The Striped Bass portion of the ASMFC 2024 Winter Meeting is in the books. While the final results weren’t perfect, after five contentious hours on the webinar, we have an approved Addendum II in which conservation won on many fronts.

The public comment summary for Addendum II was a landslide, calling for the most consistent and conservation-minded decisions to protect the future of this fishery.

The following blog provides a brief summary of the action on the primary sections of Addendum II:

https://saltwaterguidesassociation.com/addendum-2.../

Key Moments:

Move to approve in Section 3.1.2. Ocean Recreational Fishery Option B: 1-fish at 28-31″ with 2022 seasons for all modes. Motion passes 14-2-0-0.

Move to approve in Section 3.1.2. Chesapeake Bay Recreational Fishery Option B2: 19-24″ slot, 1-fish for all modes, 2022 seasons. Motion passes 14-2-0-0.

Move to approve in Section 3.2.1 Commercial Quota Reduction Option B: 7% reduction from ocean and Chesapeake Bay 2022 quotas with 2022 size limits. Motion passes 8-6-0-2.

Move to approve in Section 3.3 Response to Stock Assessments Option B: Board could respond via Board action to change management measures by voting to pass a motion at a Board meeting. Motion passes 11-5-0-0.

Move to approve the following compliance schedule: States must submit implementation plans by March 1, 2024. The Board will review and consider approving implementation plans in March 2024. States must implement regulations by May 1, 2024. Motion passes 10-4-0-2.

#BetterBusinessThroughConservation #StripedBass #FisheriesManagement