CENTRAL NEW JERSEY FISHING NEWS - February 6, 2010

It's easy to get threat fatigue, where you downplay a possible threat after constant warnings of fisheries closures, draconian regulations, runaway fisheries management, and apocalyptic, sky-is-falling predictions from enviro-extremists.  Perhaps that is why you may not have a great concern about the future of recreational and commercial fishing in the United States.  After years of bombardment, maybe you are just tired.  Unfortunately, the threat to you and your fishing rod is very real.

The fisheries battlefield is like any other... the protagonists use threat, chaos, doubt and confusion as a weapon and it is intended to wear you down.

What can you do?  You could carefully read volumes of fisheries management documents, try to understand the intricacies of the fisheries sciences, read the posts on the fishing boards, and listen to the fish porn from the enviro-extremists.  You could do all of this with the hope that you can figure it all out and know what to do.  There are indeed fishing folks out there that are doing this, but for most of us, it will boil down to one essential question... DO I REALLY WANT TO GO FISHING?

If your answer is no, the battle is over.  If your answer is yes, then there is hope.


UNITED WE FISH - FISHERMEN TO MARCH ON WASHINGTON, DC (UPDATE)

December 29, 2009 - OPPOSE UNWARRANTED FISHERIES CLOSURES!  The Save The Summer Flounder Fishery Fund (SSFFF), the United Boatmen of New Jersey, the Recreational Fishing Alliance New Jersey Chapter (NJ-RFA) and the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTANJ) have joined forces to arrange for

CHARTER BUSES TO TAKE FISHERMEN to the "UNITED WE FISH" MARCH ON WASHINGTON on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24

The Save The Summer Flounder Fishery Fund web site is now actively selling bus tickets to take you to the Washington, DC event.  The round-trip cost is a very reasonable $32 per person.

You can visit http://ssfff.net/marchondc.html for details
and PURCHASE BUS TICKETS ONLINE at http://ssfff.net/marchondcticketsdirections.html.

Buses will depart FEBRUARY 24 from the following locations...

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS MUNICIPAL MARINA, Simon Lake Drive, Atlantic Highlands, NJ
BOGAN'S DEEP SEA FISHING CENTER, 800 Ashley Ave, Brielle, NJ
SPORTSMEN'S CENTER, 69 US Highway 130, Bordentown, NJ
WILDWOOD FISHING CENTER, 504 West Rio Grande Ave, Wildwood, NJ

More departure locations will be added in early January.


UNITED WE FISH - FISHERMEN TO MARCH ON WASHINGTON, DC

December 17, 2009 - In a show of solidarity, recreational and commercial fishermen, support business owners, families, and community leaders will gather at the steps of our Nation's Capitol on FEBRUARY 24, 2010 from noon to 3:00 PM in an organized demonstration to show Congress a united front and to protest the negative impacts caused by the unintended results of the Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act as revised in 2007.

Overly restrictive fisheries management requirements created by the Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act are based on non-scientific arbitrary deadlines and fatally flawed data collection methods, and are forcing anglers off the water, eliminating commercial fishing, preventing consumers from purchasing locally caught fresh seafood, destroying small family businesses, increasing unemployment, and adversely affecting coastal communities.

The demonstration will urge all elected officials to work together and to join the efforts by the leaders of all coastal states in working for the best interests of fishermen, our coastal communities and the Nation.

The focus is on support of the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009.  HR 1584 is sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone and supported by 25 additional co-sponsors, while the senate version of the bill, S 1255, has been sponsored by Sen. Charles Schumer and has just recently added its first cosponsor, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

This event is being coordinated by many organizations and individuals including the CCGF, FRA, MSSA, NYSF, RFA, SSFFF, United Boatmen of New Jersey, United Boatmen of New York, and more.  Many of these organizations are chartering buses to take you to Washington on FEBRUARY 24.  Check with them for bus trip details.

Date: NOON to 3:00 PM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2010
Location: The U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC
Admission Fee: Nothing but your desire to continue fishing!
For more info, contact the following organizations:

Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen (CCGF) at http://www.conservationfishermen.com/
Fishing Rights Alliance (FRA) at http://www.thefra.org/
Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTANJ) at http://www.mtanj.org/
Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association (MSSA) at http://www.mssa.net/
New York Sportfishing Federation (NYSF) at http://www.nysf.org/
Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) at http://www.joinrfa.org/
Save The Summer Flounder Fishery Fund (SSFFF) at http://www.ssfff.net/
United Boatmen of New Jersey (UBNJ) at http://www.unitedboatmen.com/
United Boatmen of New York (UBNY) at http://www.unitedboatmennewyork.com/


MIKE'S MARITIME MEMORABILIA Department:

November 26, 2009 - Longtime local angler, Mike Daniewicz combed through his extensive collection of vintage party boat photos, postcards and other neat stuff and picked out over 1,200 choice items for our enjoyment.  Depending on how long you have been fishing around the New Jersey and New York area, you (or your dad or granddad) will likely recall a few good memories.

