Black sea bass stock status and regulations in question

 Catch big fish:  Anglers learned how to catch large striped bass with live eels (shown in photo), lures, while trolling and much more at the George Poveromo Saltwater Sportsman National Seminar held Saturday.  Approximately 700 anglers attended.  

First Aid for anglers:  Gary Johnson (with appreciation plaque), a 26 year veteran with the Coventry Fire Department, presented “First Aid for Fishermen” at a Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association meeting last week. 

Black sea bass stock status and regulations in question

The stock status and 2013 quota for black sea bass, a species often targeted by local anglers, is in question.  The quota may be reduced as much as 39% to 46%.  It is likely that regulations for both commercial and recreational fishing will change imposing new and more severe catch restrictions for 2013.  These restrictions may include limiting the number of fish that can be taken, the length of the fishing season and/or the minimum length of fish allowed to be taken.

In 2012 the RI recreational black sea bass season ran from June 15 to December 31 with a minimum size of 13” and a catch limit of fifteen fish.

Anglers say we have plenty of black sea bass.  In fact, more and larger black sea bass have been caught in the past couple of years.  And, some science seems to support this.  The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) sets coastwide quotas for the species.  The ASMFC stock peer review set the rebuilding goal at 27.6 million pounds of spawning stock biomass and the current spawning stock size is at or above the biomass goal.  However, limited information on black sea bass was integrated into a mathematical model called a statistical catch at length model (SCALE).  Despite the applied modeling approach, black sea bass is still considered a “data poor” stock said Jamie McNamee, marine biologist in Marine Fisheries for the RI Department of Environmental Management’s (DEM) Fish & Wildlife Division.

Last week at an advisory panel meeting for the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) McNamee said, “There are still gaps in critical life history information for black sea bass and the current sampling gear may not be optimal to assess the population.”  Presenting on black sea bass recreational performance McNamee said, “The crux of the problem is and remained an exceptionally small quota for what appears to be a healthy stock, which was in place in 2012.”

Recreational black sea bass landings and targets were analyzed on a coastwide basis until 2011.  Landings were in check until 2009, when the harvest target was exceeded by 104%.  In 2010 we experienced a 70% overage with led to the ASMFC allowing states to manage targets and landings. 

In 2012 harvest targets are projected to be exceeded by well over 100% (data still being analyzed).  So, this year the ASMFC is working on Addendum XXIII which will come forward to establish harvest targets for 2013 which are expected to translate into more restrictive recreational (and commercial) fishing regulations. 

The good news is that the ASMFC realizes that the health of the stock and target catch limits are not in sync.

At a special Science and Statics (SCS) committee meeting on January 23^rd, the constant catch reference period was raised, increasing harvest targets for both commercial and recreational fisheries and likely avoiding a complete fishery shut down for 2014.  Some other good news is that black sea bass in about to have an ASMFC “operational assessment” in 2013. This assessment is expected to enhance analysis which is expected to put harvest targets more in line with the health of the fishery that everyone seems to be experiencing.  But for 2013, more rigid regulations are coming.

Black sea bass facts

Black sea bass (BSB) is a delicate, sweet-tasting saltwater fish. The firm, white flesh of this species is a favorite of many.  They have the ability to adjust their color to blend in with the bottom in colors ranging from grey, brown and black to a deep indigo hue.  They spend most of their time around the bottom and can be found near rocky areas, jetties, rips and, like a lot of bottom fish, they like structure. BSB are hermaphroditic fish… they begin life as female then turn male.  They put up a good feisty fight but do not grow to be huge fish in the Northeast.  The largest black sea bass caught was 9 pounds, 8 ounces and about 19.7” long.   Ideal water temperature for black sea bass is 59 to 64 degrees.

Other RIMFC news

Scup advisory panel (AP) met last week.  Stock is considered rebuilt and is not considered overfished and is not currently experiencing overfishing. The AP recommended a reduced minimum size from 10.5 to 10” and a possession limit of 25 (form 20) with a season from May 1 to December 31.  For party and charter boats the AP recommended a minimum size of 11”, a limit of 20 fish with a special 45 fish season running September 1 to October 31.

Summer flounder (fluke) is not overfished and the stock is considered rebuilt. Current recruitment is slightly below average (and has been in each subsequent stock assessment update). Target recreational landings for RI in 2012 were 157,855 fish; projected landings for 2012 are 103,669 fish.  This is approximately a 36.6% underage.  The AP recommended a minimum size of 18” (rather than the current 18.5”), a catch limit of eight fish and a May 1 to December 31 season.

