Rack storage marina is like hotel concierge service for boaters

Jim Shriner (right) owner of Mill Creek Marine, and his some Jamie Shriner (left), at the Providence Boat show where they were showing Eastern boats and introducing their new rack storage facility at Allen’s Harbor in North Kingstown, RI.

The first dry stack marina in Rhode Island is about to open at Allen’s Harbor, North Kingstown, RI this spring. Mill Creek Marine (formerly Johnson’s Boatyard in Wickford) will open the first dry stack marina with an initial capacity of 72 boats up to 38’ in length. Dry stack storage is a popular concept in Florida and other warmer climates particularly where coastal shoreline for marinas is limited.

Rack storage at Mill Creek is like concierge service for boaters. Jim Shriner, Mill Creek Marine owner and president, said, “Boats are stored in a dry, safe place out of the water. When owners call we take down their boat and have it dock side ready for their boating trip. When they return the boat is washed and put back on the rack.”

Shriner said, “Dry rack storage is better for the boat. It doesn’t sit in the water. There is less wear and tear on the boat and it eliminates the cost of bottom paint, antifouling drives, hauling, shrink-wrapping, etc. And, boats are stored in a locked building, fully enclosed.”

The cost of the service is $185/foot/year which is all inclusive of dry stack storage and launch service for the entire year. So, if you like the idea for dropping your boat off at the dock and not having a lot of cleaning to do or preparation work before getting underway… dry stack storage may be for you.

Mill Creek Marine Inc. is a complete marine service company. They are an authorized serve center for Mercury/Mercruiser, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and Evinrude. They also carry used and new boats. Eastern is one of the new boat lines they carry. Visit their web site at www.millcreekmarine.com. or call Jim Shriner and his staff at 401.294.3700.

East Bay Anglers Fishing Expo January 30, reserve your tickets

Don’t forget the annual East Bay Anglers’ Fishing Expo taking place January 30^th, 2011 at Barrington High School. Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased by visiting the show website at www.rifishshow.com .

Speaker Dave Pickering, noted shore angler, has landed more than 50,000 stripers during his career and he has created an entirely new show to share his secrets. Mike Laptew, renowned as a diver-fisherman, brings a fish-eye perspective to underwater action with his bubble-free diving method that enables him to capture underwater views of striper life never seen before. I have listened to both speakers before, they are well worth seeing.

Discounted fishing gear will be available at the flea market which opens to shoppers at 11:00 a.m. Presentations start at 1:00 p.m. For more information visit www.rifishshow.com or call show organizer Will Barbeau at 401.245.8375.

Edgewood Yacht Club and affiliated Edgewood Sailing School in high spirits

I made it a point to visit the Edgewood Yacht Club booth at the Providence Boat Show last week and was pleasantly surprised. I met a group of up-beat volunteers. I was struck by their high spirits because days earlier their club burned down to the pilings during the January 12 snow storm. I spoke with Chris Lee who is chairmen of the Edgewood Sailing School that is affiliated with the Yacht club. The school has been offering adults and children sailing lessons since 1956. Mr. Lee said, “All of our boats were spared, however, we lost all our sails, masts, rudders, and gear that were stored in the building that burned.” Chris said the sailing school plans to institute a fund development effort to replace the gear. In regard to the Edgewood Yacht Club itself the plan to rebuild. Their spirit is best summed up by Jeffry Lamphear, club commodore, in a closely thought he relates in a letter of their website. Commodore Lamphear said, “The Edgewood Yacht Club will not only survive this, we consider it a challenge. We will grow, and be a stronger club in the end.”

RISAA public policy agenda for 2011

Steve Medeiros, president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), recently announced that the association has a full public policy agenda for 2011. In addition to introducing RISAA to a new governor, DEM director and general assembly, regulatory and public policy issues on the front burner this year include weighing in on management of the menhaden fishery as well as fishing regulations in general which will likely change. Steve Medeiros relates we can expect changes in fishing regulations, possibly an increase in fluke allotment which would likely mean enhanced bag limits and reduced size limits, and unfortunately. possibly tighter limits on other fisheries not doing as well such as scup and black sea bass. RISAA will also continue to advocate for the State’s artificial reef program, as well as for public access to the shoreline and public fishing piers.

Ocean wind farms good... but at what cost?

