ASMFC Draft Addendum III to Amendment 7 For Dummies

Sep17

About ten years ago, there was a phenomenon experienced by football fans known as “Patriots fatigue.” Always on TV, always the darling of analysts, hard to like, frequently winning in ways that defied mathematical probability or opposing coach logic (Super Bowl LI, anyone?).

I have ASMFC fatigue.

Another draft addendum, another public comment period, another chance for the rogue states of New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware to behave stupidly, blah-blah-blah-blah-blah. (Insert heavy sigh here.)

**If the bass closes its eyes, will it look like it’s yawning?**

Nonetheless, we must do our duty and voice our opinion. The goal of all of this is to improve the SSB, or Spawing Stock Biomass. No SSB, no future stripers. Here are the two simple things you need to do. It’ll take you 15 minutes.

First, go to the ASGA website for the conservation-based opinion on what to comment. (Look for the heading “Proposed Management Options in Addendum III). Two, email your comments to the ASMFC. The following is from their website: “The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding the proposed management options in this document at any time during the addendum process. There are four ways to submit comments, written comments via this page or the comment@asmfc.org email below, the public comment form, mailed written comments, or attend a public hearing. The final date comments will be accepted is Friday, October 3 at 11:59 p.m. EST.“

ASMFC Stripers Addendum II Written Comment Deadline is Friday, Dec 22!

Dec19

If you have not done so already, please take ten minutes and send an email to the ASMFC regarding Addendum II.

Here’s the ASGA’s (the good guys) official positions on Addendum II. You want to mirror these, but don’t cut-and-paste everything or it looks like a form letter/email, which the ASMFC will disregard.

Email your letter to: comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Striped Bass Draft Addendum II). you’ll know your email was received because ASMFC will send you an acknowledgement.

I know you’re busy, but it really only takes 10 minutes and we need your voice to be heard. I thank you. The stripers thank you. ASGA thanks you.

**If I was a striper, I’d look concerned, too.**

What a shock! The ASMFC fiddles while Rome burns…

Aug18

My deepest apologies for being Debbie Downer — if you’ve been following the Farmington River situation, you know it’s been a constant stream of un-good news — but the bureaucrats at the ASMFC are at it again. Instead of moving forward with Addendum II (the next step would be to release it for public comment) they’ve chosen to delay the process at this critical juncture.

Here are two resources to get you better better informed. The first is from our friends at the American Saltwater Guides Association. I encourage you to read Striped Bass Board Delays Addendum II in its entirety. Especially if you’re in a good mood and need a reason to get mad.

For a briefer summary, read this blog post from Stripers Forever.

**Dear ASMFC: Stop dragging your feet! Now there’s an idea…**

ASGA Fireside Zoom Chat 9/16 @ 7pm: State of the Striper

Sep14

From the American Saltwater Guides Association: “Join the ASGA team for a Fireside Chat focused on the current state of the Striped Bass! The chat will be LIVE this Wednesday, 9/16 at 7pm. Tune in via Zoom or Facebook Live! This is a great way for members of the fishing community from all backgrounds to learn something new, ask questions and be a part of the dialogue.” Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtcO2sqzMjHNczidcP8mqBjyfM2113PGFw