Fishermen suggest regional panels to eye cumulative wind farm impacts

 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) lease areas from Massachusetts to the Carolinas.

Today black sea bass are climate change winners.  They are more abundant due to warming water like this fish caught off Rhode Island by Capt. Dave Monti.

Fishermen suggest regional panels to eye cumulative wind farm impacts

It’s very hard to get a handle on offshore wind. We have twenty or so lease areas from Massachusetts to the Carolinas, six of them (all granted to developers now) are off Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The kicker is that each of these lease areas will house multiple projects.  Projects that could harm or help habitat and fish in their area.  However, the big question being asked by fishermen and scientists alike, is what cumulative impact they will they have on fish and habitat when they are all built, up and running?

For the past few months Vineyard Wind has been in negotiation with fishermen on a mitigation plan for one project… eventually many projects will be built on the east coast.  The permitting process and various stages of approval for any one wind farm is daunting including, hundreds of meetings, hearings, permits, negotiations, etc.  Who knows what effect several projects in an area will have, developers have been just trying to get their project up and running.

Offshore wind farm developers are much like land developers.  They acquire or lease a parcel and then develop it with ocean wind farms as they have the electricity sold.  Much the same way that a land developer would develop a large parcel of land only building what they have good reason to believe they can sell in stages.

Last month during mitigation negotiations Rhode Island fishermen on the Fisheries Advisory Board (FAB) of the Coastal Resource Management Council (CRMC) approved a $16.7-million negotiated mitigation agreement with Vineyard Wind.  The settlement provides funds for research to study safe effective fishing in the project area as well as research that may help future projects and their relationship to fishing.  The agreement also includes $4.2 million in payments spread over 30 years for assistance with direct impacts of the wind farm on fishing in Rhode Island.

The Fisheries Advisory Board of CRMC, the Anglers for Offshore Wind (AFOW) which is a recreational fishermen’s group that supports the responsible development of ocean wind, and the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) all expressed concern to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) about cumulative impacts.  All expressed concern at public hearings and in writing after hearings pertaining to Vineyard Wind’s Environmental Impact Statement on the project.

RISAA and the AFOW both suggested that BOEM establish regional fisheries advisory committees.  The committees would look at wind farms on a regional basis taking into account any negative or positive cumulative impacts on habitat and fish multiple wind farms in a region may have together.

Renewable energy in the form of offshore wind is vitally important for our nation to help stem the tide on climate change and provide clean, affordable energy for all Americans.  However, we have to stay on top of things and make sure we do no harm to fish or habitat in the process.

I believe regional committees that keep an eye on individual projects and cumulative impacts of multiple wind farms in a region makes a lot of sense.  Like other fishermen I hope BOEM takes this suggestion under advisement and forms such committees.  For information on ocean wind farms visit https://www.boem.gov/Offshore-Wind-Energy/ .

Warming water impacting fish volume, down 15 to 35% in some regions

A study titled ‘Impacts of historical warming on marine fisheries production’ was released in Science magazine last week at http://science.sciencemag.org/content/363/6430/979.  The study was led by Christopher M. Free of the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University along with a number of collaborating scientists. 

The study abstract relates Dr. Free and his associates “used temperature specific models and hindcasting across fish stocks to determine the degree to which warming has, and will, affect fish.”  The study found that overall fish yield has reduced over the past 80 years.  The study said, “Furthermore, although some species are predicted to respond positively to warming waters, the majority will experience a negative impact on growth.”

The study used temperature-dependent populations models to measure the influence of warming.  Some populations responded significantly positively and others responded significantly negatively to warming.  Hindcasts indicate that the maximum sustainable yield of the evaluation populations (235 of them) decreased by 4.1 percent from 1930 to 2010, with five ecoregions experiencing loses of 15 to 35 percent.

In a Rutgers Today interview, study co-author Dr. Malin Pinsky said, “We were stunned to find that fisheries around the world have already responded to ocean warming.  These aren’t hypothetical changes sometime in the future.”  Rutgers Today said the study reports that the effects of ocean warming have been negative for many species, but also finds that other species have benefited from warming waters.

