Making Waves - Spring 2018

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MakingWaves Waves Spring Summer 2016 Making 2018

The Official Publication of the Recreational Fishing Alliance

MSA Reform & The Process Pharmaceuticals Pollution in Fish Meet Ellen Peel of The Billfish Foundation Buc Cup Tally - Manhattan Cup Ahead The Latest on Modern Fish Act VTR Data Goes Digital

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Making Waves Spring 2018

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MakingWaves Waves Spring Summer 2016 Making 2018

The Official Publication of the Recreational Fishing Alliance

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

By Gary Caputi

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elcome to another jam-packed issue of Making Waves.

The most recent good news is that the Modern Fish Act has passed the next hurdle--being approved by the Senate Commerce Committee. However, the victory is short-lived as there is a lot of work to do to get it through a floor vote. See Jim Donofrio's column to get the low-down on how the process works and what challenges lie ahead.

Capt. Mike Pierdenock penned a sobering article on the buildup of pharmaceuticals in our waters and the fish we catch through the improper disposal of those materials and inadequate waste water treatments that allow these harmful substances to leech into rivers and ultimately the ocean.

There's a fascinating interview with Ellen Peel, the president of The Billfish Foundation, and a frequent ally in the fight for the conservation of pelagic species and preserving recreational access to these fisheries.

Big doings for our members, friends and supporters in the New York Metropolitan area is the rebirth of a great, all release, striped bass tournament--the Manhattan Cup. The RFA is sponsoring and underwriting the tournament with Capt. Frank Crescitelli, the originator of the event. See page 14 for more details, you don't want to miss out.

One additional piece of unwelcome news was the passing of fishing legend, Capt. Bart "Black Bart" Miller earlier this month. You can read the last interview conducted with him as part of a tribute in this issue.

Those are just the highlights fellow RFA members. Here's a reminder--if you're fishing friends and family who aren't RFA members, now's an opportune time to encourage them to join. There's strength in numbers, especially when dealing with political issues like we do.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Publisher’s Desk

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Exec. Director's Report: MSA Reform & Menhaden Management

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RFA PAC Explained

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Breaking News: Modern Fish Act Passes in Senate

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RFA Profile: Ellen Peel of

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The Manhattan Cup is Back- Here's a sneak peak

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Health Scare: Pharmaceuticals Pollution in Fish

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The Facts About the Modern Fish Act

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Breaking News: Fore-Hire Electronic Reporting

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55th Buccaneer Cup Round-up & Winners

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Preventing Seasickness

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A Tribute to Capt. Bart Miller And His Last Interview

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RFA News & Views

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About the Cover A black marlin struts its stuff on the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea.

Photo Credit: Gary Caputi

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MakingWaves Waves Spring Summer 2016 Making 2018

Executive Director’s Report

By Jim Donofrio

THE PROCESS: What's Next for Passage of the Modern Fish Act

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couple weeks ago the Senate Commerce Committee approved S. 1520, Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017. The bill and its two amendments were approved by voice vote.

When a committee approves an amendment or bill by voice vote it usually means that the Republican and Democratic committee staff have negotiated an agreement on the legislative language in advance of the committee’s consideration of the bill. In effect, the committee staff is presenting the committee members with a piece of legislation that all members of the committee should approve, or at least should not oppose. In this case, it worked, and the committee voted by voice vote along these lines: Chairman: “All those in favor ‘aye’; all those against ‘no’; the ‘ayes” have it.”

The next step in the committee process is filing of the committee’s report. The report is a long-standing tradition in the legislative process and it includes an explanation of the history of the bill, a section-bysection analysis, a cost esti-

mate, and a variety of other pieces required by law, parlia- meet and attempt to resolve mentary procedure, or tradi- the matter. Once any or all concerns have been identified tion. and resolved, the bill can be Once the bill report is filed, it called up for full Senate considwill eventually become ripe for eration. consideration of the full Senate. S. 1520 is the type of bill At this point, the UC process is which would typically only be straightforward. The Majority brought up under unanimous Leader takes the floor and says consent (as opposed to engag- something like “I call up S. ing a wide-ranging, full legisla- 1520 and ask the Senate to tive debate). Unanimous con- pass it by unanimous consent”. sent (UC) means there is no If there is an objection, the neopposition. In order to under- gotiations on the language stand if there is any opposition continue. If there are no obto the bill, the Majority and Mi- jections, the bill formally passes nority Leaders each run a “hot- the Senate. line” with their own members.

The hot-line is a poll of every Of course, getting to Senate Senate office asking if there are passage of most bills, and espeany objections to a piece of cially any major fisheries legislegislation. (In the past it was lation, takes a lot of time and done through a telephone call effort from the senate commitsystem but now it is an email tee staff and other interested to each office’s legislative direc- parties. And, in the case of S. tor and other designated staff.) 1520, you can be sure that the The waiting period on the hot- RFA will be doing all we can to line can be anywhere from 24- help the Senate get to the 48 hours to an indefinite point of UC passage. amount of time (if for instance, there is firm opposition). Typically, if a senate office identifies a concern with the bill, the staff of the concerned office and the committee staff will

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Executive Director's Report continued

Modern Fish Act Clears Another Major Hurdle Senate Commerce Committee Gives a Big Thumbs Up with Bipartisan Support

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ebruary 28, 2018 - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved S. 1520, the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 (Modern Fish Act) by an overwhelming majority. The legislation calls for critically important updates to the oversight of federal fisheries, including adding more tools to the management toolbox, improving data collection techniques, and reexamining some fishery allocations based on decades-old decisions. On December 13, 2017, the Modern Fish Act (H.R. 2023) was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee as part of H.R. 200. With these important steps the bill will become part of the pending reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevens Act. The Modern Fish Act was introduced in the Senate

by Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and after a long campaign of educating committee members on its rational, it garnered 12 cosponsors representing coastal and non-coastal states alike.

The RFA was in the vanguard of a broad coalition of organizations representing the saltwater recreational fishing and boating community that developed the language and endorsed the Modern Fish Act. The legislation clearly highlights the need to update the federal fisheries management system to recog-

nize and address the differences between recreational and commercial fishing so fisheries can be managed in the best interests of both user groups and the nation.

"We owe great thanks to Senator Wicker for introducing the Modern Fish Act to finally address the specific needs of recreational anglers under federal law," said Jim Donofrio, president of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the country’s leading saltwater fisherman’s political action group. "We want to thank Chairman John Thune and Ranking Member Bill Nelson for their leadership in bringing this important bill to a vote in the Commerce Committee today. The bipartisan spirit we are witnessing in this Committee is refreshing, and we look forward to final action by the full Senate and House."

“I would also like to give a special thanks to New Jersey’s Senate delegation for working closely with us and for helping gain the bill’s passage,” Donofrio added. “Senator Menendez was one of the bill’s early co-sponsors and Senator Booker, who holds a critically important seat on the Commerce Committee, recently added his support.”

The RFA recognized numerous missteps and poorly thought out policies put in place during the last reauthorization of the MSA in 2007 and quickly be-

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gan working on documenting the negative impacts they would have on recreational fishing and the industry. After years of being a voice in the wilderness a group of marine and tackle industry executives headed by Johnny Morris, the CEO and founder of Bass Pro Shops, and Scott Deal, president of Maverick Boat Group, started work on identifying the priorities of the recreational fishing and boating community with regard to saltwater fishery management. In 2014 the Morris-Deal Commission released its findings in a landmark paper titled "A Vision for Managing America's Saltwater Recreational Fisheries,� that became the framework for cooperation between a coalition of political action, conservation and industry organizations to fix the ailing MSA. Many of the six tenents in that paper were adopted and refined into the Modern Fish Act that has been working its way through both Houses of Congress. Here’s what other members of the coalition had to say after passage in the Senate Commerce Committee.

Making Waves Spring 2018

economic vitality of the recreational boating industry," said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. "On behalf of the estimated 650,000 workers the recreational boating industry supports, we are eager to continue working with our allies in both chambers of Congress to get this important legislation to the president's desk."

"The bipartisan vote taken by the Senate Commerce Committee today demonstrates the nation's broad support for federal fisheries management reform," said Patrick Murray, president of Coastal Conservation Association. "We are proud to work with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to advance a common-sense policy that remains true to our conservation goals while promoting access to our nation's healthy natural resources. We look forward to this important bill receiving quick consideration by the full Senate."

"We thank Chairman Thune and Sens. Wicker and Nelson, as well as the large bipartisan group of Modern Fish Act cosponsors, for their leadership on this issue," said Jeff Crane, president of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. "The Modern Fish Act is a top priority for saltwater anglers across the United States and charts a clear course for effective recreational fisheries management. I encourage Congress to use the momentum from today's Committee vote to secure quick passage in both chambers."

