Making Waves - Spring 2019

M A K I N G

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T h e O f f i c ia l Pu b li ca t i o n o f t h e R e cr e a t io n a l F i sh in g A ll i a n ce

GROWING UP VIKING RFA Board Member Patrick Healey Your in Good Hands at ICCAT Striped Bass Stocks in Trouble & Management Solutions MSA Reform...Again!

News and Views

DE-BAIT-ABLE Wins 2019 Buccaneer Cup

Spring 2019 Issue

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Making Waves Winter 2019

PROUD SPONSOR

M A K I N G

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Making Waves Waves Summer 2016 Making Winter 2019

T h e O f f i c ia l Pu b li ca t i o n o f t h e R e cr e a t io n a l F i sh in g A ll i a n ce

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

By Gary Caputi

From the Publisher’s Desk;

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CONTROVERY, CONTROVERY. We have 'em coming in a variety of venues. The latest assessment for striped bass shows the spawning stock biomass continuing on a downward trajectory to the point that it is below the threshold. It's not news if you're a striper fisherman, the question is why didn't the ASMFC see it coming sooner and make what might have been minor changes in the management regime to enhance protection of the breeding stock? In this issue we bring you information about the assessment and some thoughts on possible new directions to stabilize the SSB and grow it. It might be controversial, but put ten striped bass fishermen in a room and ask their opinion on management and you'll probably get ten different answers.

Exec. Director's Report: MSA-More Work Ahead

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RFA Wind Farm letters to President and NJ MFC

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Breaking: NOAA Modifies MRIP

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Breaking: New England Groundfish Regs Delayed

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New Faces at the RFA

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Breaking: Fish Groups ask for ban on Walls of Death

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On another front, creating significant controversy among the fishing public is the potential for several major wind farms off the mid Atlantic coast. There are sides being drawn between the pros and the anti's, and it stands to only get more divisive going forward. The RFA has done a lot of homework on the effects of large scale wind farms and the latticework of submarine cables interconnecting them and what we've found out so far is not good for fisheries. The problem is, states like New Jersey want to rush headlong into this process, not because it makes sense, but because it's green and sounds good. The RFA is calling for a halt until more research can be examined on the negative impacts to fish and fish migrations.

You're in Good Hands at ICCAT

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ICCAT Blue Marlin Report

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Growing UP Viking

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New Striper Assessment

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Rethinking Striped Bass Management

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News & Views

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Welcome to the latest issue of Making Waves, where we will be making some waves for sure!

2019 Buccaneer Cup Recap 24

About the Cover The 56th Annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Tournament was held in January and Team DeBait-Able took home the Cup. Read more about it on starting on page 24.

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Executive Director’s Report

By Jim Donofrio

Modern Fish Act Leaves More Work to Be Done On December 31, 2018 the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act was signed into law by President Trump. There was a significant amount of fanfare regarding the bill's passage, but we feel it's important for our members and supports to have RFA's perspective on this bill and what we can expect moving forward.

The US commercial and recreational fishing industries have worked to reform the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) for the past 12 years. The RFA has been working with a broad coalition of recreational fishing and marine industry organizations to ensure that the legislative priorities for our industry were included in the reauthorization. The House and Senate responded to this effort by introducing legislation and holding numerous hearings over the past 3 sessions of Congress. During this time, information was gathered from the industry and in turn, used to draft/refine language and put forward a legislative solution. A bill, HR1335, was released from the House in the 114th Congress (20152017) and which represented the culmination of this effort and the priorities of the US fishing industry. Unfortunately, a statement of administrative policy was issued by the Obama Administration which indicated that HR1335 would be vetoed if it made its way to the President's desk. This halted all progress in regards to MSA reform in the 114th Congress. With the 2016 election and the start of the 115th session of Congress, the House of Representatives moved quickly and passed a comprehensive MSA bill that was developed and supported by both commercial and recreational fishermen and included most of the key provisions of the Modern Fish Act (HR2023), a recreational focused bill introduced by Rep. Garrett Graves. HR200 passed the House on July 7, 2018. The recreational industry applauded this action and noted the inclusion of the Modern Fish Act language in the bill. In the Senate, commitments were made by Senate leadership that a compatible MSA bill would be forth coming. Unfortunately, such a bill did not materialize. Instead, S1520 was introduced by Senators Wicker and Nelson and which ultimately gained 18 co-sponsors.

S1520 is extremely limited in scope and does not address some of the most pressing priorities outlined by the recreational fishing industries and fishery managers. Moreover, it expressively excludes the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions from some of beneficial aspects of the bill such as developing criteria for allocation reviews. In the end, the Modern Fish Act leaves recreational fishermen in the same situation it has been for the past 12 years. Fisheries managers would not be given any additional tools or techniques to improve the management of the nation's marine resources or our sector. Furthermore, S1520 does not represent a full reauthorizaton of the Magnuson Act and as such, work on a MSA reauthorization bill will need to immediately commence in the 116th Congress. RFA's name was included on coalition press releases for the Modern Fish Act but it is important to understand that a significant amount of work lies ahead of us in order to address long lingering issues with recreational fisheries management.

It is also important for our members to understand that it is not safe to assume that the passage of the Modern Fish Act will be benign. In fact, the political capital used to pass Modern Fish and the proclamations that Modern Fish has 'fixed' the current problems will have the very real affect of giving legislators a pass on taking on the outstanding issues and passing a meaningful MSA bill in the 116th Congress. In addition, the economic pain being experienced in our industry under the current MSA will certainly cause the closing of more tackle shops, the sales of more private and party boats and a few more anglers will leave the fishery for good. By delaying real MSA reform, we will experience continued permanent loss of recreational fishing infrastructure, something our industry cannot afford. RFA will have no choice but to continue fighting in the 116th Congress to draft, introduce and pass a MSA bill that truly addresses our needs and brings about a fair and equitable management regime for the recreational sector.

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THE WIND FARM CONTROVERSY O

ver the last few months the press and chatter online surrounding the concerted push to install massive wind farm installations off the Mid Atlantic Coast, and specifically off the coast of New Jersey where two lease sights are being planned to include over 300 turbines, has become pretty heated. Since the RFA came out against the rush to start these projects there have been a lot of questions and even hostility towards our position.

First, rest assured that the RFA did not come to its current position on wind farms lightly. Our concerns about how wind farms can impact fisheries.

Keep in mind that RFA's main concern is always fisheries related, and the evidence that existing wind farms approaching the density of the farms proposed for New Jersey waters is trickling in and a good deal of it isn't good, particularly regarding the impacts on demersal species like our very important summer flounder.

RFA is calling for a cooling off period and a slowdown to the process so that more research can be done both here and in areas where similar projects are already in place. We have heard the cry for more of the scientific data that was uncovered and led to our decision and you will find a bunch more in the RFA's letter to the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Commission. You can read it on the pages immediately following this one. It seems more evidence is popping up almost daily.

There are numerous videos posted by commercial

fishermen who have been dealing with the impacts of large wind farms in their waters, and more scientific papers are coming. Click here to watch one video we found compelling.

For some it's hard to resist the siren song of more supposed fish attracting structure, but we feel it's time to take a step back and truly evaluate these projects so we can find out whether wind energy and healthy fisheries can coexist.

