| The striped bass is one of the most
popular sportsfishing targets as well as one of the best tasting food fish
on the East coast. Reaching weights well in excess of 50 pounds, the striper
(also called "rockfish" in the southern states) provides fine dining and
recreational opportunities to millions each year.
East coast striped bass stocks suffered serious declines in the 1980s
but stringent management measures involving major sacrifices by the commercial
fishermen, the recreational fishermen and the consumers contributed to
a major rebound. Today our coastal waters are once again "filled" with
striped bass. Their reciovery has been so pronounced that the head of the
National Marine Fisheries Service, Rollie Schmitten, has stated that there
are more of these highly desirable fish available today than there have
ever been.
Unfortunately, this fish which is so highly regarded as table fare is
beyond the reach of most New Jersey citizens. State legislation bans both
the capture of striped bass by any but sportsfishermen and their sale,
regardless of where they were caught, anywhere in the state. Any New Jersey
citizens wishing to enjoy the unparalled experience of dining on an ocean-fresh
striper must catch it him- or herself, must receive it as a gift from a
sportsfisherman or woman, or must leave the state to do it.
..............................
[
Link to Chapter 7 of Peter Matthiessen's Men's Lives that
discusses striped bass biology, striped bass angling, and the history of
the New York recreational angler's struggles to keep make this fish their
own "personal" property.] |