Our seventh annual HOLIDAY EDITION of Mike's Maritime Memorabilia includes sixteen wonderful photos of party fishing vessels dating from 1904 through 2009.  There is something for everyone; from steamers to converted sailing vessels, home ports from Montauk to Cape May, and familiar names to lesser known boats.  We took our time researching these boats and you'll enjoy the rich and interesting history that surrounds them.

If you visited the collection during the last month, we told you there is something wonderful coming... well, just wait until you see the last photo in our Holiday Edition!  We want to make sure you have plenty of time to enjoy this special collection, so our 2009 Holiday Edition will remain on the site from Thanksgiving Day until the New Year.  Thank you for your continued interest and accept our heartfelt wishes for a Very Merry Christmas!

You can see the seventh annual HOLIDAY EDITION of Mike's Maritime Memorabilia on our Just Added page.


SINGIN’ THE BLACK SEA BASS BLUES - November 15, 2009 - It's yet another sad tune from your favorite fisheries management songsters...  Federal waters are closed for Sea Bass from October 5 through April 3, 2010.  Wanna' know what's in store for you after the closure ends?  It's gonna' make you toss your cookies!  The word is that the recreational options on the table for the upcoming Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council meeting on December 8 are as follows:

Option 1.)  A 12.5 inch minimum length, a 25 fish possession limit, and a season from September 1 through October 19.

Option 2.)  A 12.5 inch minimum length, a 25 fish possession limit, and a season from May 19 through August 22.

Option 3.)  A 13 inch minimum length, a 10 fish possession limit, and a season from September 17 through December 31.

Option 4.)  A 12.5 inch minimum length, a 1 fish possession limit, and a season from  September 1 through December 31.

These ridiculous options are the output from our protectors, the fisheries management bureaucrats... Sea Bass are NOT over fished and are ABOVE their rebuilt target, but that doesn't seem to matter.

"To heck with the economy, let's put a bunch of folks out of business and make the rest of the populace suffer!"

Well, if this isn't enough Mad Hatter lunacy for you, then consider that in 2010, you will only be able to keep one measly Weakfish per day.  Oh yeah, need I mention that you can only keep two tiny Winter Flounders per day?  Are you pissed off yet?

The MAFMC meeting is open to the public and if you want to go and give them a piece of your mind, it will be held December 8-10 at the Sheraton Suites Hotel, 422 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801 (302-654-8300).  You can see a copy of the agenda at:
http://www.mafmc.org/press/2009/pr09_21_December_Council%20Agenda.pdf

The SAVE THE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY FUND will be holding an Emergency Public Meeting on December 1 to explain how the SSFFF is addressing the FATALLY FLAWED MRFSS recreational data collection system, the Black Sea Bass Closure, and other fisheries management issues that threaten more restrictive regulations.  The meeting will take place at 7:00 PM DECEMBER 1 at the

MANASQUAN ELKS LODGE #2534
17 Stockton Lake Blvd, Manasquan, NJ 08736

For details, visit the SSFFF web site at http://www.ssfff.net/december1stmeeting.html


SEA BASS UPDATE – On November 6, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) along with a number of party boat operators and other related businesses filed a lawsuit regarding the Sea Bass closure in U.S. District Court for declaratory and injunctive relief with "expedited consideration".  The plaintiffs filed suit on behalf the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic recreational community and the defendants are Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, NOAA and the National Marine Fisheries Service.  A court date has not been announced, but it is highly likely the fall and winter offshore Sea Bass fishing season will be ruined for all - party boats and anglers alike.  Click here to see a full copy of the complaint.

On September 30, the Feds announced a 180 day SEA BASS CLOSURE, and it became effective on October 5 and applies to all federal waters (3 to 200 miles from shore)...

"NOAA announced today the temporary closure of the black sea bass recreational fishery in federal waters north of Cape Hatteras, NC, for 180 days in response to recent landings data that showed recreational fishermen may catch more than double their annual quota by the end of the year.  The closure will commence on Monday, October 5, 2009."

http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/press_release/2009/News/NR0913/index.html

The State of New Jersey followed up with the following announcement on October 2...

"The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is advising recreational anglers that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will be closing the recreational black sea bass fishery in federal waters (3 - 200 miles offshore) effective Monday, October 5, 2009, for the next 180 days."

"New Jersey State waters (0 - 3 miles offshore) are still open for the recreational harvest of black sea bass with a possession limit of 25 fish and a minimum size limit of 12.5 inches.  Also, even though State waters remain open for the black sea bass, party and charter boat operators with a Federal black sea bass permit are prohibited from harvesting black sea bass from both State and Federal waters as of the effective closure date."

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/news/2009/blkseabass_closure.htm

The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is filing a lawsuit, but if it is heard by the courts, it won't be until the end of the year at the earliest (and that will ruin the upcoming offshore Sea Bass fishing for all - party boats and anglers alike.)  The Magnuson-Stevens act has built-in features that make it resistant to lawsuits.