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March 7, 2019 Dick Herb, Acting Chairman New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council PO Box 420 Trenton, NJ 08625-0420 RE: Statement of the Recreational Fishing Alliance on Offshore Wind Development Dear Acting Chairman and members of the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council (Council):

As the Council is aware, the Federal government is moving forward with the issuance of offshore wind leases and the New Jersey state government is looking to provide tax credits and subsidies to offshore wind developers. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has identified 12 lease areas off of the Atlantic Coast from Massachusetts to North Carolina. 3 of those leases are off of New Jersey’s coast with an additional 2 areas in consideration which would straddle the Ambrose Channel approach. Governor Phil Murphy has set a goal of 3,500 mega watts of offshore wind capacity along New Jersey’s coast by 2030. Using conservative estimates, it’s likely that upwards of 300 wind turbines along with hundreds of miles of cables will be sited off of New Jersey’s coast. The rate and scale at which this development is taking place is extremely concerning for fishermen.

It is this rapid rate and significant scale that has prompted the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) to urge the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council (Council) to step forward and advocate for the interests of New Jersey’s commercial and recreational fishermen as part of its mandate set forth in the Marine Fisheries Management and Commercial Fisheries Act of 1979 (N.J.S.A 23:2B). The Council needs to take action now before these facilities are constructed and there is no longer an opportunity to prevent permanent impacts to fisheries and our fishing community.

As mentioned above, there are currently 2 commercial lease areas off of New Jersey; OCS-A 0498 (Ocean Wind) which is 160,480 acres and OCS-A 0499 (US Wind) which is 183,253 acres. The combined linear footprint of the two lease areas stretches from mid-Long Beach Island south to Cape May Inlet and encompasses 536 square miles. When transmission lines are included, the area of impact extends up past Island Beach State Park. Both leases were executed by BOEM in 2016 for a term of 25 years.

Lease area 0498 is the farthest along in terms of development and is currently undergoing geotechnical survey work within the lease area and along the path(s) of proposed transmission lines to their shore based facilities.

In their January 22, 2019 Notice to Mariners, Ocean Wind outlined their proposed survey area. The survey work will be conducted within the 0498 lease area as well as an approximately 5-mile wide swath that extends past Island Beach State Park and a 3-mile swath that extends west towards Great Egg Harbor Inlet. It is surmised that these survey areas outside of the 0498 lease area will map a path to the non-operative Forked River nuclear power plant and the soon-to-be decommissioned B.L. England generating station. With this in mind, the Council must understand that from a fisheries standpoint, the footprint of lease area 0498 far exceeds the 160,480 acres issued to Ocean Wind by BOEM. RFA’s opposition to the proposed offshore wind facilities is based on a comprehensive review of what we

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know and what we don’t know. What we don’t know is how the proposed facility in lease area 0498 and the ones that will be built soon after will impact fisheries important to the recreational fishing community in New Jersey. We have not seen any data that quantitatively explains what will happen to the availability, abundance and migrations of fisheries found in this area in response to the facility. Nor have we have seen any plans by the developers to fully investigate these impacts prior to the construction of their facilities. For these reasons, RFA believes that it is irresponsible and unfair to fishermen to support such development without first fully investigating these impacts on a site specific basis.

What we do know about offshore wind from information that has been gleaned from facilities located overseas and in Rhode Island is that they absolutely do have an impact on fisheries. According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, summer flounder is the most popular recreational fishery in New Jersey. Total estimated catch of summer flounder by recreational angles is more than double, in numbers of fish, of the second most popular fishery in the state which is the striped bass. The value of summer flounder to the recreational sector is further illustrated by the fact that the estimated catch takes place in a relatively short window, roughly 126 days, compared to the other species such as striped bass and bluefish which have no seasonal closures in coastal waters. Thus, it is clear that any activity that has an impact on summer flounder will have a significant impact on the recreational fishing community and associated businesses.

Using summer flounder as an indicator and gauge of possible impacts, RFA looks to existing published, peerreviewed research to evaluate possible damages to our industry from offshore wind. An extensive literature review on the impact offshore wind energy areas conducted by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries summarized fishery specific impacts observed in both experimental settings and from the highly developed wind energy waters in the North Sea. Perhaps one of the most important findings from that review is listing below.

Flounder species were some of the only species to show correlations between the strength of electromagnetic fields from cables and increasing avoidance behaviors around cables, as their catches decreased around charged cables in Denmark (McCann, 2012).

This finding demonstrates that it has been statistically proven that flounder species, such as summer flounder, actively avoid direct current transmission cables associated with offshore wind facilities. These findings were also collaborated by Danish Energy Agency which stated the following; Catch studies on some species of fish (Baltic herring, common eel, Atlantic cod and flounder) at the Nysted wind farm in Denmark found the catches of these species were reduced in the vicinity of the cables, indicating the migration of fish across the cables may be reduced, but not blocked. (DONG Energy and Vattenfall 2006).

Furthermore, a BOEM funded project expressed these same findings in the following statement: DONG Energy (2006) reported on their studies of fish migration/movement in relation to the 132 kV export cable at Nysted OWF in Denmark. They collected data over several years using pound nets for both baseline and post-construction monitoring. Their data from 2003 and 2004 indicated significant suggest that migration of some species across the cable trace may be impeded; ___________________________ 1. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (2018) Recommended regional scale studies related to fisheries in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island –Massachusetts offshore wind energy areas.

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RFA wants to impress the importance of these findings to the Marine Fisheries Council for several reasons.

Summer flounder, arguably the most important recreational fishery, undergo seasonal migrations from the spawning grounds on and near the offshore canyons in the late fall/winter to the inshore bays and estuaries in the spring. The peer reviewed information above clearly demonstrates that flounder species exhibit a negative behavioral response to offshore wind cables. With that in mind, a fully built-out offshore wind facility in lease areas 0498 and 0499 with transmission cables connecting hundreds of turbines in addition to transmission cables to shore side facilities will effectively make a 76-mile barrier from Forked River to Cape May Inlet that will block seasonal movements of summer flounder to over 59% of the New Jersey shore line. The risk of cutting off more than half of the state from summer flounder is very real based empirical data currently available and something the RFA cannot support.

Many in support of offshore wind have pointed to the fact that new structure created by offshore wind facilities will create more opportunities for recreational anglers. Fortunately, we now have empirical evidence to verify if this claim is true. The Block Island Wind Farm was constructed in 2016. The farm consists of 5 turbines as it was designed on a pilot scale. A paper was recently published in the Journal of Sea Research which compared fish assemblages and abundance before and after construction of the Block Island Wind Farm. The paper included the following finding in regards to flounder species;

There was no indication that the presence of turbine structures attracted flatfish to the BIWF, either increasing abundances compared to reference areas or the baseline time period.

It is important for the NJ Marine Fisheries Council to understand that we have a real life demonstration of offshore wind in the form of the BIWF. We have empirical data from this offshore wind facility and it shows that no increase in summer flounder was found around the facility, the most important recreational fishery in New Jersey. It is also important to note that summer flounder abundance in the surrounding southern New England has increased dramatically in the past 7 years. In fact, the increase in summer flounder in these waters has lead to the development of new recreational summer flounder markets in Massachusetts. Several of these boats will be at the Saltwater Expo in Edison next week selling trips for summer flounder, something that was unheard of 7 years ago. With this in mind, the fact that the BIWF failed to increase the number of summer flounder around the turbines demonstrates that offshore wind facilities do not increase availability of fish or create more recreational opportunities for anglers. Furthermore, estimated catch number of black sea bass, a structure associated species, by recreational anglers in Rhode Island did not increase at a statistically significant level following the construction of BIWF. Black sea bass is nearly 3 times its rebuiling target and like summer flounder, has expanded its range northward substantially. For Rhode Island to show constant catch of black sea bass following the introduction of the BIWF further demonstrates that fishery benefits of wind farm 'struture' is being oversold.