“Fish populations can only tolerate so much warming, though,” said senior author Olaf Jensen, an associate professor at Rutgers. “Many of the species that have benefited from warming so far are likely to start declining as temperatures continue to rise.”

Black sea bass and scup are examples of species that have benefited from warming in our region, however, as study scientists related even these species (as well as other species in our region) may start to decline as temperature continues to rise.

Public hearing Monday, March 11 on regulations

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the RI Marine Fisheries Council is holding a public hearing on a number of proposed commercial and recreational 2019 regulations Monday, March 11, 6:00 p.m., Corless Auditorium, URI Bay Campus, Narragansett.  Regulations covered at the meeting will include black sea bass, summer flounder, scup, striped bass, bluefish, cod and others.  For the meeting agenda and a copy of the presentation that will be given at the hearing visit www.dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/marine-fisheries/rimfc/index.php.

Stripers Forever advocates for reductions in striper mortality

In a press release last week Stripers Forever, an organization that advocates for striped bass conservation measures, said, “The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) announced in January that the striped bass resource is significantly overfished and that the spawning stock biomass has dropped back to levels last seen in the early 1990s.” 

Stripers Forever president Brad Burns said “Stripers Forever supports significant reductions in recreational fishing mortality beginning this season.” According to Stripers Forever the commercial fishery has comparatively small socio- economic benefits, and it is concentrated on large breeding-age fish which are the sector of the resource that is in the greatest trouble.  Burns said that “Stripers Forever feels that all commercial fishing activity for stripers should end either through a buyout program paid for by the sale of a striped bass stamp, or phased out by grandfathering those commercial fisherman who have had a minimum average amount of sales over the past several years and not issuing any new licenses.” 

Stripers Forever expects the ASMFC to announce in May that regulatory changes will be imposed in 2020 to reduce striped bass mortality; specifically minimum sizes will be increased for recreational fishing and a decreased commercial quota for the commercial fishery. Some states may take immediate actions to reduce striped bass mortality, especially release mortality, such as Massachusetts, where circle hooks may become mandatory for bait fishing and gaffing of live striped bass may be prohibited.

For information visit www.stripersforever.org.

Where’s the bite?

Cod fishing.  Party boats sailing for cod this time of year includes the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com , the Seven B’s at www.sevenbs.com, and the Island Current at www.islandcurrent.com .

Striper fishing down on all counts

Large striped bass like this one caught by Mike Swain were not as prevalent last year.  Striped bass are on the decline according to a new survey by Stripers Forever.

Striper fishing down on all counts

Striped bass fishing is down.  Striper fishermen, fishing guides and charter captains will tell you that for the past three to four years the amount of fish caught each year has been less and less.  And, the fish have been getting smaller.

The results of Striper Forever’s 2018 annual survey on striped bass fishing was released February 9, 2019 and it was no surprise when it showed most anglers responding to the survey said their striped bass fishing was down.  Out of the 450 survey responders, 72 percent said the number of striped bass they catch per hour has declined from 2017 to 2018, while 71 percent said the size of the striped bass they caught was ‘smaller’ or ‘much smaller’ than previous years.

These survey results support angler claims of fish volume and sizes declining for the past couple of years. This was also the case when in 2018 the Massachusetts commercial striped bass fishery was unable to catch its full quota of large striped bass even after the state’s Division of Marine Fisheries added open days to the season in an effort to help meet the quota.

Capt. Rick Bellavance, president of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association, said, “Striper fishing in 2018 was hit or miss.  Often times we would miss the bite out at the southwest ledge area of Block Island by a few minutes.  The fish were also notably smaller this year, just as the scientists have been predicting.”

A major striped bass stock reassessment of the wild Atlantic striped bass population has prompted the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) that manages striped bass, to admit that the spawning stock of large fish has shrunk sufficiently to require a warning that the stock is being overfished, and that overfishing is occurring. 

Stripers Forever blames the ASMFC management plan that focuses too much of the fishing effort on large, older fish that are vital to the breeding population.  Over the last 10 years a reduced striped bass breeding population has resulted in highly variable production, including two good year classes, two average and six below average, including a record low spawn in 2016. The average striped bass year class sizes in Chesapeake Bay during the decade of the 1990s were roughly twice as large as those that have occurred in the last 15 years.

