74Formula233

Don't you mean "FILLET & RELEASE"??

LOL........

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Scup

Bob & Mag,

I think you are right that the meetings are a done deal. They go through them mostly for show. I believe they have already decided exactly the way it is going to be. I used to go to them but my voice was never heard. I will say this though, every time I have written the DEP a letter it was answered. Maybe not in a timely manner, and perhaps their response did not contain the promise of action that I sought, but my letters have always been answered. I have not renewed my commercial finfish license yet, as I am waiting to see what they will come up with. Just finished up my book keeping for last years catch. I made less than $100 profit for the entire season. While I am not doing too well, I am still in the black. However, it would not take too much to push me over into the red.

Bob & Mag

yeah like you license renewal fee. Ya gotta do it cause ya love it.

__________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of food, electricity, gas, and oil, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.

Smoke free 4 Months!

finsup21

Hey it could be worse. You could live in New York. 20.5", 2 fish, 5/15-9/1. Keep in mind that the best fluking is in May/June and late September/October, so at best it's a 45 day season.

By the way, follow the money to see who is behind this nightmare. Something that smells like Pew.

__________________
"How I wish tomorrow I was fishin'"

Bob & Mag

Reminder...meeting is this coming Tuesday night.

__________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of food, electricity, gas, and oil, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.

Smoke free 4 Months!

JackC

Bob/Mag - sorry I did not get back to you on the options. I agree with our comments on the CTDEP, I don't see why they can't at a minimum post what they are thinking on their website.

As for NY versus CT - very interesting if they are really going with a May 15 opening - there is going to be pressure from CT community to mirror that - especially for the party boats that fish NY waters. Of course that could result in a tiny bag limit for CT as well.

As for the DEP already having made up its mind, I don't agree, it is often a last minute decision based on various sources of input. Again - if you feel strongly about this issue and don't make the hearing - send an Email or letter. They factor it all in and one on one correspondence takes the intimidation factor out of play. The other aspect is that the harvest estimates need to be run in a model to ensure that the ASMFC agrees with the plan.

Unfortunately, I will miss the public hearing - taking care of a sick wife and I have another DEP latter this week.

The real issue is the inequity between NY, CT and RI. This year just shows the "folly" of the current system. The regulations really need to be the same for all these states but when a state has an obvious advantage under the current system change is hard to come by. While I'm not a charter captain - think of the part boats from NY versus RI (for Eastern waters) - its an obvious issue that is going to hit the "flash point".

Jack

Bob & Mag

Thanks for the reply Jack. Maggie and I have both been sick for almost two weeks so not sure if we'll get to the meeting. Hopefully.
If I/we do I'll post what the options are on the board.
Last year it was brought up about regional regs, a three state region, being either NY,CT and RI or CT, RI and MA. Unfortunately from what we could see, the regional approach would benefit NY the most and RI and CT regs would be tougher than on our own, but they did say it was just a matter of time before it happens.
Would be nice especially for those in eastern water as they wouldn't need a calculator to figure out what they can keep.
In any event, if we don't make the meeting I'll be writing/emailing DEP.

__________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of food, electricity, gas, and oil, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.

Smoke free 4 Months!

JackC

CTDEP tried to push for the 3 (or even 2 state) option a few years back but the states were reluctant to do anything since they "own" the quota. As pointed out in the other very long and interesting fluke discussion the SW License is going to change things. I truly believe the business problem of NY versus RI from the party boat perspective is going to turn into a big issue - it really does not make any sense.

NOTE - We do have common scup regulations and CTDEP brokered that deal (took a leadership roll.) Unfortunately, the scup fishery is also in trouble and we have severe restrictions there as well.

Anyway - send those comment to DEP and if you want to be able to fish the NY opening (or fish RI waters that appear to have NO closed season) - push for the early fishery. I really don't like the concept of a July 1 opening..

Scup

JackC,

Just curious! Why doesn't the CT DEP have a updated web page with all of the current regulations? I am commercial and get notices all the time. Wouldn't be cheaper instead of putting out all those letters just to maintain a simple web site? While it might be possible that some fisherman may not have a computer, an option could be presented to mail out notices only to those requesting it. There are several people living in my house, and once in a great while they grab something they should not have taken and I just might miss the notice that a closure is eminent. From talking with others, the DEP has always been understanding shortly after a change, but it would not be too much trouble for me to visit a web site to check the current situation before putting out.