On the point of recreational access to the offshore wind farms, the offshore wind development companies can provide no legal guarantee that anglers will be allowed to fish around the turbines. The turbines will be classi ________________________ 2. Leonhard, S. B., Stenberg, C., Støttrup, J., Deurs, M. V., Christensen, A., & Pedersen, J. (2013). Fish benefits from offshore wind farm development. In Danish offshore wind - key environmental issues – a follow-up (pp. 31- 45). Copenhagen: Danish Energy Agency.

3. English, P.A., Mason, T.I., Backstrom, J.T., Tibbles, B.J., Mackay, A.A., Smith, M.J. and Mitchell, T. 2017. Improving Efficiencies of National Environmental Policy Act Documentation for Offshore Wind Facilities Case Studies Report. US Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Sterling. OCS Study BOEM 2017-026. 217pp.

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fied as energy infrastructure and fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security. Recreational access can simply not be guaranteed.

In summary, the RFA believes that there are significant issues with regards to impacts on fisheries that have not been fully investigated by BOEM. The existing literature strongly suggests that the full build-out of electrical generating facilities in lease areas 0498 and 0499 will block summer flounder migrations. This would devastate the traditional recreational summer flounder fishery in south Jersey which supports numerous coastal businesses, is intricately tied to the Jersey Shore Tourism economy and supports thousands of jobs. Even if these offshore wind projects negatively disrupt summer flounder migrations by just 10%, the resulting reduction in fishing opportunities is enough to drive many tackle shops, party boats, and other recreational fishing operations out of business.

On top of the impacts to fisheries, the development of our offshore waters is not being done with private capital. The costs to build, operate and decommission these facilities will fall on the backs of tax payers through rate payer subsidies and tax credits. The Board of Public Utilities estimates that the average rate payer’s bill will increase $31 to $41 per year in order to fund these projects which will then sell the electricity back to the grid at an above market price. While some might contend that such an increase is insignificant, it would be irrational for the New Jersey fishing community to support these subsidies knowing, based on what we have seen from other offshore wind facilities, that they will most likely result in measurable negative impacts to important recreational fisheries in New Jersey. Furthermore, RFA believes that the offshore wind develop companies such as Orsted, Equinor, EDF Renewals, ect. are racing for these politically driven subsidies and in doing so, overstepping their basic due diligence responsibilities with regards to fishery impacts. The offshore wind industry spent over $830,000 in Trenton lobbying to gain political support for their projects in 2018. It’s unclear if any money was spent by these same companies looking into the biological, social and economic impacts to the recreational fishing industry resulting from their projects.

The mission of the RFA is very focused on fishermen, fishing/marine jobs and the marine resources. The RFA does not typically get involved with economic issues or energy markets. However, it is widely understood that the number of recreational fishing trips and the amount of expenditures made by a recreational fisherman is highly influenced by amount of disposable income available to that person. If the average electric bill goes up in New Jersey by $40, that could result in one less trip on a party boat, one less tank of gas in a private boat, or $40 less spent on bait/lures/rods/reels in a tackle shop. The cost of living, including energy costs, has a very direct impact on our industry. If offshore wind facilities are selling back more expensive electric to New Jersey rate payers, this impact will compound. Again, many supporters of offshore wind will say the proposed electric rate increases will be trivial for the average household, but to put this in perspective, even under the conservative rate increase estimates, if every registered angler in New Jersey gave $31towards artificial reef building for example that would generate upwards of $6.2 million per year.

In closing, RFA urges the NJ Marine Fisheries Council to introduce and pass a resolution that expresses its opposition to the advancement of offshore wind at this time and discourages the Board of Public Utilities from providing rate payer subsidies for offshore wind development. #### RECREATIONAL FISHING ALLIANCE PO Box 3080 New Gretna, NJ 08224 JOINRFA, www.joinrfa.org

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Executive Director's Report continued

NOAA Modifies Marine Recreational Information Program

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New MRIP Organizational Structure Reflects Greater Emphasis on Regional Implementation

he Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) has modified its organizational structure to address new priorities. Informed by its strategic plan, the program has shifted from its initial focus on developing, testing, and certifying new survey designs to developing a better understanding of regional needs and priorities, facilitating regional data collection efforts, and actively managing the regional implementation of new and improved survey methods.

Under MRIP’s new organizational structure: New Program Management, Survey Operations, and Research and Evaluation Teams have been established.

MRIP’s Strategic Plan and prepares Annual Implementation Plans and Spend Plans. It also identifies policy and process needs, develops policy advice, and drafts policy and procedural documents. Additionally, the Program Management Team reviews project reports and serves as a liaison to MRIP Regional Implementation Teams.

The Survey Operations Team oversees the administration of and advises the Program Management Team on survey operations to support national recreational fisheries data needs. The Research and Evaluation Team advises other MRIP Teams on topics relevant to survey design and survey statistics.

The MRIP Regional Implementation Teams, which identify regional data needs and prioritize additions and improvements to data collection programs, play a new and key role. Now part of the MRIP organizational structure, these teams will • The Operations, National Saltwater Angler communicate regional needs and priorities directRegistry, and Information Management Teams ly with MRIP through the Program Management have been retired.

Team. A new Regional Implementation Council The seven MRIP Regional Implementation Teams consisting of the lead coordinators for the seven have been added to the organizational structure, Regional Implementation Teams will develop coand a new Regional Implementation Council has ordinated national advice on a variety of crossbeen established to work with MRIP on crosscutting issues. regional and national issues of concern.

To stay informed of program developments and The Program Management Team oversees and improvements, subscribe to our e-newsletter. ensures the development and execution of The Executive Steering Committee, Communications and Education Team, and Transition Team remain unchanged.

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New England Recreational Groundfish Regs Likely to be Relaxed...

BUT IMPLEMENTATION DELAYED!!

Probably Until After the Season Opens At the New England Fishery Management Council’s meeting on January 30th, NMFS’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office’s (GARFO) Regional Administrator Mike Pentony stated that, due to the 35-day government shutdown, the 2019 recreational regulations would not be implemented

by May 1st. He did not give a projected date by when that might be accomplished.

jected mortality (entirely via release mortality) of around 140 metric tons, leaving some 80 mt “on the table.”

This underage means that New England’s sport fishermen have a chance at GOM cod “season” in 2019. The New England Fishery Management Council’s Recreational Advisory Panel (RAP) voted on February 22nd to recommend a one-cod posThose of us listening in on the meeting were session limit for the months of April and August. stunned. The government was back to work, and Certainly not earth-shattering, but better than the May 1st was a solid three months away, yet we zero-possession the past two seasons. Many of us (the recreational sector) were being told we hope this lifting of the no-possession regulation wouldn’t have a couple of simple cod and hadwill ultimately be approved by the full Council dock regulations in place for the beginning of the and finally NMFS. coming season.

