Administrator Schwaab defends fishing relief rejection, NMFS record in the face of widespread anger
WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) - Jan. 10, 2011 - National Marine Fisheries Service Assistant Administrator Eric Schwaab Monday defended the Obama administration's decision to reject Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's request for emergency relief from allocation limits, telling Saving Seafood in an exclusive 30-minute interview that it reflects the need to balance statutory requirements in fishing industry regulation.
Since the decision was announced on Friday, reaction has been highly polarized, with every New England elected official or industry representative who has commented expressing anger and criticism, while every environmental group that issued a release expressed praise.
"The bottom line there is that while the (Commerce) Secretary (Gary Locke) does have the authority to take emergency action based upon economic circumstances, he does not have the ability to supersede or undermine our responsibilities under Magnuson (Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act) to use the best available science to meet the requirements to end overfishing and rebuild stocks," Mr. Schwaab said in the interview.
When asked if the rejection of Governor Patrick's request was Obama Administration policy, Mr. Schwaab replied "No, that's an interpretation of the requirements of the statute to use the best available science to rebuild fish stocks in accordance with the timeline that's set out in the Magnuson Act."
His comments come after Friday's letter to Gov. Patrick from Secretary Locke rejecting his and industry's argument that catch limits were set too low with sector management threatening the survivability of the state's fishing industry. Echoing the finding in the letter, Mr. Schwaab argued that while commercial impacts of the regulations are important, new biological data is needed to prove that overfishing is not occurring.
"You have to read the statute in its totality," he said. "You just can't pick one section to the exclusion of others."
But Locke also rejected pleas for $21 million in federal financial assistance, citing the fact that total aggregate fishing revenue increased 21 percent in the first five months of 2010. When asked about the financial relief decision, Mr. Schwaab acknowledged that the data cited ignores the cost of buying quota on net profits, but argued that the revenue increase is still an important consideration.
He also added that solutions are needed to help address how smaller fisherman are being affected by the catch share system.
"We are very clear in our letter about the fact that we remain very interested in working closely, again, with the (New England Fishery Management) Council, with the state, with the fisherman themselves to look at some of these more specific economic challenges and bring into play whatever mechanism we can to alleviate some of those kinds of concerns," said Mr. Schwaab. "But that is not an easy solution. This is a fisherman-by-fisherman, in some case almost trip-by-trip set of challenges. Trying to fix those problems is something that is going to require us to put our heads together and work through together."
Just 11 months into his tenure as the head of NMFS following a nearly 30 year career at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Mr. Schwaab finds himself under attack by critics in the fishing industry, and their political allies, over both the impact of the catch share rules as well as over the responsiveness of NMFS, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Commerce Department to fishing industry and community concerns.
When asked about charges that the Obama administration has been unresponsive to the needs of industry, particularly the smaller players, Mr. Schwaab noted that the Commerce Department has allocated money to set up permit banks to help reallocate some quota that could benefit small fishing operations and communities. In addition, he said that Commerce officials have made it clear to Gov. Patrick that if Massachusetts can make a more specific case for economic relief for a specific gear type or smaller fishing area, there is precedent for action.
Mr. Schwaab also rejected criticisms from various lawmakers and local government officials that the federal government has been slow in it response to questions and to take action when requested, countering that none of the agency's actions occur in a vacuum. For instance, the negotiations over December's congressional approval of changes to federal law allowing regulators to increase catch limits in Georges Bank, a potential boon for U.S. yellowtail fisherman, took place during the much criticized 63 days it took to respond to Gov. Patrick's request for regulatory relief.
"To the extent that we had authority and felt like we had authority to alleviate some pressure, we've moved aggressively to do that," said Mr. Schwaab. "To the extent that we haven't, its not because we are uncaring. It's because we have some limitations that we're bound to live up to under law. And frankly, some of those limitations are going to, over time, be shown to be in the best interest of the fisheries too."
Mr. Schwaab also expressed defiance in the face of calls for NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco's firing from Capitol Hill, questioning of his qualifications to run the agency by Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk, and doubts about the agency's competence to manage fisheries by New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang.
"I think there is progress on a number of fronts that the Secretary, (NOAA Administrator) Dr. (Jane) Lubchenco, and I deserve credit for," said Mr. Schwaab. "Have we fixed all of the problems? No, some of these problems were decades or more in the making. But are we on a positive path forward? I think the answer is yes."
[click here and listen to the complete interview]
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The following is a news release from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
States Schedule Hearings on Draft Addendum VI to the Tautog FMP Draft Addendum Proposes Measures to Address Illegal Live Market and Prevent Overfishing
Arlington, VA - Atlantic coastal states from Massachusetts through Virginia have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum VI to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog. The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings follow:
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries February 10, 2011; 6:00 PM Fall River Heritage State Park, Visitors Center Auditorium 200 Davol Street Fall River, Massachusetts
Contact: Nichola Meserve at (617) 626-1531
Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife February 15, 2011; 5:00 PM URI, Graduate School of Oceanography Coastal Institute Auditorium
215 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Contact: Jason McNamee at (401) 423-1943
Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection February 8, 2011; 7:00 PM Marine Headquarters Boating Education Center
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at (860) 434-6043
New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation February 22, 2011; 7:00 PM Marine Resources Headquarters
205 North Belle Mead Rd, Suite 1
East Setauket, New York
Contact: Steve Heins at (631) 444-0436
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife February 15, 2011; 7:00 PM Ocean County Administrative Building Public Hearing Room 119
101 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, New Jersey
Contact: Pete Himchak at (609) 748-2020
Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control February 8, 2011; 6:00 PM Shoreline and Waterway Management Section Lewes Field Facility
901 Pilottown Road
Lewes, Delaware
Contact: Cynthia Cleaver at (302) 645-1061
Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
February 9, 2011; 5:00 PM
Ocean Pines Library
11107 Cathell Road
Ocean Pines, Maryland
Contact: Carrie Kennedy at (410) 260-8295
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
February 15, 2011; 6:00 PM
2600 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor
Newport News, Virginia
Contact: Jack Travelstead at (757) 247-2247
The Draft Addendum proposes two changes to the tautog management program:
(1) address the illegal trade of live tautog and,
(2) prevent increases in fishing mortality (F) prior to the completion of the next assessment.
The Draft Addendum was initiated in response to concern regarding the condition of the tautog stock and possible increased pressure on the stock due to illegal fishing activities and continued overfishing. Over the past couple of years, the Board has received reports from its Advisory Panel, Technical Committee, and the fishing public expressing concern about the illegal trade of live tautog and increased poaching. Options to address illegal live harvest include prohibiting recreational anglers from possessing live tautog and requiring recreational anglers to mark any live tautog.
Given that coastwide F continues to exceed the target established in Addendum IV, the Draft Addendum also proposes measures to prevent increases in F prior to the completion of the next assessment (spring/summer 2011). Specific options include requiring states to implement additional restrictions to meet the F target, a reduction of the F target, a requirement that state regulations prohibit possession in excess of existing bag/possession limits, and recommendations for tautog management in federal waters. The Draft Addendum also contains several other management issues for public comment that may be developed and considered in a future addendum.
Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum, either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. The Draft Addendum can be obtained via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at (703) 842-0740. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on March 4, 2011 and should be forwarded to Chris Vonderweidt, FMP Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; (703) 842-0741 (FAX) or at cvonderweidt@asmfc.org (Subject line: Tautog Addendum VI). For more information, please contact Chris Vonderweidt at (703) 842-0740 or cvonderweidt@asmfc.org.