"October 9, 2009 - The RFA has assembled an experienced legal team to take on the case to overturn the federal shutdown of the recreational black sea bass fishery.  The attorneys involved are fishermen themselves who have fought these battles before so they know what it’s going to take to wage this battle.  While litigation is always an uncertainty with no way to guarantee a successful outcome, you can guarantee that if NMFS gets away with this closure, there will be more to come."

"September 28, 2009 - Despite a National Research Council report that the current approach to statistical analysis in the recreational sector is wrought with "serious flaws in design or implementation" and uses "inadequate analysis methods that need to be addressed immediately," the National Marine Fisheries Service continues using "fatally flawed" data to deny the public access to coastal fisheries like red snapper and black sea bass, crippling the recreational fishing industry."

You can read more at http://www.joinrfa.org/.

It is bad enough that the Feds continue to use the flawed MRFSS (Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey) data as the "best available science", but now they want to use this junk data in real time.  The 2009 season hasn't ended yet, but this time, they aren't waiting until 2010 to say that we overfished.  This is a significant and unprecedented change and it implies that they will use this same approach for other species.

The Feds (and the enviros) have repeatedly demonstrated that they don't like fishermen and they don't want us fishing.  Their vision of the future is to turn fishing into an activity where you don't take anything home for the table... you go out fishing, catch a fish, take a photo of the fish, and then toss it back.  It will be a lot like a vacation trip to Yosemite (you take a photo of the rocks, but you don't bring any home.)

Some boatmen have turned in their federal permit so they can continue to fish for Sea Bass in state waters, but that is like sticking your head in the sand and it is a big mistake.  Boatmen are losing their livelihood and anglers are losing the right to fish at every step.  What is it going to take to get folks motivated and do something about this travesty?


WE SHALL NEVER FORGET Department:

September 11, 2009 - Today marks the eighth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  Please take a moment of silence to remember and honor the 2,752 folks that lost their lives on that tragic day.  We also pay tribute to the men and women of our police, firefighters, first aid and all first responders for their bravery and spirit.  May God bless all Americans who gave their lives for our freedom and God bless America.  Amen.


TITAN TILEFISH Department:

For the second time in 2009, the bar is raised for the New Jersey state record Golden Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps).  In May 2009, Dwayne Sherard set a new NJ state record for Tilefish with a 59 pound 3 ounce specimen.  On August 17, 2009, Dennis Muhlenforth from Hockessin, DE was fishing aboard Captain Jeff Gutman's VOYAGER from Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.  They were on one of their offshore Tilefish trips and Dennis got a big bite at the Lindenkohl canyon.  After a back-and-forth twenty minute battle, a huge Tilefish appeared at the surface and was quickly gaffed and brought aboard.

The titan Tilefish was later weighed at Dave Arbeitman's REEL SEAT tackle shop in Brielle, NJ and came in at a whopping 63 pounds 8 ounces!  Dennis' Tilefish is not only the current New Jersey State Record fish (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/recfish-salt.htm), but also the IGFA All -Tackle WORLD RECORD Tilefish.  Congratulations to Dennis and the VOYAGER for a job well done.


WINTER FLOUNDER FINALE:

Winter Flounder fishing is a thing of the past.  Why is that you say?  On May 5, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) approved Addendum I to Amendment 1 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for the Inshore Stocks of Winter Flounder.

And what does this mumbo-jumbo mean?  It means that in mid-June, states are required to submit proposals to meet the new and required Winter Flounder harvest reductions, and you'll see new regulations by November 1, 2009.

Okay, more lousy regulations are in store, but why is Winter Flounder fishing a thing of the past?  The Addendum establishes a two fish recreational bag limit with current size limits and seasons maintained, and a 50 pound possession limit for non-federally permitted commercial fishermen.  Ouch!

The ASMFC estimates the two fish recreational bag limit will achieve approximately a 50 percent reduction in harvest, while the 50 pound commercial possession limit will achieve approximately a 65 percent reduction in harvest.  These new bag and possession limits are low enough to eliminate directed fishing for Winter Flounder.  Kiss that chum pot goodbye!

You can read more at http://www.asmfc.org/press_releases/2009/pr11WinterFlounderAddendumI.pdf


SEA BASS Surprise Department:

Surprise!!!!  Mark N. Mauriello, the New Jersey Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, with the approval of the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council, has increased the Black Sea Bass recreational size limit.

The 2009 New Jersey recreational size minimum for Black Sea Bass is now 12.5 inches (last year, it was 12 inches.)  The season is open all year and the bag limit is 25 fish per day, which is unchanged from last year.


More WINTER FLOUNDER Mumbo-Jumbo:

Back in early February, the Winter Flounder Management Board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) announced they were considering options for rebuilding the Winter Flounder stock in the Mid-Atlantic and South New England regions.  They estimate the stock is at an all time low and at only 9% of their rebuilding target.