In addition, the cod ACL shortfall of 2018 will likeWhat made it doubly painful was that the recrea- ly result in a higher bag limit for haddock. The tional sector came in well under its 220 metric ton bag limit was reduced from 15 to 12 haddock per (mt) Gulf of Maine cod ACL in 2018, with a proangler in 2018, because NMFS surmised that peo-

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New England anglers might be able to keep a codfish each trip for several weeks this year in addition to a relaxation of the haddock size and bag limits if GARFO establishes and implements the new regulations in a timely manner. ple would stay out on the water longer (with a higher haddock bag limit) and would thus capture more cod as bycatch, which would result in more cod release mortality, projected by NMFS to be 15%. The RAP also voted to increase the bag limit for haddock to 15 fish per person per day, drop the minimum size to 15 inches to reduce discards, and have a year-round fishery.

Last year, with no government shutdown to blame it on, GARFO was unable to implement the 2019 groundfish regs until July 30 th, a full three months after they should have gone into effect, on May 1st.

All of this underscores the low priority GARFO assigns to the recreational fishery in New England, a complaint many of us have been voicing The suggested measures for cod and haddock for years that falls on deaf ears. Just a few days combined are expected to result in a 2019 cod after the statement regarding recreational regulamortality that will be well under the recreational tions delay, GARFO found the time to create and ACL for cod, which will again be 220 mt. disseminate a detailed, illustrated press release admonishing the public to stay away from baby But until the new regs go into effect – and nobody knows when that might be – New England seals on the beach and not to take selfies with anglers will have to fish under last year’s no-cod- them. –Capt. Barry Gibson, New England Regional Director possession rule and the 12-haddock bag limit.

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Benefitting the Fisheries Conservation Join Us and Fish alongside Wounded Sponso

June 7 Liberty Landing Marina/Liberty H Captain Frank Crescitelli, Gary Caputi and the Recreational Fishing Alliance are proud to announce the dates for the 2019 Manhattan Cup - The New York - metropolitan area's first and only ALL RELEASE Striped Bass Tournament. The Manhattan Cup Charity Striped Bass Tournament.

The event benefits recently returned at-risk veterans and the Fisheries Conservation Trust, an organization dedicated to better science for more effective fisheries management.

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his year the Manhattan Cup returns to the beautiful Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, located in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty with a panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline, for a day of friendly competitive fishing, comradery among fishermen and recently returned warriors and conservation-minded anglers.

The fun includes breakfast, box lunches

and an indoor-outdoor awards dinner at the Liberty House restaurant.

The Manhattan Cup returned to the estuarine waters of the Hudson River, New York Harbor, Raritan and Jamaica Bays last year. The event brought 22 recently returned wounded and at-risk vets to participate in the competition alongside fishermen fishing from their

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n Trust and At-Risk Returning Veterans.

Warriors. You can Make a Difference! ored by

7, 2019 House Restaurant, Jersey City, NJ own boats or in donated charter boats that were purchased by angling teams.

The vets enjoy the fishing and festivities as invited guests of the tournament thanks to your entry fees and generosity. Our director of veteran outreach, former U.S. Army Scout Robert Gil, is hoping participation this year will allow us to at least double the number of vets for 2019. If you were there last year and saw the faces of the heroes who fished with us, and how much they enjoyed their respite from rehab, you know how much the event meant to them.

captains and guides will donate their talents and boats for the day giving anglers of any experience level the chance to compete with the best in the game.

As always there will be celebrity anglers, celebrity chefs and a fantastic charity auction and raffles to round out the event.

Participants can compete with their own boats, or secure one of our captains generously donating 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.

Teams compete targeting striped bass, For further details and to register go to bluefish, and weakfish using fly or light www.MANHATTANCUP.com or call tackle with artificial or natural bait.

Frank Crescitelli at 917-468-4817 or the Some of the region's most renowned RFA office at 800-JOIN RFA.

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New Faces at the RFA Meet Bob Bolger

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f you have stopped by the RFA booth at one of the tri-state area boat shows during the past two years, you may have recognized a familiar face. Bob Bolger has been manning the RFA booth and helping fill a big void in the RFA family created with the passing of Jim Winn in 2017. Jim, a gruff, loveable fishermen but who could put a smile any kids face, was a fixture with the RFA since it was formed in 1996.

Bob is a native of Newtown, PA, and recently retired Health/Phys Ed teacher with the Palisades School District. Bob coached numerous school sports team and shares the same connection with kids that made Jim Winn sho special. A lifelong fisherman who also was the owner/ operator of the charter boat, Fish Story, out of Cape May for ten years.

Bob maintains his USCG 100 Master’s License and is the current president of the Cape May Party and Charter Boat Association.

It is volunteers such as Bob that makes the RFA such an effective group working on behalf of recreational fishermen. Make a point to stop by the RFA booth at the next boat show and say hi. Bob is quick to talk about fishing, the Philadelphia Eagles, or any issues impacting our industry.

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Fishing Groups Ask Congress to Ban “Walls of Death” The American Sportfishing Association hosted a fly-in to Capitol Hill to ask members of Congress to support a bill that would ban drift gillnets.

The fly-in, which ASA government affairs vice president Mike Leonard called a success, included about a dozen recreational fishing advocates that rallied support for the “Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act.” “Less than 20 commercial fishing vessels operating out of California still use large mesh drift gillnets in the swordfish fishery,” Leonard told Trade Only Today. “It’s one of the dirtiest fisheries in the country; most of what is caught in this gear is bycatch, including other popular sportfish, marine mammals and sea turtles.”

This bill would transition the fishery toward more sustainable gear with significantly lower bycatch rates by phasing out the use of indiscriminate mile-long drift gillnets off the California coast by 2020, said Leonard.

half,” said Leonard. “I’m optimistic about our chances to get this legislation enacted this year.”

RFA board member and Yamaha executive Martin Peters, and John O’Keefe said last week they would also participate in the fly-in.

“We have had multiple visits to Capitol Hill in support of efforts to limit use of drift gillnets,” said Peters. “This is one of those efforts that is beneficial for conservation, beneficial from a bipartisan perspective and has support from various user groups. It is one of those bills we should be able to find some common ground and do some good. The entire industry needs to be engaged and involved in formation of these statutes. The conservation of resources is important to all of us.”

S. 2773 was introduced in the last Congress and passed through the Senate Commerce Committee, but the clock ran out before it made it across the finish line, Leonard said.

“Somehow it’s flown under the radar all this time,” said Leonard. “Last year, the state passed a bill similar to the federal bill that all but one state legislator ended up voting yes on. Once people learn about the bycatch in this gear, they tend to be pretty appalled.”

ASA expects the bill to be reintroduced soon.

“The group made a lot of progress on this important issue, with productive meetings with 16 different Congressional offices over a day and a

AFTCO president Bill Shedd makes his case to California Sen. Dianne Feinstein

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RECAP

Making Waves Winter 2019

56TH ANNUAL BUCCANEER CUP SAILFISH RELEASE TOURNAMENT

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he 56th Annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Tournament was held January 23 to 26, 2019 in the Palm Beaches. This year an additional fishing day was added to the format giving teams the choice to fish any two. With two days of near ideal conditions, and a muchanticipated bite pushing into the area from the north, teams were rewarded with steady fishing.

After the entire field of top competition teams taking a lay day on Thursday, all 39 boats hustled to release 180 sailfish on Friday and Saturday, The prize, a purse in excess of $352,000, the prestigious and beautiful Buccaneer Cup trophies for the top three boats and anglers, and bragging rights for placing in one of the oldest and most enduring billfish tournaments in the world. Add to that the knowledge that the tournament proceeds benefits the Recreational Fishing Alliance and The Billfish Foundation, there was a lot at stake.

