The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has scheduled an Atlantic menhaden ecosystem management workshop for August 31 through September 1.  This is an important step toward taking into full consideration the roll and impact Atlantic menhaden have as a forage fish for striped bass, bluefish, tuna and a host of other species.

In a press release last week the ASMFC said, "Based on the findings of the 2015 Atlantic Menhaden Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review, the Commission's Atlantic Menhaden Management Board initiated Draft Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan."

The Draft Amendment will consider changes to the management program including the development of ecological reference points that reflect Atlantic menhaden's role as a forage species. To aid in the development of these reference points, the Commission has established a multi-disciplinary working group to identify potential ecosystem goals and objectives for Board review and consideration. 

"This workshop reflects the Commission's continued commitment to fully evaluating the importance of Atlantic menhaden to the ecosystem and harvesters.  This process will benefit from the expertise and input of managers, stakeholders, and scientists that are committed to the sustainable management of this valuable resource," stated Board Chair Robert Boyles from South Carolina.  "The anticipated outcome of the workshop will be potential goals and objectives for ecosystem management that the Atlantic Menhaden Management Board will consider as part of the Public Information Document for Draft Amendment 3." The webinar will be held on Friday, August 14 at 9:00 a.m. 

The workshop will be conducted on August 31 and September 1 from 8:30 AM to 5 PM at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve, 7795 Arundel Mills Boulevard, Hanover, Maryland 21076...  Space may be limited; please contact Mike Waine, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at mwaine@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740 if you are interested in attending the workshop or for information on how to register for the webinar.

NOAA seeks nominations for hydrographic panel

NOAA is soliciting nominations for membership for the 2016 Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP), a Federal Advisory Committee. HSRP applications for year 2016 must be received by August 10, 2015, preferably via email to hydroservices.panel@noaa.gov.  The call for nominations is available on the Federal Register website.

The panel advises NOAA on operations and research issues related to hydrographic surveying, nautical charts, tides and currents, geodetic and geospatial data and measurements, coastal intelligence and resilience, and emerging Arctic priorities. 

Applicants should have expertise in marine navigation, port administration, maritime shipping or other intermodal transportation industries, cartography and geographic information systems, geodesy, geospatial data, physical oceanography, coastal resource management, including coastal resilience and emergency response, or other science-related fields.

Information on the Hydrographic Services Review Panel can be found at www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/ocs/hsrp/hsrp.htm .

Where's the bite

Striped bass. Fishing off Block Island has improved.  Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor Marina said, "Anglers are catching fish on block Island but not necessarily on the Southwest Ledge.  A customer boated striped bass in the 30's (pounds) range on the south side of the Island this weekend." John Littlefield of Archie's Bait & Tackle said, "Customer Albert Bettencourt, his son and grandsons landed four bass in the 20 to 30 pound range fishing the Newport area with Atlantic menhaden.  In Providence a 36" bass was caught at the Squantum Club in East Providence and Sabin Point, Providence was yielding bass to 30" on the 4th of July.  The bait of choice was Atlantic menhaden." "We weighed in a 44.8 pound fish this weekend caught at Block Island with an eel.  But the big news is Provincetown, MA.  We have heard from a half dozen customers that the striped bass exploded there this week and last.  Guys are casting small lures and landing a bass in seconds." said Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren.

Fluke fishing is improving.  A good bite reported off coastal shores in the Charlestown area with spotty activity around Block Island. Capt. Jay from the charter fishing vessel the Double Down said, "Fishing in the Sakonnet is still good, usually we are fishing Block Island this time of year but it has been a little slow there."  Bob Andrande boated about 40 pounds of fluke fishing the southeast side of the Island this week said Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor. "Anglers are still landing fluke at Warwick Light and catching black sea bass mixed in." said John Littlefield of Archie's bait & Tackle.  Angler Jack Leyden of North Kingstown and his fishing partner landed four nice keepers Sunday fishing the west and east sides of Jamestown.  Roger Simpson of the Frances Fleet said, "Fluke fishing was generally solid this week once we were past the dirty water caused by last Sunday's blow, fishing was also aided to some degree by now being able to add a sea bass to angler's boxes and coolers. Sizes on some of these sea bass borders on astonishing with fish frequently up to and over 6 pounds."  Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, "Fluke fishing at the Sakonnet is still good and anglers are catching fluke under the Mt. Hope Bridge as well.  We even had a customer catch one from the dock at Colt State Park."

"Scup fishing has exploded. We have customers catching them all over the Bay on worms, clam tongue and squid." said Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait.  John Littlefield of Archie's Bait, Riverside said, "Scup fishing has been good all the way up to Sabin Point Providence and Colt State Park."  

Offshore.  Kevin Tucker boated a 125 bluefin Friday.  I fished with David and Eric Apollonia this weekend for bluefin tuna.  Capt. Dave put us on to four bluefin, all nice fish.  Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor Marina said, "John Volpe and Steve Shohan landed a 317 pound mako shark this weekend." Tony Guriano of Booked Off weighed in a 508 pound mako shark at Snug Harbor Sunday.  Matt Conti said, "They were bottom fishing at the East Grounds when the shark started to follow their catch.  They had heavy gear on board so they baited the fish and were able to catch it."  Conti said, "The bluefin tuna bite has moved east to the Fingers and north.  The bite at Tuna Ridge was not very strong this week." 

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing for over 40 years.  He holds a captain's master license and a charter fishing license. Visit Captain Dave's No Fluke website at www.noflukefishing.com or e-mail him with your fishing news and photos at dmontifish@verizon.net.