Sunday, December 23, 2012

Al Anderson inducted into IGFA Hall of Fame

 A first for New England: Capt. Al Anderson (left), skipper of the Galilee based charter boat Prowler, is inducted into the International Game Fish Association’s (IGFA) Hall of Fame for his fish tagging conservation efforts. Rob Kramer, IGFA president with Al at the induction ceremony.

Three generations:  Mike Bucko (center), owner of Bucko’s Tackle Service, Fall River, spoke last week on reel maintenance and repair at a Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association seminar.  Mike Bucko flanked by his son and father (both named Joe) have been in business since 1978.




Al Anderson inducted into IGFA Hall of Fame

Al Anderson, captain of the Galilee based charter boat Prowler, was inducted into the International Game Fish Association’s (IGFA) World Fishing Hall of Fame for his career tagging of nearly 60,000 game fish for science, along with his work as an author. He is the first New England charter captain ever to be so honored by the IGFA.  Anderson became a USCG Licensed charter captain in 1967, and credits his clients who supported his “conservation for science” ethic by assisting with his fish tagging activities.
Anderson has won five conservation awards for this tagging of bluefin tuna, striped bass and other species.  In 2010 he received the American Littoral Society (ALS) Conservation Award for 2,200 plus reported striped bass tag recaptures. In 1987 he was a founding member of the RI Marine Sportfishing Alliance and serves on the board of a number of sport fishing clubs, associations and tournament committees.
Congratulations to Capt. Al Anderson, a Rhode Island sport fishing legend!

U.S. Court of Appeals rules against New Bedford & Gloucester in favor of catch shares program 
Last week the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled against the cities of New Bedford and Gloucester and industry plaintiffs in their challenge to Amendment 16, the framework for the federal government's fisheries catch share system. In an excerpt from the decision the Court said, “This case involves legal challenges to recent federal management actions taken in New England's sensitive Multispecies Groundfish Fishery. We reject the many challenges and affirm entry of summary judgment for the federal defendants.”

The ruling supports the catch share fisheries management approach engaged by fish managers in New England. Fishing community leaders speaking out after the ruling included Dave Preble, a member of the New England Fishery Management Council who said, “… the appeals court (ruling) was complete, thorough, and well-informed on the issues and history of Amendment 16. It was a proper ruling.”  Rick Bellavance, president of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association said, “This is the third court ruling in favor of catch shares. It has proven to be an effective management tool.  It is time to move on as objections have been rejected by the courts three times.”

Prevent corrosion on the inside of your fishing reels
“Today’s fishing reels have more moving parts than ever… more parts with dissimilar metals, and this is how galvanic corrosion sets in.” said Mike Bucko of Bucko’s Tackle Service, Fall River, MA.  Anglers should wash reels with soapy water after each use, rinse and dry them… but this is not enough to prevent galvanized corrosion.  Bucko said, “Only an internal cleaning can prevent corrosion.”
Speaking at a Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) seminar last week, Mike Bucko explained the science of galvanic corrosion and what anglers need to do to prevent it.  Bucko, his son and father (both named Joe) have been in business for 34 years serving anglers across the country providing them with service and an extensive parts inventory.  The company totally dismantles reels, puts all parts through an extensive cleaning process and then reassembles the reels for use.  Visit them at www.buckoparts.com.

A lot of windmill activity
Rhode Island has two ocean windmill projects off its shores in the development phase and both are being spearheaded by developer Deepwater Wind. The first project is the five turbine Block Island Wind Farm and Transmission System project and the second is off both Rhode Island and Massachusetts shores which has been designated as an area of mutual interest (AMI) between the states. 
Rick Bellavance, liaison between Deepwater Wind and the fishing community, said, “The Block Island project had its second fishing community information meeting this Tuesday on Block Island for those in the fishing community that might not have been able to make the first meeting held in Narragansett in October.”  Those attending learned about the fisheries data that has been collected and what research is proposed as the project moves forward.  Bellavance said, “The fishing community hopes to be able to negotiate with Deepwater Wind directly to talk about mitigation from two perspectives.  First how it directly impacts those that have history fished in the area the wind turbines will be located in, and secondly how the wind project will impact the fishing community as a whole.”  For further information, contact independent fisheries consultant Rick Bellavance at 401.741.5648 or www.biwffisheries@gmail.com .

Wind farm input opportunities, meetings and notices (recently held and planned)

October 9: First Block Island Deepwater Wind farm (five turbines) and transmission system informational meeting for recreational and commercial fisheries
November 16:  Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) fishing/wind conflict mitigation workshop at the URI Bay Campus
November 30:  BOEM announces the renewable energy ocean lease sales for wind farms.  The proposed sale notices offer 277,550 acres in two "Wind Energy Areas" - one area offshore Virginia and the other area of mutual interest offshore Massachusetts and Rhode Island which is the area of the 200 plus wind turbine project Deepwater Wind has expressed interest in.
December 4:  second Deepwater Wind farm and transmission system information meeting on Block Island
December 31:  Army Corps of Engineers has extended is comment period on the Deepwater Wind project until December 31, 2012.  The original public notice for the project and project details can be found on the US Army Corps of Engineers website at www.nae.usace.army.mil.  Anyone wishing to comment should submit them in writing by December 31, 2012 or call Michael Elliott at 978.318.8131 with questions.
January 15:  the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) of RI is soliciting public comment on Deepwater Wind’s Block Island project.  Plans for the project can be seen at the CRMC office in Wakefield, RI.  Deepwater Wind has made the Environmental Report they submitted with their CRMC application available on their website at www.dwwind.com.  A hearing on the project may be requested by submitting an objection in writing to the RI CRMC at their 4808 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield address. Note: all objectors must attend the hearing once it is scheduled and give sworn testimony.  Hearing requests must be received by CRMC by January 15, 2013.

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