Courtney Bowden, currently in her sixth year at the reigns of the Buc Cup, did a spectacular job running one of the best organized and classiest billfish tournaments on the coast. Along with her team of volunteers, including staff from TBF and RFA, she has made the Buc one of the most exciting and talked about tournaments of the season.

The comradery displayed by the teams in attendance proved to everyone that the Buc is most definitely back!

The 56th Buccaneer Cup opened with the Captains meeting on Wednesday held outdoors at the recently completed Tiki Bar at the Sailfish Marina. The meeting was sponsored by the Viking Yacht Company and HMY Yacht Sales. Robert "Fly" Navarro emceed the meeting and went through the rules which included a few changes in 2019 to give the teams more flexibility and fishing options. The meeting included raffle items provided

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by the long list of tournament sponsors included such as items as Engel Coolers filled with goodies, Costa del Mar sunglasses, Maxel Reels, Tsunami rods and lures, Caza Offshore knife kits and gear donated by Atlantic Marine Electronics (AME), AFTCO, Hi-Liner Offshore Tackle, Grand Slam Sport Fishing, Outrigger Yacht Products, and Mustad.

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lines out bringing their two-day total up to 21 sailfish releases and leaving the competition in their wake.

Tournament staff utilized Reel Time Apps for accurate, up-to-the-minute scoring that was available to teams and tournament enthusiasts by simply downloading the free app. The program was linked to the official radio room computer The competition teams made the unanimous de- scoring team and updated minute-by-minute alcision to lay on Day One, opting to fish Friday lowing teams to follow the leader board and Saturday which, based on the forecast, held throughout each fishing day. At tournament's the best conditions of the three available fishing end the radio logs were matched against the days. boat's catch logs and Reel Time Apps and then Day Two opened with grey skies, light east winds verified by video confirmation. and a strong bite with 14 sails being released within the first hour. Martha D called in the first release of the tournament just 17 minutes after lines in at 8 AM. The live baiters seemed to have the edge as Old No. 7, and De-Bait-Able took an early lead, but dead baiters Polarizer and Krazy Salts also made runs to claim the top spot for the day and the Calcutta dailies. By lines out, Old No. 7 racked up 10 releases on live bait for 2,000 points, followed closely by DeBait-Able just 200 points off the leader. The top dead baiters filled out the leader board with Polarizer and KraDe-Bait-Able won big with a first place finish and a zy Salts in the 3rd and 4th spots aidcheck for over $110,000! ed by a late bite that saw six releases in the final 30 minutes of fishing before lines out at 3:30.

The winning boats were De-Bait-Able on top, Old Day Three saw a drop in the wind and accompa- No. 7 securing second place, with Sandman just nying slowdown in the action, but the live baiters 200 points behind in third. The competition was continued to push their advantage. Based on ra- a nail biter between the top boats and was capped by a great run by Wrapped-Up breaking dio chatter, fishing was best in a small area to the out of the pack in the final hour of the tournanorth of Jupiter Inlet. De-Bait-Able, with Capt. KJ ment trying valiantly to catch the leaders. In addiZeher at the helm, put on an astonishing clinic the final day amassing a total of 4,200 points by tion to several Calcutta categories, Old No. 7 also

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won the Charity Calcutta which includes an entry fee to the 2019 Buc Cup. They have been a regular in the tournament the past few years and no doubt the crew will be back next year trying to top their second-place finish.

The top angler trophies went to Bill Bryan on the Old No. 7 in first, beating Chris Weaks on the De-Bait-Able in second by time (both had 1,400 points), and Sandra MacMillan on the Sandman taking third as well as the Top Female Angler, which was also a tie broken by earliest catch.

The Buccaneer Cup Tournament cash award for the Most Points on Live Bait ($10,000) went to the De-Bait-Able team, which pocketed $110,800.

Most Points on Dead Bait ($10,000) went to Polarizer, the team receiving a check for $66,610 in total purse for their win. The InTheBite Top Captain cup was awarded to Captain KJ Zeher, who skippered the De-Bait-Able to victory.

New for 2019 and created in memory of a longtime participant in the Buccaneer Cup, the Walter Johnson Award trophy for the largest meat fish went to the Bertram 61 for their 34-pound dolphin landed on Day 2. Pat Healey explained that the award was created as a posthumous honor that recognized his love of catching meat fish, and for his contributions to the development of the MTU engine, which has become the standard in sportfishing boats, during his tenure as the top executive at Johnson & Towers.

The awards banquet was held at the Sailfish Club of Florida and sponsored by MTU Marine Power, Florida Detroit Diesel Allison, and Johnson and Towers. The awards dinner was 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 billfish management and assessment.

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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, Akzo NobelInterlux Paint, Seakeeper, Garmin, Cummins Marine Power, American Venture Boats, Bahama Boat Works, Christi/Travelers Insurance, Atlantic Marine Electronics, American Fishing Wire/HiSeas, Release Marine, Viking Service Center, The Buccaneer Marina & Resort, Reel Time Apps, Sailfish Marina, and Outrigger Marine Products.

Top angler trophy went to Bill Bryan on Old No. 7

Capt. KJ Zeher takes InTheBite Top Captain Award

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The captains meeting was a grand affair at Sailfish Marina . Even the weather cooperated, with balmy temperatures.

Sandra McMillan bagged the 3rd Place Angler and Top Lady Anglers trophies. That's tournament director Courtney Bowden on the right and awards dinner emcee Fly Navarro on the left.

The winner of the 56th Annual Buccaneer Cup, and top boat, De-Bait-Able is seen flying a brace of sailfish release flags coming back to the dock at Sailfish Marina to turn in their catch report and video for validating their catch.

Pat Healey, representing the Recreational Fishing Alliance, presented a donation for $5000 to Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation. The tournament is a major fundraising event for the RFA.

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Recreational Fishermen: You’re in Good Hands at ICCAT

by Gary Caputi

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he International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is an intergovernmental organization responsible for developing management policies for pelagic species in the Atlantic Ocean. The United States is a leading contracting party to the convention and unquestionably the strongest proponent for conservation minded management of the species under its jurisdiction. Those species include bluefin tuna, the BAYS tunas (bigeye, albacore and yellowfin), billfish (swordfish, blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish), mako sharks, small tunas (skipjack) and some mackerel species.

scientific-based management advice, provides a mechanism for Contracting Parties to agree on management measures, and produces relevant publications. Member nations are responsible for implementing management regimes in compliance with ICCAT recommended harvest levels, management measures and reporting requirements.

For many years, U.S. representation was heavily slanted toward commercial fishing interests, but consistent pressure by a few individuals and organizations began a change toward providing more even-handed representation of recreational ICCAT compiles fishery statistics from its members interests. Among those were RFA executive direcand from all entities fishing for these species in tor Jim Donofrio and the organizations legal the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and Gulf council Raymond Bogan, along with Ellen Peel, of Mexico, coordinates research including stock president of The Billfish Foundation. Today the assessments, on behalf of its members, develops U.S. delegation to ICCAT includes a group of ex-

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perienced and dedicated people who are working tirelessly to make recreational fishermen’s voices heard.

time law, and a member of one of the Northeast’s most illustrious fishing families with roots dating back almost 100 years as operators of party and charter fishing vessels, is uniquely qualified to Raymond Bogan heads up the U.S. Recreational head our delegation. He speaks highly of the delegation in his position as recreational commis- contributions U.S. fishermen, both commercial sioner. His team of advisors includes Mike Pierdi- and recreational, have made while working to nock (RFA Massachusetts Chapter president, implement greater conservation of pelagic specharter captain and owner of Lightship Engineer- cies, while at the same time trying to gain a more ing); Nick Cicero (member of the RFA Board of level playing field for the U.S. fishermen at ICCAT. Directors and an executive at Folsom Corporation, one of the nation’s largest distributors of “U.S. recreational and commercial fishermen have fishing tackle); Rick Weber (Owner of South Jersacrificed a great deal to conserve and help resey Marina and tournament director); Peter cover highly migratory species,” says Bogan.