*************************
Tina Berger
Public Affairs Specialist
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N Arlington, VA 22201-2196
(p) 703.842.0740
(f) 703.842.0741
tberger@asmfc.org
www.asmfc.org
ASMFC Vision: Healthy, self-sustaining populations for all Atlantic coast fish species or successful restoration well in progress by the year 2015.
Has overfishing ended in America? Just-Retired Top NOAA scientist says "yes"
Jay Lindsay of the Associated Press caught up with just-retired top NOAA scientist Steve Murawski who told him that this year, for the first time in a century, not one species will be overfished by U.S. fishermen. Murawski, who retired just last week, called this a historic milestone. And while industry leaders mostly agreed, they were critical of Federal policies which they say needlessly destroyed the livelihoods of many fishermen in the process.
BOSTON (AP) Jan. 8, 2011 - For the first time in at least a century, U.S. fishermen won't take too much of any species from the sea, one of the nation's top fishery scientists says.
The projected end of overfishing comes during a turbulent fishing year that's seen New England fishermen switch to a radically new management system. But scientist Steve Murawski said that for the first time in written fishing history, which goes back to 1900, "As far as we know, we've hit the right levels, which is a milestone."
"And this isn't just a decadal milestone, this is a century phenomenon," said Murawski, who retired last week as chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Service.
Murawski said it's more than a dramatic benchmark - it also signals the coming of increasingly healthy stocks and better days for fishermen who've suffered financially. In New England, the fleet has deteriorated since the mid-1990s from 1,200 boats to only about 580, but Murawski believes fishermen may have already endured their worst times.
"I honestly think that's true, and that's why I think it's a newsworthy event," said Murawski, now a professor at the University of South Florida.
But fishermen and their advocates say ending overfishing came at an unnecessarily high cost. Dave Marciano fished out of Gloucester, an hour's drive northeast of Boston, for three decades until he was forced to sell his fishing permit in June. He said the new system made it too costly to catch enough fish to stay in business.
"It ruined me," said Marciano, 45. "We could have ended overfishing and had a lot more consideration for the human side of the fishery."
"When you compare the United States with the European Union, with Asian countries, et cetera, we are the only industrialized fishing nation who actually has succeeded in ending overfishing," he said.
Regulators say 37 stocks nationwide last year were being overfished (counting only those that live exclusively in U.S. waters); New England had the most with 10. But Murawski said management systems that emphasize strict catch limits have made a big difference, and New England just made the switch.
Fishermen there now work in groups called sectors to divide an annual quota of groundfish, which include cod, haddock and flounder. If they exceed their limits on one species, they're forced to stop fishing on all species.
About two-thirds into the current fishing year, which ends April 30, federal data indicated New England fishermen were on pace to catch fewer than their allotted fish in all but one stock, Georges Bank winter flounder. But Murawski said he didn't expect fishermen would exceed their quota on any stock.
In other regions with overfishing - the South Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean - regulators project catch limits and other measures will end overfishing this fishing year. Already, South Atlantic black grouper and Gulf of Mexico red snapper are no longer being overfished.
The final verification that overfishing has ended nationwide, at least for one fishing year, will come after detailed stock assessments.
It will be a "Pyrrhic victory" in hard-hit New England, said Brian Rothschild, a fisheries scientist at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. He said regulators could legally loosen the rules and allow fishermen to safely catch more fish, but regulators have refused to do it, and fishermen have needlessly been shut out from even healthy stocks.
The science is far from perfect, Marciano said. Regulators believed fishermen were overfishing pollock until new data last year indicated scientists had badly underestimated its population, he said. And some stocks, such as Gulf of Maine cod, have recovered even when fishermen were technically overfishing them.
"To say you can't rebuild stocks while overfishing is occurring is an outright lie. We did it," Marciano said.
Read the complete story by Jay Lindsay of The Associated Press at Google.
Weekend fishing opportunities:
*
Winter steelhead are now widely distributed through the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers, where some good catches are being reported. Crossings over Willamette Falls into the upper Willamette and its tributaries have been increasing and means improved prospects for anglers in these areas.
* The trout stocking program for 2011 is now underway, with the first batches of fish going to Huddleston Pond, Junction City Pond, Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake, which were all stocked the week of Jan. 10.
ALTON BAKER CANOE CANAL: trout
Rainbow trout releases are scheduled to begin in February. This water body is located in downtown Eugene behind Autzen Stadium. A 4-acre pond at the midpoint of the canal is a good spot but it can be fished all along its 2-mile length from Day Island Road in Eugene to Aspen Street in Springfield. Summer steelhead are occasionally caught in this system and anglers are reminded they will need a combined angling tag to legally harvest a steelhead. It is legal to fish with two rods in the Alton Baker Canoe Canal, provided the appropriate licenses have been purchased.
CANBY POND - trout
This 1-acre pond is located on the south end of Canby in Canby City Park. Park is on the east side of Hwy 99E. Angling restricted to youth age 17 and under or holders of one of the Disabled Anglers permits.
CLACKAMAS RIVER: winter steelhead
The Clackamas has held in excellent shape for several days now; color is good and miles of open bank are available for the adventurous. Some light to moderate rainfall in the forecast could set the river up for great conditions through the next several days.
Winter steelhead have now spread throughout the river and good catches were reported over the weekend. Concentrate on the reaches from Carver to Riverside or Riverside to Clackamette parks this time of year as early fish will tend to hold down low prior to moving above Carver where new acclimation ponds should help fish hold in the middle reaches of the lower river in coming years. That being said, the Barton to Carver run has also been fairly productive in recent days.
Monday hydrological data shows the river dropping at 2,120 cfs, a gauge reading of 12.15 ft. and the water temperature inching up to 39°.
CLEAR LAKE: trout
Clear Lake is accessed from Highway 126 approximately 70 miles east of Springfield. Fishing is open all year although snow limits access during the winter months. Brook trout are the most abundant fish during the winter and there is no limit on the size or number of brook trout taken. Clear Lake Resort is open all winter and does have a couple of row boats for rent for those hardy souls that want a unique winter fishing experience.
DETROIT RESERVOIR: trout, kokanee
Located 50 miles east of Salem, this large lake (approx. 3,000 acres at full pool) received over 100,000 trout throughout the spring and summer stocking season. It received another 7,000 legal sized rainbow trout in mid-October. The water level is at its lowest point of the year for storage, but the Mongold boat ramp is usable. Angling is fair at the moment, with slow trolling of bait the most productive method. Check with local outfitters in the town of Detroit to find out more.
DEXTER RESERVOIR: trout
Last stocked with 5,000 legal-sized rainbow trout at the end of September. Dexter Reservoir is adjacent to Highway 58 near Lowell. Anglers will continue to catch fish through the winter by fishing off of the causeway near the Lowell Covered Bridge.
EAGLE CREEK: steelhead
The cold, dry weather has left the creek very low and clear, making steelhead angling a bit more challenging. Some rainfall this week could leave the creek offering very good conditions once flows increase and it colors up a bit. So far this winter the steelhead catch has been slow at best, although the angler effort is out there. Hatchery returns remain low as decent numbers of winters haven’t seemed to make their way into the upper creek yet. Historical numbers show that it’s not uncommon for the steelhead to show up later in January on upper Eagle Creek. Corkies and yarn or bobber and jig are popular set-ups for creek anglers. Anglers should adjust their gear colors to the water clarity.
FARADAY LAKE: trout
Stocked in early September with 1,200 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 25-acre lake 2 miles SE of Estacada by way of Hwy 224 on the Clackamas River.