In their February 9 press release, Stripers Forever said, “We believe that a slot limit that allows a harvest only within a restrictive upper and lower size range along with a complete end to all commercial fishing for wild striped bass is the best management solution for the fishery… (And) 79 percent of Stripers Forever members support the sale of a game fish stamp with the proceeds to be used for buying out the remaining commercial fishing activities.”

A complete recap of all the survey information is available at this LINK on the Stripers Forever website.  For more additional information e-mail stripers@stripersforever.org. 

New York State approves bill to ban Atlantic menhaden seining

Last week the New York State Legislature overwhelmingly passed a bill that would ban the harvesting of Atlantic menhaden, also called pogies or bunker, using purse seine nets up to three miles from shore.  The bill restricts large-scale industrial boats from encircling schools of menhaden with nets that haul tons of fish for the production of fish oil and protein meal.

Atlantic menhaden have been cited by many as an important forage fish for striped bass, bluefish, tuna as well as osprey and other fish and birds.  They are harvested locally by fishermen who cast nests in Narragansett, Mt. Hope and Buzzard’s Bay to catch the fish for use as bait.

However, the law New York passed does allow for large scale fishing at the State’s discretion to avoid fish kills due to depleted oxygen levels in estuaries.

Fishermen still at odds with Vineyard Wind

At deadline fishermen in Rhode Island are still at odds with Vineyard Wind, developer of the 84 turbine wind farm 14 miles off Massachusetts. The wind farm area is often fished by Rhode Island fishermen who initially had concerns about the spacing of the turbines. Fishermen wanted to make sure enough room was left between them for fishing and safe navigation. They are now planned for approximately one mile apart. 

Additionally, Vineyard Wind announced in December, 2018 its support for fishery transit lanes that are sited directly through the middle of the lease area.  The aim is to accommodate fishermen based in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Long Island area who need to transit the length of the wind areas to reach fishing grounds south and east of Cape Cod.  Vineyard Wind has pledged to continue to work with fishermen to determine how best to utilize this flexibility, taking into account both fishing within the turbine area and transiting though the area.

Commercial squid fishermen from Rhode Island are concerned about the wind farm changing the migration pattern of squid on rich fishing grounds in and around the wind farm. Recreational fishermen are also concerned about the impact the wind farm could have particularly during construction redirecting fish and bait/forage (like squid) and their migration patterns. 

In a research protocol recommendation to Vineyard Wind, Bay State Wind and Deepwater Wind/Orsted the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) requested that a research protocol be developed for all wind farms that includes fish and habitat research before, during and after construction of wind farms that utilizes in part rod and reel surveys as well as research targeting impacts on pelagic species such as mahi, tuna and sharks. The recommendation related that RISAA supports renewable energy efforts like wind farms, however, they want to make sure that as utility scale wind farms are build i.e. the eighty-four turbine Vineyard Wind farm vs the five turbine piolet project off Block Island, that there are no adverse effects on habitat or fish.

At press time the Rhode Island Fishermen’s Advisory Board (FAB) weighing in on Vineyard Wind plans were negotiating with the developer.  FAB member Capt. Rick Bellavance, president of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association said, “I am concerned about the Vineyard Wind project setting the table for projects to come.  Right now Vineyard Wind has no intention to do rod & reel studies, or study pelagic fish we target.  We are concerned that once they start driving piles that fishing will stop, just like it did at Block Island when Deepwater Wind was constructing the Block Island Wind Farm project.  We are also concerned about a change in squid migration patterns.”

Squid serve as a great food source for a variety of species including summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, striped bass, blue fish and a host of others.  Capt. Bellavance said, “These pylons are over 30 feet in diameter compared to the smaller pylons used at Block Island.  Wind farm pile driving will continue for ten years.  What this will do to fish migration patterns is not known.  Will it drive them away for good?”

Vineyard Wind and the Fishermen’s Advisory Board hope to reach a mitigation agreement soon.