Chaibongsai (Director of Conservation Programs “Often, we engage in negotiations at ICCAT on at The Billfish Foundation) and Pamela Dana, species for which we have already implemented PhD (Licensed charter captain, voting member of management measures that are, compared to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council our impact on the species, far stricter than needwith extensive background working for the States ed to rebuild the stock. Measures that should set of Florida and California). the standard for other nations, but rarely do.

“Recreational fishermen are well represented by a “Despite domestic measures, U.S. actions alone very strong group of people between the Recrea- are simply not adequate to rebuild most of these

tional Advisors, who help develop U.S. policy for ICCAT, and our Technical Advisors, who work to provide species specific fisheries data and background information for the development of those policies,” says Commissioner Bogan. “All are fishermen and women who understand the importance of recreational fishing as an industry in the United States, which helps drive home the economic importance to other signatories to ICCAT whose countries might not have robust recreational fishing communities, and whose policies are aimed strictly at the commercial utilization of fisheries.”

Commissioner Bogan went on to mention the impact that the Recreational Fishing Alliance has had on the ICCAT process since its executive director, Jim Donofrio became embroiled in fighting for greater recreational representation dating back almost twenty years. Bogan, as a practicing attorney with a background in mari-

species. Most U.S. fishermen feel strongly, and have felt so for a long time, that certain other countries must contribute proportionately to achieve conservation goals equitably and effectively. Our ICCAT Advisory Committee representatives carry that message forward very effectively.

“U.S. policy has sometimes been to impose unilateral or disproportionate measures on our fishermen (e.g. quotas, size and bag limits) which may, in the long run, not only hurt U.S. fishermen but are insufficient to achieve the needed conservation goals of ICCAT without greater regulatory restraints on fishermen from other nations.

“Our position on shortfin mako shark, for example, reflected a recognition that we have taken significant steps towards conservation of this species, which we will continue, but that other nations have to step up and implement substantive and proportionate measures that will not only

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help stop the decline of the shortfin mako population, but also rebuild the stock. U.S. measures are more than sufficient to achieve this goal, but only if other nations implement proportionate conservation measures that match our selfimposed efforts. If the U.S. was to unilaterally stop all fishing for mako sharks, we could not rebuild the stock, or even stop the decline of this species (or most others) through unilateral action. That’s why ICCAT exists, to try and get all nations on the same page regarding conservation of pelagic species. As a harvesting nation the mortality related to our fishermen is so small compared to the commercial fleets of the remaining nations that it would be impossible,” Bogan says.

The vast majority of U.S. ICCAT Advisors from the fishing communities, recreational and commercial, were unified in the position that conservation of shortfin mako was needed. We were willing to make significant sacrifices as part of our

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ulations associated with these species. A minimum size of 27-inch fork length, a yellowfin bag limit and some of the most stringent longline regulations in the world. Our recreational representatives have kept the relative sacrifices made by U.S. fishermen in the forefront of discussions and consideration, no easy task when most other nations are solely concerned with protecting their commercial fleets.

“Marlin have been another challenge because of the fishing practices of certain countries, and because other nations do not harbor the same iconic view of them as the pinnacle of sportfishing.

Some see them as nothing more than protein, not something to be “played with” by recreational fishermen. Our recreational representatives on the IAC have effectively advocated the social and cultural benefits of a strong marlin fishery, not just the economic benefit. The economic benefit that the U.S. recreational industry derives from

Our recreational representatives have kept the relative sacrifices made by U.S. fishermen in the forefront of discussions and consideration, no easy task when most other nations are solely concerned with protecting their commercial fleets. ongoing conservation efforts, but we should not have to make disproportionate or unilateral sacrifices. Our delegation carried that message to the most recent ICCAT meetings in Morocco where shortfin mako was a major species of consideration. We appreciated that our hard work resulted in management measures that would further restrict U.S. fishermen, but allow for the continuation of our responsibly prosecuted shortfin mako (and other shark) fishery. We were disappointed that upon our return NMFS implemented measures that negated part of our success overseas, but they have since reconsidered and the new regulations appear to acknowledge U.S. sacrifices and allow our fishermen to maintain some semblance of a recreational shark fishery.

marlin does not always resonate as well with economically challenged nations that may be more interested in the protein provided by billfish.”

Listening to Commissioner Bogan talk with admiration about the message being brought to ICCAT by our recreational contingent, their understanding of the issues at home and how they relate to fisheries management on a more global basis, is somewhat reassuring for anglers in the U.S. That said, even with the best of representation, the U.S. delegation is often the lone voice in the wilderness calling for greater conservation by other member nations that match the sacrifices made by U.S. recreational and commercial fishermen. Only time will tell if the other ICCAT member nations will take significant measures to pre“Yellowfin and bigeye tunas are another example. vent the further degradation we are facing for The U.S. cannot save either species through our several of the pelagic species under the ICCAT efforts alone or even have a major impact on umbrella. stock rebuilding. We have the most stringent reg-

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What Does the Future Hold for Blue Marlin and White Marlin Stocks?

Post ICCAT Meeting Report and Commentary

by Capt. Mike Pierdinock, RFA Massachusetts Chapter Director and ICCAT Advisor

A

fter returning from the International Commission for The Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (“ICCAT”) marathon sessions in Dubrovnik, Croatia, I reflected on the fact that consensus could not be reached by the contracting parties to address the management of the blue marlin stock. The scientific body of ICCAT conducted a stock assessment for blue marlin in 2018 that concluded that blue marlin are “overfished” and “overfishing is occurring”.

cies include Atlantic tunas (bluefin tuna and tropical tunas), swordfish, billfish (blue marlin, white marlin, roundscale spearfish, longscale spearfish and sailfish), and sharks (shortfin makos, porebeagles, etc.). ICCAT develops, manages and implements conservation and fishery management measures associated with HMS species. NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Services (“NMFS”) create regulations, as necessary and appropriate, to implement conservation and management recICCAT is an inter-governmental fisheries organiza- ommendations adopted by ICCAT. tion responsible for the conservation of highly mi- The U.S. has led the way with blue and white gratory species (“HMS”) that migrate independent marlin conservation measures with fishery related of national borders in the Atlantic Ocean and ad- organizations working with select nations in the jacent seas, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean that recognize the importance and Mediterranean Sea https://iccat.int/en/. HMS spe- economic impact of these species. U.S fishery

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management measures include mandatory use of non-offset circle hooks associated with Billfish tournaments using natural baits (or natural/ artificial bait combination) and the use of J-hooks and offset circle hooks with artificial lures. Other measures include area closures and size limits, sound catch and release methods and the prohibition on the commercial sale of these species.

