Bill would let spear-fisher seek stripers

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October 15, 2012

Bill would let spear-fisher seek stripers

By Colleen Quinn State House News Service Gloucester Daily Times The Gloucester Daily Times Mon Oct 15, 2012, 12:00 AM EDT

Recreational fishermen who dive and pull in their catch with spearguns would be allowed to fish for striped bass, something currently prohibited, under a bill approved last week by the state’s House of Representatives.

Spearfishing enthusiasts say it’s a popular way to fish for striped bass in several states, adding that Massachusetts loses tourism dollars to Rhode Island and New Hampshire because of its ban on spearing striped bass.

Opponents of spearing striped bass, however, argue it is already an overfished stock.

Rep. Sarah Peake, a Provincetown Democrat who sponsored the bill, said the striped bass is the only fish that spear-fishers are not allowed to catch. Flounder, cod and fluke can all be landed with a speargun.

“What I have learned through working with my constituents is in the summer there are tournaments held every weekend. Right now almost all of those tournaments take place in neighboring states,” Peake said. “We have money leaving Massachusetts.”

Officials from the state Division of Marine Fisheries do not have a problem with changing the law, and are prepared to develop regulations around spear fishing bass, according to Peake. This is the second time a striped bass spear-fishing bill has passed the House. A similar bill stalled in the Senate last session.

Reginald Zimmerman, a spokesman for the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, said that, while they don’t typically comment or take positions on legislation, “we are watching the bill and look forward to working with legislative partners and advocates.”

Sen. Daniel Wolf, D-Harwich, another sponsor, said that, during a legislative hearing on the bill last June that the risk of catching and killing undersized striped bass is greater from those blindly using hooks and lines.

Faye Swenson, who has spear fished for 15 years, described it as more selective way to catch fish. Spear fishing requires a license like other types of fishing.

“We are picking the one or two fish we are going to take, and letting numerous other fish go by if they aren’t the right size,” she said.

“It is a really gorgeous way to get in touch with nature,” she added.

Swenson said lifting the ban on striped bass will allow Massachusetts to hold tournaments like other states. The club sport is very popular in California and Florida, according to Swenson. Next August, the national tournament will be held in Rhode Island, she said.

“It is a million dollars in revenue lost because of this law, because striped bass is the main catch around here,” Swenson estimated.