Angling community sends striped bass conservation message

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), that managers fish in state waters (three miles offshore and inland), held public hearings on a Public Information Document (PID) designed to set the table for a striped bass amendment (Amendment 7) that will be used to develop a striped bass Fisheries Management Plan (FMP). Massachusetts held their hearing on Thursday, March 18 and Rhode Island on Wednesday, March 17.

Angler after angler testifying at the hearings asked the ASMFC to be more conservation focused when managing striped bass.  Anglers were critical about many of the directions suggested in the PID as well as what was missing.

The PID did not recognize fully that recreational anglers fish for striped bass for the challenge of catching them and not necessarily to harvest them to eat. The value of having them in the water rather than dead on a dock, affording anglers the opportunity to catch them, is what drives the recreational striped bass fishery.  90 percent of the striped bass fishery is catch and release.

Fish managers through the Amendment process need to quantify the value of the wellbeing that this fishery brings anglers. I believe the commission needs to ramp up social science input to underhand this dynamic of catch and release as it is dominate in this fishery has well as others (bluefish, shark fishing, etc.). Some of this research exists (more is needed), but for some reason it was totally missed in the PID.

Additionally, climate change impacts and eco-system based management on striped bass should be part of an Amendment but was not discussed. For example comments made pertaining to the abundance of small six inch fish, particularly in the spring in Rhode Island and Massachusetts waters was mentioned. Anglers related it was hard to believe these small fish traveled from recognized spawning ground in the Chesapeake Bay and Hudson River areas. So if we are having local spawns like this does this mean climate changes are impacting spawning and can anything be down to accommodate more spawning in our waters.

Comments from the angling public overwhelming pointed out the failures of the commission to manage the striped bass fishery in an effective way.

Richard Hittinger, 1st vice president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Angles Association (RISAA), said, “We are disappointed on how this stock has been managed. We rebuilt this stock and now due to the Commission’s inaction we are in an overfished and overfishing condition with the stock in big trouble.”

Peter Jenkins, chairman of the board of the American Saltwater Guides Association and owner of the Saltwater Edge online and retail tackle shop in Middletown, RI, asked that the amendment do more to protect this species. Jenkins said, “For example conservation equivalency has been a total failure with striped bass. Allowing states to take more fish, a different regulation than we have coast wide, has led to overfishing in those states with no consequences. States like Maryland have overfished by 217 percent with no consequence the next year. We are against conservation equivalency with stocks that are overfished or where overfishing is occurring. In cases where it is allowed there have to be consequences for states that do not meet their stated goals (payback the next year?).”

Rick Bellavance, charter boat operator and president of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association, said, “I ask that the fishery be managed for all including those that want to take these fish as meat.” Jason Jarvis, commercial fishermen, for hire mate and recreational fisher said, “Climate impacts are something we need to look into with striped bass as I agree we are catching an abundance of small fish in the Westley area too.

The RISAA (www.risaa.org) and the American Saltwater Guides Association (www.saltwatrguidesassociaton.com) have Amendment 7 public Information Document informaiton on their websites including links to the Commission’s landing page and their respective positions on the amendment.

Anglers are urged to comment and have until April 9 to do so. The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding this document during the public comment period. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. (EST) on April 9, 2021. Mail, fax, or email written comments to Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, 1050 North Highland Street, Suite 200A-N Arlington, Virginia 22201. Fax: 703.842.0741 or by email to comments Striped Bass PID) If you have any questions call Emilie Franke at 703.842.0740.

Big Game Fishing Charters Inshore

We all take pride in doing a good job but having your peers and customers recognize you is the ultimate for a charter caption. Capt. Brian Bacon and his crew received the “2017 Charter Captains of the Year” award by Sport Fishing Magazine.  It does not stop there ... Brian has successful targeted big fish offshore and inshore and this Monday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. he will share his thoughts on ‘Targeting Rhode Island’s Inshore Species’ at a RI Saltwater Anglers Association online seminar. Capt. Bacon plans to address strategies and tactics when fishing for black sea bass, summer flounder and other inshore species.

RISAA members attend free, it’s easy to join at www.risaa.org. Non-members are welcome with a $10 donation to the RISAA Scholarship Fund. For information contact Steve Medeiros, president, at 401.826.2121 or steve@risaa.org.

Where’s the bite?

Freshwater fishing is starting to heat up as all look for an early start of the trout season. Last year Opening Day was a week early, many hope the same will be true this year. I did find out at press time that DEM does NOT plan on staggering fishing days this year but social distancing, masks, etc. are in play.  Right now it is scheduled for Saturday, April 10. Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, “The demand is there, and we have been selling licenses all month. Whenever it is warm (50 degrees) customers come and shop. We have a few anglers targeting white perch and largemouth bass.”  Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence, said, “Customers are fishing and doing well with shite perch and crappie at Turner Reservoir, East Providence and at Roger Williams Park, Providence.” “Customers are buying combination rigs (rods and reels), new reels and are focusing on fresh water buying a lot of shiners. All are waiting for DEM to announce some opening day news.” said John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside.

Cod fishing. Party boats fishing for cod this winter (weather permitting include) the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com , the Seven B’s at www.sevenbs.com, and the Island Current at www.islandcurrent.com . 

Dave Monti holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. He is a RISAA board member, a member of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association, the American Saltwater Guides Association and the RI Marine Fisheries Council. Forward fishing news and photos to Capt. Dave at dmontifish@verizon.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.