Rich forwarded an email that Ross Squire had sent titled CALL FOR ACTION Ross was asking people to write Governor Hochul and your state assemblyman and State senator and have them instute the new slot limit on Striped Bass immediately. Below is what I sent to Governor Hochul, Assemblyman Fred Thiele and Senator Anthony Palumbo.
Dear Gov,
I've been actively surfcasting for Striped bass for over 50 years. I can tell you that on October 4, 1970 it became an obsession after my Dad and I had a "best day ever" together. I'm 67 now and the Striped bass is still my obsession!
I've lived through the lean years of striper abundance and also through the years of great abundance of fish. The great abundance came after a coastal shutdown took place in 1986 and then higher regulation in the form of increased size and possession limits. Party boats fishing for Striped bass was unheard of until the fish made a dramatic comeback in the mid 1990's, after these strict regulations took place. Now these same for hire fishing boats are looking to stop the emergency regulations of a reduced slot size from occurring or being delayed further. This should not happen. Striped Bass are being overfished as regulatory folks have determined and delaying the emergency regulations is doing nothing to help the bass.
It's become very obvious to me that most of the fish I'm catching right now are in the slot size of 28 to 35 inches. I'm also seeing practically no small bass in my travels. Just 4 or 5 years ago fish from 14 to 18 inches were what I was experiencing on many a fishing trip. Now these same fish are the "slot" fish of today. Having more bass available to spawn is what's going to save our Striped bass for future generations. Seeing no small bass tells me the lean times are coming once again.
Please do not delay the new regulations from taking place and I encourage and support the new slot size of 28 to 31 inches being instituted immediately in NY and not waiting until July 1st or beyond. I
Again, please do not delay these emergency regulations. Thank you.
Leif Gobel 1100 N. Sea Dr. Orient NY 11957 631-252-1134 leif.gobel@gmail.com