FERN RIDGE RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead
This 9,000 acre lake just 12 miles west of Eugene is the Willamette Basins largest waterbody. It has four boat ramps and there is good bank angling along the dam and at the shoreline parks. This lake is mostly shallow with a band of deep water from the original channel of the Long Tom River. The reservoir produces crappie over 12 inches and bass angling has been very good this year. Best time of year for crappie is in late spring, but bigger fish can still be found in deeper water. July and August are peak months for largemouth bass. Fish the shoreline along the southern part of the reservoir, especially the sloughs and inlets where there is underwater structure.
FOSTER RESERVOIR: trout, bass, perch, catfish
This scenic 1,200 acre reservoir on the South Santiam River is located just 30 minutes from Interstate 5. It was stocked with 10,000 legal-sized rainbow trout in late September. There is good bank access at several rest stops and campgrounds, and three boat ramps. From I-5 take US 20 east from Albany to the town of Sweet Home. The reservoir is 3 miles past the town on the left. The road across the top of the dam is currently open.
HUDDLESTON POND – trout
The pond received 350 legal-sized trout the week of Jan. 10. From Hwy 18, take Willamina City Center Exit. Turn left on Main St. Follow Main St. to NE E St. and turn right. Proceed to NE Yamhill St. and turn left. Follow Yamhill St.to pond.
JUNCTION CITY POND: trout, bluegill
This pond is scheduled to receive 350 rainbow trout averaging 14 inches this week. There should still be a few of the seventy trophy class trout which were released two weeks ago. These fish are from brood stock at Roaring River Hatchery and weigh an average of 7 pounds apiece. Casting spinners and plunking with Powerbait can be effective strategies for these fish. Junction City pond is located about 2 miles south of Junction City on 99W on the west side of the highway. There is excellent access around the entire 8-acre pond.
LEABURG LAKE: trout
Last stocked with rainbow trout in mid-August. Leaburg Lake on the McKenzie River is located approximately 18 miles east of Springfield on Highway 126. The lake will be closed to all fishing from Jan. 1, 2011 through April 22, 2011.
MCKENZIE RIVER below Leaburg Lake: trout, steelhead
Steelhead should be available through December below Leaburg Dam. Anglers should take extra precautions not to disturb or walk on spring chinook spawn beds (redds).
MCKENZIE RIVER above Leaburg Lake: trout
This section of the river will be closed to all fishing from Jan. 1, 2011 through April 22, 2011.
MOLALLA RIVER: steelhead
Flows in the Molalla are presently very good, providing excellent water conditions to get out and try to catch the first winter steelhead that begin to enter this system in early winter. Keep in mind the Molalla is primarily a catch-and-release steelhead fishery, although occasionally fin-clipped hatchery fish enter the river and can be retained if caught. Generally, it’s still a little early for steelhead in the tributaries of the Willamette above Willamette Falls, but decent early returns below the falls, in the Clackamas and in the Columbia, suggest good returns may be in the offing upriver as well.
Keep an eye on Willamette Falls fish counts to determine when fishing may be turning on above the falls. We currently have over 1,100 winter steelhead over the falls to date, meaning a few are available in tributaries at this time. Larger numbers of fish are expected to start moving after the first of the year once the flows settle down.
MT. HOOD POND: trout, panfish
Stocked Oct. 22 with 1,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. The pond is located on the Mt. Hood Community College Campus, 2600 SE Stark Street MAP
NORTH AND SOUTH SANTIAM: steelhead, trout
There are still a good number of summer steelhead in both the North and South Santiam. Based on video monitoring at upper Bennett dam, about 2,800+ summer steelhead are estimated to have made it into the upper stretches of the river. This year’s winter steelhead run looks promising as well with more than 1,144 fish passing above Willamette Falls as of Jan.3. Bobber and jigs are the preferred method for catching these fish. The river level varies depending on precipitation and upstream storage needs. It has come down to more fishable levels and conditions are good for both bank and boat anglers.
River levels best for fishing are below 3,000 cfs at the Mehama gauge. Check for current conditions
The section between Shelburn and Green’s Bridge remains hazardous for boaters because of downed trees and multiple side channels. Better bets are the floats below Green’s Bridge and above Stayton.
PUDDING RIVER SYSTEM: trout
For those who enjoy trout fishing in a small stream setting, there are several opportunities available in the Pudding River area. Creeks such as Abiqua, Butte, Drift, and Silver all have resident trout present, mainly cutthroat. The season runs from April 24 –October 31, 2 trout per day, 8 inch minimum length, artificial flies and lures only, as per Zone Regulations.
SANDY RIVER: winter steelhead
Their have been improved catches of winters over the past few days on the Sandy, although the river is cold, low and clear. The steelhead appear to be dispersed throughout the river from Marmot down to Lewis and Clark Park. More hatchery broodstock fish will be showing in the catch now that it’s the middle of January, with a few wild fish also mixed in. Sandy winter steelhead are typically a later returning fish as a result of the recently implemented broodstock release program, although the catch information indicates a few fish are coming back earlier. This could be a good sign for what’s to come in the Sandy steelhead fishery for the next few weeks.
Monday hydrological data shows flows down to 1,750 cfs, a gauge height of 9.43 ft and the water temperature steady at 37°.
SHERIDAN POND: trout
A total of 50 brood trout ranging in size from 8 to 15 pounds were released in early December and may still be available. These fish were produced by ODFW’s Roaring River Hatchery near Scio and will be a real prize for anyone lucky enough to land one. To get to Sheridan Pond from Hwy 18, take exit 33 to Balston Rd turn right and then a left to the pond.
steelhead
Rick Putnam of Woodburn, assisted by his sister Beverly Bennett, lands a large rainbow trout at St. Louis Ponds near Gervais. The large fish was part of a load of 6-8-pound brood trout released into the pond by ODFW.
- Photo by Rick Swart-
ST. LOUIS PONDS: trout, panfish, catfish
Pond #6 will be stocked this week with 45 brood trout weighing between six and eight pounds apiece. Ponds #3 and #6 were stocked in mid-November with 700 two-pound rainbow trout. The gate to the entrance of the fishing park is now closed, although those who want can walk in to fish. In addition to the trout, the ponds contain resident bass, crappie, perch and catfish. St. Louis Ponds is a 240-acre fishing park comprised of seven ponds. The property is owned and managed by ODFW, and in addition to stocked trout contains several species of warmwater fish. The site is located west of the town of Gervais. Take St. Louis Road west to Tesch Lane, turn left and follow the road to the ponds.
Grant McOmie talks winter fishing, including trout at St. Louis Ponds, in this installment of Grant’s Getaways.
TIMBER LINN LAKE: trout
Seventy trophy class trout were released last week. These fish are from brood stock at Roaring River Hatchery near Scio and weigh an average of 7 pounds apiece. Casting spinners and plunking with Powerbait can be effective strategies for these fish. This 11-acre pond within Timber-Linn Memorial Park is located next to the Linn County Fairgrounds in Albany, and is a great place to take kids fishing. It was recently stocked with 550 legal-sized rainbow trout as well. To get there, take either Albany exit on I-5 heading east and follow the signs to the park.
WALLING POND: trout, bass
The pond is located within the Salem city limits west of I-5. Take Turner Road off Mission Street. It was stocked several times this fall and winter with legal and larger size trout. It is scheduled to receive another 400 legal and 50 larger size rainbow trout this week.
WALTER WIRTH LAKE: trout, crappie, bass
This water body has already received several thousand legal and larger sized trout this fall and winter. It is scheduled to receive another 1,700 legal an 150 larger size rainbow trout this week. This wheelchair accessible lake is located just east of Salem within Cascade Gateway Park, west of I-5 at Hwy. 22. Take Airport Rd. or Turner Rd. to reach the lake.
