Don't be fooled by a wolf is sheeps clothing. This week, on June 20th, the NJ Marine Fisheries Council met regarding the ASMFC's emergency action regarding tighter slot limits for striped bass. The regs would be one fish per angler per day at 28-31". Everyone thought NJ would balk on accepting the action and be in non-compliance, something they have done in the past.
But guess what, New Jersey "voted", 5-2, to be in compliance, like agreeing to do as you are told. So effective July 2nd, the new slot limit is in effect. Big deal. Yes. Big deal. No. The ASMFC waited too long to make a move to save the striped bass, and the emergency action, in effect July 2nd, is "good" for 180 days. Then it has to be readopted, or it falls off.
The delay has meant that this spring the beatdown of fish 28-37.99" has already occurred. How many fish had been killed while the powers that be decided to make a move. In their non-action, anglers, charter captains, and the headboats made sure they got into them good, and harvested "our legal limit" or "one for table", for each angler and the captain and mate.
Now don't think New Jersey, not listening to guys like Fote and Nowalski, is doing the right thing. "Commercial" fishing, which in my opinion should include anyone that pays for or gets paid to, fish for striped bass really doesn't occur here in New Jersey in the summer. Guys on the beach fish for schoolies and maybe keeper sized bass. If you want big summer bass you head to Block or the Cape Cod Canal.
The real showdown will be in October when the Emergency action expires. That when the neanderthals from New Jersey and groups like the RFA and JCAA will be out in force protecting their harvest of those fall run bass like we had last year. They will spend the summer planning their attack and legal rights before the emergency action has to be re-upped.
As of now all of the states have voted to comply, except the lone holdout state of Virginia. The good old boys will either fall in line or be the model of opposition and non-compliance, which will come with the support of those, like from New Jersey, who really wanted to fight this now, and not wait until October.