New England Saltwater Fishing Show

The New England Saltwater Fishing Show, the largest show of its type in the Northeast, will have about three-hundred companies displaying fishing tackle, gear and much more. Many manufacturers, distributors and retailers will be offering show specials and discounted show prices. The Fishing Show is at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

New England Saltwater Fishing Show this week

The Ninth Annual New England Saltwater Fishing Show sponsored by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), will be held this week March 9-11 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Friday hours are 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, children under 12 are admitted free. Learn more about the show at nesaltwatershow.com and get $1.00 off your admission ticket with an on-line coupon.

Steve Medeiros, RISAA president, said, “This is the largest saltwater fishing show in the Northeast.” The show promises to be the best ever with warm winter weather giving anglers an early desire to get ready to fish. This year close to three hundred companies are expected to be showing the latest in fishing gear and tackle. Medeiros said, “Many exhibitors will be offering show discounts and product specials,” Most major saltwater companies will be represented including rod and reel manufacturers, fishing lure companies, charter fishing boat and guide companies and makers of clothing, fly fishing gear, boats, kayaks and much more. You will even be able to get a Rhode Island or Massachusetts fishing license at the show (visit nesaltwatershow.com for a list of exhibitors).

There will be something for everyone at the show. A popular “Kid Zone” will again be featured this year with a casting area where children who hit a target receive a prize. There will be a variety of free games for children and Sunday is family day with all women and children admitted free. Attendees can also enter to win a free fishing charter on Priority Fishing Charters with Capt. Rick Bellavance or a 13 foot Duke Canoe.

Mr. Medeiros said, “We have a non-stop seminar series going on in two different areas with an all-star lineup of regional talent that could keep any fishing enthusiast busy for hours.”

I will be speaking about “Fluke Fishing Tips from the Pros” at four different seminar times. No Fluke Fishing will be at Booth # 422 and I welcome readers to stop by and say hello and enter to win a free charter fishing trip and sign up to receive an electronic fishing newsletter and access to weekly fishing reports.

At press time the Saltwater Fishing Show seminar schedule is as follows:

Friday, March 11: Main Seminar Stage

1:00 p.m. Capt. Rick Kilborn: Finding Fish with a GPS

2:00 p.m. Capt. Pat Renna: Light Tackle Trolling

3:00 p.m. Ron Poirier: Jigging Soft Baits For Bass & Tuna

4:00 p.m. Capt. B.J. Silvia: Newport Bass & Fluke

5:00 p.m. D.J. Muller: Strategies & Techniques for Catching Large Stripers from the Surf

6:00 p.m. Capt. Dave Monti: Fluke Fishing Tips from the Pros

7:00 p.m. Capt. Bruce Millar: Precise Trolling Patters for Trophy Bass

8:00 p.m. Capt. John Sheriff: Tautog Fishing

Friday, March 11: Mini-Seminar Area

12:30 p.m. Capt. Dave Monti: Fluke Fishing Tips

1:30 p.m. David Stingo: Jigging & Popping for Bluefin

2:30 p.m. Greg Debrule: Fishing for Stripers in the Race

3:30 p.m. Capt. John Sheriff: Benefits of Synthetic Oil

3:30 p.m. Ryan White: Long Distance Surf Casting (Casting Lane)

4:30 p.m. George Kellar: Use of Alabama-style rigs

5:30 p.m. Rob Lyons: What's new from Yamaha, From Phone Apps to 4.2 Liter V6

6:30 p.m. Capt. Alan Hastbacka: Rigging Soft Plastics

Saturday, March 12: Main Seminar Stage

10:00 a.m. Capt. Pat Renna: Light Tackle Trolling

11:00 a.m. Capt. John Sheriff: Tautog Fishing

12:00 a.m. Capt. Rick Bellavance: Shark Fishing

1:00 p.m. Capt. Jack Sprengel: Advanced Vertical Jigging Strategies

2:00 p.m. Peter Vican & Don Smith: Block Island Stripers

3:00 p.m. Capt. Bruce Millar: Precise Trolling Patters for Trophy Bass

4:00 p.m. Ron Poirier: Jigging Soft Baits for Bass & Tuna

5:00 p.m. Capt. Rick Kilborn: Finding Fish with a GPS

Saturday, March 12: Mimi-Seminar Area

9:30 a.m. Capt. Jerry Sparks & Capt. Al Reed: Fishing From Kayaks

10:30 a.m. D.J. Muller: Surf Casting Techniques & Selecting the Right Rod

11:30 a.m. Alan Lemire: Fishing Techniques when Using Plugs

12:30 p.m. Capt. Peter Meyers: Jigging for Tautog (Blackfish)

