No Fluke

Managing the big picture is big news this year

By Captain Dave Monti
Posted 2/17/16

Protecting forage fish because of their critical role in the ecosystem and taking climate change into account when establishing fishing regulations is a forward looking way to safeguard our ocean …

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No Fluke

Managing the big picture is big news this year

Posted

Protecting forage fish because of their critical role in the ecosystem and taking climate change into account when establishing fishing regulations is a forward looking way to safeguard our ocean resources. It is called eco-system based management and it is the type of approach our nation needs as we consider renewing our federal fishing law, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act this year in Congress.

Local New England examples of the need for ecosystem-based management include the interrelationship of Atlantic menhaden and scup as well as striped bass, blue fish and tuna.

One of Rhode Island’s foremost fish managers and marine biologists, Jason McNamee, chief of the Marine Fisheries Division of the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM), is developing one of the first local models used to understand the relations between local species.

McNamee, along with colleagues at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography, developed a new multi-species statistical catch-at-age model on Atlantic menhaden, striped bass, bluefish, weakfish and scup. The study model is demonstrating the relationship between forage fish and predators. McNamee is building one of the first models that will help us understand the relationship between species.

The relationship between Atlantic menhaden and striped bass is one that local fishermen have notice for as long as I have been fishing.

Another local example demonstrating the need for ecosystem-based management is our changing climate in New England and the resulting warming water, which has facilitated an enhanced abundance of warm water fish in our area, such as summer flounder and black sea bass (BSB) and the departure of cold water fish such as cod.

Many anglers believe fish mangers have not fully considered the impact of climate change has had on BSB as they have proliferated our waters, yet fishing regulations have lagged behind with conservative commercial and recreational harvest limits.

This big-picture method of managing is something we as anglers need to advocate for with our congressional delegation as they consider renewing (or reauthorizing) the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Fly casting clinic April 23

The Rhode Island School of Fly Fishing (www.RISchoolofFlyFishing.com) will be conducting a half-day fly casting clinic on April 23 in Colt State Park, Bristol, Rhode Island. Check-in/registration will start at 8 a.m. with the classes running from 9 a.m. until noon.

The instructors will be Capt. John Lemont, Capt. Bob Hines and Capt. Jim Barr. John and Jim are Certified Fly Casting Instructors as qualified by the International Federation of Fly Fishers/Livingston, Mont.

The class will be limited to 15 students so that we have a good instructor to student ratio, guaranteeing considerable individual attention. The classes will consist of two tracks, one for beginners and the other for intermediate/advanced casters. Students are encouraged to bring their own equipment, however, rods will be available for students who do not have their own. 

The tuition for the class is $50 per student. For further information and registration please contact Capt. Jim Barr at the Rhode Island School of Fly Fishing, 401-465-8751, or email: JamesBarrRI@gmail.com.

 

How to land spring striped bass

If you like to fish for spring striped bass don’t miss the “Fishing for Spring Striped Bass” seminar at the R.I. Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) meeting Monday, Feb. 29, 7 p.m. at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick. Striped bass experts Capt. Randy Bagwell of River Rebel Charters, Capt. Eric Thomas of Teezer 77 Guide Service and local striper surfcasting expert Dennis Zambrotta will conduct a panel discuss on how to land these spring prizes from shore or boat.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Non-members are requested to make a $10 donation to the RISAA Marine Fisheries College Scholarship Fund and RISAA members attend free. Optional dinner will be served by the West Valley Inn from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Visit www.risaa.org for additional information.

 

Grover Fugate to address Trout Unlimited on Ocean SAMP program

The Narragansett Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU225) will hold its February 2016 monthly membership meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, 6:30 p.m., at the Coventry/West Greenwich Elks Lodge, 42 Nooseneck Hill Road (Rte. 3, Exit 6 off of Rte. 95), West Greenwich, R.I.

Grover Fugate, a TU225 member and executive director of the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) will present on Rhode Island’s Ocean Special Area Management Plan (Ocean SAMP). The program is Rhode Island’s ocean spatial plan for how to both develop and implement a program that gives Rhode Islanders a significant role in determining how the state’s offshore waters should be developed.

The SAMP program as fully as possible tries to understand how the ocean waters off of Rhode Island are already being used by people and wildlife, develop regulations to minimize conflict between the varied uses, determine where offshore renewable energy should be sited and managed and gain public approval and buy-in for the process and its future goals. The Ocean SAMP helped guide the location of Rhode Island’s first offshore wind farm in state waters off Block Island and will direct the future location of utility-scale wind farms in Rhode Island Sound. This plan is evolving into the leading national model for how to both develop and implement such a plan.

Contact chapter president, Ron Marafioti, at (401) 463-6162, with any questions.

Where’s the bite

Not much fishing occurred this past week due to the cold and windy weather. Party boats sailing for cod fish at this time include the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com, the Seven B’s (with Capt. Andy Dangelo at the helm) at www.sevenbs.com, and the Island Current at www.islandcurrent.com.

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.

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    Saturday, February 27, 2016 Report this