In spite of the fact that recreational landings represent 10% of the total catch, the range of proposed management measures includes zero possession limits; decreased recreational bag/size and seasonal limits; and measures to prevent an influx of effort in state waters.

You can read the full text of their "Draft Addendum I to Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for the Inshore Stocks of Winter Flounder" Mumbo-Jumbo at:

http://www.asmfc.org/speciesDocuments/winterFlounder/fmps/draftAddendumIforPublicComment.pdf

As part of this horrible bureaucratic process, public hearings are scheduled and if you attend, you will have the opportunity to stand up and give them a piece of your mind.

New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation
7:00 PM April 9, 2009
205 North Belle Meade Road, Suite 1, East Setauket, NY
For more information, contact Steve Heins at 631-444-0436

New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
7:00 PM April 16, 2009
Ocean County Administration Building, Room 119
101 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ
For more information, contact Tom McCloy at 609-292-7794


In Memoriam - Captain GARY L. BOUCHARD

Captain GARY L. BOUCHARD of the South Amboy, NJ party fishing boat MISTY MORN passed away at home on Friday, April 3, 2009 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  Gary was the founder of the Oulde Spye Marine Corp. and captain and owner of the MISTY MORN, a family owned and operated business for over 20 years.  An avid fisherman and hunter, he was a member of the United Boatmen, and a past president of the Bayview Rod & Gun Club.

Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM Monday, April 6 at The Gundrum Service - Home For Funerals, 237 Bordentown Ave., South Amboy, NJ.  Funeral services will be held 8:45 AM Tuesday, April 7 from the funeral home, followed by a 9:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, South Amboy, NJ.  A private cremation will follow.  Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's Church Food Pantry or the Sayreville Association for Brain Injured Children.





God grant that I may fish until my dying day.
And when it comes to my last cast, I then most humbly pray,
When in the Lord's safe landing net I'm peacefully asleep,
That in his mercy I be judged as big enough to keep.


The FLUKE THAT ROARED (in New York) Update:

As with all states within its jurisdiction, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council have mandated that New York reduce their Summer Flounder (Fluke) harvest from last year.  The 2009 New York recreational Summer Flounder (Fluke) regulations were recently announced by New York Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis for the upcoming recreational fishing season and they are as follows:

Size Limit - 21 inches minimum
Bag Limit - 2 Fluke
Open Season - There will be a split season with an opening from May 15 through June 15, and again from July 3 through August 17.  (That's a total of 78 days.)

By comparison, last year's New York Fluke regulations were a minimum size limit of 20.5 inches, a bag limit of four fish, and an open season from May 15 through September 1 (110 days).

The state of New York believes the harvest reduction is unfair and has filed suit against the federal government.  New York's suit seeks a more equitable Fluke management system.


The Magnuson-Stevens Department:

On March 18, US Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and other lawmakers introduced H.R. 1584 entitled 'The Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009'.  If passed, H.R. 1584 would amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to include limited flexibility for fishery managers when setting annual limits on managed species including Summer Flounder, Black Sea Bass, Pacific Rockfish, Gag Grouper, Red Snapper and others.

Pallone said "This legislation is the best way to rebuild our fisheries without bankrupting tackle shops, party boats and commercial fishermen"  "We should be using sound biology and science when deciding how best to rebuild fish stocks.  Unfortunately, the current process of managing our nation's fisheries is based on arbitrary deadlines set by Congress, which has continued to negatively impact fishing communities."  Co-sponsor, Congressman Frank Adler (D-NJ) added "Fishing is a treasured family tradition for many residents, and for others, it is a source of their livelihood.  I am proud to support a bill that recognizes the needs of recreational and commercial fishermen and implements environmental practices that promote healthy fisheries."  Other co-sponsors of H.R. 1584 are Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Congressman Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) and Congresswoman Virginia Brown-Waite (R-FL).

Language contained in H.R. 1584 amends the Magnuson-Stevens Act and essentially gives the U.S. Secretary of Commerce the discretion to adjust rebuilding timeframes if specific criteria are present to ensure that the conservation of such fish stocks continues to advance.  Here are the criteria:

(I) The biology of the stock of fish, other environmental conditions, or management measures under an international agreement in which the United States participates dictate otherwise;

(II) The Secretary determines the timeframe should be extended because the cause of the fishery decline is outside the jurisdiction of the Council or the rebuilding program cannot be effective only by limiting fishing activities;

(III) The Secretary determines the timeframe should be extended to provide for the sustained participation of fishing communities or to minimize the economic impacts on such communities, provided that there is evidence that the stock of fish is on a positive rebuilding trend;

(IV) the Secretary determines the timeframe should be extended for one or more stocks of fish of a multi-species fishery, provided that there is evidence that those stocks are on a positive rebuilding trend;

(V) The Secretary determines the timeframe should be extended because of a substantial change to the biomass rebuilding target for the stock of fish concerned after the rebuilding plan has taken effect; or

(VI) the Secretary determines the timeframe should be extended because the biomass rebuilding target exceeds the highest abundance of the stock of fish in the preceding 25-year period and there is evidence that the stock is on a positive rebuilding trend.