Tautog stock is considered overfished with the regional stock assessment looking like overfishing is not occurring in 2012.  A benchmark assessment is scheduled for 2013.  DEM proposed no changes for commercial and recreational tautog for 2013.  There was an AP proposal to start the season March 1.  Minimum size still 16” with a catch limit of three fish from April 15 to May 31 and August 1 to October 19 (season closed during spawning from June 1 to July 31).  Catch limit increases to six from October 20 to December 31 with a vessel limit of ten fish in all open periods (which does not apply to party and charter boats).

RIMFC meetings

The next RIMFC meeting to discuss AP and public hearing recommendations is scheduled for March 4, 2013.  In the meantime there is an Atlantic Menhaden advisory panel meeting scheduled for February 11 and a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, February 19 to consider management plan recommendations on striped bass, spiny dogfish, sharks and lobster management plans.  The hearing will take plans at 6:00 p.m. in the URI Bay Campus Corless Auditorium, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI.  Check AP and public hearing details at www.dem.ri.gov.

Saltwater Sportsman National Seminar big success

The Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series held Saturday was a huge success with approximately 700 people in attendance. George Poveromo, host of George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing on the NBC Sports Network, and editor-at-large for Salt Water Sportsman ran an informative and entertaining seminar. He was assisted by Tom Richardson, noted New England angler and a prominent fishing writer and editor.  Eleven captains and fishing experts were on and off the stage addressing how to catch species such as striped bass, fluke, tuna, black sea bass, tautog and more.  I had the honor of being on stage with the pros as a local captain and couldn’t have been happier talking about fishing with anglers for the entire day.

Where’s the bite

Ice fishing. Tom Mooney of Johnston said he was taking advantage of the good ice fishing weather last week. He landed some nice perch and pickerel in the 3 to 4 lbs range fishing at Indian Lake in South County.  Bill Gill on the RISAA blog this week reported that two ice fishing tournaments have been rescheduled for February 9, 2013.  They are the Between the Cracks Tournament at Crystal Lake/Sucker Pond in Maplesville, RI (call 401.651.5680 for information) and the Valley Angler Jig and Pig tournament at Candlewood Lake in New Fairfield, CT (call 303.792.8324 for information.

Cod fishing.  Andy Dangelo has been captaining the Seven B’s party boat this winter.  Andy said, “The cod bite has been excellent but with high winds and seas we haven’t been able to get out much.”  Visit www.sevenbs.com or call 401.789.9250 to check sailing schedules.  Visit www.francesfleet.com for the sailing schedule of Frances Fleet boats.

Saltwater Sportsman National Seminar; Coast Guard Auxilary Boating and Navigation Courses

Learn how to catch big fish: George Poveromo, all smiles after landing this 39-pound striped bass, will host the Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series this Saturday at Rhode Island College.  Poveromo is also the host of the NBC Sports Network television series - George Poveromo's World of Saltwater Fishing.

On patrol: Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary North Star Flotilla (shown here on patrol) are helping boaters sharpen their skills this winter by offering three courses.

Saltwater Sportsman National Seminar to be held Saturday

The Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series will be held in Providence, Rhode Island this Saturday, February 2, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Roberts Hall Auditorium, Rhode Island College. George Poveromo, host of George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing on the NBC Sports Network, and editor-at-large for Salt Water Sportsman, will headline the program, along with Tom Richardson, noted New England angler and a prominent fishing writer and editor.  Eleven captains and fishing experts will be on stage including local captain Andy Dangelo, distinguished authority on catching tuna, and sharks, as well as trophy fluke, blackfish and cod with his charter boat, Maridee II and Captain Dave Monti (author of this column), New England pro with 40 years of experience fishing on Narragansett Bay and off coastal shores for striped bass, fluke and tautog with his boat Angel Light from “No Fluke Charters”. 

Seminar Series tickets are $55.00 each. The ticket price covers six hours of instruction from the best pros in the business, and a gift bag that includes a course textbook, a one-year subscription or extension to Salt Water Sportsman and a host of other items.  Participants receive chances to win thousands of dollars worth of door prizes. The Grand Prize is a Bahamas fishing trip for two to the prestigious Bimini Sands Resort & Marina. The Super Grand Prize, to be awarded two weeks after the conclusion of the 2013 series, is a new Mako Pro Skiff 17’ center console.

Register by calling (800) 448-7360, or visit www.nationalseminarseries.com.

Fly tying and fishing program looking for volunteers

Dave Pollack and Capt. Ray Stachelek are organizing volunteers for the annual Cinder Worm fly tying and fishing program with RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the United States Fish & Wildlife  (USF&W) service at their Kettle Pond Nature Center.  The program includes fly tying workshops on Tuesday, April 30 and Monday, May 6, and then fly fishing with the flies at Ninigret Pond on Saturday, May 11.  A formal announcement with registration information will be published in a month or, however, they are asking for volunteers to help with the program.  In the past Connecticut and Rhody Fly Rodders as well as members of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association have volunteered and mentored at the fly tying and fishing sessions.  USF&W and RI DEM will provide tools, materials and tackle for the sessions. If you are interested in helping out with fly tying or fishing contact Dave Pollack dpollipo@cox.net or Capt. Ray Stachelek at castaflycharters@cox.net.