“The Deepwater Wind farm site doubled in size (to 200 turbines) and changed locations without input from fishermen. It will restrict fishing and could eliminate over $20,000,000 million in fish taken from the area.”, said Rick Bellavance, president of the Rhode Island Party and Charter Boat Association. “The wind turbines are located all around Cox’s Ledge and its fertile fishing edges, ledges and drop offs. The massive 270 square mile area taken will restricts commercial lobstering and fishing, tuna fishing and recreational fishing in the area… (the proposed wind farm) will also act as a blockage forcing vessels to add thousands of dollars in fuel to their fishing season as they try to get to fishing grounds on the east and south sides of Cox’s Ledge.”, Bellavance said. The Cox’s Ledge area is one of the most fertile fishing areas in the Northeast.

Eighteen months ago, commercial and recreational fishing thought leaders in Rhode Island expressed concern over the consequences of spatial planning (zoning our ocean waters). The State of Rhode Island under the leadership of the Coastal Resources Management Authority (CRMA) has been a pioneer in this county’s effort to zone our ocean waters under their nationally acclaimed Special Area Management Plan (SAMP). Just as cities and towns zone land for use i.e. commercial, industrial, residential the oceans would be zoned for various uses as well as to insure sustainable and equitable use for commercial and recreational uses of all types. The biggest concern of fisherman was simply that the SAMP could translate into the elimination of many popular fishing areas.

The proposed expanded Deepwater Wind farm that developed without sighting input from the fishing community is a violation of the trust that had developed between fishermen, CRMA and Deepwater Wind said Bellavance. “We were blindsided, this has a big impact on fishing. Rhode Islanders may have to decide if they want windmills or fishing unless the wind turbines can be moved to areas that do not impact fishing this much.”, Bellavance said.

John Rainone, past president of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association said in an article that appear in this column last year, ”(spatial planning) is a way to stop recreational and commercial fishing in any areas that the government and special interest groups deem necessary.” Through new federal policy that aims to facilitate the development of ocean wind mills and our SAMP program in Rhode Island, fishing may be restricted from an area equal to about 22% the land mass of Rhode Island and if the Neptune wind farm project (our second proposed project) moves forward as planned the area taken which fishing will be restricted in will be about 33%of Rhode Island’s land mass according to a statement issued by Ted Platz, president of the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island (www.cfci.com).

Bellavance said, that what is particularly alarming is that these are just the first two wind projects proposed for Rhode Island… what about the third, fourth and fifth. What impact will they have?

What has allowed these projects to accelerate is a national policy that aims to reduce the amount of time it normally takes to site and develop an ocean wind farm from seven years to two years, cutting out a great deal of public comment and vetting time projects like this need and normally get. In December of 2010, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced plans to boost offshore wind power on the Atlantic Coast by identifying promising areas for development and then expediting the permitting process. Secretary Salazar said, “(the Atlantic wind farm initiative) will allow us to identify priority wind energy areas, improve cooperation with local, state and federal partners and accelerate the leasing process”. In Rhode Island, Deepwater Wind has done just this. They ceased the opportunity to build a wind farm twice the size that was originally planned under the SAMP and changed its location without input from the fishing community. This new Federal policy allows private developers to utilize our ocean, a public resource, with a drastically shortened time for public comment and input. Input from the people (fishermen) that have been utilizing the resource for hundreds of years to provide fresh and wholesome seafood to Rhode Islanders.

I believe wind power is good, not bad. Just as the idea behind spatial planning is good as well as all the good work CRMA has done with the SAMP initiative However, I do believe we need to rebuild the trust between fisherman, CRMA and Deepwater Wind and move forward with a wind farm plan that presents the best use of the oceans for the common good… that allows fishermen, wind farms and others to use our ocean.

Fishing for cod is fun for adults and children

John Toppa of Newport with a 20 pound cod he caught on a Francis Fleet vessel New Year’s Day. The cod was the largest fish caught on the boat that day.

Cod fishing is great for children too. Andrew Martin of Warwick went cod fishing New Year’s Day with his uncle. That’s a school vacation experience that will give him plenty of stories to tell when back in school.

Cod is an ideal species to target if fishing with children, because all they have to do is drop their line to the bottom. And, it is one of the most popular eating fish in New England. Cod are bottom fish that are basically lazy. They are not aggressively hunting, they pretty much stay on the bottom, often near structure (underwater wrecks, rock piles, holes, humps and drop offs), waiting for prey to come by. So you have to go to where the cod are to catch them. They are not likely going to come to you.