"The bipartisan leadership on display today in the Senate Commerce Committee will not soon be forgotten by America's 11 million saltwater recreational anglers," said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. "We want to thank our many champions in Congress, particularly Sens. Wicker and Nelson, for recognizing the need for serious reforms to the broken federal fisheries management system. We look forward to working with congressional leaders in both chambers to get this legislation across the finish line."

"The Modern Fish Act represents five years' worth of "Today's action by the Commerce Committee is fur- input from our community and will increase the level of trust between America's 11 million saltwater ther evidence that Congress recognizes the economic and societal impact that recreational saltwa- anglers and federal fisheries managers," said Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Rooter fishing has on our nation," said Mike Nussman, sevelt Conservation Partnership. "Recreational huntpresident and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. "There are 11 million saltwater anglers ers and anglers have been at the forefront of rein the U.S. who have a $63 billion economic impact source conservation in this country for more than a century, and the Modern Fish Act gives recreational annually and generate 440,000 jobs. We applaud the Senate Commerce Committee for taking this im- anglers an opportunity to continue to lead in conservation by improving upon data collection and portant step and call for the full Senate to quickly stock assessments. We're extremely encouraged to take action on this legislation." see these updated management approaches tai"For too long, the federal fisheries management sys- lored to meet the unique needs of recreational fishtem has limited access for America's recreational ing, rather than forcing recreational seasons into a anglers and boaters due to faulty data and misguid- management scheme designed for commercial fished regulations, which in turn has jeopardized the eries."

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Making Waves Spring 2018

RFA PROFILE Ellen Peel, President

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uring the awards dinner at 55th Annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament this past January a donation was made to an organization that has been in the forefront of billfish conservation for over three decades—The Billfish Foundation. There to accept was a very special friend of the offshore fishing community, TBF president Ms. Ellen Peel. The donation was made by the Recreational Fishing Alliance, which owns and operates the Buc Cup and was in recognition of not only the years of dedication and achievement of the organization, but it also was a personal recognition of a recent victory achieved by Ms. Peel in the dust up over allowing the reintroduction of longline gear into the Straits of Florida, a nursery area for juvenile swordfish and identified as a place where the indiscriminant gear has had a notoriously high bycatch of sailfish, marlin, sharks and sea turtles.

many years ago and it had the desired conservation effect of helping to increase swordfish stocks in the western Atlantic and also was instrumental in a significant increase in regional sailfish and marlin stocks. To make a long story short, a group of six longline vessels got together with a marine biologist of dubious reputation by the name of David Kerstetter to apply for an Experimental Fishing Permit with equally dubious research goals. Kerstetter is an assistant professor at NOVA Southeast University, an institution of higher learning and research held in high regard by many in the marine sciences, and he stood to make a pretty penny from his work on this EFP, as did the six fishing vessels.

Recreational fishing groups mobilized to fight off the approval of the EFP including the RFA, which took the fight directly to high level officials at NOAA, NMFS and the DOC. However, even after beThe Straits were closed to longline gear 16 years ing presented with strong arguments for mainago as part of a hard-won series of time and area taining the closure they gave it the official closures instituted under the Swordfish Fishery thumbs up. Faced with the reality of longliners Management Plan championed by the RFA those allowed into one of the most successful conserva-

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held by the RFA’s own Raymond Bogan (esquire). She served on the National Marine Fisheries Service – Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel, and on the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s Advisory Panel to ICCAT. She is also a member of the International Women’s Fishing Association and a tireless advocate for pelagic fisheries conservation and recreational access to pelagic fisheries.

She took over the reins at TBF in 1995 with the full support and confidence of Winthrop Rockefeller, one of the founding members, and the Ellen Peel receives a donation from the Buccaneer Cup pre- entire board of directors. sented by Pat Healey, RFA Chairman of the Board. Also pic- “TBF was created in 1986 when Win tured are Sandra MacMillan, TBF board member (left) and Rockefeller and a group of wealthy, Courtney Bowden, Tournament Director of the Buccaneer avid billfish anglers were fishing for Cup (right). marlin out of Puerto Rico,” Ellen retion closed areas ever established, Ms. Peel decided to approach the president of NOVA Southwestern University directly to appeal to his sensibilities and their cherished reputation among the scientific community. She started with a wellresearched letter (read letter here) and followed it up with personal calls. It proved exactly what the doctor order, and he withdrew NOVA support for the research application and the EFP died a quick death for lack of institutional support. Chalk one up for Ellen Peel and TBF. Everyone cheer her efforts.

counted. “They were comparing catch notes and observations and coming to the conclusion that even though they had better boats, better tackle and were using techniques that gave them the ability to more effectively target billfish, they were catching fewer marlin and sailfish each year.

“They went to Dr. Eric Prince, a noted marine biologist who specialized in large pelagic species research with questions about the health of billfish stocks and he told them there was little to no assessment work done on billfish and no money available to do it. Since marlin and sailfish were not directed commercial fisheries, most were Just who is Ellen Peel and why is she so beloved caught as bycatch while targeting swordfish and among bluewater anglers and the marine conser- tuna, and due to their highly migratory wandervation community? Ellen has been the president ings, there was no money dedicated to research.” of TBF for the past 22 years, but she grew up on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi where she fell in love The group knew something had to be done so in with fishing for billfish at a young age. She holds 1986 they established The Billfish Foundation as a B.A. from the University of West Florida at Pen- a 501 C-3 non-profit corporation with the goal of sacola; a basic law degree (J.D.) from the Univer- funding scientific research to further our understanding of billfish. They initially funded the orsity of Mississippi at Oxford and a graduate law degree from the University of Washington in Se- ganization with personal grants totaling $25,000 attle. She has served as the Commissioner for Rec- a year for 11 years to undertake an enhanced rereational Fishing on the U.S. delegation to the In- search program for billfish working with scientists from ICCAT in hopes of creating reliable assessternational Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), an appointment currently ments for the various billfish species. A few years

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later TBF hired Dr. Phillip Goodyear, one of the most highly regarded marine stock assessment scientists in the world and one of the few with a deep understanding of billfish. Together they instituted tagging studies with the help of recreational fishermen and captains as their main source of taggers. It eventually grew into the TBF Tag Flag program with awards given to the top taggers around the world. That was later augmented with a special program of satellite tagging funded by TBF. “Before TBF started these tagging programs very little was known about billfish stocks, genetics and migratory patterns,” Ellen said. “Then we started working on the socioeconomics of recreational billfish angling both in the U.S. and internationally and interest in our work really started to expand. When you can show just what fishing for billfish is worth to a country’s economy and the social implications of it you can drive your message of conservation home.

Making Waves Spring 2018

“I began bumping into Jim Donofrio from the RFA not long after the organization started and we have spent a lot of time at ICCAT over the years in addition to working on pelagic issues domestically,” Peel told us. “Back in 2002 at the insistence of a number of environmental groups, NMFS came up with a proposal to list white marlin as an endangered species and we worked the issue from different perspectives to gain a common goal. The negative socioeconomic impacts of such a listing to coastal communities and the recreational fishing industry would be devastating and something had to be done to prevent it.”

TBF is not a political action organization like the RFA so its political activities are limited to a small portion of its annual budget. They deal in research and education under the mission statement. As a registered political action organization RFA has no such limitations and is able to lobby politicians on issues within its mission statement and also support candidates re-election campaigns through its Political Action Committee.

“It wasn’t until 1995 that the board of TBF realTBF came to the table with research from Dr. ized that we had to do more than just research Goodyear that clearly showed white marlin were projects. We had to spread the message about not going extinct and in fact their stocks had billfish conservation to government officials and been expanding while RFA used its political musthe public in general and that required adding cle to get the message to NMFS through Conadvocacy to our portfolio. It was the only way gressional efforts. Between the two groups the TBF could effect change in management policy. ESA was shelved and in the following years it beWe had the scientific information to do it and the came apparent that the stocks were rebuilding as socioeconomic findings to show the importance more and more white marlin were being caught of billfish as a driver of tourism and economic and released by recreational fishermen. benefits to a country or region. My directive when I came on board in 1996 was to do just “Over the years TBF and RFA have communicatthat, manage the organization, but get it actively ed closely on many pelagic fisheries issues,” Ellen continued. “There is a respect between the involved in advocacy.” groups and between Jim and myself to the point Ellen jumped into the work with both feet attend- where you could say we have a very good working her first ICCAT meeting in 1997 as a member ing partnership.” of the US delegation. In 2009 she was appointed Acting Recreational Commissioner and in 2010 Donofrio, RFA’s executive director and chief lobCommissioner. Her work at ICCAT for Atlantic bill- byist, said that on issues regarding billfish he defish has been exemplary and her work on Pacific fers to TBF. “They do the research and have the billfish and bringing awareness to Central and science to back up the policies they take and it is South American countries about the value of the rare we do not agree on their conclusions. Ellen fisheries they have off their shores has had drais a very special person, a great voice for TBF and bluewater anglers all over the world, and I am matic effects in the way billfish are managed. honored to call her a friend and colleague.”