 ASMFC begins Preparations for tautog benchmark assessment 

This spring, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will begin work on the 2014 benchmark stock assessment for tautog.  The assessment will be used to evaluate the health of the tautog stock and inform the management of this species.  The Commission’s stock assessment process and meetings are open to the public with the date workshop being held March 25 to 29, 2013 and an assessment workshop that will take place in the fall of 2013 (date and meeting locations to be determined).

The Commission welcomes the submission of data sources that will improve the accuracy of the assessment.  This includes, but is not limited to, data on landings and discards (commercial and recreational), catch per unit effort, biological samples (length, age, frequency), and life history information (growth, maturity, fecundity, spawning stock biomass weights, natural mortality). 

The data workshop will review all available data sources for tautog and identify data sets that will be incorporated in the stock assessment.  An assessment workshop will include model development and parameterization of the accepted data sets. The benchmark stock assessment will be peer reviewed in the summer of 2014. 

For those interested in submitting data and/or attending the tautog data workshop (space is limited), contact Dr. Katie Drew, ASMFC Stock Assessment Scientist at kdrew@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740. The deadline for data submission is Friday, February 22, 2013.

Coast Guard Auxiliary helps sharpen boating skills, and it is a great place to volunteer

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering a range of courses this winter to help boaters sharpen their skills.  The North Star Flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering four courses starting February 4; two end in March and one in June.  The four courses are Boating Skills & Seamanship, Sailing Skills & Seamanship and Navigation (beginning & advanced).  On Monday, February 4, 2013 the Flotilla is offering an eight week course on Boating Skills & Seamanship and a Sailing Skills & Seamanship.  The power boat classes are $85 and sail classes $95.   Both classes meet twice a week on Monday and Thursday for eight weeks.  The navigation class meets Mondays for 17 weeks and the cost is $160.  All courses are held at Toll Gate High School in Warwick.  You can visit the Flotilla’s web site at www.northstarflotilla.com or call Roz Butziger at 401.739.6028.

You can also join a local Flotilla which is the basic organizational unit of the Auxiliary.  We have several in RI.  If you feel strongly about the rewards you can get from serving your community and enjoy the water, the Coast Guard Auxiliary might be the right place for you to volunteer.   You can serve doing on-water operations, in the Auxiliary's public education program, the vessel safety check program, be a radio watch stander, help with Coast Guard recruiting, work on marine environmental protection or with Coast Guard administration.

Captain Arnold (Nick) Butziger, of the North Star Flotilla, said they are always looking for new members.  The North Star Flotilla is located in Warwick in the Brewer's Greenwich Bay Marina/Chellos' Restaurant parking lot at the mouth of Apponaug Cove.  For information contact Capt. Butziger at 401.739.6028.  

What interested me at the boart show

Best show value:  Join the Rhode Island Salt Water Angler Association (RISAA) for $55/yr. and get free admission to monthly educational seminars and a monthly fishing magazine filled with fishing tactics, tips and news.  RISAA members at the boat show include Bill Sokolowski (left), Joe Burr and George Allen. Visit www.risaa.org. 

What’s old is new:  Capt. Rick Cataldi (left) of Seaward Boatworks with staff members Dante Crowther and Pete Ashton specialize in aluminum fabrication, T-Tops, railings, hardtops and canvas work.  They also rebuild, meticulously restore and sell classic boats giving them a rebirth for many more years of service.

Boat show honors DEM director

Here are some highlights and a few of the vendors that got my attention at the Providence Boat Show this weekend.

At the start of the show Janet Coit, director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), was awarded the John H. Chafee Boater of the Year Award by the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA).  The award recognizes and honors an individual that has contributed to the success of the recreational boating industry or who has championed the cause to bringing recreational boating to the public.

What’s old is new at Seaward Boatworks

Seaward Boatworks of Warwick, RI has been in business since 1996.  They specialize in aluminum fabrication, T-Tops, railings, hardtops and canvas.  Capt. Rick Cataldi and his crew love to meticulously restore, rebuild and sell classic boats giving them a rebirth for many more years of service.  Capt. Cataldi said, “What makes us different is the customer experience we offer. We aim to surpass customer expectations with the design and quality of our work.” Capt. Cataldi and his team have a variety of classic rebuilt power boats for sale including Sea Craft, Dusky, Bertram and Bonito boats.  Visit www.seawardboatworks.com. 

