CFMC UPDATES
In the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC)'s bulletin you will find announcements, facts about marine species, and valuable information on fishing and regulations that rule this activity in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Species known as diamondback squid (Thysanoteuthis rhombus) and neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) are distributed along the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. They can live a year, approximately, and weigh 15 - 45 pounds, although they can reach 60 pounds. These squids inhabit deep waters, around 3,000 feet depth or more, beyond the island shelf.
Also, they can be found while fishing for queen snapper (Etelis oculatus), wenchmen (Pristimoides macrotalphmus l ) d df h ( iphias gladius). If you fish for these species, ad alternative.
Marcos Hanke fishing for squid.
Sautéed squid with vegetables.
ABOUT THE LURES: Squid jigs have 2 reinforced squid hooks of a diameter 2 inch minimum. One of the lures has neutral flotation (light weight) and the other should be heavy, weighting 4 – 8 pounds. The lures are made out of wood, plastic bottles, and metal bars, but also can be bought online. For more details, we invite you to read the deep-water squid fishing fact sheet. Please, request the fact sheet sending an email to cristina.olan.cfmc@gmail.com.
Squid recipe, shared in the 2021 CFMC Calendar
in Porto d in Rico. He irman m an early es in his e, his ke him oat or her, there x, who o fish and Marcos g as a
“Uncle Alex taught me passion for fishing; even more, he activated the fisher’s gene that was already living in me Fishing is a life process Since I was two years old, I enjoyed “fishing,” and then, I enjoyed what fishing offered me: good friends and lots of peace of mind,” Marcos told us.
This family hobby became an income source for Marcos and made way for 787
Fishing. For over 30 years, Marcos has been involved in the charter industry, first through shore fishing and then in boats. Marcos manages and operates his charter business. Recreational fishing is still part of his life and his leisure time. His customers are mainly recreational fishers looking for a unique experience at sea.
“Charter business means hard work and it comes with a great responsibility. It serv as a guide to hundre of recreational customers that learn how to use fishing resources responsibl We are a hybrid between commercial and recreational fishers,” Marcos said when talking about h business.
The charter business allows me to develop fishing strategies and adapt to challenges in nature. Also, it allows me to meet more people and share a message about conservation and responsible use of fishing resources. What I like the most about my business is to develop new and sustainable fishing techniques,” Marcos explained. Marcos also has a Marine and Coastal Biology degree from the University of Puerto Rico, Humacao Campus. He also teaches courses on fishing resources and participates in research projects.
His business keeps him always updated on topics related to recreational and sportfishing, a very important sector of Puerto Rico’s fishing activity. Operating a fishing charter allows him to appreciate every day the value of this fishing sector.
“Recreational fishing is one of the ways to foster mental health and connection with nature. Recreational fishing can be a positive experience if you are sensitive to others and to nature processes, ” Marcos commented.
Aside from his business, Marcos fishes with his family His wife and daughters enjoy fishing and particularly, the youngest daughter loves cooking and eating fish.
Marcos likes all types of fishing gears and techniques. However, fly fishing is the one that he is most passionate for. “It is important to know the natural dynamic of things to mimic the bait’s natural movement,” Marcos told us For him, fly fishing is the purest and most challenging expression of sportfishing
Marcos has shared his fishing experience and knowledge as a biologist for the benefit of fishers and the CFMC
For over 18 years, he has been collaborating with the CFMC and has been a member of the Council, member to the Puerto Rico District Advisory Panel, Vice-Chair and Chair of the CFMC. He has served as CFMC Chair for 4 years to the present As an active fisher in the CFMC, Marcos recommends to all fishers–commercial and recreational– “attending meetings and above all, send their claims and concerns in writing, preferably as a group. ”
Just like many other fishers, Marcos has seen changes in the marine environment. These changes affect fishing and generate great concern
“Currently, the most evident change is the massive sargassum blooms in the Caribbean, which affect the movement of the bait and many aspects of fishing. Seasons have changed and I am worried about the effect of the larvae and juvenile mortality in areas of huge accumulation of sargassum. Sargassum blooms affect water quality and could kill fish and invertebrates. On the other hand, there are changes that, over time, you learn to recognize as part of natural cycles," Marcos explained.
Amidst these changes, Marcos honors the oldest fishers and gives a le f g p d b
Experience at sea is very valuable, but Marcos also recommends younger fishers to read, study, be safe at sea, and don't imitate some practices without studying them first. To Marcos it is important that young fishers “give an extra mile and generate new uses and techniques. Likewise, Marcos reminds us that fishing is “life philosophy; if you don't do the right thing, you will hurt your success and the future of fishing. You should be fair, conscious, and resilient.”
“Fishing is my life,” Marcos ended.