WAVERLY LAKE: trout, panfish, catfish
This 8-acre pond in downtown Albany was stocked several weeks ago with 500 legal and 25 larger size rainbow trout, as well as approximately one hundred 8-12 pound trophy rainbow trout. From I-5 take exit 234 west towards Albany. Pond is a quarter mile on the right.
WEST SALISH POND – panfish, trout
Will be stocked this week with 40 three-year-old brood trout weighing 6-8 pounds each. West Salish is a 70-acre pond located in Salish Ponds Wetlands Park, on NE Glisan between 201st and 207th. From I-84 take 207th Ave. Exit and head south to Glisan and turn right.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: winter steelhead
Coho passage over Willamette Falls was non-existent over the past week, but that’s not uncommon for January; a couple did sneak by in late December. As of Jan. 3 total crossings showed 20,103 coho adults and 1,988 coho jacks.
The winter steelhead passage at Willamette Falls reached a total of 1,151 on Jan. 6, but passage should pick up as conditions on the river have shown great improvement in recent days. The dropping water levels and increased visibility will offer decent fishing prospects along Meldrum Bar and Dahl Park near the mouth of the Clackamas River. If you’re interested in this fishery, drop down to Meldrum, observe the techniques, and find yourself a spot. It can get crowded so be respectful of your fellow anglers.
Hydro readings at Willamette Falls on Jan. 10 show flows falling back to 22,000 cfs, visibility improved to 2.3 ft. and the water temperature up slightly to 41°.
YAMHILL RIVER (South Fork): trout
Closed to fishing Oct. 31.
THE CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING REPORT FOR THE GAVIOTA SPORTFISHING FLEET AND FISH CABO FLEET
The fluctuating water temperatures and changing currents continue to have an effect on the fishing results for the lower Baja and about the only area that still reflects good potential is the Jaime Bank and outside the 1,000 fathom curve, 10-12 miles below and outside of Cabo San Lucas, that reflects 71.5 degrees. Water temperatures inside that mark are are in the 68-69 degree ranges, which do not normally bode well for the billfish in this area. Most of the boats are still fishing on the Pacific side of the Baja peninsula, ranging from the Cabo Falso area to Golden Gate Bank. Adding to the lack of
fish has been the decline in reported fishing days for the fleets.
The overall catch report for a combined total of 11 days fished reflected 6 stripers, (4 released) 11 dorado, 34 yellowfin tuna, 8 skipjack tuna and 11 Sierra.
Cabo Climate: Mostly sunny and pleasant days with cooler nights and temps that ranged from 54 degree nights to 76 daytime highs.
Sea Conditions: Light & variable, 5-10 knots of surface breeze from the westerly directions through the week. Mostly clean waters with a greenish tint throughout the entire area and out to 50 miles or more. Temps ranging from 68 to 71.5, with all the warmer water out to the south of Cabo and outside the 1,000 fathom curve.
Best Fishing Area: Continues to be on the Pacific side with most of the fish being taken within 3-4 miles of the coast line.
Best Lure/Bait: Live bait remained best for the billfish and both, caballitos and mackerel worked equally well. Tuna were taken about 99% on the feathers of assorted colors.
Live Bait Supply: A good supply was available but mostly caballitos.
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THE MAZATLAN FISHING REPORT FOR THE ARIES SPORTFISHING FLEET
Overall, it was just fair fishing for the offshore fleet this past week with 71.4% of the boats reporting billfish catches. That being said, there were only a total of 7 offshore fishing days for the week that reflected 5 stripers for the fleet's effort. The numbers of charters has again declined for this area and tends to reflect poorly for the catching by the fishing fleet. However, percentage wise, the
overall fleet performance stands out well for their anglers. The
inshore super pangas reflected a 9 day fishing effort that produced very good action for the anglers and reflected 55 pargo, 4 baqueta, 1 cochito, 15 roncachos, limits of morjarres, 1 lora, 1 Sierra and 23 jack cravelle.
Mazatlan Climate: Mostly sunny & warm days with unseasonably cool nights. Temps from 48 nights to 80 daytime highs.
Sea Conditions: Light, northerly surface breezes in the 5-10 knot ranges, but little swell and mostly calm. Sea temps from 67 inshore and rising to 72 offshore at about 18-20 miles out to the south of the Marina El Cid. The inshore waters are green and the waters filter to a clean green tint at about 18 miles or so.
Best Fishing Area: Out to the south of the Marina El Cid, 18-5 miles or so, but no real concentration of fish.
Best Lure/Bait: All billfish taken on the rigged baits.
Bait supply: Plenty of bait available, both live bait and rigged baits.
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THE IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO FISHING REPORT FOR THE INDEPENDENT SPORTFISHING FLEET
Captain Temo had a very positive fish report for this pat week in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, that reflected excellent fishing within just a mile of the coast and in front of Ixtapa Island. He reported good, clear water moved in and sailfish showed up in good numbers and offered good action for the anglers. Not too much with the dorado and marlin right now and the yellowfin tuna are near the 40-mile mark. "Llamarada" reported a 12 fish count on yellowffin tuna with a fly fishing angler. All of the skippers were reporting multiple sailfish strikes throughout the day and for a change, the boats were busy for thee past week with anglers from France, Denmark and other parts of Europe. The inshore action was equally as hot for big Sierra and jack cravelle and even a few roosterfish. The inshore action was a time of day thing that didn't usually get started until about 11am and the best tackle was the spinning outfits using red & white pencil poppers & shiny silver spoons, fishing right on the backside of the breakers. The hard part was in locating the schools that seemed to want to hold just under the surface, making them difficult to see and find. Once found, they were easy to stay with and the bite remained a fast-action process.
IZ Climate: Sunny and warm days, near picture perfect, and war, pleasant nights. Temps from 66 nights to 87 daytime highs. Light & variable tropical breezes from the southwest.
Sea Conditions: Cooler waters along the beach at 79 degrees and rising to 82 within a mile or two of the coastline. Clean water within a mile of the beach.
Best Lure/Bait: Rigged baits were getting snapped out of the outriggers often and the sailfish were aggressive, usually with more than one fish coming on the baits.
Best Fishing Area: Unusually close, within a mile of the coast and in front of Ixtapa Island. Made for longer fishing days and little running time.
Best Bait/Lure: Rigged baits for the sailfish & pencil poppers and shiny silver spoons for the inshore action.
________________________________________________________________________
___________________________
THE PUERTO MORELOS FISHING REPORT FOR THE MARINA EL CID SPORTFISHING FLEET, (CANCUN TO COZUMEL AREA)
Another family fun fishing week aboard the Marina El Cid Sportfishing Fleet from Puerto Morelos, offering a multi-mixed-bag catch for the anglers and again consisting of an eleven fish variety. The Fleet reported in for a combined total of 22 days fished that reflected 24 King Mackerel, 5 Rainbow Runners, 4 Atlantic Barracuda, 36 Bonita, 8 Blue Runners, 13 Spanish Mackerel, 12 snapper, 4 Grouper, 1 Amberjack, 17 Triggerfish and 15 Jabones, (bottomfish). This amounted to a near 6-fish per boat average for the fleet and many of the trips were short, 4-hour events. One of the best features for fishing from Puerto Morelos is the close proximity to the fishing areas that begin just a few minutes outside the entrance to the Marina El Cid, in an area that provides a rapid bottom fall-off just outside the entrance to the Marina.
PM Climate: Mostly cloudy this week with some intermittent sunshine days. Temps ranged from 57 nights to 82 daytime highs.
