Working together for the good of the fish

Signed, sealed, and delivered:   Dean Bruce Corliss of the URI Graduate School of Oceanography and Janet Coit, DEM Director sign an agreement to form the RI Maine Fisheries Institute that aims to sustain fisheries in RI. 

Agriculture Day with an aquaculture twist:  Speakers on Agriculture Day included Bob Rheault of Ocean State Aquaculture Association; Senator Susan Sosnowski, chair of the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee; Janet Coit, DEM director; and Art Handy, chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources committee.

Working together for the good of the fish

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the University Of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) announced the formation of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Institute (RIMFI) which is a research collaboration that aims to sustain fisheries in Rhode Island.  RIMFI will coordinate marine fisheries science, research and educational activities.  It will serve as a link between marine fisheries programs at DEM and URI serving as the focal point for collaboration with the Rhode Island commercial and recreational fishing communities.

The formation of RIMFI was announced Monday at an overview session at the URI Bay Campus Mosby Center which included an agreement signing ceremony with URI Graduate School of Oceanography Dean Bruce Corliss and DEM Director Janet Coit, followed by words of support from Congressmen James Langevin.

Jason McNamee, DEM marine biologist and one of the principle architects of the Institute said, “The Institute was an idea that Mark Gibson had (Gibson is Deputy Chief of Marine Fisheries at DEM).   He encouraged us to form the Institute. The concept is based on the successful model developed by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the University of Massachusetts.”  McNamee continued to say, “The RIMFI will utilize the strength and resources of Rhode Island fishing industries (both commercial and recreational) for marine fisheries research.”

The primary objective of the new Institute is to develop and undertake innovative and practical fisheries research projects that will contribute to the scientific understanding and sound management of the marine fisheries resources of the State and region, and to the economic growth and stability of the commercial and recreational fishing industries that rely upon those resources.

Professor Jeremy Collie, URI Graduate School of Oceanography, worked with DEM’s McNamee to develop the Institute proposal.  Professor Collie said the projects developed by the RIMFI will be collaborative in nature with Rhode Island’s fishing industry, both recreational and commercial. The ideas for the collaborative projects will be developed through steering meetings to be held between the RIMFI and Rhode Island fishing industry stakeholders.

Collie said, “Possible projects might include the impact of climate change on lobster and shellfish; specie specific research on recreational summer flounder (fluke), black sea bass and river herring fisheries; squid and windowpaine founder; as well as scup processing to name a few.”

Representatives from the commercial and recreational fishing community were well represented at the meeting. Steve Medeiros, president of the RI Saltwater Anglers Association said, “We plan to participate in Institute input sessions and provide substantive research recommendations that would help us understand our fisheries better.” Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) members in attendance (including me) were happy to see the formation of the Institute.  The hope is that research that is better coordinated will lead to better information to make fisheries management decisions.  The RIMFC makes commercial and recreational fishing regulation recommendations to DEM.

Jason McNamee said the hope is that other educational institutions such as Roger Williams University (Dr. David Taylor), NOAA (their Narragansett, RI research lab directed by Dr. Jonathan Hare), Save-the-Bay, the Nature’s Conservancy and other NGOs doing fisheries and eco-system research will collaborate and become part of the Institute’s work. “We wanted to first have the two founding partners… URI and DEM… agree on RIMFI’s mission before getting others to join.”

“(The Institute) is a model that puts Rhode Island’s best foot forward: marine fisheries scientists, researchers, and managers from the state agency and the state university, working together with industry to develop strong science to inform the fisheries management process and achieve robust and sustainable fisheries,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. 

