We need fresh fish and ocean wind farms

The Block Island Wind Farm: the first and to date, the only ocean wind farm in the U.S.

We need fresh fish and ocean wind farms

We need renewable energy bad. The water is warming.  For years the ocean has acted as a heat absorber and last year it was the warmest ever. If we do not kick solar and ocean wind power into high gear, and the water continues to warm, even the warm water fish that have arrived in our area will leave.

We know the polar ice caps are melting from greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (created from the burning of fossil fuels) from above.  It is now melting from below too with warming ocean waters. So climate change impacts are accelerating.

Our cold water fish in the northeast have moved out to deeper and cooler water… no more winter flounder, no more American lobster, all the lobsters went to Maine.  And, we now have warm water fish in greater abundance such as scup, black sea bass and summer flounder (even though the stock is not in great shape). Speaking with fishermen from Maryland, they have an abundance of warm water species that are normally found further south in Florida.

So this is why we need to make ocean wind farms work. 

Our experience with the Block Island Wind Farm has been excellent. Not only has there been no remarkable adverse effects on fish and habitat, the fishing in the area is arguably better.  Recreational fishermen catch summer flounder, black sea bass and cod in the general wind farm area. Many say (including this fisherman) that fishing in the area has actually been better. 

Commercial rod & reel fishermen fish the wind farm area.  Commercial trawlers work the waters right alongside the windfarm. And, commercial gill netters set their nets right up to the pylons.  They do this because the fishing is good there, not because it is bad.

Looking at the bases of the turbines with underwater photography there is mussel growth on pylons, small fish eating around the mussels, scup and balck sea bass feeding close to the pylons with large bluefish and striped bass circling to pick off the smaller fish.

The cumulative impact of fish and habitat with 80 turbines, next to 100, next to 120 is what all are concerned about.  That’s why we need federal laws passed that put pressure on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to accelerate research before, during and after construction.  We need to see what positive or negative impacts (if any) the first 80 turbines will have on fish and habitat and apply the learnings to the construction of the next 80 turbines.

And by the way, the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) needs to play more of a role here, right now they are merely consulted.  If fish or habitat are at risk NOAA Fisheries needs the ability to put the brakes on as fish and habitat are their business, not BOEM’s business.

All fishermen and all Americans need to be vigilant about protecting fish and habitat.  But wind farm developers and fishermen posturing for mitigation is not a venue that leads to positive results of enhancing renewable energy while allowing fisheries to grow. 

The recent mitigation process used in Rhode Island on one lease area project built by Vineyard Wind (for a wind farm in Massachusetts) has set the table for some silliness.  The process was not inclusive of all fishery sectors in all states.  It did not include concerns of recreational fishers and those of Massachusetts fishermen.  If there are two to three projects in each of 20 lease areas, that’s 50 or 60 projects in the mid-Atlantic area to Massachusetts. 

We need to develop a process for addresses the needs of fishermen and the wind farm industry that is outside of mitigation, well before it. More of an inclusive planning approach that respects the needs and concerns of all at the table.

You also hear some totally false information spread by some designed to instill fear in fishermen and the public and position themselves for mitigation. Claims such as you will not be able to fish near the turbines, birds will be destroyed by the wind farm blades, the sound of the turbines will drive mammals away, the submarine cables emit electromagnetic fields that will kill fish, the turbines spinning will blow on the water and disrupt spawning grounds. I have not been able to find research that supports these claims.

So I say we have to work this out.  We need renewable energy. And, we need fresh, nutritious fish. NOAA needs a larger seat at the decision making table.  Wind farm developers and fishermen have to learn to live and work together. 

If we do not reduce the impacts of climate change, eventually even the warm water fish that have arrived in our waters will leave for cooler waters.

I am convinced we can develop renewable energy and yet have no remarkable negative impacts on fish and habitat.  We need to work to achieve this positive outcome today.

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.

Galilee Fishing for a Cause Tournament and Festival big success

 Most trophies:  Joey Scrofani of Wakefield, RI with two nice fish… a black sea bass (left, 3.60 lbs.) that took 1^st place in the Junior Division and scup (right).  Joey also took home the 1^st place trophy for the largest Junior Division bluefish at 6.40 lbs.

 Top fish: Ray Jobin of Charlestown, RI took first place in the Tournament Boat Division with this striped bass that weighed a healthy 37.10 lbs. 

 All smiles: Fishing for a Cause Tournament participants Joel Cooper (left) of Smithfield, RI, Dave McCormick of North Kingstown, RI (center), and Jeff Eastman of North Attleboro, MA (right) .

Measuring up:  This 28 lbs. striped bass caught by Andrew Raucci (left) of Wakefield, RI  gets weighed in and measured by Ed Carney, RISAA board member (right), at the Galilee Fishing for a Cause Tournament and Food Festival.