New Year’s Day I went cod fishing with twenty other anglers on a Francis Fleet party boat. A coast guard inspected vessel that takes more than six people fishing is commonly referred to as a party boat. Cod fishing for a full day (7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) generally runs about $80 depending on whether or not you use the boats gear or your own. It takes about an hour to an hour and half to get to where the captain likes to fish for cod (usually Cox’s Ledge if you leave from Point Judith, Rhode Island).

New Year’s Day was perfect, it was in the 50 degree range, seas early in the day were about four to five feet, but they laid down as the day progressed. Most every one caught cod fish on this trip. I caught four fish and two were keepers (cod must be 22” or longer to keep them). Some on board caught three, four and five fish. One angler who used jigs to fish most of the day caught eight. The largest fish of the day was caught by John Toppa of Newport, Rhode Island. His fish was 35 inches and weighted about 20 pounds.

There were some anglers in their 60’s and 70’s and a number of them in their 20’s and 30’s and my favorite angler who I fished next to all day was Andrew Martin of Warwick who was thirteen years old. His uncle took him for this special fishing trip during holiday school vacation. He will have some good stories to tell when back in school. Overall it was a great fishing day on the water and a trip that I would recommend. Visit the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association web site at www.rifishing.com for a complete list of vessels that fish for cod. Pick one with a heated cabin as it get pretty cold out on the ocean in January, February and March.

Cod rigs and bait

A hook, sinker weight that holds the bottom and sea clams are often used as bait to catch cod. Jigs of various sizes, color and weight depending on conditions are used too. Cod will generally eat anything that is in front of them, they are not picky, but you have to get their attendion and jigs usually do a good job of this. A common rig used is a diamond jig with a colored teaser buck tail tied about 12 inches above the jig. Anglers often tip the jig and buck tail with live bait (a piece of sea clam). Most anglers use a traditional boat rod and reel to catch cod. A short, sturdy 30 to 40 pound test rod of five to six feet is common with a traditional real of similar weight capacity. A fifty pound test line (both braid and monofilament) are used.

Cod fish is good for you too

The livestorng.com website says that cod, a coldwater fish, is particular good for you. The site relates that, “Cod offers a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which helps lower risks of cardiovascular disorders including atherosclerosis. Cod also provides a good source of vitamins B6, B12 and niacin which factor into a reduced osteoporosis risk...”

The cod fishery

Angler and noted fishing author Tim Coleman relates that the cod fishery is not in good shape. On his Tattoo’s Tackle web site he relates that cod is “The vanished fish”. Cod continue to diminish and appear farther and farther off shore. Tim relates, “… (with) the stocks so far down no fishing is allowed (from Rhode Island beaches), hoping to save the percentage that is left. In the process the beach fishing for cod is gone, gone, gone, some say never to return.” A sample of how cod fishing use to be off Rhode Island beaches is related by Tim in the story he tells off Del and Joe Corneau of Westerly, RI who use to fish 100 yards of the Quonny Breachway. Tim said, “Fishing from roughly 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. the pair landed 17 cod to 64 pounds! Today one would be hard pressed to catch a fish that size…”

New Kettlebottom Outfitters Productions (KBOP) Videos

Captain Robb Roach of Kettlebottom Outfitters, Jamestown, RI has announced the publication of two new videos that are teasers for their new season of KBOP productions on Cox Sports. The teasers and a host of other videos can be viewed on YouTube or on demand if you have COX cable. One of the videos is about making fluke rigs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoM-dF-6Caw ) and the second one is about spear fishing for striped bass off Newport (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrSppgDpIZ0 ), both are great fun to watch.

Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council Panel Meetings

A number of Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Panel meeting open to the public are scheduled for this month. Anglers are welcome and urged to attend as these meetings allow all anglers to provided input into State Fisheries policy. The meetings include a Menhaden Advisory Panel meting scheduled for Thursday, January 6, 2011, a Striped bass Advisory Panel scheduled for Wednesday, January 12 and a Scup and Black Sea Bas Advisory Panel meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 26. All meetings are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the UREI Bay Campus, Coastal Institute, Hazard Room off of South Ferry Road in Narragansett, RI. For additional information contact Jason McNamee at 401.423.1943.

Let's brand our fish... ocean state fresh

Senator Susan Sosnowski aboard the fishing vessel Darana R assesses the catch for scientific data collection purposes. Senator Sosnowski is the chair of the newly formed Rhode Island Senate task force on fisheries. The task force aims to ensure high-quality local seafood products are available for all Rhode Islanders.