Top docks

East Greenwich Marina is located on East Greenwich Cove from the former Twenty Water Street location and south to Harbourside Lobstermania.  The docks are well built, meticulously maintained (I pass them ten or twelve times a week during the summer) and their summer season runs from April 15 to November 15.  Rates are $105 to $120 per foot.  Lee Raymond of East Greenwich Marina said, “All docks have power, water, Wi-Fi, and cable and this year we are adding showers and rest rooms.” Visit www.eastgreenwichmarina.com.

Ocean House Marina and Scout boats

Ocean House Marina from Charlestown, RI had a new 32” Scout center console on display with more bells and whistles than I have seen in a while.  This tough luxury sport fishing machine had an electric grille, refrigerator, two 15” electronics screens as well as all the fishing amenities you would want…. it even had a mister built into the T-top to spray you gently and keep you cool on those hot summer days.  Nathan Anderson, regional sales manager for Scout said, “What we try to do is surprise customers with features they haven’t seen on boats this size.”  The twin 300 horse power engines on the 320 LXF will allow you to go as fast as 58 mph.  Ocean House Marina has a full line of Scout dual consoles, center consoles and cabin models and also represent Regulator, Maritime Skiff, Sunfish, Yamaha Outboards, Hurricane Deck Boats, Godfrey Pontoon Boats (San Pan, Aqua Patio & Sweetwater), Laser Boats, Polar Kraft Aluminum Fishing Boats and Walker Bay.  Visit www.oceanhousemarina.com.

Glacier Bay still a head turner

I feel like I have owned a Glacier Bay.  I have inspected them at countless boat shows, read about them, dreamed about owning one and talked to friends about them for at least six years.  Glacier Bay boats are catamarans and offer a smooth ride, a stable ocean platform and plenty of room.  Last year Glacier Bay remodeled their 27 foot cabin model placing the cabin entrance to the port side and moving the head to the rear of the cabin.  This change enhanced the look of the cabin giving it more of a finished look.  They also shifted entertainment center components by placing a sink and refrigerator to the starboard side.  Glacier Bay is sold by Striper Maine in Barrington, RI and make duel and center console models too.  Striper Marina also carries Pursuit, Key West, Cobia, Sailfish and Southwind.  Visit www.stripermarina.com.

Hassle free boating with Ocean State Boat Club

Ocean State Boat Club (new last year) allows you to experience boating without the hassles of owning a boat.  It is a convenient and affordable alternative to boat ownership.  According to their website and show staff, you pay an annual fee of $2,850 and then get to take out one of seven power boats ranging in size from 22’ to 26’  as many times as you want.  All you pay for is the fuel.  Ocean State Boat Club pays for dockage, insurance, repairs and does all the cleaning and maintenance.  The offers professional training to ensure safe and enjoyable outings on the water.  They are located a Brewers Yacht Club on Warwick Cove in Warwick, RI.  Visit www.oceanstateboatclub.com.

RISAA seminar Monday, January 28

The January Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) seminar will be held Monday, January 28, 7:00 p.m. at the West Valley Inn, 4 Blossom Street, West Warwick, RI.  Topics to include First Aid for Fishermen by Gary Johnson a 26 year veteran with the Coventry Fire Department and 29 years as an EMT/Cardiac.  Dennis Zambrotta will be the second speaker addressing Surfcasting Block Island.  Dennis has been surfcasting for stripers for past forty years and is author of a new book called “Surfcasting Around The Block”.  Dinner served by West Valley Inn between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Public is invited to attend with a $10 donation to the scholarship fund, RISAA members no charge. Cost of dinner is separate.

Where’s the bite

Cod fishing has been good when boats have been able to get our.  Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “Customers buying clams have been catching cod close to shore off Jamestown.”  The Francis Fleet party boats reported a good cod bite last week with some anglers limited out with their larges fish weighing seventeen pounds. Visit www.francesfleet.com . The Seven B’s has experienced a good cod fishing bite too with their largest fish in the mid teens and several anglers catching five to six fish.  Visit www.sevenbs.com .  Anglers should call before making the trip to boats as inclement weather often leaves boats dockside this time of year.  RISAA member Larry Norin reports on a cod trip he took aboard the Island Current III out of Snug Harbor, RI.  Larry said, “(we) did 1/2 drifting, 1/2 double anchored over a wreck throughout the day. Both produced well… Only shorts (caught) with the jig and the lighter rod… did the trick with the bait… We were fishing in water from 80-120 feet south and east of Block Island towards Cox’s Ledge. I caught … only a handful of short cod mostly on the jig and ten keeper cod, six of which were all in the 30" and 10 pound range. Nice quality fish on the boat with about 18 other fisherman. The two largest cod were 32 and 37 pounds”.  Visit www.islandcurrent.com. 

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.