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THE RETUR

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Making Waves Spring 2018

MANHATT

Save the Date Captain Frank Crescitelli and the Recreational Fishing Alliance are proud to announce the rebirth of a New York City Classic - The Manhattan Cup Charity Striped Bass Tournament. So save the date and get ready to enter or donate your boat. It's going to be a great time for all.

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or the past two years, the amazing spring striper run up the Hudson River was missing something--the Manhattan Cup. The first and only fishing tournament ever held in NYC waters was in hibernation, but no longer!

The Cup will again showcase one of the most extraordinary urban fisheries in the world when it returns this June 8th as the premiere fly and light tackle, and only catch and release striper tournament on the East Coast.

charity event better than ever.

Teams will compete targeting striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish using fly or light tackle with artificial or natural bait. Some of the most renowned captains and guides in the area will donate their time and boats for the day giving anglers of any experience level the chance to compete with the best in the game knowing the money generated is being well spent. Also competing, and inspiring, will be veterans from variThis year it will be launching out of Liberty Land- ous organizations that will be announce shortly. ing Marina in Jersey City, in the shadow of the Those that have sacrificed so much are just one Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline, for a of the charitable causes the tournament will benday of incredible fishing, comradery and fun that efit. As always there will be celebrity anglers, cewill include breakfast and a gala awards dinner lebrity chefs and a fantastic charity auction and next door at the beautiful Liberty House restauraffles to round out the event. rant. The Cup is back due in large part to the Recreational Fishing Alliance sponsorship and under- I’ve had the privilege to both fish and lend a writing of the event and the unrelenting desire of hand for the past three tournaments. I first covtournament director Frank Crescitelli to make this ered the event for On the Water magazine (http://www.onthewater.com/manhattan-cup/) ,

RN OF THE

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TAN CUP

- June 8, 2018 and it blew my mind. The fish that swim right in the shadows of the Manhattan skyline is incredible, but it wasn’t just the fishing, or the backdrop that left such its mark. Seeing our brave warriors, many fishing for the first time, bask in the glory of a shared passion was nothing short of amazing.

Can you beat Mike's 47?

That same dedication of the tournament staff, sponsors, and participants along with the continuing support of veterans over the next two years was a tremendous source of pride for everyone involved.

It’s not just a hometown bias for me to say you can’t find another urban fishery that compares to the NY Bight. Pictures I’ve shown non-fishing friends, many who subsequently become fishing converts, leave them amazed at the fish that can be caught just a stone’s throw from any of the tristate’s shores. I can tell you first hand, there’s no better way to experience this remarkable fishery than being part of the Manhattan Cup. You might even knock off my record for largest striper ever caught in the tournament that stands at 47 pounds. I’d love nothing more than to raise a glass and relinquish the record!

their time and vessel for the day. We welcome any local captains that are willing to take a team and help generate funds for our charities.

For further details check out our Facebook page, website (https://manhattancup.com) , contact Frank Crescitelli at 917-468-4817 or the RFA office at 800-JOIN RFA. I'll be there and hope you Participants can compete with their own boats, or will be, too.

Mike Dean secure one of our captains generously donating

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Capt Mike Pierdinock has been a charter boat captain on the vessel “Perseverance” (www.cpfcharters.com) for over 15 years and fishes north and south of Cape Cod for groundfish, striped bass and large pelagics. While not fishing he is making a living investigating and cleaning up environmental contamination (www.lightshipengineering.com). He actively participates in fishery management issues and serves as the Massachusetts Chairman of the Recreational Fishing Alliance and is on the Board of Directors of the Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association. He presently serves on the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Commission; U.S. ICCAT Advisory Committee, National Marine Fishery Service, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel; and the New England Fishery Management Council, Recreational Advisory Panel. He can be heard Sundays on FM 95.9 WATD on Capt Lou’s Nautical Talk Radio show discussing fishery management issues that impact recreational anglers and charter boat captains.

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or many years we have heard of the potential for heavy metals and PCBs to be present in the fish that we eat from historic industrial practices and dumping directly into water bodies. We are now discovering additional threats that have yet to be addressed, unregulated pharmaceuticals in our fish and game. Unregulated pharmaceuticals enter into the ecosystem indirectly from septic systems into the groundwater and direct discharges from sewerage treatment plants into fresh and saltwater environments. Sewage treatment plants are not currently designed to remove the everyday pharmaceuticals and personal care products that we humans consume and use that include antibiotics, antidepressants and pain killers to name a few. Pharmaceutical sewer discharges are currently not regulated by the USEPA nor State regulatory agencies. Below are some recent studies and findings which may be the initial platform to bring this alarming issue to a national level.

vil, Benadryl, Prozac, and even birth control pills, in the tissue of Chinook salmon studied in Puget Sound. The source of the Puget Sound pharmaceuticals was the discharge of treated sewerage from one hundred and six (106) sewerage treatment plants. The study only focused on two (2) of the wastewater treatment plants which reported 81 pharmaceuticals and personal-care products out of 150 compounds tested. According to Mr. James Meador the leading author of the study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) about 45 of the compounds were found in the Chinook salmon sampled, some at high concentrations. The Chinook salmon stock in Pugent Sound continues to struggle are pharmaceuticals the culprit?

Studies performed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have found male smallmouth and largemouth bass in parts of the Northeast with characteristics of the opposite sex.

The study conducted in nineteen (19) national A recent study in the journal Environmental Pollu- wildlife refuges found 85 percent of smallmouth tion found unusually high levels of drugs like Ad- bass and 27 percent of male largemouth bass

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were intersex, meaning they found immature eggs in the gonads of the male fish. According to Luke Iwanowicz, USGS research biologist, the intersexing is from an exposure to estrogens and other endocrine disrupting chemicals. It was further found that the intersex fishes have a reduced ability for the species to reproduce and may also weaken the immune systems making them vulnerable to diseases.

Making Waves Spring 2018

adding the estrogen the minnow population failed to recover. The study ultimately concluded that even “Low concentrations of an estrogen can have very dramatic, very severe effects on fish reproduction and fish population (Karen Kidd)" and could cause wild fish populations to collapse.

Other studies in Colorado and the Potomac River looking at fish species up and downstream of Another study by the USGS conducted from sewage treatment plant effluents found repro1995 to 2004 from sites along the Apalachicola, ductive abnormalities in fish downstream of disColorado, Columbia, Mobile, Mississippi, Pee Dee, charge points. It is believed that the male fish are Rio Grande, Savannah, and Yukon River basins being feminized from the estrogenic chemicals found a third of all male smallmouth bass and a which were detected in the waters. fifth of all male largemouth bass were intersex.

Detectable levels or hormones and antidepresCanada's federal fisheries agency added a synsants are also found in surface water of Cape Cod thetic estrogen found in birth control pills to a Bay and Nantucket sound as well as groundwaremote isolated lake in northwestern Ontario, ter on Cape Cod. In 2012, the Center for Coastal Canada. The researchers added estrogen at lev- Studies conducted a study of pharmaceutically els found in municipal wastewaters over a three active compounds (PhACs) in the Cape Code Bay year period. Exposure to the compounds impact- ecosystem and in 2013 expanded the study to ed the fish’s ability to reproduce. Male minnows include Nantucket Sound. The studies specifically were producing egg proteins in the first year, by targeted sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, carthe second year their sperm cells were undevelbamazepine, acetaminophen and caffeine oped. Two years after the researchers stopped (humans are the only source of these types of

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contaminants). The studies indicated that the coastal waters have been impacted.

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Studies at Silent Spring Cape Cod discovered that PhACs from septic systems are leaching into the groundwater and then into local ponds.

It is somewhat concerning that pharmaceuticals These chemicals were also detected in private are being detected in Nantucket Sound and Cape drinking water wells. It is believed that the deCod Bay. The mass loading of pharmaceuticals tected chemicals most likely came from the backneeds to be astounding in order to be detected yard septic systems which make up of 85 percent in these large water bodies. Thousands of galof residents on Cape Cod rely on septic systems lons of treated water potentially containing unfor treatment of household waste. regulated pharmaceuticals is being discharged daily to our waters from the Deer Island/Boston One has to be somewhat concerned that we Harbor Sewerage treatment plant and other per- may be ingesting groundwater from private or public wells that have hormones or a wide range mitted sewerage treatment plants. of pharmaceuticals. Don’t we see the younger Recently the local shellfish beds were shutdown generation maturating at a much younger age? due to a substantial bloom of a potentially toxic Is this attributed to the ingestion of hormones kind of phytoplankton termed pseudo-nitzschia that accelerates puberty from our drinking water the source of toxic plume is not understood. and food? We also see regionally younger maCould pharmaceuticals be the culprit? turity in some fish, observations such as the Blue-

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fin tuna stock in the Mediterranean reaches sexual maturity at a much younger age then that found in the Gulf of Mexico stock? Is this attributed to the ingestion of hormones that can result in such changes and wouldn't be surprised of such in the Mediterranean? Areas were fish, game and habitat struggle to rebound that are attributed to unknown “environmental factors� may be a result of pharmaceutical compounds.