There is nothing like a fresh Rhode Island lobster at a summer picnic, or fresh littlenecks, claims casino or stuffed quahogs. Pasta with fresh Rhode Island mussels or some wonderfully tender fluke (summer flounder) fillets are great too. And then there’s grilled striped bass, tuna steak and baked cod (scrod), a Rhode Island staple. All of this comes from waters off Rhode Island from Rhode Island fishermen… recreational anglers as well as the commercial and charter fishing industries. These fish are treasures not found off the coast of other states so why not brand our fish… brand them with a reputation as being fresh, wholesome and affordable. Why, because our fish are fresh, wholesome and affordable.

If we enhance awareness about our fish it will create a demand for more Ocean State fresh fish that will cultivate a strong and stable fishery. A stable fishery will have a strong economic impact on our state… on commercial fishing, recreational fishing, tourism and much, much more.

This vision of branding our fish as Ocean State fresh is something I believe we should hang on to. If we lose the vision we will never achieve it. I hope this is where we are headed with our new State Senate Fisheries Task force established to track the status and trends of the recreational, charter and commercial fishing industries in Rhode Island. A task force announcement related that “Commercial and recreational fishing in Rhode Island are important industries that support not only the vessels and fishermen on the water but also fish markets, ship repair shops, ice houses, marinas, restaurants, grocery stores, and dozens of other shore-side businesses.” Fisheries management is a very complex issue. The more I learn, the more I realize I need to learn more. We first need a stable fishery before we try to enhance its image. I hope we do not lose this vision of marketing our fish to ourselves and to others as we continue to work our way through the best way to manage our fishery… something we have been working on for many years.

Task Force Chairwoman Senator Susan Sosnowski said, "This Task Force will work cooperatively with management agencies, educational institutions, environmental organizations, businesses and fishermen to meet the challenges ahead and recommend viable ideas and solutions for protecting the fishing way of life. As a long-time supporter of the commercial and recreational fishing industries, I will continue to work together with my Senate colleagues to ensure high-quality local seafood products are available for all Rhode Islanders' tables."

Senator Sosnowski has gotten off to a good start. She held her first task force meeting on Monday, December 6. Commercial, charter fishing and recreational fishing leaders in Rhode Island attended and testified at the committee meeting. Most of those testifying at the meeting seem to be advocating for an enhanced fishery with state help to market local fish, much like the state helps to market locally grown farm products. Many testifying also seemed to want tougher laws and punishment for those that violate fishing laws. One common complaint was for better research on fish populations as the research is used to manage fisheries in Rhode Island. So if we have little research and data our ability to manage our fishery is hampered.

Steve Medeiros, president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) said when he testified he, “stressed the economic value of recreational fishing ($160 million)… stressed vigilance in maintaining public access and how a little more access is lost every year... how we should not abandon the plan of a pier at Plum Point… and should plan to build one at Rocky Point, … and mentioned artificial reefs and how it could enhance recreational and character fishing, lobster fishing, scuba diving and tourism overall.”.

Rich Bellavance, president of the Rhode Island Party and Charter Boat Association said, “I am very excited to participate in the Senate Task Force on Fisheries. I think the Task Force will be a great tool to pass along useful and accurate information to the General Assembly, and I am delighted that Senator Pavia-Weed created the group. Senator Sosnowski is a great choice to Chair the Task Force, she has always taken an active role in fisheries issues and is well versed in fisheries management. With a new administration taking office and some very challenging times facing the fishing community ahead, I think the Task Force will prove valuable as we work towards solutions to these challenges.”

In a December 8, 2010 Providence Journal article Chris Brown, president of the Rhode Island Commercial Fisheries Association, said the New England ground fish industry has declined from 1,200 vessels to about 477 in 30 years. But with all the cutbacks in fishing effort, he now expects big increases in fish stocks and catches. He called on the committee to make sure no port areas are converted to condominiums or hotels, because the state is going to need more space to serve the fishing industry as it’s reborn.

The Senate Task Force on Fisheries heard testimony from the executive director of the Department of Environmental Management as well as the Rhode Island Lobsterman’s Association, the Rhode Island Shell fishing Association. Senator Sosnowski and senators on the task force continue to meet with the fishing community to identify key issues and trends. Public comment will be accepted at a time to be announced.