Where’s the bite

Striped bass.  The good news is that the spring run of striped bass are here, however, they are the advance run of small school bass with large fish behind them.  Al Conti of Snug Harbor Bait & Tackle, South Kingstown said, “They caught school bass in big numbers this weekend at the West Wall (of the Harbor of Refuge) with two anglers that I know of catching keepers size bass (28” or over).”  I worked on my boat at Gardner’s Wharf, North Kingstown Saturday and school bass were swirling in Wickford Cove.  Jason Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren, said, “School bass are in but no reports of anyone catching a keeper bass but customers are buying clams to fish for bass.”  Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick, said “School bass are in East Greenwich Bay and Cove from Sally Rock all the way back to the Godard Park boat ramp in East Greenwich Cove.  My son caught fish in the mid twenty range but no keepers.” 

Tautog fishing is very slow.  Scott Kiefer who caught a 16 pound tautog in the lower Bay last year said, “Slow start for me this year, three trips with bad weather and no bites… the 16 pounder is getting mounted and hopefully on the wall soon.” John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle East Providence said, “Customers just are not catching a lot of tautog from boats.  One customer fished the General Rock North Kingstown area, Half-Way Rock between Jamestown and Middletown and then tried Ohio Ledge in the East Passage of the Bay and not even a nibble. Shore anglers at the Wharf Tavern, at American Tourister  plant and at the Barrington Bridge seem to be doing better with tautog.”  Al Conti of Sung Harbor Marina said, “The water is still very cold.  It was 46 degrees this weekend, that’s still too cold for tautog and large striped bass.”  The water temperature in the middle of the Bay Saturday on my boat was just 50 degrees in the sun.  Generally striped bass and tautog fishing generally gets rolling once the water hits 55 degrees. Another interesting thing, there were very few boats in the water for this time of year. Al Conti said, “Guys have not even been able to paint their bottoms and put their boats in the water because the weather has been so cold and rainy.”

Scup season opened May 1^st and anglers are starting to target them check www.dem.ri.gov  for scup, saltwater and freshwater fishing regulations.

Summer flounder (or fluke) fishing is just starting with a slow start again due to cold water.  Al Conti of Snug Harbor Marina said, “A few fish were caught this weekend by anglers off the southern side of Block Island.”  Roger Simpson of the Frances Fleet said, “Fluke fishing got underway today, Saturday and the anglers aboard managed to scratch a couple keepers and a few throwbacks in the morning. Water temps reading 46 degrees out at Block Island and they are likely a few degrees colder on the bottom. These are the coldest water temps since back in May of 2003…”

Freshwater fishing remains very strong with largemouth bass being caught in many places throughout the state.  Trout fishing is particularly good at lakes and ponds that have been stocked by DEM (visit www.dem.ri.gov for a complete listing).

ASMFC spring meeting May 12-15

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries (ASMFC) will hold its spring meeting in Alexandria, Virginia May 12 to 15.  The ASMFC sets fishing policy and regulations that Rhode Island must follow on a variety of spices. Agenda items worth noting include a review of spiny dogfish (an alternative proposal is being submitted for RI by Robert Ballou of DEM); a workshop on the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act; striped bass catch and release fishing is being considered in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as a Technical Committee report and consideration of draft addendum IV on striped bass for public comment.  I will have a report on meeting highlights as they become available.

Agriculture Day with an aquaculture twist

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) along with local farmers, aquaculture associations, universities and government agencies celebrated RI Agriculture Day (and aquaculture), May 1^st in a big way.  Forty eight exhibitors displayed and served their products at the Rhode Island State House.  

Striped bass panel says lead “yo-yo” rigs OK

45 years fishing for stripers: Capt. Al Anderson’s latest book, Island Stripers, is the result of countless hours of charter fishing at Block Island.  

Open access to the Pawcatuck:  Thanks to DEM’s purchase of four acres along the Pawcatuck River, Westerly, RI those fishing, canoeing and kayaking now will have better access to the River.

Striped bass panel says lead “yo-yo” rigs OK

Last week, the Striped Bass Advisory Panel of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council voted not to recommend a ban on a certain type of “yo-yo” fishing rigs. Lead “yo-yo” rigs are used by some commercial and recreational rod and reel fisherman.  The number of anglers using them is not known, however, commercial rod and reel fishermen at the meeting and on the panel said they use them.