Sea Conditions: Water temps fell a couple of degrees this past week and are now stable at 78-79 degrees with excellent clarity. Changing surface breezes through the week but less than 15 knots and very little to no surface wind-chop throughout the week.
Best Bait/Lure: The freshly rigged, skirted and un-rigged ballyhoo continue to be the bait of choice for the entire fleet from Puerto Morelos.
________________________________________________________________________
___________________________
Larry Edwards
CORTEZ YACHT CHARTERS
619-469-4255
State Record Redbreast Sunfish Caught from Choctawhatchee River
At approximately 11:30 p.m. on June 12, 2010, Archie Russ of Brantley, Ala., caught a 1 pound 4 ounce redbreast sunfish from the Choctawhatchee River in Geneva County. The fish was weighed on certified scales and was verified by fisheries biologist, Rob Andress at the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries District IV Fisheries Headquarters in Enterprise, Ala. The fish measured 10.5 inches in length with a girth of 11.5 inches. Russ’ fish replaced a long-standing record of 13 ounces, which was caught from the Pea River in June1996.
This fish was accepted as part of the “Alabama Angler Recognition Program,” which recognizes anglers who catch large sportfish from Alabama waters. To learn more about the Alabama Angler Recognition Program and to view current lake records, visit: www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/record/.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com .
Oyster Bay Tackle Shop report OCMD 1-12
Ocean City Maryland & Assateague Island - Delaware Beaches - Ocean n Bay Fishing Report
By Sue Foster, Oyster Bay Tackle Shop, Ocean City MD - Fenwick Island DE
Jan 11th, 2011
Fishing Report by Sue Foster
(On a very sad note, my mother, Juanita Mumford, lost her battle with cancer
on January 10th. She was 79 years old. Our customers, friends, and family
will miss her smiling face in our Oyster Bay store. "It will never quite be
the same without you Mom..." )
Water Temperature (WTMP): 40.8°F
The water temps are very cold and little is happening on the fishing front
in Ocean City. Offshore tautog fishing is your only bet right now.
Shop Online !
Priority Mail shipping on most items weighing more than a pound. Smaller
items and gift cards are sent First Class Mail. Large packages may be sent
FedEx or Parcel Post.
T-shirts! We still have 2010 White Marlin Open T's on sale starting at
9.99!
Tire Buddy III
Tire Deflators
CLOSE-OUT STAR BOAT SPIN RODS FOR ONLY 19.99. Regular retail was
49.99.
Flounder and
Surf Packages, complete with sinkers.
Gift Cards
(Oyster Bay Tackle and Fenwick Tackle are now closed for the season. I'll be
"in and out" of Oyster Bay Tackle but there will be no set hours until
March. If you have questions or want to order over the phone please e-mail
me your name and phone number and I will call you. Email Sue at
sue@oysterbaytackle.com.) 410-524-3433).
I'm starting to get a lot of e-mails about the new Maryland Saltwater
License and I'm doing my best to answer them. (Please don't send me e-mails
venting anger. Something the federal government mandates is way beyond my
control.)
Anglers fishing in Ocean City will need to purchase a saltwater fishing
license. This license will cover both the Chesapeake Bay and the coastal
waters of Ocean City. Thus if you already have a Chesapeake Bay Saltwater
license you are good to go! Anglers will be able to purchase the license online. The
license you want to choose is "Bay and Coastal Sport" You can either choose
a year-round or 7-day. The online site will add $1.00 plus 2.5 per cent.
But so will the tackle stores until the state sets us up. Unfortunately,
this may not happen until sometime this summer. We tackle stores are going
to have to go to the same web site you would, and use our own credit cards
to purchase a license for you until the state sets us up. (Some time between
April and Sept!) Oh boy... So as you can imagine, it will be time consuming
as we have to punch in our credit card and billing address every time we do
a license for the customer. SO, if you know you are coming to Ocean City, it
would be to your advantage to get it done ahead of time. Right now, you can
also call a toll free number (1-800-918-2870)
or print and mail in an application (the
least expensive way to go!) If you know you are going to buy a boat license,
this would be a really good way to go. $50 and everyone on your boat can go
fishing without a license. They will send you your sticker for your boat in
the mail.
Mail the application to their main office:
Maryland Dept. of Natural resources
Annapolis Service Center
P.O. Box 1869
1804 West Street, Suite 300
Annapolis, MD 21401
If you are going to be fishing on a private boat with someone who has a Boat
License, you don't have to buy a license, but you do have to register online. This
is free but cannot be done over the phone. (The state says it has no money
for a phone line.) So do it now. Do it anytime. But don't wait till you get
to Ocean City without a computer. Print out your number and keep an id with
you when you go fishing. It only takes a couple minutes.
Another interesting note about the license is that if you buy a VA license,
it is good in MD, and vice versa. If you are fishing in MD with a VA licence
you do need to register with MD online. Again, this is free. This is so each
state can "try" to figure out "how many" fish are being caught in their own
individual states.
If you want to go fishing in Ocean City without a license, your choices will
be the "Oceanic Pier" or to go fishing on a party or charter boat. You can
also go crabbing and clamming in Ocean City without a license.
Contact Info
If you have any questions regarding Maryland's sport fishing license
requirements, you may contact Fisheries Service via e mail:
customerservice@dnr.state.md.us or by calling (410-656-9526).
Following is the fee schedule for 2011:
Senior License (year round) - $5.00
Resident License (year round) - $15.00
Resident License (7-day) - $6.00
Non-resident (year round) - $22.50
Non- resident (7-day) - $12.00
Pleasure Boat Decal (covers everyone on boat - year round) - $50.00
Commercial Fishing Pier License (year round) - $290.00
No license is required for:
Boat decal passengers
Those fishing in "free fishing" areas
Those fishing from their waterfront properties
Anglers under 16 years old
Anglers fishing on a licensed charter, party or guide boat
Anglers fishing commercially under a valid license
For more information, log onto www.dnr.state.md.us
Reports from Assateague and Ocean City Beaches were "zip" again this week.
If you find it hard to hold bottom try using a " sputnik
sinker if you can't hold with a regular surf sinker. I always carry a 3
1/2 or 5 1/2 ounce sputnik in my tackle box.
Many anglers ask about reading the beach when surf fishing. "Poppy" a very
good angler has posted another very good description with pictures on
Stripers Online. Check it out:
Reading the Beach He draws it out completely! If you're not catching
fish in the surf, you need to study this!
Need surf
rigs? We have plenty in our shops or buy online! Shop Online
Larry Jock of the Coastal
Fisherman had his last reports near the first of the year. SATURDAY,
January 1, 2011: Stripers vanished at the Jackspot. There was a rumor that
anglers found stripers at the Sliver a few days ago. I haven't confirmed it
with any anglers who were there.
FRIDAY, December 31, 2010: Nice calm day on the ocean. Water temp was a
chilly 39-degrees in tight to the beach.
Anglers in search of bluefish stumbled upon schools of striped bass at the
Jackspot. Fish were small... 27 to 30-inches. Only a few were larger. They
were getting hooked on jigs. Water temperature at the Jackspot got as high
as 44-degrees."
Clark from Old Inlet (302-227-7974) had no new fishing reports. It's been
very cold.
Bill Sports Center (302-645-7654) didn't have any recent fish reports
either.
E-mail Sue Foster at: Oyster Bay
Tackle with your pictures and/or reports. Vacation Pictures are
welcome! (Please send me a real picture and not a link to a "Kodak moment!")
Phone pics are fine.
E-mail me your name and where you are from so we
can put you in our weekly fish reports and/or Gallery!
