Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to urging the agencies to consider the economic impacts of newly proposed striped bass regulations.

According to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), in October of 2013, the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board initiated an addendum to the Amendment 6 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass to consider new biological reference points and management option to reduce fishing mortality. As such ASMFC released, “Draft Addendum IV to Amendment 6 To The Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan For Public Comment,” and is seeking comment through September 30, 2014.

Thiele explained that while the striped bass population is not being overfished, the spawning stock, essentially the mature individuals who are needed to ensure that a sustainable population exists, has decreased. This has necessitated reductions in amount and size taken.

The Draft Addendum offers four different options, ranging from remaining at the status quo, reducing the total harvest by 25% in one year, reducing total harvest by 17% in one year, or reducing total harvest by 20% through a 7% reduction spread out over three years.

The Assemblyman urged the ASMFC and NYSDEC to adopt the option which would result in a 20% reduction in harvest by spreading out an annual 7% reduction for three years.

“This option would clearly still allow us to meet the reduction in take we need, while also ensuring that we minimize any negative impact to Long Island’s commercial and recreational striped bass fishing industry,” stated Thiele. “Whatever option is chosen must ensure the short and long term sustainability of the striped bass resources and the striped bass fisheries.”

The Draft Addendum IV to Amendment 6 To The Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan For Public Comment is available at: http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file//53f3cd5cStripedBassDraftAddendumIV_PublicComment.pdf