We are finding that certain fishery stocks continue to not rebound appropriately after utilizing typical fishery management techniques. Are impacts from human pharmaceuticals causing adverse developmental, reproductive and neurological impacts to our fish and game, by hindering metabolic function, impacting a fish's growth, or exposure to antibiotic resistant bacteria and Reprinted with permission ofof fish and possibly altering lifesaving behavior game including the basic flight or fight response?

not at Stellwagen Bank. Is the discharge from the Boston/Deer Island Sewerage Treatment outfall the culprit resulting in a detrimental impact on sensitive habitat as a result of the unregulated discharge of pharmaceuticals?

Needless to say there appears to be some compelling evidence that pharmaceuticals and hormones are having a detrimental impact on the environment. Shellfish and finfish in our waters are potentially being exposed to unregulated pharmaceuticals. How does exposure to such pharmaceuticals impact fish and game as well as humans that consume fish and game? As a result we are potentially ingesting a wide range of pharmaceuticals from antidepressants to antibiotics through consumption of fish and game? Why are we slow to address this matter?

The Chinook salmon peer review study conductThere are continued concerns of why the habitat ed in Puget Sound appears to be the study that has alarmed the research community and regulaassociated with the Stellwagen Bank National tors that will hopefully result in promptly addressMarine Sanctuary has not rebounded with the ing this matter further. Hopefully adequate studclosure of the area to commercial dragging for ies are forthcoming to determine the true source over 15 years. Other marine fisheries areas of these problems in order to take appropriate which were closed off to commercial draggers actions before it is too late. have observed rebound of fish populations but 1 https://news.vice.com/article/seattle-area-salmonare-loaded-with-anti-depressants-and-otherdrugsthanks-to-human-waste 2 https://www.usgs.gov/news/intersex-prevalentblack-bass-inhabiting-national-wildlife-refugesnortheast 3 https://www.usgs.gov/news/intersex-prevalentblack-bass-inhabiting-national-wildlife-refugesnortheast 4 https://archive.usgs.gov/archive/sites/www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp-ID=2305.html 5 http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/05/070521-sex-fi sh.html 6 http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/11/1103_041103_potomac_fi sh.html 7 http://phys.org/news/2016-01-drugs-contaminantsprivate-wells-cape.html#jCp 8 http://coastalstudies.org/programs/capecod-bay-monitoring-program/monitoring-projects/contaminantsof-emerging-concern/pharmaceuticals-in-the-waters-of-cape-cod-bayand-nantucket-sound/ 9 http://www.silentspring.org/sites/default/fi les/Emerging-contaminants-private-wells.pdf

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MakingWaves Waves Spring Summer 2016 Making 2018

Fishing for the Facts about the Modern Fish Act

By Chris Horton, Fisheries Program Director

Editors Note: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is one of the member organizations of the coalition of political action, conservation and industry groups involved in the unified effort to have Congress pass the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act., which has become the target of Environmental Groups. His observations in this article are spot on!!

M

ark Twain once said, “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.” Some in the environmental community have taken that saying to heart in their efforts to discredit the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act (S. 1520 and H.R. 2023). Their story – passing a Magnuson-Steven’s Act (MSA) reauthorization bill with the provisions of the Modern Fish Act would gut federal fisheries management and lead to widespread overfishing. The truth – either they have not read the bills at all, or more likely, they want to maintain status quo of an outdated commercial fisheries management law and continue to receive significant funding from large foundations who want to further privatize our fisheries through catch shares. My money is on the latter.

habitat restoration to sustainably manage fisheries more than six decades ago – not the Environmental Defense Fund, the Ocean Conservancy, restaurant associations, commercial fishermen or any other organization. From 1951 to 2017, our license fees and the excise taxes we’ve paid on things like fishing tackle, rods, reels, marine electronics, trolling motors and motorboat fuels have resulted in more than $28 billion for fisheries management across the country - both for marine and freshwater fisheries.

Unfortunately, the significance of our contributions to all fisheries management, including federal, is misunderstood or dismissed by many Members of Congress and the environmental community. A good example of that misunderstanding can be found in my response to a “Questions for the Record” request from the SenThe fact is, anglers were the first and only stake- ate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosholders to step up to bear the burden of funding pheres, Fisheries and Coast Guard following my science-based management and on-the-ground testimony last September, where they stated the

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Trust Fund, “does not, however, have very much impact on fisheries conservation conducted under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.” You can find the  full list of questions and my responses here, but suffice it to say after consultation with several states in the Gulf of Mexico, I was able to provide plenty of examples where anglers fund federal fisheries management under MSA.

Making Waves Spring 2018

overfished stocks.”

FACT – Both H.R. 2023 and S. 1520 eliminate arbitrary rebuilding timelines and replaces with a biologically-based timeline relative to individual species. It’s interesting to see organizations that claim to support sciencebased decision making opposing an effort to ensure that rebuilding plans are based on science, not an arbitrary 10-year requirement that has no scientific basis.

As anglers, we would never support a bill that would lead to widespread overfishing and fewer fish to catch. After all, we advocated for, and funded, the foundation of science-based, sustain- Temporary Moratorium on Limited Access Privilege Programs (catch shares) able fisheries management. Yet that doesn’t make for a good story when your funding model  FICTION – “Both the moratorium and the depends on maintaining the status quo and a study are unnecessary and unwise”. clear path to privatizing public trust resources.  FACT – Of course this would be considered Let’s look at some of the key provisions of the “unwise”, coming from the primary environModern Fish Act from both the fiction being told mental organization that has received miland the facts of the matter. lions from foundations like the Walker Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation to Alternative management measures for recreapush catch shares on both commercial and tional fisheries recreational fisheries. What they are con FICTION - S. 1520 would, “Inappropriately excerned about is that the study by the Nationempt the recreational sector from the necesal Academy of Sciences required by this provisary management discipline imposed by ansion might find that catch share programs nual catch limits and accountability may not be such a good idea in mixed-use measures.” fisheries. 

FACT – This provision simply frees the Coun- Process for allocation review cils to consider more appropriate recreational fisheries management measures when hard-  FICTION – “Such reviews would divert significant resources from compelling management poundage annual catch limits (ACL’s) are not issues without significantly improving recreaeffective. It does not exempt the recreational tional fishermen satisfaction.” fisheries from adhering to annual harvest constraints. In fact, in a report from the Gulf  FACT – Reallocation of quota between secCouncil’s Science and Statistical Committee tors is a difficult, exceedingly contentious proon the feasibility of these alternative managecess, much of which is caused by the ambigument measures proposed in the Modern Fish ity of what metrics the Council should weigh Act – “They noted that extraction rates, fishin making those decisions. To make periodic ing mortality targets and harvest control rules reallocation reviews more efficient, this provicould easily be implemented as catch limits…” sion simply requires the National Academy of Science to provide some clear criteria to conFlexibility in rebuilding timelines sider. In the case of red snapper in the Gulf of  FICTION – “Injects too much flexibility and Mexico, the allocation between the commerambiguity into the rebuilding timeline for cial and recreational sectors was set more

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The Modernizing Recreational Fishing Management Act would improve access to many fish stocks that are currently rebuilt or on a rebuilding trajectory while recognizing that recreational fishing cannot be managed using the same tired formulas managers use with commercial fisheries. than 20-years ago, using data 10-years prior.

Fisheries change over time, and with today’s technologies, families have an opportunity to catch their fish themselves, rather than just purchasing from someone who profits from the resource like a restaurant or seafood market.

foot, single-engine bay boat, and was surrounded by similar boats all landing snapper. Likewise, we easily catch red snapper out of small boats within 8 miles of Orange Beach, Alabama and 10 miles of Grand Isle, Louisiana. This is not a rich man’s game (although the average $25/pound cost of red snapper at a seafood market might lead you to think otherwise), but a public trust It is sad that some environmental organizations resource available to tens of thousands of anglers have now enlisted the help of New Orleans chefs from all walks of life. to tell their “story” as it relates to red snapper when it is clear they have no idea what the Mod- As the original fisheries conservationists, anglers ern Fish Act actually does, nor do they know any- demand that our fisheries be managed sustainathing about recreational fishing. In a recent E&E bly. Nothing in the Modern Fish Acts undermines News article, one such restaurant ownthe fisheries conservation or sustainability tenents er/operator is quoted as saying, "It'd be nice to of MSA. It simply looks to strengthen MSA by have $150,000 boats to get 30, 40 miles offshore, bringing parity for millions of recreational anglers but most people can't do that." Most people don’t to a federal management model designed prihave to. I’ve caught red snapper within five miles marily for commercial fisheries. of Pensacola Beach, Florida in a 10-year old 20-

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FOR FOR--HIRE ELECTRONIC CATCH REPORTING STARTS MARCH 12, 2018 Federally permitted recreational for-hire vessels fishing for species managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will be required to file vessel trip reports electronically.