I hope this committee is the start of a State of Rhode Island initiative to not only help identify fishing trends, but an effort that helps market locally harvested fish with the vision to brand our fish as Ocean State fresh. The effort would have a snowball effect that would enhance tourism and our economy in Rhode Island.

Most task force committee persons represent towns that border the Rhode Island coast and they are the senators you should express your point of view to as the committee does its work. Joining Chairwoman Sosnowski on the Task Force are: Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere (R – Dist. 38, Charlestown, Westerly), Senator David E. Bates (R – Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol), Senator Louis P. DiPalma (D – Dist. 12, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton), Senator Walter S. Felag, Jr. (D – Dist. 10, Bristol, Tiverton, Warren), Senator Michael J. McCaffrey (D – Dist. 29, Warwick), Senator James C. Sheehan (D – Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) and Senator William A. Walaska (D – Dist. 30, Warwick).

NOAA supports catch shares as fisheries management tool

Dave Pickering, who has landed more than 50,000 striped bass from shore, will be one of the guest speakers at the East Bay Anglers’ Fishing Expo scheduled for Sunday, January 30, 2011. The event will take place at Barrington High School starting at 11:00 a.m. For information visit www.rifishshow.com.

Early last month the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fisheries Service issued a press release announcing a new NOAA policy that encourages the consideration and use of catch shares as a fishery management tool.

Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator said, “NOAA’s policy encourages fishery management councils and stakeholders to explore the design possibilities of catch shares to tailor programs to best meet local needs.” The announcement was met with praise and criticism from the recreational angling community.

What are catch shares?

I have seen a number of definitions… what catch shares use to mean versus what it commonly means today. This week, I checked NOAA’s definition in their recent press release and Wikipedia’s definition.

According to Wikipedia, “The term ‘Catch Share’ has been used more recently to describe the range of programs similar to ITQs (individual transferable quotas). Catch shares expand the concept of daily catch limits to yearlong limits, allow different fishers to have different limits based on various factors, and also limits the total catch. Under catch share approaches, threatened fisheries became sustainable by keeping the totals low enough and enforcing the limits.”

NOAA relates that catch share programs, which include limited access privilege programs and individual fishing quotas, dedicate a secure share of fish to individual fishermen, cooperatives or fishing communities. Catch shares are used in 14 fisheries managed by six fishery management councils from Alaska to Florida and are being developed in additional fisheries. Both here and in other countries, catch shares are helping eliminate overfishing and achieve annual catch limits, improve fishermen’s safety and profits, and reduce the negative biological and economic effects of the race for fish that develops with some traditional fishery management.

Wikipedia relates that, “… a crucial element of catch share systems is how to distribute/allocate the shares and what rights come with them. The initial allocation can be granted or auctioned. Shares can be held permanently (owned) or for a fixed period such as one year (rented). They can be salable and/or leasable or not, with or without limits. Each variation has advantages and disadvantages, which may vary given the culture of a given fishing community.”

The Center for Coastal Conservation (CCC), a coalition of leading advocates for marine, recreation fishing and boating supports many aspects of the new NOAA catch share policy. CCC members include the American Sportfishing Association, The Billfish Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, International Game Fish Association and the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

In a CCC press release Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association, said, “It’s clear that NOAA’s leadership was listening at its Recreational Fishing Summit last April when the entire spectrum of the recreational angling community, form guides to tackle manufactures to charter boat operators, voiced its apprehension regarding this policy… A number of significant improvements called for by participants at the summit and in subsequent dialogue with the agency are reflected in this document.”

The recreational fishing community feared catch shares would be applied to individual private recreational anglers. In a recent ESPNOutdoors.com article by Robert Montgomery, Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Coastal Conservation, said, "Our No. 1 victory seems to be that the new policy says that Catch Shares has no place in recreational only fisheries,"

In their recent release NOAA sated, “The policy does not advocate individual catch shares for private recreational anglers. Councils will have NOAA support to consider catch share programs for charter boat and head (party) boat sectors to explore recreational catch share programs that could benefit the health of the resource and the charter industry.”

NOAA took public comment and input into consideration in some important guiding principles to the policy including a recommendation that regional fishery management councils periodically revisit allocations (particularly between the commercial and recreational sectors). The fear was that catch shares would underestimate the benefit and economic impact that the recreational industry has vs. the commercial fishery, establish fixed and unchangeable allocations and have anglers chasing an ever decreasing amount of fish in severely declining fisheries with no hope of reallocations.