The practice of yo-yoing involves inserting a lead weight into a dead baitfish such as an Atlantic Menhaden and the use of a rod (wood or metal skewer like a coat hanger or a wire) in the fish to maintain its shape and control it like a puppet when sent to the bottom or to various depths in the water column.  The bait is then moved up and down (like a yo-yo) to mimic a bait fish in distress to attract striped bass to the bait.  The bait is effective in attracting large stipend bass for those that have mastered the technique.  It is practical because you do not need a live well to keep bait live, you can catch and prepare them ahead of time and it is far less expensive for commercial rod and reel fishermen than buying live eels, another popular way to catch large bass. Some commercial striped bass rod and reel fishermen who fish often to catch their quota of fish in season have found it a practical and effective way to fish.

The Panel heard testimony from commercial fishermen on the panel that the lead found in the bellies of striped bass is not harmful to the fish because they catch fish that have lead in their bellies and they are alive.  Others said that there are many other commercial and recreational fishing techniques used that contribute greater to the mortality of striped bass and that they were being singled out.  Techniques such as up-fishing by commercial draggers (the practice of continuing to catch bass until you catch the largest fish possible discarding smaller striped bass that to not survive after release) and recreational anglers that put too much stress on fish by fighting them for a long time and once released they do not survive. 

The issue before the Panel referenced a proposal from Massachusetts that advocated for a ban on just certain types of yo-yo rigs.  The Rhode Island proposal was to allow yo-yo rigs as long as the lead weights were attached to the terminal tackle (so the weights could be pulled out of the bait fish and retrieved).  This proposal was rejected by the Striped Bass Advisory Panel with members relating that “no scientific evidence”, “no studies” exist that proves lead ingested by striped bass is harmful to the fish. 

Although a lot of research with lead and waterfowl has been conducted, little research has been done with lead and fish.   For example, a study done on more than 2,000 bald eagles examined by The Fish and Wildlife Service from 1963 to 1986 showed that 119 were diagnosed as having died of lead poisoning (studies like this one lead to the banning of lead shot for waterfowl hunting in 1991). The Department of Natural Resources of the State of Michigan relates on their “lead” website page, “Lead poisoning has been recognized as a mortality factor in waterfowl since the late 1800's.  Lead poisoning cases today are either the result of ingestion of bullet fragments, spent lead shot or fishing sinkers and jig heads during normal feeding activities. When the lead reaches the acidic environment of the gizzard (loons, ducks, geese and swans) or the ventriculus (eagles), it is worn down, dissolved, and absorbed into body tissues. Once the lead reaches toxic levels in the tissues, muscle paralysis and associated complications result in death.”

Striped bass presentation 

Capt. Al Anderson has produced a new presentation about his latest book and tag & release efforts and is reaching out to fishing clubs and organizations interested in having him as a quest speaker. Capt. Anderson is the South County charter captain that was inducted into the IGFA’s World Fishing Hall of Fame in 2012 for his conservation ethic and noted authoring in the fishing world.  His latest book, Island Stripers, is the result of countless hours of charter fishing at Block Island.  Contact Capt. Anderson at ahatuna@aol.com or 401.783.8487.

20^th Annual Providence Boat Show this weekend

The 20^th Annual Providence Boat Show is being held this Friday, January 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, January 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and Sunday, January 20 form 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Rhode Island Conventions Center. Show organizers expect a great show.  Tickets $10 at the door.  Visit www.providcenceboatshow.com for a list of exhibitors, online tickets, etc.

DEM preserves property along the Pawcatuck River

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has acquired four acres of land in Westerly that will enable the creation of an excellent fishing and boating access site on the Pawcatuck River. 

“The Pawcatuck is very popular for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and other forms of outdoor recreation. But currently, no safe public access exists between Bradford and Westerly on the Pawcatuck - a beautiful stretch of river that supports Rhode Island-raised stocked trout and warm water fish species,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.  “Thanks to this acquisition, DEM will be able to make this spectacular site and several miles of the river readily accessible to the public.”

