The DEC receives numerous complaints each year regarding the use of regulated marine species for bait.  The species so-used include fluke, scup, tautog, flounder and many others.  Two complaints are typically received:  1) widespread disregard for minimum size limits by those using these species for bait and 2) use of these species as bait is not consistent with the objectives of the management plan, including the fact that this practice introduces an additional source of mortality to these regulated species, many of which are already struggling.  Mr. Colvin indicated to the Council that the Department is thinking "very hard" whether to even allow fluke, winter flounder, tautog, scup, black sea bass, or bluefish to be used as bait.  He believes that the two major areas that need improvement are enforcement and attitude.

Several councilors were not ready to admit that using regulated species as bait is an unacceptable practice.  They cited the example of eels; very few Americans eat eels and it is questionable whether the fishery management plan for this species should be focused mainly on their commercial harvest for food.  Eels are used as bait all the time.  Mr. Colvin replied that the interstate fishery management plan for eels did, in fact, acknowledge their widespread use as bait and this was factored into the management program for eels.  However, in no other fishery management plan is this the case.  He stated that the collective stated goals for these marine fishery resources do not relate to providing them for bait but relate instead for providing them for commercial utilization for people to eat and recreational use for people to enjoy.  If this is the case, why should they be used as bait? 

Councilor Robert Danielson felt that using the fish as bait is the natural order of things but was countered by Councilor Witek when he said that there are species that eat striped bass; should we use start using Morone saxatilis as bait, too?  Councilor Jordan observed that this issue isn’t really about legality and enforcement.  The issues is should additional sources of mortality (i.e., increased use as bait) be allowed in the management of fish species that are clearly stressed? 

This issue will be more fully explored and discussed at the November 2006 Council meeting.

 

Page last modified Friday, November 3, 2006 by George E. Carroll