The practice of changing sector allocations is not new. In fact in the 80’s and 90’s the striped bass fishery in Maryland was severely challenged by a declining and weakened striped bass fishery (just as most of the east coast was). So much so, that a total moratorium was applied as well as “a combination of closures, size changes, creel (bag) limits and quotas to reduce fishing mortality and promote spawning stock recovery.” said Harley Speir, former assistant director, Maryland Fisheries Service and former Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management council member.

Spear said,”…in the early 1990’s (they) separated the recreational fishing sector into charter boat and private recreational sectors as we reopened the striped bass fishery. The sectors would have separate harvest quotas and different seasons and creel limits. …We managed the two sectors for five full seasons before merging the two again.”

When coming out of moratorium private recreational anglers and recreational anglers fishing on for-hire charter boats had different allocations to help bolster the charter fishing industry. Once the striped bass fishery rebounded, allocations were revisited and changed allowing both private recreational anglers and recreational anglers fishing on charter boats a two fish/person/day limit (similar to what exists in Rhode Island today). The sector separation and reallocations were a success for private recreational anglers, the charter fishing industry and the striped bass fishery which rebounded to sustainable levels.

One group that has consistently been opposed to catch shares is the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). "We've fought too hard and for too long to keep this Catch Shares policy out of our sector. We cannot let NOAA continue to ramrod this policy through (regional fishery management) councils in direct contradiction to the wishes of our fishing community," said Jim Donofrio, executive director, in the recent ESPN.com story.

The idea of catch shares as outlined by NOAA in their new policy seems to be a good management tool for some of the challenges our fisheries face. So far, the case studies I have read lead me to believe that catch shares work with controls customized for specific management areas. It promotes conservation, responsible harvesting and yet allows fishing businesses to be run more efficiently and effectively. It fosters a sense of community between participating fishermen. It is proven to allow fishing communities to flourish rather than die a slow death as we have all witnessed with many past and present policies.

Tautog fishing difficult in dirty and sandy water

Angler Rick Sustello (left photo)caught this bruiser tautog off Narragansett once water started to settle down this past Sunday. He and angler Larry Norin caught thirty tautog between 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Several weeks of storms and gale force winds created turbid and dirty water that decreased tautog fishing and the quality of the fishing. Anglers hoped fishing would pick up this past week as weather cleared, things seem to get better at the beginning of the week after the water settled down.

I fished Saturday and the weather was outstanding. There was little wind and seas were flat and calm seas. However, the tautog fishing was not good. I caught eight tautog and the largest was 15”. Reports of poor tautog fishing came in all week through Saturday. On the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association’s blog, Bart Wagner of Little Rhody Tackle said he caught “Two small keepers (tautog) and three shorts. Good conditions and company but terrible bite”. Art Marshall fished Castle Hill to Buzzards Bay Tower and said, “The tog were not cooperating on any drop I made … from 30' depth to 95'. I should have listened to words of wisdom from an old timer "4-5 days after a gale". If you were in Newport today you saw everybody moving from spot to spot,

Captain Rich Hittinger said, “We got out for a half day on Saturday morning and the tautog were not biting off Newport or Narragansett. We marked fish, but they were not biting because of the dirty water. In 3 hours we caught 0 tautog even though we stopped at five spots. We did catch a 39" 25 pound striper that we tagged and released. That was on a green crab. Other guys went out to Block Island and the water was cleaner out there. They did well on tautog on rock piles off Clay Head.” Captain Rick Bellavance of Priority Too Charters said, “We fished on Saturday and Sunday for tautog. The fishing was very good on both days. We fished on several wrecks and rock piles along the south shore of Block Island and found 40 fish up to 10 pounds each day. Most of the Charter Fleet has been staying away from Newport and the South Shore due to the poor water quality, getting further offshore has been the ticket…”

Tautog are very sensitive to dirty water. Sand in the water kicked up by storms irritates their gills and reduces visibility so waiting until the water calms down after storms is a good idea. Last Sunday, things did seem to settle down a bit, the water cleared and anglers started to catch fish. Rick Sustello of North Kingston fished off Narragansett Beach Sunday and said, “Well, after not getting a bite on Saturday, Sunday afternoon came out OK. Larry Norin and I caught about 30 tog off Narragansett from 1 to 3:30 p.m.”