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of dead discards, with none reported by the vast majority of other nations. The continued failure of certain nations to insufficiently or not report landings and dead discards at all is one of the primary problems associated with managing the blue marlin fishery. There are many examples of insufficient data being submitted to ICCAT such as Morocco reporting an average of 10 mt of blue marlin landed per year that spiked to 82 mt in The Caribbean, Central and South America nations along with other nations continue to com- 2017. mercially harvest blue and white marlin and use J Consensus could not be reached to revise the hooks that results in an increase in post release management of the blue marlin stock at the 2018 mortality. The continued commercial harvest of annual meeting in Croatia. As a result, there is no blue marlin by the international fleet and subse- substantive change to the international managequent poor status of the stock is of concern since ment of blue marlin for 2019, despite the agreed this ongoing fishing pressure may be changing upon need to reduce blue marlin mortality. With the population dynamics impacting the blue mar- the upcoming white marlin stock assessment in lin size stock structure within and beyond U.S. 2019, and status of the blue marlin stock, signifiwaters. cant fishery management measures may be on The U.S. and other select nations (Brazil, Mexico the horizon in 2020. and Canada) fought for and recommended the use of non-offset circle hooks and other select conservation measures. Select nations claim fewer fish are landed by utilizing non-offset circle hooks and as a result, they utilize J hooks, which in certain fisheries increases post release mortality. ICCAT reported that recent research demonstrated that in certain commercial longline fleets that the use of non-offset circle hooks resulted in a reduction in billfish mortality.

The Caribbean Sea and Bahamas are the primary spawning grounds for blue marlin in the Western Atlantic. ICCAT’s scientific body indicated recent reports of blue marlin spawning grounds north of the Bahamas in an offshore area near Bermuda.

ICCAT has set an annual total acceptable catch (“TAC”) of blue marlin of 2,000 metric tons (“mt”) that has been exceeded every year since 2013.

This is primarily a result of the commercial harvest of blue marlin by the international longline fleet with the major harvesters from Japan, Spain, France, Ghana and other select nations. ICCAT recommended a TAC reduction to 1,750 mt that was not implemented.

The U.S. strictly complies with its obligation to report blue marlin dead discards. On the other hand, the EU and South Korea report a handful

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New Striper Assessment Discouraging

By Capt. Barry Gibson, NE Regional Director Data suggests that stocks of Atlantic striped bass have fallen well below the “threshold” number of spawning-age females, which will likely trigger tighter restrictions for striper anglers.

T

he results of a 2018 coast-wide stock assess- tives from coastal states from Maine to Florida ment for striped bass indicate that this iconic that manage striped bass and inshore species, at species may be overfished and in trouble – again. a meeting in mid-February. The full analysis was not available due to delays caused by the governThe preliminary findings of the assessment were ment shutdown earlier in the year, but the ASpresented to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries MFC’s feeling was that the results “would likely be Commission (ASMFC), consisting of representathe same” when the full report comes out.

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Stripers were fished to very low levels in the 1980s, which led to a moratorium on catches, and stocks recovered by 1997. The population stayed relatively high for a decade, then began to fall off due to poor year classes and weather patterns. New restrictions were put into place in 2015, including an increase in minimum size to 28” in many states, and a one-fish bag limit.

Spawning Stock Decline The trigger for management action takes place when the spawning stock biomass (an estimate of the number of reproductive-age females) falls below 91,436 metric tons (mt). The new assessment indicates that the biomass dropped to 68,476 mt in 2017, and may have been below the threshold for several years before then.

Interestingly, restrictions that increased the minimum size appear to have increased the number of stripers that were caught, handled, and released, but which ultimately died. Data indicated

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that this might be 10% of all bass caught, and these “deaths” may actually be more than the number of fish that were actually kept.

The final and complete stock assessment will be discussed at the ASMFC meeting in May, and further restrictions on recreational catches will be discussed.

Nobody is sure at this point what new restrictions recreational striper anglers may be facing in order to further reduce mortality, but there has already been some talk of perhaps going to a 32” minimum size, shortened seasons, and mandatory circle hooks and/or a prohibition on gaffing.

Timing? Perhaps not until 2020,but that's not chiseled in granite either. Regardless, the RFA will be staying on top of this issue as things develop.

We really don’t have a whole lot left to give up except perhaps reverting to something as restrictive as slot limit, a catch-and-release fishery only, or an even shorter season.

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Time to Rethink Striped Bass Management

By Gary Caputi

Could Red Drum serve as a model for a future management regime?

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t’s not like we didn’t see this coming. Striped bass anglers up and down the coast have been warning about a decline in large stripers for the past five years, at least. Not that it kept a lot of anglers from harvesting those same big fish they were complaining were harder to find. Calls for changes to the way ASMFC manages the stock to provide more protection for the breeders have been on the minds and lips of conservationminded anglers who realized what was coming down the pipe even before the stock assessment scientists and managers did, or at least were willing to admit. After all, the recovery of the striped bass stocks from such severe low levels of abundance we saw in the 1980’s turned out to be the biggest feather in the cap of the fisheries management community both at the State and Federal levels. Yet something kept managers from recognizing that some tweaks to the management plan along the way might be warranted to prevent stock declines in the future. Could it have been hubris?

instead of the same tired combination of bag and size limits? Maybe, if the managers had gotten a little creative earlier when indications of the spawning stock decline first appeared on their radar more drastic actions might have been averted.

Let’s take a quick look at the problems inherent in managing striped bass. They are an anadromous fish that is somewhat slow to recruit into the spawning stock and they are also very long lived and capable of spawning many dozens of times over the span of their lives. There are a variety of factors affecting the overall health of the population of which fishing mortality is only one, and very possibly not the most important. However, spawning success is, and it is impacted dramatically by environmental factors. Take a look at spawning success as measured by young-of-theyear surveys compared to the size of the spawning stock (SSB) over the entire period for which data is available, and you will see years of extremely high YOY survey numbers corresponding So where are we today? Have we returned to the with years of very low SSB. You will also see years rock bottom stock levels of the 1980s? Can the of modest spawning success during times of peak fishery be saved? Is there a moratorium on recre- SSB. The most important factor here appears to ational harvest in our future? Probably not, the be water temperature and water levels in the overall stock is still lightyears ahead of what it spawning rivers. Ideal conditions elevate spawnwas at its lowest levels back then, but more dras- ing success leading to high YOY indexes and intic measures will most definitely be coming down creased recruitment to the SSB in subsequent the pipe in 2020, unless the ASMFC brain trust years. Unfavorable conditions lead to poor YOY decides to institute in-season emergency numbers and poor recruitment down the line. measures later this year. The big question is whether they have the will to try a new direction Obviously, we cannot control the environmental conditions during the spawn. The only factor fish-

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Red drum management is based on slot limits throughout its range with strict adherence to a maximum retention size. Could it work to protect the striped bass SSB? Would fishermen be willing to accept a fish like this as the biggest they can keep? eries management can impact is harvest mortality and to a lesser degree release mortality. During my years as a striped bass advisor to the ASMFC, and later during my nine years-service on the Mid Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, the dirty little joke was that we were incapable of managing fish, we could only fishermen, and regardless of the cause of a decline in any fish stock all we could due was punish fishermen in hopes that we could reduce harvest enough to reverse the decline. It was a tough balancing act and not always as successful.

the spawning stock, which if kept at a higher level of abundance could help offset some of the variability of spawning success due to environmental causes. The reason for our concern today isn’t the size of the total stock of striped bass across all year classes, but the decline in SSB.