S

tarting March 12, 2018 all vessels with Federal charter or party permits for species managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) will be required to submit electronic vessel trip reports (eVTRs) while on trips carrying passengers for hire. www.mafmc.org/for-hire-evtr/.

tation owners have to keep electronic tabs on what you do once you’ve reached your final destination; and failure to do so may be costly!

According to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), mandates placed upon the agency “to use the best available science in making management decisions” has prompted them to incorAs you’ve no doubt read previously in The Fisher- porate Northeast VTR data into the effort estiman, federally permitted recreational fishing mate for the for-hire fleet. boats who ferry anglers back and forth to the Recently, the Marine Recreational Information fishing grounds have been keeping paper VTR Program (MRIP) which gathers recreational harlogs for years; while it’s been a federal requirevest information through angler surveys every ment for tracking angler headcount, effort and year began incorporating this same VTR effort catch, these mostly unused paper documents data into the preliminary in-season estimates. have been stored on dusty shelves at NOAA Fish- NMFS officials believe this framework will further eries for decades. increase the timeliness and accuracy of data used In a mass transit sense, if you consider a party in future management decisions boat the equivalent of a bus, and a six-pack char- For-hire fishing boat captains who hold a federal ter more like a cab or limo, those public transpor- permit for MAFMC species will be required to fill

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Making Waves Spring 2018

MakingWaves Waves Spring Summer 2016 Making 2018

out the electronic version of the VTR, which must be submitted through a NOAA-approved software application within 48 hours following completion of a fishing trip. This applies to any charter or party vessel that holds a permit for species managed by MAFMC (black sea bass, bluefish, scup, summer flounder, tilefish, Atlantic mackerel) while on a trip carrying passengers for hire will be required to submit these eVTRs through a NOAAapproved software application within 48 hours following the completion of a fishing trip.

“Anyone fishing in Federal waters (i.e., outside 3 miles) for any of the Council (or HMS) managed species must have the appropriate permits and are, therefore, required to submit VTRs,” said Moira Kelly, Fishery Program Specialist, Regional Recreational Fisheries Coordinator at NOAA Fisheries.

As for smaller, six-pack operations (cab and limo operators if you will) who don’t run with a full crew on deck, whatever captains are presently doing in terms of recording catches can still be used after the eVTR requirement for submission of data as of March 12. “Obviously, crew and passenger safety is paramount. Captains should determine the safest, most effective method for their particular set-up. They just need to submit electronically and within 48 hours,” Kelly said.

The eVTR implementation process began in July 2011 when the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) approved their use on a limited and voluntary basis for a segment of the groundfish fleet. By 2013, NMFS made the electronic vessel trip reports available as an alternative to submitting handwritten hardcopies for all fishery management plans in the region.

For the March kickoff, GARFO has posted at their website both free and pay options for both tablet (iPad for example) or personal computer. www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/aps/evtr/ electronic/index.html

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For example, the eTrips Mobile App originally provided a “track my trip” function which would collect data about where exactly boats fished and traveled during for-hire trips; on the other hand, the GARFO Fish Online app never featured the functionality nor does NMFS even require it.

Captains Mike Pierdinock and Barry Gibson, both New England for-hire captains and representatives of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) said that particular functionality for GPS and/or transiting vessel details on the Safis eTrips mobile app in particular has been disabled and no longer functional in the software application or app.

“It is not included in any other app that is being utilized or promoted as part of the eVTR training by the Mid-Atlantic Council,” said Capt. Pierdinock, adding “We appreciate the fact that NMFS recognizes that such information is confidential and to provide such would be in violation of our 4th Amendment Rights and not necessary for fishery management purposes.”

According to NMFS, how the eVTR data arrives at GARFO varies by production. The NOAA/NEFSC Fisheries Logbook and Data Recording Software (FLDRS) information is sent initially to the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and then on to NMFS, whereas eTrips Mobile first sends the data to the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP), who in turn sends the data over to NMFS. GARFO’s free Fish Online application on the other hand delivers data directly to NMFS; you can find the GARFO Fish Online app in the Apple App Store by searching “NOAA EVTR” or contact the GARFO Industry Support Line at 978-281-9188 or nmfs.gar.helpdesk@noaa.gov.

NMFS said all VTR data is protected by guidelines laid out in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, regardless of the method of submission. Catch report data is considered confidential and may be accessed by approved entities, and may be released publically A major concern for many for-hire captains and in aggregate according to NMFS, with entities crew was the integration of an electronic tracking with routine access to the information including device into one or two of the software programs. NMFS staff; NOAA’s office of law enforcement as

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Making Waves Spring 2018

well as the U.S. Coast Guard, and the regional fisheries councils and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

you may or do occasionally fish in federal waters, you are required to submit a VTR for every trip, even if that trip occurred excluState fisheries agency staff; and Sector Man- sively within state waters,” Kelly said, while adding “These are not new requirements, agers (with owner signed release) will also nor were they impacted by the new eVTR have access to the data, while entities like rule.” academic institutions, researchers, and the public “can receive data from us via a data “The need to have a federal permit to fish request that complies with our confidentiali- for these species in federal waters, and the corresponding requirement to submit a VTR ty guidelines,’ according NMFS officials. for each trip, regardless of area fished on Failure to maintain, make, keep, submit or complete required log book reports, trip re- that trip, are long standing requirements.

All that changed is the mode of submission ports, or catch reports is generally a $500 fine for a first offense and a $750 fine for a and the timing,” Kelly added. second offense, under NOAA’s Summary Settlement Schedule, which is available at http://www.gc.noaa.gov/documents/gces/ National_SS_Fix-it_FINAL_1-1-16.pdf.

Notwithstanding the simple submission modification, Capt. Gibson said New England for-hire operators were mostly blindsided by the process itself.

On Friday, March 2, MAFMC will hold a public webinar from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to help for-hire vessel operators prepare for upcoming electronic reporting requirements. This webinar will be recorded and made available on the Council’s website for later viewing for those who cannot attend. http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/evtr2018/

"A lot of us who are up to speed on fishery management issues on a daily basis were not aware that eVTR reporting for MAFMC species pertained to New England vessels, since we are in another Council jurisdiction,” Gibson said, while adding “when the MAFMC went out to public comment with the proposal in May of 2017, they received a total of six comments. Six comments. What does that tell you about how widely the MAFMC and GARFO advertised this new electronic reporting requirement?"

Registration: Pre-registration is encouraged at www.mafmc.org/for-hire-evtr/. Preregistration will allow us to assist you with setting up accounts and systems needed to comply with this requirement.

Visit greater Atlantic Regional Field Office website.

To join the webinar, go to http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/evtr2018/, www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov select “Enter as Guest,” and type your name in the box. Telephone instructions are proWritten by Jim Hutchinson, Jr. vided upon connecting, or you can call diReprinted Courtesy of rect: 800-832-0736, Rm: *7833942#.

As for who will be responsible for submitting eVTR data and under what geographic boundaries, Kelly said if you fish exclusively in state waters you would not need a federal permit and thus are not required to submit a VTR. “If you are issued a federal permit because

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Making Waves Spring 2018

55th Annual Buccaneer Cup

Viking 68 Takes Top Boat!

T

he 55th Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament was held January 25 to 27, 2018 and while conditions were challenging to say the least, the teams that fought through the weather were rewarded with fishing that was off the charts. Twenty-two of Florida's top teams battled 25-30 mph winds to release hundreds of sailfish over the two day event that benefits the Recreational Fishing Alliance.

Tournament week began fielding questions about the looming weather report, as speculation spread we as a committee decided to allow our teams to fish at their own risk. It was not going to be pleasant in 20-30 knot wind but this is when the fish bite, we were told by multiple Captains.

The Tournament Committee along with an incredible team of volunteers, including staff from The Billfish Foundation helped pull off an amazing event, despite the weather!

Day One began with a dicey run out the inlet and a wet, pounding run to the grounds. Jim McGraph of Grand Slam Tackle, called "Lines In" at 8am from the official radio room high atop the Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa. It wasn't long before Miss Annie called in the first release at 8:07am and the bite did not let up. Within the first hour, 17 sails were released with several boats calling in doubles and triples. Despite the ferocious winds and chop, by the end of the day, over 230 sailfish had been released. Viking 68's team pull ahead at the end of Day One with a 600 point lead but with a red hot bite, the leader board could easily swing based on who landed on a pod of sails.