Fisheries Commission rejects striped bass expansion

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission rejected a proposal to increase the coastal commercial quota of striped bass. Only two state, Rhode Island and New York voted yes to the increase The final vote was six in favor and nine opposed. The recreational angler community testified against the increase saying that the striped bass fishery was not healthy enough to increases commercial limits.

Tautog tournament winners

RISAA’s tautog tournament was held October 29 to November 7, 2010. Winner in the adult boat division was Arthur Marshall with a 10.55 pound tautog, the Junior boat division winner was Raymond Vincent, III with a 6.51 pound fish. Winner of the adult shore division was Thomas McGuire with a 5.6 pound fish. Congratulations to all.

Herrings on Massachusetts saltwater fishing permit program

Last year (2009) the Massachusetts legislature passed a bill approving a State saltwater fishing permit in order to stay in compliance with national requirements for licensing. To meet deadlines for the upcoming permitting and fishing year, the regulations have been enacted under the Director’s emergency authority. Through the public hearing process, the public can review and make comments on adjustments to the rules. The law requires a state saltwater license for all those fishing recreationally with the exception of those fishing on party and charter boat, persons under 16 and several other exceptions. The annual fee for the permit is $10. Public hearings are scheduled for December 8, 2010 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Gloucester Public High School Auditorium, 32 Leslie O Johnson Road, Gloucester, MA and December 15, 2010 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Plymouth South High School Auditorium, 490 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA. Copies of proposed regulations and information may be obtained at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf , by contacting Jared Silva by e-mail (jared.silva@state.ma.us) or phone (617.626.1534),

New England Saltwater Fishing Show

The RISAA sponsored New England Saltwater Fishing Show will be held March 10 through 13, 2010 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Exhibitors are encouraged to visit the RISA web site at www.risaa.org or call 401.826.2121 for information.

Power Surge at DEM North Kingstown hatchery kills 30,000 trout

An early-morning power surge at the Department of Environmental Management’s Lafayette Trout Hatchery in North Kingstown on Saturday resulted in the loss of about 30,000 rainbow, brook and brown trout. The fish ranged from six months to two years old.

It is believed that an electrical surge caused two of the three pumps at the hatchery to fail. The pumps circulate cold water throughout the outdoor raceways at the fish hatchery, bringing oxygen and the appropriate level of water flow needed for the fish to survive. The pumps are fitted with surge protectors and feed into a central alarm panel that is monitored by a local alarm company. The alarm did not sound when the pumps failed, and it was later determined that the power surge burned out the alarm panel and the surge protectors. The pump alarms are tested on a weekly basis, and the most recent test found no indication of a problem.

DEM is assuring anglers that this loss will not impact the number or quality of trout that are stocked for opening day of the freshwater fishing season in April.

Where’s the bite

Tautog fishing not good during storming weather but improved when water cleared. Tautog expected to be in normal good spots as water settles down as was the case Sunday afternoon. Good places to fish include rock piles off Narragansett, humps and structure off Newport, Kettle Bottom Rock of Jamestown, Beavertail Point, Coddington Cove jetty and other spots with structure.

Striped bass bite still on at Block Island and in select waters at select times around Newport, Jamestown, and off coastal southern beaches. Few fish reported in the upper and middle portion of the Bay.

The right or privilage to fish

David Westfall out of Warwick Cove, RI caught this ten pound tautog at Kettle Bottom Rock off Jamestown, RI.

Rhode Islanders have a constitutional right to fish. It dates back to 1844. “The people shall continue to enjoy and freely exercise all the rights of fishery, and the privileges of the shore, to which they have been heretofore entitled under the charter and usages of this state. But no new right is intended to be granted, or any existing right impaired, by this declaration.” (Rhode Island Constitution, Article 1, Section 17, 1844).

Last week, three more states Arkansas, South Carolina and Tennessee approved constitutional rights to hunt and fish. This brings the total number of states to thirteen that have a constitutional right to fish and hunt. Additionally, two states, Rhode Island and California, guarantee the right to fish only. So that is a grand total of fifteen states that constitutionally guarantee the right to fish. One other state, Arizona, rejected a right to hunt and fish amendment on their November 2^nd ballot. The Humane Society of the United States spent $250,000 to defeat the effort with additional support from the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Animal Defense League of Arizona. These groups collectively outspent supporting groups by two to one to defeat the effort in Arizona.

Why are states passing right to fish and hunt amendments?