1:30 p.m. Capt. Matt Baryshyan: Small Boat Canyon Fishing

2:30 p.m. Capt. Greg Dubrule: Fishing For Stripers in the Race

3:30 p.m. Capt. Alan Hastbacka: Rigging Soft Plastics

4:30 p.m. Carl Welshman: How to Create a Custom Designed Lighted Nautical Chart

5:30 p.m. Rob Lyons: What's new from Yamaha, From Phone Apps to 4.2 Liter V6

Saturday, March 12: Casting Lane/Demo Area

11:30 a.m. Capt. Jim Barr: 15 Tips for Fly Rodding Saltwater

12:30 p.m. Ryan White: Long Distance Surf Casting

1:30 p.m. Sheila Hassan: Fly Casting for Striped Bass

2:30 p.m. Brenda Sears: Fly Casting for Women

3:30 p.m. Capt. Bob Hines: Tips on Fly Fishing RI Stripers and False Albacore

4:30 p.m. TBA: Basic Fly Fishing Instruction

5:30 p.m. TBA: Basic Fly Fishing Instruction

Sunday, March 11: Main Seminar Stage

10:30 a.m. D.J. Muller: Strategies Techniques for Catching Large Stripers from the Surf

11:30 a.m. Capt. B.J. Silvia: Newport Bass & Fluke

12:30 p.m. Capt. Jack Sprengel: Advanced Vertical Jigging Strategies

1:30 p.m. Capt. Dave Monti: Fluke Fishing Tips from The Pros

2:30 p.m. Peter Vican & Don Smith: Block Island Stripers

3:30 p.m. Capt. Rick Bellavance: Shark Fishing

Sunday, March 11: Mini-Seminar Area

11:00 a.m. Capt. Dave Monti: Fluke Fishing Tips

12:00 p.m. Alex Peru: Bonito & False Albacore on Soft Plastics

1:00 p.m. David Stingo: Jigging & Popping for Bluefin Tuna

2:00 p.m. D. J. Muller: Surf Casting Techniques and Choosing the Right Rod

3:00 p.m. Capt. John Sheriff: Benefits of Synthetic Oil

Sunday, March 11: Casting Lane/Demo Area

11:00 a.m. Capt. Bob Hines: Tips on Fly Fishing RI Stripers and False Albacore

12:00 p.m. Capt. Jim Barr: 15 Tips for Fly Rodding Saltwater

1:00 p.m. Sheila Hassan: Fly Casting for Striped Bass

2:00 p.m. Brenda Sears: Fly Casting for Women

3:00 p.m. Michael Kulick: Long Distance Surf Casting

Rhody Fly Rodders to hold Striped Bass Seminar

The March meeting of the Rhody Fly Rodders will be held Tuesday, March 20, 6:30 p.m. at the Riverside Sportsmen’s Club, East Providence, RI. The guest presenter will be Dean L. Clark, from Stripers Forever. Stripers Forever, is a non-profit, internet-based conservation organization, seeking game fish status for wild striped bass on the Atlantic Coast. Mr. Clark will present what are the latest challenges for this great game fish and what we can do to help. Also, he will include a presentation about Striper fishing on the “Cape”. Free coffee & cookies, door prize and bucket raffles. Open to the general public. Fly tiers are invited to tie before the presentation. From Providence take I-195 to exit 7, bear right on the ramp and follow Rt. 114 south (Wampanoag Trail) for 2 miles. Look for WPRO studios on left, then take first u-turn back to Rt. 114 north. Continue north and look for the Riverside Sportsmen’s Club sign on right.