Located on Post Office Lane, the property includes over 500 feet of river frontage.  In conjunction with DEM’s purchase of the land, the state obtained an easement across the right of way from Potter Hill Road which will be used by the public to access the riverfront.

Three Advisory Panels to meet January 30… attend and provide input

DEM is having a series of three RIMFC advisory panel meetings that impact recreational fishing on January 30th.  The status of fisheries, policies and regulations that work their way into DEM species management plans are discussed at the meetings. So, now is the time to let your voice be heard by attending advisory panel meetings. Visit www.dem.ri.gov  (Marine Fisheries page) for agendas.   The three panels include a tautog meeting at 4:30 p.m., a summer flounder advisory panel meeting at 6:00 p.m. and a black sea bass and scup panel meeting at 7:30 p.m.  This new format, offering multiple advisory panel meetings on the same night, hopes to enhance angler attendance at the panel meetings.  All meetings will be held at the URI Bay Campus, Coastal Institute Building in the Hazard Room on South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI.

ASMFC votes to restrict Atlantic Menhaden catch

A bucket of fish for research:  a bucket of tautog caught for research on the charter vessel L’il Toot.  Capt. John Rainone took a family (with children) from the Narragansett Recreation Department’s assistance program fishing along with town officials and State DEM researchers.

ASMFC votes to restrict Atlantic Menhaden catch

This past Friday the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) voted on Draft Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden which outlined a number of new regulations on the species.  The ASMFC is comprised of representatives from fifteen coastal states.

“Today the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission listened to the science and the public in taking a historic step to end overfishing of Atlantic Menhaden and to begin to rebuild the population of this important little fish.” said Peter Baker of the PEW Environment Group. “By adopting the first coastwise catch limit on this fishery, the commission has begun to reverse the 90 percent plunge in the menhaden population over the past three decades. Sound science clearly calls for leaving more of these fish in the water to fulfill their ecological role. More menhaden means more food for ocean wildlife, from seabirds to whales and popular game fish such as striped bass.” said Baker.  A new total allowable catch (TAC) limit along with regulations to achieve it will help ensure that the Atlantic Menhaden biomass rebuilds and stays at desired sustainable levels.

The approved Amendment establishes a 170,800 metric ton (MT) total allowable catch (TAC) beginning in 2013 and continuing until completion of, and Board action on, the next benchmark stock assessment, scheduled for 2014. The TAC represents a 25% reduction from 2011 levels and a 20% reduction from the average of landings from 2009-2011. The ASMFC board had also adopted new biological reference points for biomass based on maximum spawning potential (MSP), with the goal of increasing abundance, spawning stock biomass, and menhaden availability as a forage species.

“Through the selection of the MSP-based reference points, beginning with adoption of Addendum V in 2011 and continuing today, the Board has made a conscious decision to address the ecosystem services provided by Atlantic menhaden,” stated ASMFC Board Chair Louis Daniel of North Carolina. “Given the stock is experiencing overfishing and is most likely overfished based on the newly adopted reference points, it was incumbent upon the Board to reduce landings in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the resource and the fisheries that depend on it.” said Daniel.

The new overfished and threshold definitions were accompanied by a number of regulations to help achieve desired levels.  Atlantic Menhaden are harvested for use in fertilizers, pet food, cosmetics and for use in fish protein pills.  One company, Omega Protein, is historically responsible for harvesting about 80% of all Atlantic Menhaden. Commercial bait fishers also harvest Atlantic Menhaden for use as bait in lobster pots and for use by recreational anglers as bait to catch game fish such as striped bass.

