As reported by the American Saltwater Guides Association Massachusetts has begun the process of making changes to their commercial striped bass fishery. While the idea of changing the regulations is in the early stages it is a step in the right direction.
Massachusetts has a long history of having commercial striped bass fishery. Currently it is a hook and line fishery from boat or on foot. Once a permit is obtained commercial anglers may harvest and sell, to an approved and authorized dealer, striped bass. Over the yers they have made changes, like banning commercial harvesting in the Cape Cod Canal.
As with other commercial fisheries each state is allocated a quota and that is carefully monitored each week during the open seasons. If and when the quota is met, the fishery is then shut down. So if the quota is say 100 pounds with a season going from June 1- August 31, and it's hit by August 14, then there is no more harvesting allowed.
The Massachusetts commercial quota, for 2024, was set at 683,773 million pounds of which 96.93% was hit, with a total harvest of 662,783 pounds. The largest hauls cutting into that quota in Mass. occurs during the summer, July and August, during the time when the striped bass, and the largest female striped bass, are vacationing in the New England waters.
Currently the size minimum for commercial harvesting is 35 inches. That means 50 inch fish are allowed to be caught and sold. Basically the slot is from 35 inches to whatever. It really cuts into that SSB biomass which include the largest females. So if you look along the East Coast, from the rivers to the bays, anglers, on both sides, are taking fish from 18 inches to 60 inches and beyond, depending on the state, the time of year, and even the day of the week. Massachusetts allows hook and line commercial harvest on Tuesday and Wednesday, with some other days in the week during the months outside of the summer seasons.
The proposal on the table is to have a commercial slot limit. If you look above the projections above for a reduction into each slot you can see, potentially, how many less fish will be harvested. Depending on how it plays out the slots go from a 12 inch slot down to a tight 5 inch slot. It also moves the ruler down allowing commercial fishermen to harvest fish at a 32 inch minimum. Do slots work? For some fisheries they have. Is the 28-31" ocean side slot now in place a good thing and working for the striped bass? I don't think so especially if we are looking to protect the most recent below average year classes. and remember the ASMFC allowed the carnage of the 2015 and 2018 year class of fish to continue through 2025. That "One for the table" adds up.
In addition to the slot proposal the Massachusetts DMF is looking to ban the use of gaffs. Using a gaff while harvesting big female striped bass doesn't really hurt the fish, they are going to be harvested anyway. It's kind of like throwing plugs with trebles to those fish that you plan on keeping. Throwing a Spook into a pod of big blitzing striped bass blowing bunker out of the water is, I guess good. Throw your plug, hook your fish, bring it over the rail and toss it in the cooler.
But for the catch and release angler, or for one looking to harvest a slot fish, using a gaff, and trebles as well, only injures the fish that will be released, because it would be illegal to take them. Picture yourself in your 18 foot boat fishing with a Massachusetts permit. You've positioned yourself over marks that tell you you have a lot of bass underneath you. The new slot is, just say, 35-42". You can and reel your fish in and reach for the gaff but the fish looks like
it may be on the lower end of the size limit. You try to gaff it in the lip but drive it into its head and pull it in. As it flops around you put the now bloody fish up to that local tackle shop ruler you stuck on the gunnel, and, it's 34.5 inches. Now what? It's a wasted, and dead, fish. Eliminating the gaff will hopefully reduce the catch and release mortality in the Massachusetts commercial fishery.
While this is in the early stages, with a Public Hearing coming at some time, the muscle of the commercial fisheries will come out in force and be heard. A lot of those fishermen who have a commercial fishing permit aren't doing this as their sole source of income. It's a side hustle that covers the gear, the boat, the slip, and the beer. This is good however for the striped bass. At least it's a step in the right direction.