Saltwater Sportsman National Seminar series to be held in Rhode Island

Learn how to catch big fish:  Seminar host George Poveromo with the 55 pound yellowfin tuna he caught with a Williamson Jet Popper top water lure and a Penn Spinfisher V 10500 reel spooled with 50 lb. test braid.  

Saltwater Sportsman National Seminar series to be held in Rhode Island

The Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series will be held in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday, February 2, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Roberts Hall Auditorium, Rhode Island College. George Poveromo, host of George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing on the NBC Sports Network, and editor-at-large for Salt Water Sportsman, will headline the program, along with Tom Richardson, noted New England angler and a prominent fishing writer and editor.

Joining Poveromo and Richardson in Providence will be Dr. Mitchell Roffer, a leading authority on locating surface temperature breaks and ocean-circulation features that hold fish; Harry Vernon III, nationally recognized authority on offshore trolling and day-dropping for swordfish; Captain Corey Pietraszek, Buzzards Bay and Elizabeth Islands light-tackle striped bass, fluke and blackfish pro, with his Plug N Play Charters; Captain Zach Harvey,  renowned authority on fishing the coastal and offshore waters, and fishing writer; Captain Brian Patterson –  renowned Rhode Island and Cape Cod light-tackle striped bass, bluefish and bluefin tuna pro who operates Patterson Guide Service; Captain Dave Monti, veteran New England pro, charter captain and fishing columnist with 40 years of experience fishing Narragansett Bay; Captain Andy Dangelo, distinguished authority on catching tuna, and sharks, as well as trophy fluke, blackfish and cod with his charter boat, Maridee II; and Captain Alex Friedman, premier authority on big game fishing in New England waters, and also a noted trophy fluke and striped bass specialist with his Martha’s Vineyard-based charter boat, Dazed and Confused.

     

Topics covered will include:  striped bass fishing tactics… live-baiting for trophy bass, spinner-and-worm fishing, top water lures, diamond and flutter-jigging for striped bass and bluefish, chunking, inshore wire-line techniques, and secrets of fishing the rips.  Bluefish tactics will include, how to keep track of and locate the largest bluefish in the Sound, surface lures and other artificials. Trophy fluke tactics include how to chum up big fluke and tactics on bottom-fishing for inshore table fare (flounder, black sea bass, blackfish).  Blackfish or tautog jigging tactics and bucktailing for trophy black sea bass as well as tricks that take more offshore cod and Pollock.  Tuna and shark tactics will also covered in the seminar.

    

New this year will be a special Kid’s Seminar from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., presented by Sperry Top-Sider. The kids will participate in a meet-and-greet with George Poveromo, have chances to win special door prizes, enjoy a free lunch courtesy of Sperry Top-Sider, and have their names entered into a Grand Prize drawing to win a Florida fishing trip with George Poveromo.  One child, 15 years and younger, per paying adult, will be admitted for the full day at no charge.

Seminar Series tickets are $55.00 each. The ticket price covers six hours of instruction from the best pros in the business, and a gift bag that includes a course textbook, a one-year subscription or extension to Salt Water Sportsman and a host of other items.  Participants receive chances to win thousands of dollars worth of door prizes. The Grand Prize is a Bahamas fishing trip for two to the prestigious Bimini Sands Resort & Marina. The Super Grand Prize, to be awarded two weeks after the conclusion of the 2013 series, is a new Mako Pro Skiff 17’ center console.

Register by calling (800) 448-7360, or visit www.nationalseminarseries.com..

Roger Williams to hold shellfish farming course

The Roger Williams University Center for Economic and Environmental Development will is enrolling students to its non-credit course in Practical Shellfish Farming for the winter 2013 semester. The course provides the technical information needed to undertake a small shellfish farming enterprise in Rhode Island or nearby southern New England. All aspects of shellfish farming will be covered over the fourteen-week course. Students will learn the basic principles of hatchery, nursery and grow-out operations; as well as risk management, siting and permitting, and business management.

Associate Professor and Aquaculture Extension Specialist, Dr. Dale Leavitt, will instruct the course which will be held in The Marine and Natural Sciences Building (Room TBD) on the Bristol, R.I. campus of Roger Williams University. The course will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. starting January 8, 2013 and run through April 25, 2013. The fee for the entire course, including all handout materials, is $125 per student. Students may attend classes on a drop-in basis at a rate of $10 per evening session. Pre-registration is preferred by contacting Cheryl Francis at (401) 254-3110 or cfrancis@rwu.edu.

Providence Boat Show, January 18-20, 2012

The Providence Boat Show is being held 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 Convention Center. Contact Lisa Knowles, sales manager, Newport Exhibition Group for booth space or information at 401.846.1115 or at lknowles@newportexhibition.com .

