Bill Windley is the Maryland RFA rep. He serves on the commission for the MSSA.

Just to be very clear, are all the people that will be making these decisions are "Elected" by the citizens?

If so, the ONLY thing they care about is where their reelection money will come from and actually getting reelected.

If they do not fish (and I don't mean going out on a chartered boat once in a while with Capt. Buddy) then they don't give a rats ass about the subject because it won't effect them. They will do what it takes to stay in office.

If you propose the common sense answer you will lose, just look at the Health care Bill we have been debating for the last year. Our "Elected Officials" want to upset 85% of Americans to please 15%. Trust me it's not because "they care" or they want to do "what's right", it's for votes and to make us dependent on them which give them "control" over us.

The commercial fisherman have been in bed with the politicians for so long there in no room for the rec anglers even though that where and how the money is poured into the state via gas, tackle, license, hotels, etc....

What is the answer? Hard facts about how commercial fishing, rec CR and CK, tactics, circle hooks, stinger hooks, trolling, Flats fishing, number of rods per angler / boat etc...and how it effect the stripers. You may not like the answers you find out.

Then if the vote goes against the facts that help the fish population, then you have something to point to and say, You dumb a$$es had the facts and you chose to ignore them therefore YOU are the ones that hurt the fish population not the anglers.

If some of these people are appointed, then vote out the one that appointed them, all the way back up to O'Mally!

But then again, when has the government ever done what makes sense?

Most of you are much more in tune with who is involved in twisting the arms of those that will be making the final decisions. I may have this all wrong, if so , sorry I wasted your time.

240; I don't know how they come up with the exact makeup of the boards, but I believe some of the members are "appointed" not elected. I'm sure someone better informed than I will chime in here to let us know how the commissioners were seated. I here your frustration, and I'm right there with you brother. 5th (Marty)

I just don't get it...
 

Why the rush to "address" the issue and the process whereby you have proposals released on Friday for a Monday meeting at a time when few can attend?

This is bad politics at its best!

FYI: The recreational license revenue at the Potomac River Fisheries Commission will soon exceed that of commercial license sales. In theory this would give the rec's more clout. Yet at every PRFC quarterly meeting there is hardly ever a recreational fisherman in the room let alone giving any testimony. Do you think that the issue of C & R will come before the PRFC and they may not do the same thing?

The process for the striped bass recreational catch and release regulatory changes is:

Nov. 16 – Scoping Meeting
Nov. 16-23 – Regulatory ideas will be placed on the fisheries draft page - http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisherie...gulations.html - and the public may provide feedback through the electronic feedback on the website or by faxing (410-260-8310) or mailing us comments (comments must be received by COB Nov. 23)
Nov. 24 – Final proposal will be submitted to AELR (legislative committee) by COB; DNR will post up what we submitted on our proposed regulations webpage - http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisherie...egulations.asp
Dec. 11 – proposed regulations go to the Division of State Documents to be published in the Maryland Register
Jan. 4 – proposed regulations appear in Maryland Register and public comment period begins (comments can be made by email – fisheriespubliccomment@dnr.state.md.us; by fax – 410-260-8310; or by mail)
Feb. 3 – public comment period ends
Feb. 17 – DNR can adopt proposed regulations
Feb. 26 – final decision appears in Maryland Register
March 8 – proposed regulations become effective