States have made fishing (and hunting) constitutional amendments because citizens fear that animal rights groups may someday successfully sue to shut down a fishery or hunting. Hunters also fear anti-hunter litigation from gun control supporters who may someday try to shut down hunting seasons. And, here in Rhode Island, anglers have always advocated for “access” and “rights of way” to the water to fish and fear that coastal towns and property owners would deny them access or make it difficult to fish with no available parking in the immediate area.

What do we mean by conservation?

In a recent article, New York Times environmental writer Erick Eckholm said many have struggled over the definition of the word “conservation”. The differences in the interpretation of the word’s meaning have created conflicting views about the right or privilege to fish and hunt.

Eckholm relates that what Teddy Roosevelt meant by the word “conservation” was “wise use”. That is the wise use of a resource by protecting habitat and preserving resources but also managing them in a scientific way for recreational and economic benefits. However, this definition of conservation can be conflicting. For example, many citizens support the wilderness areas, yet doubling the take of does in a place where deer are overrunning the landscape (like our islands in MA and RI). Eckholm said, “A fly-fishing group in Arizona, (is another) example, (they) helped impose restrictions that saved a native trout species” but yet endorsed “the proposal on the ballot… to enshrine hunting and fishing rights in the constitution.”

I believe it is OK to support the preservation of a species (like striped bass) yet advocate for the right to fish. I like Roosevelt’s definition of conservation. Anglers and hunters can both protect the environment, and fish and hunt responsibly. As Roosevelt said... conservation is the wise use of a resource by protecting it yet using it for recreational and economic benefit.

But do we really have the right to fish in Rhode Island or is it a privilege?

Rhode Islanders, as in other states do not have a right to fish with no restrictions. We have safeguards to protect species so they are sustainable at healthy levels. In fact, the right to fish and hunt amendment, which Tennesseans approved November 2^nd has safeguards built in. The amendment reads, “The citizens of this state shall have the personal right to hunt and fish, subject to reasonable regulations and restrictions prescribed by law. The recognition of this right does not abrogate any private or public property rights, nor does it limit the state’s power to regulate commercial activity. Traditional manners and means may be used to take non-threatened species.”

So although we may have a constitutional right to fish in Rhode Island and in fourteen other states, it is more like a privilege in that you must observe state and federal laws that protect the fishery. You must also pay a fee for a fresh or saltwater license to fish.

EPA denies petition that sought a ban on lead in fishing gear

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has denied a petition calling for a ban on the manufacture, use and processing of lead in fishing gear. The EPA indicated that the petitioners have not demonstrated that the requested rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Local teen wins Junior World Championship Bassmaster title

In a hotly contested Junior Bassmaster World Championship, Chris Catucci of Warwick, RI (a Hendricken High School student), recently captured the 11 to 14 age group Junior World Championship title. Bass Publications reports that Catucci managed a 5-pound, 12-once bass to win, which earned him a $5,000 scholarship. This is a very big national tournament. Congratulations Chris!

Where’s the bite

Striped bass fishing off southern Rhode Island coastal beaches was very good this week. Angler Chris Jalbert reports catching striped bass 20” to 34” using surface plugs off Green Hill and Moonstone beaches. Both striped bass and blue fish were feeding on the surface from Newport to Watch Hill. Al Conti of Sung Harbor Bait & Tackle reports a good bass bite on Block Island this week. Stripers still biting on eels, tube and work and umbrella rigs. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle in Warwick, said, “The cool water has slowed the striped bass bite in the Bay.” Hopefully a little bit of warmer weather will enhance the striped bass bite.

Tautog fishing was good this week. David Westfall and Frank Joyal had a great day of tautog fishing at Kettle Bottom Rock off Jamestown. David said, “The best bite was in the 55 foot depth range… (green crabs) with peeled shell and cut in half worked best… Every fish we caught was a keeper. Frank’s biggest was over six pounds and mine was just over ten pounds.” I fished Coddington Cove missing the best part of an outgoing tide last week but managed to catch two nice keepers and about eight shorts. Striped bass were in the area along the wall as I saw several swirls while tautog fishing.

Black sea bass season opened this week and the few reports are good. Tom Pelletier said he, “Fished for sea bass with Ron Enright aboard the Nomad on Tuesday at Nebraska Shoals. Along with full limits of sea bass, we also boated monster scup, winter flounder, fluke, cod, bluefish and tautog. We used sea clams, squid, bucktails and, especially effective, the 2½-ounce Point Jude PoJees.”