RISAA seminar Monday, January 28

The January Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) seminar will be held Monday, January 28, 7:00 p.m. at the West Valley Inn, 4 Blossom Street, West Warwick, RI.  Topics to include First Aid for Fishermen by Gary Johnson a 26 year veteran with the Coventry Fire Department and 29 years as an EMT/Cardiac.  Dennis Zambrotta will be the second speaker addressing Surfcasting Block Island.  Dennis has been surfcasting for stripers for the past forty years and is author of  “Surfcasting Around The Block”.  Public is invited to attend with a $10 donation to the scholarship fund, RISAA members no charge.

RIMFC puts out call to scientists

The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) is in need of two scientists on the Council.  The Council meets about nine times a year making policy and regulation recommendations to the DEM director for both commercial and recreational fishing.  Meetings are held at the URI Bay Campus, Narragansett.  All types of scientist or people involved/interested in the science of fisheries and the ocean are welcome to apply. Robert Ballou, assistant to the DEM director said, “It is not necessary to be a marine biologist to be nominated for these council seats.” The Council consists of three recreational and three commercial fishing representatives as well as two scientists.  Contact Robert Ballou at robert.ballou@dem.ri.gov or 401.222.4700.

Get involved now… attend advisory panel meetings

DEM is having a series of RIMFC advisory panel meetings that impact fishing.  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. Striped bass panel was scheduled for January 8; the ground fish advisory panel January 10; the whelk committee meeting January 15; and the Atlantic Menhaden panel set for February 11.  Visit www.dem.ri.gov  (Marine Fisheries page) for agendas. 

More to a vote than meets the eye

Cod fishing good: With high winds and seas, charter and party boats have had difficulty getting out fishing for cod.  This catch of cod was landed by angler Frank Gionfrido and anglers on the Lady K out of Snug Harbor.

More to a vote than meets the eye

I spoke with Bob Ballou, assistant to the director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and Rick Bellavance, president of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association about the December 14, 2012 Atlantic Slates Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) deliberations and votes on Amendment 2 concerning the management of Atlantic Menhaden coastwide.  Ballou and Bellavance along with Bill McElroy, treasure of the RI Lobstermen’s Association, represented Rhode Island at the ASMFC meeting.

Captain Bellavance said, “The Rhode Island delegation has one vote… so the three of us deliberate, come to a consensus and then cast our vote.”  Bellavance continued, “There were diverse opinions and proposals on the issue… industry processors of Atlantic Menhaden (primarily Omega Protein that catch 80% of all Atlantic Menhaden) were advocating for a 10% reduction and on the other extreme some environmental groups were advocating for a 50% reduction.  We came to a consensus at 20% and ultimately cast our vote in favor of this reduction percentage.”  Throughout the course of the meeting many voters were taken, some Bellavance said to facilitate discussion on the issue to ensure all points of view at the table were heard.

Many in the recreational fishing community in Rhode Island were disappointed at the 20% reduction approved by the ASMFC.  The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) was advocating for a 30% reduction and Don Smith an ASMFC Atlantic Menhaden panel member and RISAA member said, “At the Baltimore meeting, we were advocating for a 25% reduction and could not understand why the Rhode Island delegation was settling for less."

Robert Ballou of DEM took the time last week to outline in detail what happened at the ASMFC meeting and its impact on the Rhode Island Atlantic Menhaden fishery.  Here is what he had to say.

“The meeting was noteworthy for a number of reasons:    

                                         

1    1.  It  resulted in the adoption of a first-ever coastwide quota (total allowable catch, or TAC) for menhaden, reflecting the ASMFC’s commitment to end overfishing and achieve long-term protection and sustainability for this ecologically important species, and the people who depend on it.

2       2. It resulted in a new coastwide quota set at 80% of the average coastwide landings of menhaden over the three-year period 2008-2011 – i.e., 80% of 470 million pounds = 376 million pounds.

3    3. It resulted in a state-based allocation program, which allocates the new coastwide quota according to the average percentage of each state’s landings over the three-year period 2008-2011.

1. Virginia will be allocated 85.3% of the coastwide quota (317 million pounds)
2. NJ will receive 11.2% of the coastwide quota (42 million pounds)
3. The other 13 states will receive shares ranging from 0% (NH, SC, and GA) to 1.37% (MD)
4. RI will receive 0.02% (about 75,000 pounds)

4. It involved a multi-faceted management program proposal, and an unprecedented level of public involvement:
1. In September, the ASMFC approved for public comment a 143-page Draft Amendment, which addressed a range of issues, including new biological reference points, stock rebuilding and fishing mortality reduction schedules, the establishment of a TAC, the process for allocating the TAC, reporting requirements, and various other provisions
2. The Draft Amendment was subject to 13 public hearings in 10 states, including one in RI; over 500 people attended the hearings;
3. The Board received a total of 128,333 written comments on the Draft Amendment
4. Several hundred people attended last Friday’s Board meeting in Baltimore