Galilee Fishing for a Cause Tournament and Festival big success

The First Annual Galilee Fishing for a Cause Tournament and Seafood Food Festival was “very successful” said Steve Medeiros, president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA). “Even with the weatherman forecasting bad conditions, we still had 148 registered anglers… this is not bad at all… and yes, there will be a Second Annual Galilee Tournament and Food Festival.”, said Medeiros.  The three day Tournament and Food Festival was organized by the Town of Narragansett, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association.  Funds raised from the tournament and food festival will be donated to Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Narragansett Parks and Recreation Financial Aid Program, and the Johnnycake Center of Peacedale, RI.

The Galilee Fishing for a Cause Tournament and Seafood Festival aims to celebrate and promote Rhode Island’s recreational and commercial fishing industries.  Organizers wanted to create an event reminiscent of the past tuna tournaments held in Galilee, Rhode Island to help create awareness and interest in fishing and seafood in Rhode Island. 

Recreation and commercial fishing displays and demonstrations were held throughout the festival with participation from a variety of commercial fishing interests such as Superior Trawling and the Rhode Island Party and Charter Boat Association. The Festival featured local seafood, artisans, music, and educational exhibits.

Fishing tournament winners

Black sea bass Junior Boat Division winners were 1^st place Joey Scrofani (3.60 lbs.), 2^nd Zoey Realeau and 3^rd Shawn Rogers.

Bluefish Junior Boat Division winners were 1^st Joey Scrofani (6.40 lbs.), 2nd Michael Morrison and 3^rd Jack Spych. Bluefish Adult Boat Division winners were 1^st place Dave Kops (13.15 lbs.), 2^nd John Eldridge and 3^rd Stephen Daignault. Bluefish Adult Shore Division 1^st place winner was Joshua Richardson (11.75 lbs).

Fluke Adult Boat Division winners were 1^st place Ed Sylvia (3.10 lbs.), 2^nd Jared Henry and 3^rd David Fewster.

Scup Junior Boat Division winners were 1^st Nate Ambrad (2.25 lbs.), 2^nd Zoey Realeau and 3^rd Joey Scrofani. 

Striped bass Adult Boat Division winners were 1^st Raymond Jobin (37.10 lbs), 2^nd Peter Vican and 3^rd Jonathan Lewie.  Striped bass Adult Shore Division 1^st place winner was Richard Reich (8.5 lbs.).

Block Island wind Farm informational meeting

Deepwater Wind (developer of the pilot wind farm project off Block Island) will hold a Block Island Wind Farm and Transmission System informational meeting and open discussion with the Rhode Island fishing community on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 1 Beach Street, Narragansett, RI.  If you are a recreational or commercial fisherman (or anyone else for that matter) and want to learn about the project or have a concern about the proposed wind farm you should attend.  Learn about the fisheries data that has been collected and what research is proposed as the project moves forward.  For further information contact independent fisheries consultant Rick Bellavance at 401.741.5648 or www.biwffisheries@gmail.com .

Where’s the bite

Tautog fishing is heating up as anglers start to target this species.  Legal size is 16” minimum with a limit (until October 19) of three fish/day/angler with a maximum of ten fish per boat.  JR Carlow reports on the RISAA blog, “I got out with my dad on Friday for some tog. We hit the ledge at the corner of Castle Hill, right where the Coast Guard cutter comes out, if you follow the shoreline out to the front of the Inn at Castle Hill. Got nine keepers and a total of 17 fish in about 2 1/2 hrs. All on Asian crabs. Slack tide too. Took the best five home.”  I fished in the mid/lower Bay Sunday and caught many shorts and two nice keepers in the 20” range in the General Rock, North Kingstown area in a matter of 1 ½ hours,  2.5 hours before low tide.  Once the current slowed, the fish shut off. I was using green crabs, chumming with a mixture of clam bellies and green crabs.

Striped bass fishing remains strong at night and early morning at Block Island.  Fish not as plentiful as they were, but still worth the trip. Tommy Pelto reports a good striped bass and blue fish bite along southern coastal shores, “I had a great night along South County. Even with a stiff wind fishing was great and consistent. Bass and blues were all mixed in together. A black and purple bottle plug did the job. Definitely an encouraging sign… (for) the next couple months.”

False albacore, albies or little tunny as they are called are appearing in good numbers along Rhode Island southern coastal shores.  Stephen Katkowski reports, “Fished the south shore for albies on Monday in my 14' skiff.  Landed 13 out of 17 for the day fishing all afternoon.  Kastmaster XL's were the ticket for me.  Fish were in tight just outside the surfers between Deep Hole and the Ocean Mist

Offshore. The bluefin tuna bite is still on at the Mudhole.  Joey Manansala said, “We fished the Mudhole this weekend. There are still small BFT and plenty of false albacore to keep you busy.”  Roger Lema said, “We were able to catch green bonito this Saturday along with Capt. Tom Toyota and the Mark V.  Fourteen fish total… with almost uncountable albies.”