Additional language in the bill states "in evaluating progress to end overfishing and to rebuild overfished stocks of fish, the Secretary shall review factors, other than commercial fishing and recreational fishing, that may contribute to a stock of fish's overfished status, such as commercial, residential, and industrial development of, or agricultural activity in, coastal areas and their impact on the marine environment, predator/prey relationships of target and related species, and other environmental and ecological changes to the marine conditions."

If H.R 1584 is passed into law, it could be a very good thing... now that we finally have a new Secretary of Commerce.  President Obama's third candidate for Secretary of Commerce, former Washington state Governor Gary Locke, was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 24, 2009.  His initial candidate, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, withdrew in January amid a federal grand jury investigation over 'pay for play' allegations involving a campaign donor, while Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), removed himself from consideration in February, citing irreconcilable differences with Obama's fiscal policy.  Former Secretary of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez's resignation on January 20, 2009 coincided with the end of President George W. Bush's administration.  Gutierrez did not have a great track record for supporting the small commercial fisherman or the recreational fishing industry.  Adios Carlos!

Initially introduced in 2007 in a previous session of Congress, the bill never became law.  Sessions of Congress last two years, and at the end of each session all proposed bills and resolutions that haven't passed are cleared from the books.  Members often reintroduce bills that did not come up for debate under a new number in the next session, and this is the case with H.R. 1584.

Since the bill's original introduction, our economy has tanked, businesses have failed, and many folks have lost their jobs.  H.R. 1584 would surely help the commercial and recreational fishing industries and coastal communities, and give anglers better access to the fish.  To top it off, H.R. 1584 does not require pouring ungodly amounts of taxpayer money down the drain.  You can't beat this deal with a stick (or a fishing rod!)  Hopefully, the bill will gain support in both the House and Senate and become law this time around.


UPDATES - The FLUKE THAT ROARED Department:

The 2nd annual SAVE THE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY FUND Fund-Raising Dinner on March 6 was a BIG SUCCESS!



Close to two hundred folks attended the sold-out benefit held at the Crystal Point in Point Pleasant on Friday, March 6 - and that says a lot given our sagging economy.  The weather was pleasantly mild for early March, the food and beverages were tasty, there were plenty of old friends and new acquaintances to meet, a boatload of fishing tackle was raffled off, and a nice chunk of change went into the SSFFF's war chest for their continuing efforts to keep us all fishing for Summer Flounder.  The event was a successful and pleasant interlude during an otherwise frustrating regulatory situation.  Booyah!



























Guest speakers included Tony Bogan and Ray Bogan representing the SSFFF, US Congressman Frank Pallone, NJ Assemblyman David Rible, Jim Hutchinson Jr., Managing Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance and Dan Furlong, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.



























March 9, 2009 - The 2009 New Jersey recreational Summer Flounder (Fluke) regulations were decided during the March 5 meeting of the NJ Marine Fisheries Council at Galloway, NJ.  Option 5 from the table below was selected.

The 2009 New Jersey recreational regulations are as follows:

Size Limit - 18 inches minimum
Bag Limit - 6 Fluke
Open Season - May 23 through September 4

The 2009 regulations are lousy, but they would have been a lot worse if it were not for the work the Save The Summer Flounder Fishery Fund (SSFFF) did during the past year.  (The scientist hired by the SSFFF found previously missed data points that resulted in the Mid -Atlantic council lowering the target biomass from 197 to 132 million pounds.)  If it wasn't for that, we probably would not have a 2009 Fluke season at all.  There is still a lot of work for the SSFFF to do, so be sure to send them a donation.

February 23, 2009 - According to Tom McCloy, the Administrator for the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Administration, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council Summer Flounder board have mandated that for 2009, New Jersey anglers must suffer a 4% REDUCTION in the SUMMER FLOUNDER quota.  In addition, half of this reduction MUST come from a SEASON CLOSURE.

This disappointing news means that the 2009 Fluke season will NOT be long enough to include both Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends unless there is a mid-season closure.  This also means that simply increasing the minimum size from 18 inches to 18½ inches will likely not be a viable option.

Our angling fate will be decided by a meeting of the Summer Flounder Committee in March.  There are eleven options being considered and they are listed in the table below.  The word from the docks is that boatmen who operate full-day boats prefer option four, and those that operate half-day boats prefer option five.

