A New Jersey Congressman has reintroduced a bill that would prohibit commercial harvesting of striped bass in coastal waters and the exclusive economic zone. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the ranking Democrat on the House Sub-committee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans, has long advocated federal striped bass game fish status. Pallone recently disagreed with actions by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission that increased the commercial striped bass quota by 42 percent and spawned new discussions about opening federal waters to striper fishing.