Anglers now need a DE Fishing License to fish, crab, and clam in DEL:
Delaware Fishing Licenses are available
online.
The Judith M is going out for tautog. Here's their report from Jan 2nd:
"The 2011 Tog season opened on Jan. 1st and the "Judith M" sailed. Quality
not quantity was the way to describe the trips. We had some very nice sized
tog up to 11 pounds. On Sunday we had some even larger fish as Andrew Kim of
Glen Burnie, MD nailed a nice 12.5 pound Tautog. Soo Yoon from Silver
Springs, MD had an 11.5 pound fish as well. We also had 4 Codfish and one
pollock caught. Hi hook for the weekend was 6 fish. We will try again next
weekend ; Sat Jan. 8 and Sun. Jan 9. We sail by reservation, fare $65, 7am
to 4pm and we supply green crabs for bait. Call 410-251-5859 for details or
visit us at www.judithmfishing.com.."
Capt. Monty on the "
Morning Star" is now tautog fishing. Here's his report and comments.
"Fish Report 1/08/11
Tagging Tog
Next Trip?
Saving Sea Bass
A Letter You Should Read
How hard is it? If you have trees and some level of management you'll have
squirrels: If you have reef and some level of management you'll have fish.
If you knock the trees down to get to the squirrels it will be a long time
before you have squirrels again..
And, if you plant more trees than you had, squirrels might very well
flourish.
Rocks bought from idled quarries & rolled off barges manned by idled
tug-boat crews can make cleaner waters; can make fish populations soar:
Combined with management, those rocks & boulders can make reef ecologies and
fishing economies thrive from estuary to canyon's edge.....
Hi All,
Had a beautiful day Thursday. Light winds, calm; Just what we'd want.
Burnt a little fuel, dropped in over 90 feet of water; Caught some keepers
and some throwbacks.. Brr.. Chilly down there.
Bite so-so, we tagged a number of shorties, had some 8s & 10s too; Dennis's
15 pounder topped 'em all..
You know, It almost seemed like he was making sure a certain Russian knew
there was no second place in the pool..
It's all in fun.
And fine dining!
Togging can be a tough though.. In an hour late on an 11 hour trip, Thursday
was just that. Had 3 good anglers goose-egg on keepers and 4 or 5 limit-out.
All went home with fish.
Going to try to catch good fish again soon but do not see a weather
opportunity any time in the next few days.
In fact, I think I'll sell my boat & get a snow-plow.
Ehh, not yet!
Will continue to announce trips via this medium....
Was up to the 'sustainability conference' Friday. Had great opportunities to
put artificial reef in front of government --Fantastic-- even directly to
our Governor..
Hundreds of people - Microphones for public comment - I told him that the
estuaries' water quality was affecting marine water quality, That 4
generations ago men had caught white marlin within sight of land, That
accelerated restoration efforts were indeed necessary to restore the
fisheries.
One man from deep inside the .gov eco$ystem told the crowd that constituents
wanted more ecosystem 'assessments'..
I took the mike again: "You could fill this room with assessments and it
would never help a fish. Governor, You and Secretary Griffin are doing it
better than ever before. We want you to keep doing what you're
doing--Ecosystem Restoration--just a lot more of it."
Then, in front of hundreds of people, the Governor looked at Secretary
Griffin, pointed his finger at him and said, "I like artificial reef."
Perhaps it was with a wink; To me it seemed like Mission Accomplished.
Yesterday's mission anyway.
Today its back to saving sea bass.
We really do need to save sea bass
..from management that's not working.
(If you're leaving at this point, There is a boldened section in a letter
below that everyone who is affected by fisheries management should
read--otherwise read on..)
We need to restore sea bass, need to make fishing a lot better: Using
sensible catch restriction combined with habitat protections and
restorations--by building reef--we can take ANY reef-fish species to far
higher populations than we have ever known to exist.
We can--actually did once--restore our region's sea bass to our habitat's
potential while still catching--and with scarcely a closed season. Simple
regulations can work fine again.
Reef & reef building not understood; Tautog are going to get creamed by
regulation next.
Over the years people have told me stories of my tog tags being ripped-out
and thrown overboard: The har-de-har-har bravado of men who know remaining
ignorant of our fisheries will best protect us; That bolstering science--in
this case the growth, fidelity & migration of tautog--is of no use to Real
Fishermen.
Ah well, managed a bunch of good tag returns anyway. Still ongoing.
I'm finding it does take a while, but if know something to be true you can
convince government of it..
A decade?
Not quite there. Little more time perhaps.
One of the illusions that plague our reef-fish restoration efforts is in the
population estimates--the Stock Estimates--which are partly done with a
trawl net. Sea bass of today often live on wreck and rockpile, on our
remaining corals where no trawl can go. Tautog have always lived where
trawls can travel only to the fringe, and that with trepidation..
Because trawl-net and robust reef do not mix, our reef-fish population
estimates are done with lots of statistical conjecture. That's why they're
called the Data-Poor fisheries.
Shadowy data far worse is the Marine Recreational Fishing Statistics
Survey--MRFSS--catch estimate system. Even a student of Plato's Cave could
never have anticipated actual governance by this devilment of delusion in
perfect illusion that is MRFSS.
Below is a letter I sent to a Senator who had requested more information.
Not long ago, I haven't heard back yet; I just hope I brought this problem
down to earth.
It's complicated.
More catch-restriction isn't going to accomplish Magnuson's goals.
Habitat does matter--A lot.
In that letter are 3 data sets that cost Maryland's coastal fisheries
dearly.
And still didn't help the greater goal of restoration much.
Sea bass may be closed from now to July..
We tagged and threw back two jumbos on Thursday's trip. Good management?
Our ignorance vast, We don't even know how they spawn. I think they nest.
"Reef? Coral Reef? In the mid-Atlantic? In less than 50 fathoms? Ha! That's
a laugh!" "..Let me show you these catch estimates."
Governing with just shadows of truth is difficult. The "har-de-har, keep 'em
in the dark" strategy does neither fish nor fisher any good in the long run.
The data causes regulators to shoot at shadows on steel walls; Ricochets
have crippled industry and threaten its death.
I'm a fisherman.
Want to remain a fisherman.
The MRFSS lie denies us real restoration. Catch restriction based on lies of
catch -and that on a coastwide basis- leaves management stuck, going deeper
& deeper into a bottomless rut..
To fishery managers MRFSS screw-ups are just data-sets that, right or wrong,
they have to use; It's scarcely a real concern.
Let me tell you - Three years running this garbage is killing the
recreational sea bass industry: It Is A Very Real Concern.
If a science can not be proven, then to believe it requires faith. Hmm..
There is no test MRFSS must suffer for truth. Regulators simply have faith
in the statistics below.
Copernicus' work on the paths of planets does not require faith. It did
require many, many tests of proof, of truth..
I assert that for MRFSS to be used as "The Best Science Available" it should
first have to qualify as science.
"It's all we have! What else can we use!"
Umm, common sense? Large collections of firmer catch-data given in Vessel
Trip Reports over any span of time will certainly illustrate real abundances
of fish.. Will reveal management that worked.
Despite MRFSS' many failings, it can be used in broad-scope to illustrate,
say, the success of Government Regulation on the atlantic mackerel fishery:
Where MRFSS has New Jersey and points south catching lots and lots and lots
of fish --their exact estimates meaning nothing-- Then those catches taper
to nothing, to ZERO.
That use of MRFSS is true.
Guvmint: "Hurray! Atlantic mackerel are restored! Over-fishing is not
occurring!"
I'm telling you -- This isn't working.
