. How about we all do better and eliminate commercial fishing for east coast striped bass? With regards to this species, the “recreational value” outweighs the commercial value. People flock to New England and the mid-Atlantic to fish for striped bass. Hotels stays, restaurant and food store sales, charter trips, bait shops, etc…..
Agree with with Vince, no nets
Agree with Vince, no nets