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.

Warm water moving fish in and out of region

 Kevin Fetzer with a black sea bass caught last year.  The season opened Thursday, May 25^th with a three fish/person/day limit, however, regulations are expected to change.

Bonnie Audino’s 31.5 pound Taunton River striped bass caught when trolling a T-man tube & worm with her husband Larry. As required on 34” or larger recreational fish the right pectoral fin has been cut.

Warm water moving fish in and out of region

Climate change and warming water is impacting the location and numbers of important fish species on the east coast.

A study published in Progress in Oceanography titled “Marine species distribution shifts on the U.S. Northeast Continental Shelf under continued ocean warming”, shows that some fish species are gaining more natural habitat in northern regions and others are losing suitable habitat. 

Those gaining habitat include spiny dogfish, summer flounder, black sea bass, and lobsters.  Yet we are losing suitable habitat for such species as American cod, haddock, thorny skate and Acadian redfish because the water is too warm and the fish are moving to deeper water. 

The projections indicate that as species shift from one management jurisdiction to another, or span state and federal jurisdictions, there will be an increased need for collaboration among management groups to set quotas and establish allocations.

“Species that are currently found in the Mid-Atlantic Bight and on Georges Bank may have enough suitable habitat in the future because they can shift northward as temperatures  increase,”  said lead author Kristin Kleisner, formerly of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC)‘s Ecosystems Dynamics and Assessment Branch and now a senior scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund.

“Species concentrated in the Gulf of Maine, where species have shifted to deeper water rather than northward, may be more likely to experience a significant decline in suitable habitat and move out of the region altogether.  Given the historical changes observed on the Northeast Shelf over the past five decades and confidence in the projection of continued ocean warming in the region, it is likely there will be major changes within this ecosystem.” said Kleisner.

In a press release this week, the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said, “Scientists used a high-resolution global climate model and historical observations of species distributions on the Northeast U.S. Shelf and found commercially important species will continue to shift their distribution as ocean waters warm two to three times faster than the global average through the end of this century. Projected increases in surface to bottom waters of 6.6 to 9 degrees F from current conditions are expected.” 

It is important to note that sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Maine have warmed faster than 99 percent of the global ocean over the past decade.  Northward shifts of many species has already occurred from one management jurisdiction to another. These changes will directly affect fishing communities, as species now landed at those ports move out of range, and new species move in.

A copy of the article can be found at www.sciencedirect.com .

Black sea bass regulations changing

NOAA Fisheries announced revised 2017 and projected 2018 catch limits for black sea bass taking effect May 25, 2017 for both recreational and commercial fisheries.  The revisions were instituted because of the recent benchmark stock assessment completed in December, 2016.

Based on the new stock assessment information, NOAA is implementing revisions to the 2017 black sea bass specifications that represent a 53-percent increase in the 2017 commercial quota, and a 52-percent increase in the 2017 recreational harvest limit. 

Additionally, NOAA is removing an accountability measure that was applied to the 2017 commercial fishery at the beginning of the fishing year to account for a previous overage in 2015.  At press time Rhode Island commercial quotas and recreation fishing harvest limits had not been revised.

Trout Unlimited meeting May 31

The Narragansett Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU225) will hold its monthly meeting and seminar on Wednesday, May 31, 6:00 p.m. at the Arcadia Management Area Check Station, Rt. 165, (Ten Rod Road),  Wood River, Exeter, RI.

Members and guests are invited to come at 5:00 p.m. for hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, chips, and soda/water.  Park Regulations for the Arcadia Management Area do NOT permit consumption of alcohol. 

At 6:00 p.m. a short meeting will be followed by a spey casting demonstration by Vinny Diodato. Those wishing to participate are invited to bring their own equipment.  A limited supply of loaner gear will be available.

Contact Glenn Place at 1-401-225-7712 or TU225President@gmail.com for information.