Regulators ritual use of MRFSS as the very foundation of recreational
fisheries restoration must end.
It is a foundation built on falsehood.
To find our way out of this maze built with deceitful fabrications will
require truth: Or at least as few falsehoods as possible.
Please allow me to show you how the use of very poor data & ignoring sound
fish restoration science have brought us here.
Please allow me to show you three crucial data sets....
Regards,
Monty
Capt. Monty Hawkins
mhawkins@siteone.net
Party Boat "Morning Star"
Reservation Line 410 520 2076
http://www.morningstarfishing.com/
Sent 1/4/11
Greetings Senator Mikulski, Senator Cardin, State Senator Elect Mathias,
Secretary MD DNR Griffin, Director MD Fisheries O'Connell, NOAA Assistant
Administrator of Fisheries Schwaab.
Thank You all for your attention. I really think this particular fishery
issue can be used to illuminate many other troubles in our struggle to make
fishing better. I hope for the day when my clients are too busy catching
fish for me to trouble you.
Sea bass have been knocked hard these last three years; Not by recreational
fishing, but by recreational catch estimate data--by MRFSS estimate.
We really don't have a fish restoration issue that can't be overcome. In
fact, I'm quite confident that exploring actions in this letter can take
many fisheries beyond any know historical base.
However, there may be ingrained management styles that finish off industry
before we can begin.
I watched the sea bass fishery climb from its crypt in the mid-80s to, in
2003, honestly thinking our region's sea bass were at habitat holding
capacity.
Oh, the fishing was beautiful..
I had self-imposed catch regulations long years before management took
notice of our sea bass and tautog.
A few months after that '03 population peak, winter trawl effort --the big
boys-- smoked through their sea bass permits off our coast in early '04;
Were calling trap fishers -any who held a permit- to come get cbass, much of
which was bycatch in the flounder fishery.
I'm sure many were simply shoveled overboard dead--as regulatory bycatch,
especially in foul weather..
Because of that surge, our region's fishery took a nose-dive. In the spring
of '04 we caught half of what we had in '03.
I had predicted habitat fidelity's importance; Soon after felt it.
I have tried for over a decade to get our corals explored & listed as
Essential Fish Habitat. There has been great forward motion with the help of
Secretary Griffin's MD DNR Fisheries Service; the new XO of the MAFMC, Chris
Moore; and, just lately, from NOAA's Habitat Conservation Chief, Tom
Bigford.
Please see my reef video from the recent Ecosystems Workshop: Google search
YouTube 'Maryland Corals.' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cMC8JVa2Bk Our
corals filmed from a bouncing boat: Be careful if you get seasick..
How hard is it? If you have trees and some level of management you'll have
squirrels: If you have reef and some level of management you'll have fish.
If you knock the trees down to get to the squirrels it will be a long time
before you have squirrels again..
And, if you plant more trees than you had, squirrels might very well
flourish.
Rocks bought from idled quarries & rolled off barges manned by idled
tug-boat crews can make cleaner waters; can make fish populations soar:
Combined with management, those rocks & boulders can make reef ecologies and
fishing economies thrive from estuary to canyon's edge.....
First we must comprehend this: Just as salmon have natal fidelity & will
return to the stream of their birth, We've discovered sea bass have site
fidelity too. I personally tagged over 5,000 of them, Woods Hole 16,000
more.
We know beyond a doubt that sea bass move offshore in winter and return to
the exact same reef come spring: That they have habitat fidelity.
And, just as in the salmons, managing fish removals by that fidelity is
crucial to real & sustained population growth; That whether controlling
fishing effort on eco-regions of Reef or winding River: Fidelity is a key
player in effective management.
In no part of our sea bass management do we factor in habitat: There is no
Essential Fish Habitat off Maryland's Coast, There are no "Reef Forming
Corals" in the mid-Atlantic, and therefore no 'habitat forming' corals ..Yet
in that video I show beautiful corals no more than 8 miles out.
Sure look like 'Essential Fish Habitat' to me.
In no part of the recreational "coastwide quota" do we factor in fidelity
either.
This is fishers greatest hope, that regional sub-quotas can be developed as
was pushed hard by the Maryland delegation at the recent Council &
Commission meeting.
We have a chance; If a political solution can be crafted for a biological
problem, Recreational businesses may endure another year in these
challenging times.
A fully integrated/regionalized sea bass plan would never have allowed that
surge of winter-trawl effort in early '04..
A recreational sea bass plan that recognized regional fidelity would never
shut down the whole coast because recreational fishers in Massachusetts and
Rhode Island have "miraculous" spikes in sea bass catch..
Southern New England's fish will never-ever grace our reefs; They are a
product of their rocky habitat protections spurring fishery production; So
too will we never see the product of fantastic reef building in northern New
Jersey's state waters..
A sea bass plan that recognized fidelity would strive to improve and protect
reef habitat in every way: Reef is where sea bass Feed, Spawn, Shelter, and
Grow to Maturity as is set forth in the EFH section of the Magnuson Act...
No: We have none of that.
We have MRFSS.
The Marine Recreational Fishing Statistics Survey. Some say Murfis, others
Murfs.
I hold that science is founded in skepticism, That "Prove It" lays at its
core; That those who hold MRFSS as "The Best Science Available" are doing a
terrible disservice to all involved.
You see, the National Research Council ordered MRFSS phased out for its
obvious failings in 2006. It is being replaced with MRIP.
Statistics are the science of uncertainty: MRFSS is science so bad that our
nation's finest said to have done with it.
Its use should have been barred then.
Many in fisheries dislike the MRFSS data. Still, it is virtually the only
data that is pre-packaged by middle-management and fed to Council &
Commission.
And, its always given to Councilmen & Commissioners with this predicate:
"Angler effort is difficult to predict."
Actually, No: MRFSS is difficult to predict.
I will show you just 3 MRFSS data sets: Three data sets that monkey-wrenched
Maryland's coastal fisheries; Three data sets that made good people order
fishers before an economic-firing squad.. Three very poor data sets among
dozens if not hundreds..
In these charts PSE is as in a political poll (percentage standard error)
..the plus or minus percentage that the poll might be off by. All these
charts are what MRFSS says was put in a cooler and taken home to fry--It
gets much worse when factoring in release mortality of fish thought to have
been caught and thrown back. Watch for missing years too.
Species: TAUTOG - Maryland - Private Boat Catch Only - Sept/Oct Year
HARVEST (TYPE A + B1) PSE
2005 16,943 99.7
2006 0 0
2007 31,023 70.3
2009 1,451 93.3
2010 12,907 66.6
There it is. That '07 set stole December from me in a fishery I practically
hand carved over two decades.
Looking at the little sets shows MRFSS for what it is.
Angler effort did not shift like the pogo-stick that data set implies; Not
even during the '09 emergency cbass closure--which the MRFSS misses
entirely.
Species: SUMMER FLOUNDER - Shore Fishing Only - Sept/Oct Year HARVEST (TYPE
A + B1) PSE
2005 12,773 58.8
2006 0 0
2007 36,017 48.4
2008 14,962 51.8
2009 0 0
2010 0 0
This data set created an Emergency Regulation shutting down Maryland's
recreational flounder fishery. Apparently, while the private boats were
fishing down the jetties' and bulkheads' tautog population, Shore fishers
were casting overtop the boats and catching flounder the private boats had
elected to leave alone..
"Angler effort is difficult to predict" must be an incredible understatement
if you believe these data sets.
What poppycock.
But its effect are real enough: Still being felt in the fishery.
Rubbish.
Terrible to make good people act as this data makes them.