Day Two opened with similar grey skies and honking East wind but the strong bite continued with 14 sails being released within the first hour. The live baiters seemed to have the edge on Day Two, but it was still anyone’s game throughout the day with the Miss Victoria, Sand-

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The weather was not kind during the 55th Buc Cup, but teams braved the elements to experience two days of absolutely incredible sailfish action!

man and Two Cats making runs to catch the lead year!” – Courtney Bowden, Tournament Director boat. Two Cats radioed in a hook-up right beThe top finishing boats were Viking 68 taking fore the "Lines Out" call at 3:30pm. That fish turned out to be the release that would tie them first, Two Cats in second with Sandman just 100 at 7,500 points with the Viking 68. Due to the tie in points, the timing of the releases ultimately decided the winner and tipped the scale to the Viking crew who landed their final fish at 3:03pm to get to the 7,500 points mark.

“This was one of the most nerve-racking and exciting years in fishing we have seen in a while! I did not want to leave the radio room; it was nonstop releases from the minute we called lines in.

We (as a committee) are so impressed and proud of the teams who competed; they are true professionals and the best of the best anglers, crew and captains in the industry. This year really showed us all what these teams are capable of and it was impressive! I am already looking forward to next

point behind in third but secured several Calcutta categories. It was truly a nail biting finish with some epic fishing. With Viking 68 also winning the Charity Calcutta which includes an entry fee to the 2019 Buc Cup, no doubt the Viking crew will be back next year trying for a repeat.

This year our partnership with The Billfish Foundation proved to be invaluable! From their hands on assistance in setting up the event and volunteering to their promotional support we could not be more pleased to be working together and growing our relationship which benefits us all, ultimately. We, with the Buccaneer Cup and RFA believe in supporting the organizations that are doing the right thing and that share our passion for this industry and sport we love!

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Making Waves Spring 2018

The Two Cats finished two days of frenetic fishing as second place boat.

The Buccaneer Cup Tournament Cash award for the Most Points on Live Bait ($10,000) went to Sandman and the Most Points on Dead Bait ($10,000) went to Viking 68, which pocketed over $80,000 in total purse for their win.

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The top angler trophies went to Tony Huerta on the Lo Que Sea in first with Sandra MacMillan on the Sandman taking second and the Top Female Angler prize.

The awards banquet was held at the Sailfish Club of Florida, emceed by Robert "Fly" Navarro. Pat Healey, President of Viking Yachts and member of the RFA Board of Directors, presented Ellen Peel of The Billfish Foundation with a $5,000 check to aid the organization in its ongoing efforts to advance the science used for the management and assessment of billfish.

This event would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors including MTU Diesel, Florida Detroit Diesel Allison, Johnson & Towers, Viking Yachts, HMY Yacht Sales, Yamaha Outboards, Jupiter Beach Spa & Resort, Contender Boats, American Custom Yachts, Interlux, Seakeeper, Garmin, Jarrett Bay Boatworks, Cummins Marine Power, American Venture Boats, Bahama Boats, Maxel Reels, Christi/ Travelers Insurance, Atlantic Marine Electronics, American Fishing Wire/Hi-Seas, Tsunami, Release Marine, Viking Service Center, Reel Time Apps, Sailfish Marina, R&H Rods, Salt Life Optics and Outrigger Marine Products.

We look forward to seeing all our teams and more next year for the prestigious 56th Buccaneer Cup where we can make sportfishing history again.

Want to see more?

The full gallery of the Buc Cup Pictures can be viewed here!

55th Buccaneer Cup Gallery

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Making Waves Spring 2018

You can prevent

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MakingWaves Waves Spring Summer 2016 Making 2018

Seasickness

by Capt. Barry Gibson

There are probably as many home remedies for seasickness as there are for hangovers – from eating a raw egg to covering one eye with a patch.

A

re we likely to get seasick?”

As a charter boat captain, that’s a question I get every so often from potential clients. My usual reply is: “Of course not…er…well, probably not.” That’s a question to which there just plain is no good answer.

seasickness or mal de mer, it’s the same thing.

What Is It? Seasickness is characterized by symptoms that include malaise (a vague feeling of discomfort), pallor, cold sweating, nausea, and vomiting. Although the victim may not be aware of it, other changes may occur in the body such as fluctuation of blood pressure, pulse rate, rate of respiration, and glucose levels in the blood.

Seasickness (or “motion sickness,” if you prefer) is not an uncommon affliction. Any normal child or adult can get sick from motion. Some folks may be more resistant than others, but if the appropriate motion exists and lasts long enough, virtually any- Motion sickness results from unnatural or unaccustomed movements of the body or one can experience this age-old malady. the visual field. There is some controversy The most notorious cause of motion sick- over the role of other influences such as ness is probably the sea. Whether called

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apprehension of getting sick and the ef- which causes the reaction. fect of what has, or hasn’t, been eaten.

The over-stimulation theory says the reAlthough it’s not known why, some peo- ceptors in the inner ear become overple are simply more susceptible than oth- stimulated, sending nerve impulses to the ers. Newborn babies and very old people brain which causes over-reaction, which are normally relatively free of symptoms. in turn affects neighboring parts of the Women seem to be more likely to become brain. Finally, the evolutionary theory sugseasick than men, as do heavy people op- gests that motion sickness started as a posed to slimmer ones. It also seems to warning system to life-threatening situations – but none of these theories are torun in families. tally satisfactory.

One of the most frustrating aspects of motion sickness is that it is not predictable. Avoidance and Treatment Even those who believe they are completely resistant may experience it, some- One way to avoid seasickness is to minimize the motion that causes it. General times when least expected. rules on the water are: big boats are betSome who are susceptible find that no ter than small ones; the middle of the boat matter how long they are subjected to is better than the bow or stern; and it’s motion, their bodies will not adjust to it. (It better to be out on deck in fresh air than is reported, for example, that Lord Nelson, in the cabin, galley, or “head.” Experithe famous British admiral of the late enced boaters also recommend that lying 1700s, was sick every day he was at sea). down, keeping busy, or watching the horiOthers find that they build up a resistance zon or other fixed object or reference to motion sickness, known in nautical par- point of stability may help. lance as “getting your sea legs.” Scientists think this happens because the body be- There are probably as many home remecomes accustomed to a particular motion. dies for seasickness as there are for hangovers, ranging from eating a raw egg to Why It Happens covering one eye with a patch. Luckily, though, medical science has made great Scientists believe that the cause is related inroads. to the sense of balance. Within the inner ear there exists a delicate group of nerve Perhaps the oldest drug employed is scofibers. Normally, these fibers help people polamine, first developed in 1889. Even maintain balance, but in some people, mo- today, scientists are uncertain as to how tion increases the activity of the fibers, scopolamine works, but the prevailing thought is that it blocks the transmission leading to the symptoms. of impulses from the inner ear to the brain The exact mechanism isn’t known, but that cause motion sickness. there are three theories. The “conflict hypothesis” claims the problems arise from In years past, this drug had to be adminisconflicting sensory information. The eyes tered by needle in high doses, which had and ears send the brain conflicting input, unpleasant side effects. But in 1981 a com-

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pany called CIBA Pharmaceuticals began producing a dime-sized, stick-on, band-aidlike disc containing1.5 mg of scopolamine called Transderm Scop. The disc is placed behind the ear, and the drug is slowly absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream at a controlled rate. You put it on about four hours before you need it, and it lasts up to the three days. It’s said to be about 75% effective, and side effects, if any, are normally mild. You can find out m o r e b y v i s i t i n g www.transdermscop.com.

Although Transderm Scop is only available by prescription, there are a few recognized over-the-counter drugs that have stood the test of time. Dramamine and Bonine pills will often do the trick, but they cause some people to become drowsy, many of whom will simply fall asleep on the boat and miss out on the day’s activities. Some of my passengers have told me that taking the pill the night before helps counteract the drowsiness, but I suggest you contact you physician for advice on that.

Finally, there’s a non-drug alternative that’s been around for a number of years called the ReliefBand, which looks much like an ordinary wrist watch. It delivers gentle electrical pulses to a pressure point on a nerve located in the wrist, which transmits a signal to the nausea-control part of the brain to resolve the conflict between what you see and what you feel, the root cause of motion sickness. It’s said to produce no side effects, and retails for $94.99. For more information visit www.reliefband.com.

Above are the two versions of the ReliefBand currently available online. The digital version has an MSRP of $174.99 while the one on the bottom retails for $94.99.

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A LEGEND IN LIFE A LEGEND IN THE AFTERLIFE Captain Bart Miller An Interview with a Gentle Man and a True Gentleman

by Gary Caputi Captain Bart Miller left this earth and the oceans and fish he loved on March 6, 2018. I was honored to know and occasionally work with him over the last 20 years. I found him to be a quiet man of integrity and honesty with a truly peaceful soul. We collaborated on several amazing articles over the years, the earliest appeared in the Big Game Fishing Journal almost two decades ago; the most recent, an interview that was published in Anglers Journal in the Summer 2014 issue, which you can read here. Along the way I encouraged him to try writing and as our friendship grew he would call me to unofficially edit some of his work. He would affectionately called me, "My Caputi" and always thanked me for my help and time. I was honored to have him consider me a friend. He was a man driven by a passion to catch big marlin, who became a great teacher for those who follow in the footsteps of the Master.

