The Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland (CCA MD) has announced a conservation initiative, “My Limit is One,” to draw attention to the need to limit the harvest of striped bass in 2014 as the fishery’s stock approaches a critical time. The conservation initiative, http://www.mylimitisone.com/, features action steps recreational anglers can take to conserve stripers, information on action fishery managers are taking, and calls for action to protect the fishery. My Limit is One comes as Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources has increased harvest this year by 14 percent and is the first step CCA MD is considering in conserving stripers for future generations.
“Recreational anglers have an incredible opportunity to help out in a meaningful way,” said Tony Friedrich, CCA MD executive director. “We can use voluntary restraint in the fish we harvest and be more selective in our decisions. We can also send a powerful message to fisheries managers up and down the coast.”
The “My Limit Is One” campaign calls for recreational anglers to take three steps- limit their personal harvest to one fish per day, not harvest fish less than 24 inches, and not harvest fish more than 36 inches.
“By taking these three steps, recreational anglers can help significantly the striped bass stock,” said Friedrich. “If we are concerned that our children and grandchildren have fish to seek, it’s essential that anglers adapt a conservation mindset now. Recreational anglers are taking the lead in these efforts.”
The website includes sections reasoning for the My Limit is One campaign, frequently asked questions, best practices for catch and release fishing, current actions impacting striped bass, and articles outlining the need for conservation.
The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) is one of 17 state chapters of the Coastal Conservation Association, which has 100,000 members nationally. CCA MD is an organization of recreational anglers fighting for Maryland’s marine resources and believing the sustainability of the resource must be the priority in any fishery management decision.
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