Species: BLACK SEA BASS - Massachusetts - Private Boat Catch - May/June Year
HARVEST (TYPE A + B1) PSE
2005 53,349 32.3
2007 28,281 85.3
2008 65,376 29.1
2009 26,827 38.9
2010 218,790 31.3
Here is a crucial data set to the assertion that the entire coastwide sea
bass quota has been overfished: This is why I may have to declare bankruptcy
if no solution can be found; why Emergency Federal Fishery Disaster Relief
may be my only hope..
There are others like it.
Yet for all these data sets' two-month periods, charter & partyboat catch
stays fairly consistent. Professional skippers turn in catch reports. The
MRFSS WAGuestimate is then made to suffer some truthing.
Private boat and shore effort data is FULL of wild swings. The data causes
regulators to shoot at shadows on steel walls; the ricochets have crippled
industry and threaten its death.
I assert that MRFSS' bad recreational catch estimate data is about to
destroy the southern sea sea bass fishery.
If Maryland's efforts to regionalize the recreational sea bass quota at the
Council & Commission level are not succesful, fishers will have to endure
another 90 days of closed season--A fatal blow.
This situation needs a very firm hand.
I beg your attention.
The corals, the fidelity, the data: I plead for your help.
Thank You,
Monty
(addresses below)
Capt. Monty Hawkins
mhawkins@siteone.net
Party Boat "Morning Star" Ocean City, MD.
Reservation Line 410 520 2076
http://www.morningstarfishing.com/
Please look-up your DC reps online.
Secretary Locke
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20230
Secretary Lubchenco
NOAA
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW - Room 5128
Washington, DC 20230
CINC NMFS Eric Schwaab
NOAA Fisheries Service
1315 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
E-mail Capt Montyfor more info.
To receive Capt. Monty's full newsletter with comments e-mail Capt. Monty.
Capt. Monty Hawkins
mhawkins@siteone.net
Party Boat "Morning Star"
Reservation Line 410 520 2076
http://www.morningstarfishing.com/
Watch the
weather.
Check out the link on our web site to the local chapter of the MSSA. They are keeping us
abreast on all the Fishing Issues. From our Oyster Bay Website, go to "More
Fishing Info" on the left hand side, and click on "MSSA Atlantic Anglers".
Check the weather before driving hours to go offshore or fish the surf. Go
to
Coastal Marine Forecast to get an idea of the weather and height of the
waves.
Capt. Rick Yakimowicz of the "Thelma Dale V" Reports from Fisherman's Wharf
on Dec 14th:
" We will start back fishing For the Tog in the Spring.
If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the Wharf
or you would like to reserve space for a special sea bass trip or to book a
private charter please give us a call at (302) 645-TUNA."
His full report and boat info is
here.
Capt. Rick Yakimowicz
Thelma Dale V
catchfish@verizon.net"
Capt.Dan Stauffer (866-623-4746) of the Fin Chaser does wreck,
inlet and trolling trips. If you would like more info on these trips please
check out our website or give us a call.
Capt. Dan -phone: 866-623-4746 -www.finchasersportfishing.com
VA
charters.
(Wilson Cropp Charters and Guide Service. Cape Charles, VA- 1-434-531-6376)
Stripers...
Eco tours as well.
CHECK OUT the Fish Talk Forum - At
The Beach - Fishing Ocean City MD Assateague Island - Delaware Fishing
Beaches
(Just a note to say to my readers that many of my fishing reports are from
other anglers and party boats that come over my e-mail. When I "copy/paste"
their reports I try to leave them intact. It keeps the fishing reports
lively and interesting. But any comments/politics within the quotes are
their comments and views, and not necessarily mine.)
Need info on where, how, when to fish, crab, and clam? Go
to
Drifting Easy Archives and READ UP! It's all in there and it's
FREE!!!!!!
James A. Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing
Alliance
has been actively working on the summer flounder, sea bass and "lead ban"
crisis. The RFA believes the future of our fisheries is dependent on fixing
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act which has laid
down strict time-frames that do not take into account livelihoods and that
a fishery is rebounding steadily.
Need to tie a knot? Click
Here. This is really cool! You can also click Here!
Good fishing...
Gift
Certificates Call 410-524-3433 or order
ONLINE.
Need a gift card? Give us a call at 410-524-3433 You can also buy
them
online.
2010 White Marlin Shirts are here! Short sleeve and
long sleeve! Order ONLINE.
Sputnik
sinkers back in stock!
CLOSE-OUT STAR BOAT SPIN RODS FOR ONLY 19.99. Regular retail was
49.99.
We have Calcutta hats, visors, t's, long sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, tanks
and new
T-shirts on our online mall. We have the Bloodworm scented
Fish Bites in stock. You can buy these items online.
Tire deflators are great! Call Oyster Bay Tackle at 410-524-3433 or order on line.
BACK IN STOCK!
We also now carry the
Oasis Trailhead Tire Deflators. 59.99 for set of 4 in store.
To buy a dozen assorted flounder rigs for $21.99. (Reg- 28.08) call
410-524-3433, stop
in our stores or
Order Online.
To buy a selection of a dozen of the most popular Got-cha Plugs in our area
for 44.99
Shop Online or call 410-524-3433.
We have a great value on a stuffed surf box
Big surf box for 49.99- a $56 value- available on line, at both our
stores, or call 410-524-3433.
We offer a great value in our stores or on our web site of
a package of 12 assorted surf rigs. (Value $28.28) for $23.99.
Surf rigs buy online or call 410-524-3433.
To buy a big stuffed Flounder box
for 49.99 stop in our stores, Shop Online, or call 410-524-3433.-
We have
6-packs of bucktails and we
have fishing
books.
There's a new product out called "Rod Log." It is an affordable storage
system for your rods and reels you can set up in your garage or carry with
you to your boat. Check it out.
Visit our online mall year
round. Check it out and
e-mail me with any comments or suggestions.
We have a
Australian Gold
Suntan Lotion web page that shows all the Australian Gold Suntan
Products available in both our retail stores. Oyster Bay Tackle~410-524-3433
and Fenwick Tackle~302-539-7766. E-mail
Sue for pricing and availability or call 410-524-3433. (During the
winter season (Jan-Feb) it is best to e-mail.)
Visit our Website.
Visit our
Drifting Easy Archives to learn where and how to crab, clam and fish in
our area.
Sale!
We have lots of rods and reels out for this season by
Daiwa, Tica, Sea Striker and Okuma.
If you have any fish reports please share them with us on our Fish Talk Board or e-mail
Sue Foster at: Oyster Bay
Tackle. E-mail me your name and where you are from so we can put
you in our weekly fish reports!
Visit our
T-shirt page of our Online Mall to see all the t-shirts available
including this year's popular Calcutta T-shirts and our new Inshore-4
T-shirt.
Tire Deflators, Calcutta t-shirts, 2009 White Marlin Open,
Storm Wild-eyed Shad lures, Gift Certificates, Got-cha Plugs, Ugly Sticks,
Tica rods, new Okuma surf rods, Daiwa reels, Windcheaters, Mann's, Stretch
25 lures, Mullet Rigs,
Aqua-Clear Tangle free Rigs, Tsunami Shads, Tandem Rigs, Spec Rigs,
Beach Runner surf rods on sale, Penn Reels, Okuma reels,
Collapsible Bridge and Pier Nets, Rat-L-Traps, Calcutta Hats, Stuffed Tackle
Boxes and more. Stop in to our shops or Order Online.
E-mail Sue Foster at: Oyster Bay
Tackle
if you have any questions about our inventory or if you want to place
an order for an item we do not have on-line.
Shop Online
