Pebbles
07-14-2011, 01:10 PM
Bad news on blackfish
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is calling for a 56 percent reduction in the coastwide harvest of blackfish effective Jan. 1, 2012. The reduction has the potential to create even more trouble for an already beleaguered fishery, especially in New York.
Based on the ASMFC's requirements, New York's coastal anglers could face a complete closure of the spring fishery and a fall season starting on Oct. 1 and lasting, at most, 46 days. Tonight, the New York Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) is meeting to discuss six possible options for the 2012 season.
Currently, New York's saltwater anglers actively fish on a fairly modest 159-day blackfish season with a four-fish bag and 14-inch size limit. Next year, fishermen can expect to see an extra inch or two added to the minimum size limit in addition to the reduction of fishable days.
While that’s the situation in New York, that doesn’t mean New Jersey anglers can breathe any easier. All states must submit reduction proposals to the ASMFC by July 15 and we’ll see what New Jersey will offer in terms of options to meet the target.
The truly sad part of this blackfish debacle is that these reductions are based on harvest data generated by the Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey (MRFSS) which has been deemed “fatally flawed” by scientific peer review in 2006 and was to be replaced by Act of Congress as of 2009. The Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmoshpheric Administration (NOAA) are responsible for implementing the new data collection system.
According to Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), New York anglers and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation have little recourse right now but to follow the ASMFC directive given the mid-July deadline for submission of state options.
“NOAA’s Eric Schwaab just told a national sportfishing magazine that the new methodology ‘could’ be ready for rollout sometime in 2012,” Donofrio said, adding “I hope that Mr. Schwaab understands that we all could be out of business by the time his agency gets around to meeting their requirement.”
Out on the water, Capt. Joseph Bogan of the Jamaica II reported a very good week of fluke fishing with a lot of 5-to-7-pound fish caught. Fred Morris of Ewing had his limit of fluke up to 7 pounds along with five sea bass, and Big Lou Kaiser, Manchester had five fluke up to 7pounds, 3 ounces. Regular Pete Talevi, Trenton, has his limit of fish to 6 pounds and Chris Walootz had his limit up to 5 pounds.
Capt. Carmine Monaco of the Lucky Carm, Keyport, reported his last two charters got into the fluke pretty good up in Raritan Bay. The John Bonicci Charter, with John Bonicci, Jr. leading the way, got fluke up to 3½ pounds. Bonicci Jr. was a fish short of his limit. The Anthony Liloa Charter landed fluke up to 5½ pounds.
Capt. Monaco said there are plenty of fish and lots of shorts.
“You just have to work the bucktails hard for some keepers,’’ he said.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is calling for a 56 percent reduction in the coastwide harvest of blackfish effective Jan. 1, 2012. The reduction has the potential to create even more trouble for an already beleaguered fishery, especially in New York.
Based on the ASMFC's requirements, New York's coastal anglers could face a complete closure of the spring fishery and a fall season starting on Oct. 1 and lasting, at most, 46 days. Tonight, the New York Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) is meeting to discuss six possible options for the 2012 season.
Currently, New York's saltwater anglers actively fish on a fairly modest 159-day blackfish season with a four-fish bag and 14-inch size limit. Next year, fishermen can expect to see an extra inch or two added to the minimum size limit in addition to the reduction of fishable days.
While that’s the situation in New York, that doesn’t mean New Jersey anglers can breathe any easier. All states must submit reduction proposals to the ASMFC by July 15 and we’ll see what New Jersey will offer in terms of options to meet the target.
The truly sad part of this blackfish debacle is that these reductions are based on harvest data generated by the Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey (MRFSS) which has been deemed “fatally flawed” by scientific peer review in 2006 and was to be replaced by Act of Congress as of 2009. The Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmoshpheric Administration (NOAA) are responsible for implementing the new data collection system.
According to Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), New York anglers and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation have little recourse right now but to follow the ASMFC directive given the mid-July deadline for submission of state options.
“NOAA’s Eric Schwaab just told a national sportfishing magazine that the new methodology ‘could’ be ready for rollout sometime in 2012,” Donofrio said, adding “I hope that Mr. Schwaab understands that we all could be out of business by the time his agency gets around to meeting their requirement.”
Out on the water, Capt. Joseph Bogan of the Jamaica II reported a very good week of fluke fishing with a lot of 5-to-7-pound fish caught. Fred Morris of Ewing had his limit of fluke up to 7 pounds along with five sea bass, and Big Lou Kaiser, Manchester had five fluke up to 7pounds, 3 ounces. Regular Pete Talevi, Trenton, has his limit of fish to 6 pounds and Chris Walootz had his limit up to 5 pounds.
Capt. Carmine Monaco of the Lucky Carm, Keyport, reported his last two charters got into the fluke pretty good up in Raritan Bay. The John Bonicci Charter, with John Bonicci, Jr. leading the way, got fluke up to 3½ pounds. Bonicci Jr. was a fish short of his limit. The Anthony Liloa Charter landed fluke up to 5½ pounds.
Capt. Monaco said there are plenty of fish and lots of shorts.
“You just have to work the bucktails hard for some keepers,’’ he said.