Where’s the bite

Freshwater fishing held up well last week with a variety of species being caught.  Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, “Anglers are catching smallmouth and largemouth bass, trout and everything in-between at Stafford Pond and other ponds in the area.”  Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly said, “With the cooler weather the fresh water fishing has held up pretty good.  We have actually extending the trout season with good numbers of fish being caught in waterways stocked by DEM.”  Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence said, “Carp fishing remains very strong as well as the large and smallmouth bass bite.  Customers are buying shiners to fish for bass and then coming back for more.”

Squid fishing.  Capt. Frank Blount, owner of the Frances Fleet, reported some improved squid fishing this past Friday Night with a really nice shot of good size tubes later in the evening and a few anglers filling upwards to a half of a four or five gallon pail apiece.

“Striped bass fishing for school bass in the ponds has been very good and anglers are catching 28” to 32” bass at the north end of Block Island using Diamond jigs. And last night Andrew Crocker, an associate here, caught a 22” squeteague in Salt Pond using a Ronz lure.” said Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina.  Large numbers of fish being caught in the Bay with larger ones just starting to be caught.  Bonnie Audino caught a 31.5 pound striped bass on her husband Larry’s boat when trolling a T-Man tube and work in the Tauton River. Jeff Ingver of Ocean State Tackle, Providence said, “We have reports of customers catching 34” and 35” fish right at the Hurricane Barrier in Providence with fish even being caught inside the Barrier.  The bite is all on pogies most are chucking rather than live lining with success.”  “Customers caught 42” and a 44” fish in the Bay, one was caught trolling a Niner umbrella rig and the second on a pogie.” said Macedo.  “School striped bass are being caught from southern coastal beaches and in South County ponds where worm hatches have occurred on warm days last week. Not many fish over 28” are being caught but a volume of school bass are in the area.” said Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters.  Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle said, “The bass bite is on in the Bay, we landed six nice fish in the 20 to 30 pound range one day with a modest effort when fishing the East Passage of the Bay.”

Fluke fishing has been pretty good in the Bay with anglers landing fish to 22” in the Greenwich Bay/Warwick Light area.  Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said, “Fisheries Island and Misquamicut have been pretty good with customer catching a 21”, even a 24” fish last week.”  “Customers fishing for fluke are saying it has been hard to catch a 19” fish in the Bay, but things are just starting so fluke fishing should improve this week as the water warms.” said Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait.  Reports of fish being caught along the south shore on the RISSA blog from several anglers, places like Green Hill, Nebraska Shoal are yielding shorts with keepers mixed in to 21”.  Matt Conti of Snug Harbor said “Customers are catching fluke on the southwest side of Block Island and in the Green Hill area.”

Scup and black sea bass.  “The scup bite is just starting to heat up with customers catch nice sized fish at Colt State Park.” Said Manny Macedo.  The black sea bass bite has been slow put is expected to get better this week as the water warms with a season start date of May 25 with a three fish/person/day limit.

How do fish feel about warming water?

 Capt. Tom Pelletier, Quaker Lane Outfitters, demonstrates fishing rod and reel at the fishing show.

 Steve Medeiros, New England Saltwater Fishing Show producer said, “Show attendance broke 15,000.”

How do fish feel about warming water?

I can only imagine how the fish must feel.  The water is warming and acidification is taking its toll.  They all feel the difference, but how they react to it is key. 

Some species have the ability to move away from the effects of warming water and others don’t.  And then again, some species like the warm water and it produces greater abundance (like black sea bass), yet others do not like warm water and leave the area if they can (cod), those that cannot leave the area become less abundant and could eventually disappear from the area (sea scallops and quahogs). 

A study released by the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) last month titled the “Northeast Climate Vulnerability Assessment” now sheds some light on how 82 species in northeast waters (many fished by recreational and commercial fishermen) are impacted by climate change.

Fortunately for us Dr. Jonathan Hare, one of the world’s most respected scientists studying climate change and its impact on fish, lives right here in Rhode Island.  Dr. Hare, fisheries oceanographer at NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), is director of NOAA’s Narragansett Lab and is the lead author of the study.