5. At the day-long Board meeting, the Board decided upon the various issues via a series of 40 separate votes.

6. The upshots of the ASMFC’s final approval of Amendment 2 to the ASMFC’s Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Menhaden, as it relates to Rhode Island’s interests, are:

1. Menhaden migrate in and out of RI waters on a regular basis, and are an important component of the RI marine ecosystem. The adoption of new coastwide measures aimed at increasing protection of menhaden, with particular recognition of the important role they play as forage fish, is consistent with RI’s long-standing interests vis-à-vis sound conservation of marine fishery resources.
2. RI’s landings over the past ten years have generally ranged from about 5,000 pounds to about 100,000 pounds. In 2008 -- a banner year, and an anomaly – 269,000 pounds were landed. RI’s average annual landings over the past three years have been about 87,000 pounds. The vast majority of RI’s landings are taken by a handful of fish trap operators operating in RI waters in the lower Bay and along the southern coast.
3. RI has had a very progressive state-waters menhaden protection program in place for a number of years. The program, which primarily guards against localized depletion, involves a number of components, the most significant being that mobile gear (namely, purse-seine) operations in the Bay are only allowed to target menhaden when they occur in the Bay in relatively large numbers, exceeding a 2 million pound biomass threshold, or floor. This RI program is not affected by the new ASMFC action, and is slated to remain in place in 2013 and thereafter. {Note: In recent years, there has been just a single purse-seine vessel that has fished for menhaden in Narragansett Bay, with all landings taking place in Fall River, MA.}
4. RI will need to adopt new state regulations for 2013 to manage its new 75,000 pound state allocation. While this will likely involve the imposition of constraints on the fish trap operators, the constraints will likely be modest, since the State’s allocation is only slightly less than average annual landings over the past few years. Moreover, the adoption by ASMFC of a 6,000 pound menhaden bycatch allowance for non-directed fisheries, not to be counted against the state quotas, will provide considerable flexibility to the fish-trap operators, and will help to minimize discard mortality.
5. The ASMFC’s new menhaden plan includes an “episodic event set aside” totaling 1% of the new coastwide quota (i.e., about 3.76 million pounds), which is available to nine states, including RI, that have relatively low allocations (less than 2% of bait landings, averaged over the past three years). While it remains to be seen how this set-aside will be managed, it is evident that RI will be able to tap into it, to some degree, if/when large numbers of menhaden show up in RI waters.”

Here is a link to the ASMFC website that summaries meeting deliberations:  http://www.asmfc.org/press_releases/meetingWkSummaries/2012/dec14_2012AtlMenhadenBoardPR_Motions.pdf .

Striped bass meeting

A meeting of the Striped Bass Advisory Panel of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council will be held Tuesday, January 08, 6:00 p.m. at the URI, Graduate School of Oceanography, Coastal Institute Building, Large Conference Room, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, Rhode Island. Agenda items include a striped bass stock status, the 2012 RI fishery, a review of ASMFC Addendum III to Amendment 6 for the management plan as well as fish trap and commercial seasons and quota allocations.  At this meeting, members of the Advisory Panel can submit new proposals for the 2013 fishing season. For more information, please contact Nicole Travisono at (401) 423-1940.

Where’s the bite

Cod fishing is good.  Angler Frank Gionfrido recently fished for cod on the Lady Kay out of Snug Harbor (www.ladykcharters.com).  Gionfrido said, “In no time at all we arrived on the fishing grounds south of Block Island… We caught cod non-stop for the next three hours with an occasional Sea Bass (all released) and dog fish. Daphine was high hooked with a 21 pounder followed by Capt. Steve with a 14 pounder and my biggest was 11. All tallied we kept 29 cod (and) released four shorts…”. At press time the Francis Fleet and Seven B’s party boats have not been able to get out due to high winds and rough seas. Visit them at www.francesfleet.com  and www.sevenbs.com  for information, schedules and reports.

Game changing issues of 2012

Block Island wind farm with five turbines shown in grid area at the three mile limit line off the southeast side of the Island.

Game changing issues of 2012

A lot has gone on this year that has and will continue to impact our bays and ocean waters and the health of our fishery.  Here are four major issues that I thought and wrote about a lot this year.