Option Size Limit (inches) Bag Limit Open Season Reduction from Season Closure Total Reduction 1 18 8 June 6 – September 7 4% 4% 2 18 6 June 1 – September 7 2% 4% 3 18 4 May 31 – September 7 2% 6% 4 18 8 May 23 – September 1 4% 4% 5 18 6 May 23 – September 4 2% 4% 6 18 4 May 23 – September 4 2% 6% 7 18 8 May 15 – July 20 & August 3 – September 13 4% 4% 8 18 6 May 13 – July 20 & August 3 – September 16 2% 4% 9 18 8 May 20 – July 19 & July 30 – September 11 4% 4% 10 18 6 May 18 – July 19 & July 30 – September 13 2% 4% 11 18.5 8 May 9 – October 4   9%

For reference, Memorial Day 2009 is Monday, May 25 and Labor Day 2009 is Monday, September 7.  The 2008 Summer Flounder regulations were an 18-inch size limit, an 8 fish possession limit, and an open season from May 24 to September 7.


Where, Oh Where, Has JOHN GEISER Gone:


In December 2008, long-time fishing columnist John Geiser was forced to leave his job at the Asbury Park Press.  For many decades, John's articles graced the APP's Hook, Line & Sinker fishing column and his articles championed the cause of recreational fishing.  He was an intelligent voice in an otherwise chaotic world of horrible fisheries management and radical environmentalism.

His unceremonious dismissal is a loss for a multitude of New Jersey anglers, and a loss for the Asbury Park Press.
We hope John is doing well and that his articles will again appear in another venue.



WINTER FLOUNDER Mumbo-Jumbo:

Here they come again!  In early February the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission announced the specter of tightening the already onerous recreational fishing regulations for Winter Flounder.

Check out this Mumbo-Jumbo... "The Commission's Winter Flounder Management Board approved the development of Draft Addendum I to Amendment 1 the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for the Inshore Stocks of Winter Flounder.  The Draft Addendum will propose a suite of management measures to reduce fishing mortality on the inshore stocks of winter flounder (0 - 3 miles).  The range of management measures will include zero possession limits; commercial trip limits; recreational bag/size and seasonal limits; and measures to prevent an influx of effort in state waters for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) and Gulf of Maine (GOM) stocks."

If approved, the Draft Addendum will be released for public comment and review in March/April, with state public hearings to be conducted in April.  The Board will meet again in May, to review public comment and advisory panel input, and consider final action on the Addendum.


SCUP Are Fed Up:

In early February, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board approved an increase to the 2009 Scup total allowable landings limit from 7.84 million pounds to 11.18 million pounds, with the commercial quota revised to 8.4 million pounds and the recreational harvest limit revised to 2.6 million pounds.  This action is based on the results of a recent review of the scup stock assessment which indicates that the scup resource is rebuilt (population estimated to be 130 percent of its target biomass) and overfishing is not occurring.

However, the Board recommended that state fisheries managers consider a cautious approach in setting increased quotas.  Given this advice, the states chose to maintain their recreational management measures for the 2009 fishery.  What does this mean?  It means that even though the Scup stocks are more than rebuilt, recreational anglers will likely not see any benefit this year.


THE FLUKE THAT ROARED Department:

Summer Flounder (Fluke) stocks are in good shape and the biomass is at the highest levels ever recorded.  However, we cannot say the same thing for the fishery.  In spite of great progress in rebuilding Summer Flounder stocks, another round of federal quota cuts are on the way for 2009 and the National Marine Fisheries Service has threatened to ban fishing for Summer Flounder.

In 2005, the federal Summer Flounder quota was 30.3 million pounds; for 2006, the National Marine Fisheries Service cut the quota 22% to 23.6 million pounds and for 2007, they cut the quota 38% to 17.11 million pounds.

The proposed 2008 federal quota for Summer Flounder is 15.77 million pounds, an 8% reduction from this year's 17.11 million pound quota.  This doesn't sound too bad, but when you consider that environmental zealots are urging the fisheries managers to reduce the Summer Flounder quota to 11.7 million pounds, it is a whopping 46% reduction!

This bizarre situation is yet another example of a fisheries management system that is rigid to a fault, unrealistic, filled with incorrect assumptions, bad science, inaccurate and conflicting fisheries data, and influenced by a small, but powerful and well-endowed group of national environmental zealots who are more interested in preservation instead of conservation.

We all want sustainable fisheries so that we can continue to enjoy fishing and ensure that our kids can do likewise when they grow up, but this situation is ridiculous and the time has come to stop it.  Make no mistake... changing the government juggernaut will be a very difficult task, but we can win if we speak out and put our money where our mouths are.



You can help by supporting the SAVE THE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY FUND.   It is a non-profit organization made up of party and charter boat owners, tackle and bait shop owners, tackle distributors, bait wholesalers and others whose livelihoods are dependent on a healthy and vibrant recreational fishing industry.  For plenty of additional information, visit the organization's web site at
www.SSFFF.net .

The SAVE THE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY FUND has two important goals:

1. Support H.R. 5425, which is a legislative intervention that will allow fisheries managers a reasonable level of REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY.  The organization will work with existing angling lobbying organizations and public sport fishing advocacy groups such as the Recreational Fishing Alliance who have the structure and contacts already in place, along with the proven ability to get things done in Washington.