Goodbye my friend. May you spend eternity at the helm on tranquil seas, eyes always facing to your wake. awaiting the strike of the tonner you hunted.

F

ew personalities in sportfishing have been more flamboyant, more resolute, more innovative or more successful in their quest to catch truly huge marlin than Bart Miller. Fishing has always been his first priority and remains so to this day as he continues to design trolling lures and specialized tackle for his successful business, Black Bart International, in Riviera Beach, Florida.

of bigger fish and exploring exotic places. He arrived on the scene in Kona in 1964 wet behind the ears and full of enthusiasm. The lure of huge fish, calm seas and beautiful women drew him to this island paradise where the brash Californian cut a dashing figure with his muscular athlete’s build and shock of dark wavy hair. He’d found his hunting ground and it didn’t take long for him to start making a mark on the local fishing scene.

Miller grew up in California and spent his young- A YOUNG MAN’S DREAM er years fishing out of Santa Monica for yellowtail Initially Bart crewed on any charter boat that and sea bass. But as young men do, he dreamed

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would have him, but in two short years he was running the Adelante, a rickety old single-screw sampan of unknown ancestry.

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marlin, fish capable of causing catastrophic tackle failure—reels seizing, rods snapping, lines breaking, hooks bending. Kona in the second half of the twentieth century was not the place to fish “Each day after fishing I would walk the lobby of with what passed as adequate big game tackle the Kona Inn and dream about catching fish like pretty much anywhere else in the world. the mount of Capt. Henry Chee’s 1,095 pound world record blue marlin that was displayed After the Kiholo came the Christel, a modern 38’ there,” Miller recalled. “The dream of capturing flybridge Bertram. “She came loaded with new one of these old, clever, powerful, ill-tempered tackle, heavier rods, 130-pound Fin Nor reels, gaffs, fighting chair and a top notch crew. There grandmas seemed most unlikely.” were plenty of charters that kept me on the waThe young captain caught 87 blue marlin his first ter hunting for the tonner marlin I knew swam in season aboard the Adelante, a momentous start Hawaiian waters,” Miller recalled. “Things really to what would become an amazing career. He started to happen for me. Tournament wins, big upped the ante to over 100 in 1967 and capped fish, Kona records, World Records. My lure fishing off the season by winning top boat honors and was improving so I now had a good balance bethe coveted Henry Chee Top Captain Trophy tween live and artificial bait techniques for during the Hawaiian International Billfish Tourtempting huge marlin.” nament that year.

But he wasn’t happy with his arrangement with From deck hand to captain to top gun in three the owner of the Christel and built his own short years would have been an amazing feat in “banana patch” backyard 33-footer that he itself, but Bart was far from an average marlin named Billfisher and struck out on his own. After captain. He was a student of his prey and the en- a season in Kona Bart switched gears and moved vironment where they lived and hunted. He to Bay of Islands, New Zealand and then on to sought out the very best to learn from, experiCairns, Australia where he fished the 1970 seamented with techniques, baits and lure designs son for grander black marlin, learning from and of his own creation. He began to cut a swath sharing information with other great marlin capthrough Hawaiian billfish lore leaving a wake off tains. There are pictures of Bart between a pair of his transom as his knowledge grew and innate 1,000 pound black marlin with a young Peter ability blossomed. His keen powers of observaWright kneeling alongside him. Wright would go tion, his ability to pick up on the most impercepti- on to become one of the most famous marlin ble signs and catalog them in his mind made him captains on the Great Barrier Reef and in the a master at finding and luring big fish. He quickly world in the ensuing years. became a formidable adversary for the marlin he sought and for the other captains who compet- “My season in Australia was the turning point in my career” Bart explained. ”I learned so much ed against him in tournaments. about handling big fish, using the boat more effiThe Adelante was followed by the Kiholo, a stur- ciently during the fight, wiring techniques and dy 38’ Uniflite. “Big fish would visit me in those fishing with tackle truly made to do the job. early years,” Bart reminisced, “but encounters When I finally returned to Kona from Australia I with the biggest always ended in defeat. The was more ready than ever.” tackle of the day, especially what I could afford, and the techniques and boats we used simply THE LEGEND BEGINS were not up to the task of battling such majestic Miller took delivery of his fifth boat in 1973, the animals.” one that became the most famous sportfishing boat in the Islands, a beautiful and beautifully At the time Kona was visited regularly by huge equipped 42’ Merritt dubbed the Black Bart. It

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This photo was taken in the shop he built with his partners, Jack and Gary Tullius, Page 4747 Page on Blue Heron Blvd. in Riviera Beach, Florida. His office and lure design studio was behind the door in the background.

"During my years as an offshore fisherman and tournament boat captain I would call and speak with Bart frequently. I was nobody important, just a guy from the other side of the country that was using some of his lures, seeking any advice he was willing to part with. He always took my calls, spent time with me answering my questions and sharing our common love of chasing billfish. He was never full of himself and always generous with his time and knowledge."

Jim Donofrio, RFA Executive Director had tackle capable of stopping a runaway freight train and with Bart at the helm anglers aboard would need every advantage they could get because big fish were just over the horizon. In 1983 the Black Bart brought back the first of her many granders, a 1,265 pound blue caught on a live aku. The following year Miller would return to the dock with the catch heard ‘round the world, a blue marlin of such proportions that it was written up in newspaper and magazine accounts far and wide. The fish that would catapult Kona and

her most famous billfish captain to the forefront of the fishing world. The 17-foot long behemoth required a forklift to get it to the scales where it dropped the needle to an astounding 1,656 pounds.

The fish ate a handmade prototype lure, the result of years of observation and experimentation that today, at the age of 80, Bart continues to practice. The fish was hooked on one of the boats awesome “stump-puller” rods, a massive

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Hardy Bros. Zane Grey reel capable of generating 70-lbs of drag that was spooled with fresh 130-lb.

Dacron. The battle was fought from the heaviest Murray Brothers fighting chair made. “You can’t kill elephants with a BB gun,” Miller said, his still boyish grin shining through, “and that was the best big-fish tackle in the world at the time.” It was a three hour epic encounter that included the at-sea transfer of an additional deckhand from a nearby charter boat so the end game would include two of the top wire and gaff men anywhere on the Pacific.

water as it struggled and failed to throw its full bulk skyward. In an interview I conducted with Frehm years later he confessed that the fish was every bit as big, if not bigger, than accounted for in the stories. Both he and Bart estimated it at well over twenty feet and between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds, but the fishing gods were not with them that day. They lost the trophy of a thousand lifetimes just out of gaffing range.

OBSERVATION IS KEY

“I’ve fished all over the world and caught granders in three different oceans including a monster Miller had been designing and making own lures blue marlin that was released while fishing out of for years prior to the 1,656, a practice dating Madeira in the Atlantic in 1994,” Miller told me. back to Henry Chee, who was one of the first to Some say it was the largest blue caught there play with a new material for casting lure heads during the years when it was the hottest marlin called plastic. Lure building went hand and hand destination on the planet. with fishing marlin in Hawaii, but the demand for “The fish came in on the port teaser and grabbed Miller’s creations grew exponentially and led to an amazing product line. Today Black Bart Lures the nearest lure in the pattern, then dropped it,’ have a cult-like following and with good reason, he said, a youthful gleam returning to his aging they are accounting for marlin, tuna and wahoo eyes. “I could see the fish was not that interested, and winning tournaments the world over. With not aggressive, so I had the angler tease the fish, his business partners Jack and Gary Tullius, their almost unheard of with fish and tackle that big.

First we drop the lure past the fish’s head then company fights a daily battle to meet the demand for Bart’s stunningly beautiful and tactically reeled it quickly back towards the boat, which generated another half-hearted attack. I had him deadly trolling lures. reel it away from the fish again, then slow down Miller’s monster, caught in 1984, was the secthe tempo of the action and lighten the drag. ond largest blue marlin caught on rod and reel.

The fish lit up and on it came engulfing the lure!”

The biggest, a controversial catch my by Capt.

Miller has learned how to play to the feeding inCornelius Choy out of Honolulu in 1970 that stincts of big fish. “Many predatory animals will weighed 1,805 pounds, It reportedly ate a 100pound ahi (yellowfin tuna) that was being played teach you how to control their aggressive naby one of his charter clients, supposedly choked ture,” he told me with a certain confidence in his voice. He took me into his backyard with one of on it and stayed on the surface long enough to his beautiful, attack-trained German Shepherds be gaffed and subdued, but there are a dozen different versions of this great fish story still float- for a demonstration of how to read body language and maintain control; to be the alpha ing around the Islands to this day. male that commands respect. “You have to un“But that wasn’t the biggest marlin I encounderstand the nuances; the tilt of the head, the set tered,” Miller mused, “not by a long shot!” Less of the shoulders,” he tutored. “If you pay attenthan two years later the Black Bart would hook a tion long enough you will discover similar traits great fish that would make the 1,656 look small in marlin and you will be able to play to their inand fight it to near victory. The battle was witstincts. To appeal to their aggressive nature, to nessed by Sadu Frehm and Dana Boardman, stimulate them, to tease them into an all-out aswho were working the cockpit that day. Three sault, ah, but it can take a lifetime to learn.” pictures were shot of the monster half out of the

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WORDS OF WISDOM

marlin that spans 50 years!