Global warming

Hurricane Sandy continues to creative awareness about global warning. Government officials, politicians and coastal residents in particular are now heightening awareness about the issue.  All are making claims that global warming is real.  Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of RI testified to the damaging effects of Sandy along coastal shores relating that this is now “the new normal”.  Coastal areas will continue to flood.  And, we have to recognize this as we plan to rebuild.  So it is now not an issue about global warming being real, the dialogue is changing to how to prepare for it and prevent it from getting worse by reducing our carbon footprint and preserving our ozone layer as scientist have been telling us

Narragansett Bay and near coastal water temperatures have been heating up for nearly forty years.
How warm you ask? Well it used to be very cold.  The crew of the Brenton Reef lightship measured water temperature at the mouth of Narragansett Bay every day from July 1878 through January 1942. In the coldest winter recorded (1917-18) the water temperature from December through February was 33.2 F. The average for the whole period of their record (64 years) is much warmer at 39.1 F. (Nixon, Granger and Buckley, The Warming of Narragansett Bay, 2003).  However, even this temperature of 39.1 F is far from the warmer water temperatures recorded this February 12, 2012… Conimicut Point, 45 F; Newport, 42 F; and Block Island, 46 F.

Wind power off our shores now a reality

Obstacle after obstacle have been put in front of scientists, ocean spatial planners (like zoning in your town accept in the ocean) and wind energy developers.  Two companies, Deapwater Wind (in RI) and Cape Wind (in MA) have been working with local fisherman, spatial ocean planners and government officials to site wind farms in our oceans.  They have made great progress this year thanks to helpful federal policy and local government officials taking the bull by the horns and pushing this initiative forward.  Developers are developing wind farms responsibly.  The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and agencies like RI Coastal Resources Management Council, that has developed a model for spatial planning used by others throughout the US, are working with developers of wind farms to locate and mitigate the impact of wind farms on the environment and fisheries.  It looks like our five turbine wind farm off Block Island will start construction in 2014. The wind farm will generate over 125,000 megawatt hours annually, supplying the majority of Block Island’s electricity needs. Excess power will be exported to the mainland via the bi-directional Block Island Transmission System. Learnings from this project will be applied to the 200 plus wind turbine farm planned for the Cox’s Ledge area off Rhode Island.  We have a lot of work to do to make sure these wind farms and others are developed responsibly but we are making great progress and we are on the right path.

Sector management and catch shares work, we need to keep these programs rolling

Last month 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.  This was the third time the courts ruled in favor of catch shares.   Government officials, fish regulators and mangers in RI and MA need to stay the course and not be distracted by vocal minorities in the fishing community that provide very little in the way of positive (proven) solutions to fishing challenges. 

Another example of a successful sector management program is the RI Fluke Sector Pilot which ran for three years.  It was put on hold this year not because it failed, but many say because local political leaders and regulators believed it was political expedient to do so.  It is wrong to play politics with fish as Massachusetts leaders did with ground fish and as we are doing with the RI Fluke Sector Pilot.

In both the RI Fluke Sector and the New England Ground fish case, annual catch limits were put into place to prevent overfishing and to rebuild stocks. The idea was to provide fishermen with two options for controlling fishing effort. Fishermen could either form groups and fish an allocated share of the total allowed catch or fish individually with a limit on the number of days spent fishing. Fishing in groups with a total allowable catch (TAC) offers fishermen flexibility to fish when market prices are highest, fish for species when they are available and other species are not or when the weather is good.

Among the trends, were increased revenues and prices.  The sector proved to be a very effective way to sustain the resource with record low discard rates (as much as 98% fewer discards than non sector participants). According to a paper presented by Dr. Chris Anderson, a former professor of environmental and natural resource economics at the University of Rhode Island, "...the (RI Pilot) sector shifted fluke landings to times when they could maximize price. Comparing revenues… we find the sector program increased fleet wide (twelve boats in the fleet at this time) revenues over $800,000, including benefits of over $250,000 to non-sector vessels.” So the pilot sector enhanced revenue for its twelve members, but also incurred enhanced revenue for non-sector vessels.

Our State and US Congressional delegations and fish mangers should continue to learn from the RI Fluke Sector Pilot and New England Ground Fish sector because they worked and have been successful. While listening to one small vocal segment of the fishing community, some Massachusetts (and Rhode Island) fish mangers and elected officials were convinced that “catch shares” management models were bad. These two programs have proved them wrong. Government leaders and fish managers need to follow the court’s lead, stop playing politics with the fish and keep sector management rolling in Rhode Island and New England.

ASMFC votes to restrict Atlantic Menhaden catch

On December 14, 2012 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.   This was a major vote and the first time in that such restrictions have been put on the harvesting of this important t fish.

Peter Baker of the PEW Environment Group said “… the ASMFC 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… 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.”.  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. 

In addition to being a great food source for other fish, Atlantic Menhaden also serve as roving filters, converting algae into energy and thus reducing nutrient loads in bays and covers. A reduction of nutrients means fewer algae blooms and ultimately more oxygen for all fish.  The ASMFC vote on Atlantic Menhaden was a big win for the fish and the environment  in Rhode Island and along the east coast.