2. Generate private funds for a COMPREHENSIVE SCIENTIFIC STOCK REVIEW.  The organization will hire independent marine scientists to generate the data needed to prove that the current summer flounder population targets and stock rebuilding deadlines are dangerously punitive, ridiculous in their intention and truly unnecessary.

Right now, the organization needs your financial support to fund these political and scientific goals.  Please send your donation to:


SAVE THE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY FUND
PO Box 86
Brielle, NJ 08730


YOUR BUCK$ AT WORK:

The SSFFF has hired internationally recognized fisheries biologist Mark Maunder, Ph.D .  His research specialties include the development of statistical methodology for fisheries stock assessment, protected species and ecological modeling, and he is a recognized leader in the development of methodology for fisheries stock assessment and population dynamics modeling.  Dr. Maunder will review the current Summer Flounder Stock Assessment and methodologies, and attend the upcoming Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) for Summer Flounder in June 2008.

Mels-Place.com supports the SAVE THE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY FUND and we encourage you to make a donation.


More Fallout from the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act:

Here comes the National Saltwater Angler Registry!  Saltwater recreational anglers fishing in federal waters would be required to register with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) under a proposed rule issued June 11, 2008.  In addition, anglers fishing in state waters where anadromous species, such as striped bass, shad, or herring are found would also be required to register.  The registry purportedly would help fill gaps in recreational fishing data.

Anglers in states that have a state-issued saltwater recreational fishing license could be exempt from the requirement under a waiver from NOAA Fisheries, but some state license programs may not be accepted for the exemption.

A blanket license for charter boats and headboats exempts anglers on for-hire vessels from the registration requirement.  (However, the fine print of the proposed rule indicates that some for-hire boats operating in New Jersey may not be covered by the exemption.)

Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine do not have a saltwater license and the proposed National Saltwater Angler Registry may be a strong incentive to adopt a license.

NOAA Fisheries has proposed that the registry requirement take effect for the 2009 fishing season.  Beginning in 2011, the federal agency would charge a registration fee, estimated at between $15 and $25.

Sardonic commentary - Yet another bureaucratic tour-de-force from NOAA Fisheries and their bosses at the federal Department of Commerce to better our angling experience.  I wonder if mug shots and fingerprinting are included?

For more information and to give NOAA Fisheries a piece of your mind, see
http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/mrip/aboutus/organization/anglerteam.html


THE ROGUES GALLERY

"Keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer."   These are the environmental groups, foundations and trusts who claim that they are working for the good of commercial fishermen, recreational anglers and the public, and that flexibility in the fisheries management process will make things worse.  Baloney!  They and their deeply funded activists are responsible for the lawsuits forcing the National Marine Fisheries Service and other governmental groups to rigidly adhere to arbitrary and unrealistic stock rebuilding goals and schedules.

PEW CHARITABLE TRUST

This is the 900-pound gorilla of the rogues gallery and it bankrolls the rest of the groups listed below and many others not shown.  The Pew Trust was established by the children of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew and has over $5 billion in assets.  In 2004, the Pew Trusts changed from a foundation into a nonprofit organization.  As such, it can now raise funds freely and devote up to 20% of its budget to lobbying the public sector.  The Pew Trust also funds the Pew Research Center, the third-largest think tank in Washington DC.  In 2006, the Pew Trust had over $670 million in revenues, dispensed nearly $150 million in grants and spent about $50 million to administer their programs.  They are indeed a well endowed and powerful adversary.

2005 Market Street, Suite 1700, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-575-9050
http://www.pewtrusts.com/

MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK
Suite 210, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003
866-823-8552
http://www.conservefish.org/

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
212-505-2100
http://www.edf.org/ or http://www.environmentaldefense.org/

THE OCEAN CONSERVANCY
2029 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
800-519-1541
http://www.oceanconservancy.org/

CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION
62 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110
617-350-0990
http://www.clf.org/

Ask them some hard questions on how they are spending your donations.  They wrongfully portray fishermen (YOU) as greedy and uncaring about the future of any fishery.  Fishing is an environmental issue to them and they don't want you to fish.  Treat them accordingly.


SUPPORT OUR TROOPS Department:  You can help support our brave troops that are far away from home.  Steer your browser over to the USO (United Service Organizations) web site at www.USO.org.
A nonprofit, congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on our generosity to deliver its special brand of comfort, morale and recreational services to service members and their families during the last sixty-five years.  Stop on by and spread some cheer.  We wish our troops a speedy return to their homes, their families, and their fishing poles.



Contribute to Operation USO Care Package

www.usocares.org






THE BIG QUESTION Department:

Is our fisheries management too important to be left to fishermen?  It must be so, since we continuously suffer the consequences of the decisions made by our federal fisheries bureaucrats.  Unfortunately, these non-elected fishery managers control the federal system and through their mandates, indirectly control the state systems too.  Most importantly, they are not required to directly report to our elected officials and apparently can do what they want without consequence or culpability.