During my most recent discussion with Bart Miller on a warm January afternoon while I was in Florida putting on the Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Tournament, one of many such conversations we’ve shared over the years, he touched on something he never mentioned before. A facet of marlin fishing he calls tempo. “There is a pace or tempo to trolling that once you learn to feel it can make a huge difference in your success,” he told me. “It’s hard to put into words, but it affects everything from how a day progresses and the game plan you use, to the speed you troll and the lures you place in the pattern. When you determine the tempo the fish will respond to on a given day you will find it will produce in locations many miles apart.”

Bart on Autopilots: “Lures need to be run straight

He told me to think of Tiger Wood in his prime, when he was riding atop the golf world. When he was playing at his peak you could see it in the tempo of his game; the confidence with which he set up his shots, the crispness of his swing, the accuracy of his placement, even in his stride down the fairway.

Bart on Setting a Spread: “When conditions allow

“Each day of fishing has a tempo,” Bart said struggling to explain such a foreign concept to me, “and there are often just subtle differences. It’s the hardest thing to learn and it can only be acquired through time spent on the water, years.”

and true for marlin without those small course corrections that are hard to avoid when steering a course by hand. While this is less important when trolling rigged baits, it is critical with lures so let your autopilot do the driving while you concentrate on the spread in your wake.”

Bart on Sea Conditions: “I take what the sea gives

me on any given day and respond accordingly.

Calm seas allow for faster trolling speeds and a comprehensive mix of lures and teasers. Rougher seas require slower speeds and fewer lures. Really rough, to the point of almost not being able to fish, only a few lures run directly off the rod tips with no outriggers.”

I try to run my lures as close to the boat as possible. The boat is your best teaser! Keeping the lures close lets you maintain a direct pull with less leader in the water. It also provides better hookups when fish strikes. Ideally I like to run the spread on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th wakes whenever possible.”

Bart on Teasers: “When fishing big lures for big

marlin I rarely use teasers. With smaller lures a teaser with an aggressive action that splashes and jumps will raise and stimulate marlin, bringing them into the pattern. Then you can switch He talked about setting out a pattern of five lures, them off to one of the smaller lures. Bait and all with an aggressive action, all top producers, switch. I never want a marlin to catch a teaser so I but when he ran them together the tempo of the use teasers with erratic actions.” pattern was off. The harmony was lost and they didn’t produce. When he changed the tempo of Bart on Life: “Never judge your fishing by conventhe pattern to a mix of lures, one stealthy subsur- tional measures of time ... seconds, minutes, face, one plunger, a straight swimmer along with hours, days, months or even years. Sum the total a couple of the aggressive models the fish came up later in your lifetime. This is a more kindly in and invariably hit the aggressive lures. The dis- manner of measure. Your will and spirit will be parate actions worked together to create just the better served.” right tempo to raise fish and encourage strikes.

Miller had other words of wisdom, which I will pass along in no particular order. Just take it for what it’s worth coming from a man who has seen and done it all over a lifetime of studying

With age can come great wisdom.

What more can be said other than thank you sensei.

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RFA NEWS & VIEWS

Regulatory Cutbacks Frustrate Anglers in New England Anglers in New England continue to be frustrated by their observations of plentiful populations of fish in our waters including but not limited to black sea bass, fluke, and cod which are not consistent with ongoing reductions in fishing seasons and annual bag limits. Yet we are told by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that, based upon stock assessments and recreational landing data, the cutbacks are justified.

Much of this is attributed to the flawed Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) recreational fish landing and/or release data that is subject to high percent standard error (PSE) and flaws in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), both which require revision and overhaul, but I will leave that discussion for another day.

There are many variables that impact the spatial distribution and location of fish in our waters, ranging from water temperature to availability of a food source, suitable habitat, and presence or absence of predators, to name a few. Experienced anglers have observed an increase in water temperatures seasonally over time north of Cape Cod in the Western Gulf of Maine, as well as waters near and offshore south of Cape Cod. This is well documented by NMFS and others, with credible evidence of a shift of fish biomass farther north and east into

cooler waters.

Lobsters are no longer plentiful south of Massachusetts to Long Island, and have moved farther north and east to avoid water temperatures exceeding 68 degrees F. Areas north of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine waters are recording record landings and numbers of lobsters. The biomass has not changed, but has moved farther north.

Black sea bass is another example where the stock or biomass has moved farther north, and are now encountered and landed in incredible numbers in Buzzards Bay and Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds, yet we have a shortened season from May to August with a five-fish bag limit. It was unheard of in the past to encounter black sea bass north of the Cape, but there are reports of consistent landings in Boston Harbor and farther north.

One can follow the migration of striped bass each year north from the Chesapeake Bay and Hudson River as the water temperature increases, and the same can be said of many other near-shore species as well as pelagics. These fish appear to move farther north and east into deeper water earlier in the season as a result of the elevated water temperatures. This past year the water temperature has been cooler and the fish did not leave our nearshore waters in great number as they have in the recent past. Elevated water temperature near shore, in my

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NMFS has provided credible evidence of historical trends of many species that have moved farther north and east with increasing water temperature. Then why doesn’t NMFS manage the fishery to take into consideration that fish have moved? One of the problems is that many states don’t want such a management approach because they might lose quota that they already been given. The time has come to

Cod retention is prohibited in the Gulf of Maine even though they are caught regularly while haddock fishing and stocks appear abundant further north and east. opinion, is one of the major factors that has resulted in the lack of striped bass in historically productive areas, in combination with other factors such as poor year classes, lack of forage fish, and the increased presence of predators such as seals.

While targeting haddock we encounter large numbers of cod in the Western Gulf of Maine waters, of all sizes, that we are forced to release as a result of a zero possession for cod in federal waters north of the latitude 42 degree line. Landing a haddock was unheard of back in the day in many areas including Stellwagen Bank.

Now we have a booming population of haddock throughout the Gulf of Maine. As we target haddock we are landing staggering numbers of cod of all sizes, much to the frustration of anglers.

Federal and state groundfish and/or cod surveys indicate that the biomass of cod is dangerously low, but that is inconsistent with our observations. The same can be said of fluke in our waters and up and down the coast. The NMFS stock assessment does conclude that there are tremendous numbers of black sea bass consistent with our observations, but again we suffer from flawed MRIP data that result in cutbacks.

Sea bass are migrating north into New England waters with ocean changes and expanding stocks, yet restrictions on anglers remain harsh. manage the stock based upon the climatic shift farther north and east, and rewrite the MSA and revise the MRIP process to reflect this. Otherwise, our frustrations with cutbacks in seasons and bag limits for these species, which are not consistent with our observation on the water, will continue.

Capt. Mike Pierdinock, RFA Chairman, Massachusetts Chapter

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waves

M A K I N G

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The Official Publication of the Recreational Fishing Alliance

The RFA Mission Safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers Protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs Ensure the long-term sustainability of our nation’s fisheries.

Anti-fishing groups and radical environmentalists are pushing their agenda on marine fisheries issues affecting you. The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is in the trenches too, lobbying, educating decision makers and ensuring that the interests of America’s coastal fishermen are being heard loud and clear. Incorporated in 1996 as a 501c4 national, grassroots political action organization, RFA represents recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues on every coast, with state chapters established to spearhead the regional issues while building local support.

“The biggest challenge we face is the fight to reform and bring common sense and sound science into the fisheries management process, says James Donofrio, RFA founder and Executive Director.

“Anti-fishing and extreme environmental groups are working everyday to get us off the water.” Despite the threats to diminish access to our nation’s resources, Donofrio says that RFA offers members hope in an organization that’s designed from the ground up to fight back. “As individuals, our concerns will simply not be heard; but as a united group, we can and do stand up to anyone who threatens the sport we enjoy so much – fishing!”

After nearly 20 years working inside the Beltway and within state capitols along the coast, RFA has become known as one of the nation’s most respected lobbying organizations, and our members have a lot to celebrate.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance Headquarters P.O. Box 3080 New Gretna, New Jersey 08224 Phone: 1-888-JOIN RFA toll free Fax: (609) 294-3812

Jim Donofrio Executive Director

John DePersenaire Managing Director

Gary Caputi Corp. Relations Director

Barry Gibson New England Director

Jim Martin West Coast Director

Sharon Scaltrito Office Manager