“Our method identifies specific attributes that influence marine fish and invertebrate resilience to the effects of a warming ocean and characterizes risks posed to individual species. The study will help us better account for the effects of warming waters on our fishery species in stock assessments and when developing fishery management measures.” said Dr. Hare.

The study method for assessing vulnerability categorizes species that are “generalists” as less vulnerable to climate change than are those that are “specialists.” For example, Atlantic cod and yellowtail flounder are more generalists, since they can use a variety of prey and habitat, and are ranked as only moderately vulnerable to climate change. The Atlantic sea scallop is more of a specialist, with limited mobility and high sensitivity to the ocean acidification that will be more pronounced as water temperatures warm. Sea scallops have a high vulnerability ranking.

The study also goes a long way to further explain what is happening in our area with warm water fish being more abundance and cold water fish less abundant in our area.

The study’s summary of results helps put the species rankings into contest.  The specie summaries, that discuss what is known about the effects of climate change on the species, will be covered in future articles, particularly those species commonly fished by recreational and commercial fishermen in our area.

The study appears in its entirety on PLOS One, an online scholarly science journal at http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0146756.

Saltwater Fishing Show Big Success

The New England Saltwater Fishing Show held this weekend at the Rhode Island Convention Center was a huge success.  Steve Medeiros, show producer and president of the sponsoring RI Saltwater Anglers Association said, “Attendance was the best it has been in thirteen years. Preliminary numbers indicate that Friday, Saturday and Sunday all were attendance breaking days.  Initial estimates have put attendance at over 15,000 people and the best part for our exhibitors… a lot of product… fishing rods, reels and tackle were sold.”

Capt. Tom Pelletier of Quaker Lane Outfitters, North Kingstown said, “It was so crowed this weekend that many times you could not see across the aisle.”  Greg Vespe of Flippin Out Charters and fluke fishing rigs said, “People were buying fluke rigs in large numbers and asking a lot of questions on fishing tactics which is great.  It was wonderful to see so many people coming to the show this year.”

One of the shows headliners was Capt. Dave Carraro who gave a presentation with his mate on a behind the scenes look at the National Geographic Network program Wicked Tuna.   Capt. Dave Carraro said, “We attend a lot of shows all over the country and this is by far the best show we attend.  It was wall to wall people this weekend.  In fact I had to leave the booth just to get a little “me” time because it was so crowed.”

Hats off to Steve Medeiros and the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association for a successful and very special fishing show.

How to land spring striped bass

“Fishing for Spring Striped Bass” was the topic at Monday night’s panel discussion at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick. Striped bass experts Capt. Randy Bagwell of River Rebel Charters, Capt. Eric Thomas of Teezer 77 Guide Service and local striper surfcasting expert Dennis Zambrotta conducted the panel discussion on how to land striped bass form shore and boat at the Rhode Island Saltwater Angler Association meeting.

Four seminar take-a-ways:

First, you have to make it happen.  Be prepared to do a number of different things to catch spring striped bass as every day is different.  What works one day may not work the next day.  Be prepared to live line menhaden, fish with chucked menhaden, soft plastics, troll with umbrella rigs, etc. What appeals to the fish today may be far from what they want tomorrow.

Second, most spring bass are in skinny water… two to five feet close to shore when casting lures and up to 25 feet when fishing with live bait, fresh chunked bait or when trolling.

Third, fish early morning or at night.  Night brings darkness and poor visibility so bass feed aggressively as they believe they are safe from predators.  Dawn provides still water so you can actually see the bait and fish movement on the surface.

And fourth, fish where there is a lot of water movement.  Ledges as well as channel edges or channel pads where fish may be staging to ambush bait.  Fish choke points where the land narrows and water rushes through pushing and tossing bait around. Like the channel pads of the shipping channel from Sandy Point Prudence Island to downtown Providence.

Where’s the bite

Not much fishing has occurred as bad weather continued to keep boats in port.  When they got out the fishing was only fair.  Party boats sailing for cod fish at this time include the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com , the Seven B’s at www.sevenbs.com, and the Island Current at www.islandcurrent.com.