The federal fisheries management system is broken or in bureaucratic vernacular, fatally flawed.  The system is rigid to a fault, unrealistic, filled with incorrect assumptions, bad science, inaccurate and conflicting fisheries data, and influenced by a small, but powerful and well-endowed group of national environmental zealots who are more interested in preservation instead of conservation.

By now, it should be clear to all recreational fishermen, party boat operators, charter boat operators, marina operators, tackle shop owners, tackle distributors, bait wholesalers, tackle manufacturers and anyone else that makes a livelihood directly or indirectly from recreational fishing activities, that WE ARE THE ENDANGERED SPECIES!   The only goal fisheries management bureaucrats have is to eliminate recreational fishing.  They are unfairly picking on the fishing community by mandating ever-harsher regulations that reduce fishing seasons, increase minimum sizes and reduce possession limits for an ever-increasing variety of fish.

Unfortunately, as a group, recreational anglers are splintered and fragmented, and are always in a reactive mode; we jump up and down and scramble every time we hear that a new regulation is coming (and new regulations are arriving with alarming frequency.)  We meet with the bureaucrats to explain our case, we show them contrary data, and we let them know that they are affecting our quality of life.  Alas, our plea falls on deaf bureaucratic ears.

The federal fisheries management system has created debacles with Winter Flounder, Fluke, Striped Bass, Blackfish and Tuna fisheries, and will soon wreak havoc with Weakfish, American Eel, Croaker, Herring and Bluefish.  Enough already!

The fisheries bureaucrats are running amok all across the country and the crazy thing about this is that we have not heard a peep from any of the TACKLE MANUFACTURERS!  You would think that they would be very concerned; if we cannot fish, they will not be able to sell us their fishing rods, reels, lures and all of the other goodies.  Where are you Shimano, Penn, Calstar, Accurate, Berkley, Loomis, Plano, Eagle Claw, PowerPro, Mustad, Ande, Braid, Jinkai, Quantum, Sampo, Abu Garcia, Owner, Momoi, Spro and Daiwa???


SEA GULL DROPPINGS (or Why The Tops Of Pilings Are White) Department:

Hunting and fishing are our rights - they are NOT environmental issues.  If you think you are being cheated by unfair regulations, let your elected representatives know.

Here are some links, addresses and telephone numbers for the elected officials in our region.  Please note that the United States Postal Office irradiates snail mail for security reasons and this delays delivery by a minimum of two weeks.  Most of the following links connect you to the representative's e-mail contact page.  Give them a piece of your mind!

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine • Office of the Governor, PO Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625 • (609) 292-6000

New York Governor David A. Paterson • State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224 • (518) 474-8390

US Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ) • 324 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 • (202) 224-3224

US Senator Robert Menendez (NJ) • 528 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 • (202) 224-4744

US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) • 531 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 • (202) 224-4451

US Senator Charles E. Schumer (NY) • 313 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 • (202) 224-6542

US Congressman Robert E. Andrews (NJ, District 1) • 2439 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-6501

US Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ, District 2) • 225 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-6572

US Congressman John Adler (NJ, District 3) • 2217 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-4765

US Congressman Christopher H. Smith (NJ, District 4) • 2373 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-3765

US Congressman Scott Garrett (NJ, District 5) • 1318 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-4465

US Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ, District 6) • 420 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-4671

US Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ, District 7) • 214 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-5361

US Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. (NJ, District 8) • 2464 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 • (202) 225-5751

US Congressman Steven R. Rothman (NJ, District 9) • 2303 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 • (202) 225-5061

US Congressman Donald M. Payne (NJ, District 10) • 2209 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-3436

US Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (NJ, District 11) • 2442 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-5034

US Congressman Rush D. Holt (NJ, District 12) • 1019 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-5801

US Congressman Albio Sires (NJ, District 13) • 1024 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-7919

Click here to write your Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives

While you’re in the swing of things, you can write to members of the New Jersey Senate and Assembly by clicking here.

For more regulatory madness on our fisheries, see our It's the Law page.  More on these unsavory topics as they unfold and hold your nose while we pass out week-old squid for your bait cup.


Welcome to the Codfish Ball!

Click here to see some pictures of our gang fishing aboard Captain Joe Huckemeyer's
"HELEN H" from Hyannis, MA. The target... George's Bank Cod.

Come along and follow me
To the bottom of the sea
We'll join in the jamboree
At the Codfish Ball.

Finnan haddie lead the eel
Through an Irish reel,
The catfish is a dancing man,
But he can't can-can like a sardine can!

Tunas truck-in' left and right
Minnies moochin' what a night!
There won't be a hook in sight
At the Codfish Ball.


Follow these links if you want to see our 2003 or 2004 Codfish Ball photos.


NEW STUFF Department:   We add new fishing links every time we update the site.  We simply stumble upon a lot of new stuff, but often, our readers send us a few hints too.  (Thanks!)  Click here to see the new saltwater fishing links that we recently added.