Widespread participation from both sides of the issue… industry processors and recreational anglers/environmentalists weighed in with the ASMFC and put pressure on legislators and representatives from states that are ASMFC members. Each state is represented by three commissioners: the director for the state’s marine fisheries management agency, a state legislator, and an individual appointed by the governor.  Rhode Island commission representatives include Mark Gibson and Robert Ballou (both from RI DEM) and Representative Peter Martin (Capt. Rick Bellavance, president of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association, is a RI Legislative proxy). Comments from them on ASMFC proceedings will be covered in next week’s column.

However, at press time not everyone was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting.  Don Smith, ASMFC Atlantic Menhaden advisory panel member and active member of the RI Saltwater Anglers Association went to Baltimore to advocate for tougher regulations.  Smith said, “It was a joke.  Two years ago Omega Protein representatives shared with our panel that they could live with a 20% reduction and not more.  And you know, that is exactly what they got.  Rhode Island representatives on the committee seemed to be siding with commercial fishing interest calling for votes below 20% when we were advocating for a 25% reduction (RISAA’s originally advocated for a 30% reduction).  Menhaden serve as a primary food source for striped bass and other fish in Rhode Island.  I question whether Rhode Island representatives on the committee had our best interest in mind when they voted.”

Steve Medeiros, president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association said, “We and other fishing associations sent representatives to Baltimore Friday to make sure the Council knew just how important a healthy Atlantic Menhaden bio mass is to environment and recreational anglers.”

Menhaden are an oily fish and a favorite meal for sharks, whales, striped bass and other game fish targeted by recreational anglers. They are an important part of the food chain.  Atlantic Menhaden also serve as roving filters, converting algae into energy and thus reducing nutrient loads in bays and covers. An adult menhaden is able to process up to 4 gallons of water per minute or a million gallons of water every 180 days. Multiply this by the number of menhaden in any given area and this is an amazing amount of water being filtered, a reduction of nutrients means fewer algae blooms and ultimately more oxygen for all fish.

The Amendment allocates the TAC on a state-by-state basis based on landings history of the fishery from 2009-2011; allocation will be revisited three years after implementation. Further, it reduces the Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery harvest cap by 20% (this is an adjustment of cap which was in place since 2006). States will be required to close their fisheries when the state-specific portion of the TAC has been reached; any overages must be paid back the following year. The Amendment includes provisions to allow for the transfer of quota between states (which may be particularly important for Rhode Island and Massachusetts as historically most of the Atlantic Menhaden caught in RI is landed in MA).  A by catch allowance of 6,000 pounds was approved for non-directed fisheries that are operating after a state TAC has been landed. The Amendment also establishes requirements for timely reporting and improved biological monitoring.

Teaming up to help family in need

The Department of Environmental Management, in conjunction with the RI Party and Charter Boat Association and the Narragansett Department of Parks and Recreation, helped turn a recent scientific fish monitoring survey into a recreational fishing experience for a family in need.

Working with principal marine biologist Jason McNamee of DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, John Rainone of the RI Party and Charter Boat Association, and Steven Wright and Tom Tessitore of the Narragansett Department of Parks and Recreation, a tautog collection survey took place on the morning after Thanksgiving. A family from the Narragansett Parks and Recreation assistance program was chosen to participate in a free tautog fishing trip aboard Captain John Rainone’s L’il Toot charter boat. While the family had an opportunity to enjoy a fun day of recreational fishing for tautog, they also helped collect 31 fish ranging from 10-22 inches in length for DEM’s monitoring program. Nicole Travisono, a principal biologist in DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, was onboard the vessel to coordinate the scientific collection.

“Sometimes hard work is a lot of fun.  In addition to the scientific benefits, the collaboration provided this Narragansett family – a father and two boys, aged seven and nine – an opportunity to take part in a fun-filled day of fishing on a charter vessel and to bring home some freshly-caught fish,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.  “While they were out in the state’s waters, they also saw dolphins – another highlight of their fishing trip!  And, I bet this special project deepened their appreciation for the variety of marine life in our seas.  All in all, the effort provided a boost to our science and a good day all around.” said Coit.