One model we found interesting is utilized in managing red drum, also called redfish, in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico where emphasis is on protecting the spawning stock by curtaining the harvest of large fish that have recruited to the SSB, while maintaining a vibrant recreational fishBut shouldn’t managers be open to trying differ- ery. Having fished for redfish in at least seven ent approaches to species management that states I was aware that most maintain a strictly could have the potential to help achieve more enforced maximum size limit and of the 11 states stability to beleaguered striped bass stocks. There that regulate red drum harvest only one allows might be models already in use with other spethe taking of any fish over 30� in length. Of the cies that might be worth serious consideration, 11 states three have what amounts to gamefish especially when the goal is to reduce mortality on status (no commercial sale), five have the same

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size restrictions and daily bag limits from 1 – 5 fish per day for commercial sector harvesters. North Carolina has a 250,000 lb. harvest cap on commercial landings and the same retention size limits as imposed on recreational fishermen. Most are harvested as a bycatch allotment in gillnet fisheries. In other words, recreational fishing accounts for all or the vast majority of the harvest in every state.

We conducted a survey of the recreational regulations in place on a state-by-state basis and this is how is shakes out. The sizes shown are the spread between the minimum and maximum allowable retention sizes.

State

Season

Size Limit

Retention Limit

NJ

Year Round Year Round Year Round Year Round Year Round Year Round Year Round Year Round Year Round Year Round Year Round Year Round

18” – 27”

1 fish

20” – 27”

5 fish

18” – 27”

1 fish

18” – 26”

3 fish

18” – 27”

1 fish

15” – 23” 14” – 23”

2 per person/6 max per boat 5 fish

18” – 27”

1 or 2 fish by zone

16” – 26” 18” - 30”

3 fish with 1 over 26 permitted 3 fish

16” – 27”

5 fish

20” – 28”

3 fish

DE MD

VA NC SC GA FL AL MS LA TX

on the status of the overall SSB, (large drum spend most of time in ocean waters) because there is not a fishery independent survey method currently in place to evaluate it. That said, he was confident that the SSB was in good shape and that the management regime was working as hoped. And why wouldn’t it when the main goal is to protect the SSB above all else.

So does the management regime for red drum set an example for what could be done with striped bass? It certainly sounds like an interesting approach considering current manner that stripers are being managed was successful until it wasn’t. It seems like this is the time to explore new directions with a greater chance of taking the stocks in the direction they need to go. Are fishermen ready to forgo harvest of spawningsize bass to help grow and stabilize the SSB. Will they be happy if they are only allowed to harvest fish within a specified slot size and release the spawners. It would certainly elicit a lot of debate, but it is our hope that we can break out of the rut the management process has been in going forward.

In a recent conversation with Mike Schmidtke, PhD, the Fishery Management Plan Coordinator for red drum at the ASMFC, we discussed the success of the management regime and specifically the slot limit placed on recreational fishermen. He reported that the last few stock assessments indicate the stocks, which were once considered to be a low levels of abundance, are not being overfished and assessments of small fish, which are estuarine dependent, has been high indicating that they are not overfished. Trying to get a manager to say a stock is “healthy” is like pulling teeth.

Unfortunately, he could not provide information A max size keeper redfish in Louisiana.

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NEWS & VIEWS Black Sea Bass Regs to Remain Status Quo for 2019 The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted last week to maintain the same regulations for sea bass as were in effect last year as per the following press release: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission was formed by the 15 Atlantic coastal states in 1942 for the promotion and protection of coastal fishery resources. The Commission serves as a deliberative body of the Atlantic coastal states, coordinating the conservation and management of nearshore fishery resources, including marine, shell and anadromous species.

1050 N. Highland Street • Suite 200A-N • Arlington, VA 22201 703.842.0740 (phone) 703.842.0741 (fax) http://www.asmfc.org Arlington, VA – The Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board approved status quo measures for the 2019 black sea bass recreational fishery (see Table 1). This action is based on the recommendations of its Technical Committee, which found that status quo measures are not likely to exceed the coastwide recreational harvest limit for 2019.

Based on the most recent most stock assessment, the stock is estimated to be above the biomass

target and not experiencing overfishing.

Table 1. 2019 Black Sea Bass Recreational Management Measures State Minimum Size Possession Limit Open Season ME 13" 10 fish May 19– Sep 21; Oct 18–Dec 31 NH 13" 10 fish Jan 1–Dec 31 MA 15" 5 fish May 19–Sep 12 RI 15" 3 fish Jun 24–Aug 31 7 fish Sep 1–Dec 31 CT Private/Shore 15" 5 fish May 19–Dec 31 Authorized Party/Charter 15" 5 fish May 19–Aug 31 7 fish Sep 1–Dec 31 NY 15" 3 fish Jun 23–Aug 31 7 fish Sep 1–Dec 31 NJ 12.5" 10 fish May 15–Jun 22 12.5" 2 fish Jul 1 –Aug 31 12.5" 10 fish Oct 8–Oct 31 13" 15 fish Nov 1–Dec 31 DE, MD, VA, & NC (North of Cape Hatteras) 12.5" 15 fish May 15–Dec 31 The Board also approved proposals from Virginia and North Carolina to participate in the February 2019 recreational fishery specified by NOAA Fisheries. The season will be open from February 128, 2019 with a 12.5 inch minimum size limit and 15 fish possession limit. To account for any harvest in February, Virginia and North Carolina will adjust their management measures later in the season, if necessary. Recreational anglers should verify regulations with their respective states.

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Fisheries in the coming weeks. Federallypermitted for-hire vessels must adhere to the federal season.

• One representative from any recreational vessel landing red snapper in Alabama, including private vessels, state -licensed guide boats and federally permitted charter vessels, is required to report red snapper landings before fish are landed in Alabama.

Alabama Private Angler Red Snapper Season Announced .For the second year, Alabama is operating under an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) from NOAA Fisheries to allow state fisheries management agencies more flexibility to set private angler red snapper fishing seasons. In accordance with the EFP requirements, the Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announces the following red snapper season information: • The 2019 red snapper fishing season for anglers fishing from a private vessel or statelicensed guide boat will be three-day weekends (Friday-Sunday) from June 1 through July 28, 2019, including Thursday, July 4. Except for the opening weekend, which begins on a Saturday, weekends are defined as 12:01 a.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday. This season only applies to private anglers and state-licensed Alabama commercial party boats that do not hold federal for-hire fishing permits.

• The 2019 red snapper fishing season for anglers fishing from a federally permitted charter boat or headboat will be announced by NOAA

2019 is the second year of a two-year NOAA Fisheries study to examine the viability of limited state management for Gulf of Mexico red snapper in federal waters.

The 2019 private angling season is based on the fishing effort and average size of fish collected during 2018. Under the EFP, Alabama is provided a percentage of the Gulf-wide recreational quota for red snapper. Alabama’s 2019 private vessel quota is 1,079,573 pounds. Under the terms of the EFP, Alabama will use Snapper Check to monitor the landings during the season and may adjust the season length to provide maximum access for fishermen while adhering to the quota.

“In 2018, the first year of the EFP, Alabama’s quota was 984,291 pounds and we estimated a 47day season,” said Marine Resources Division Director Scott Bannon. “What we did not anticipate were the ideal weather conditions and the tremendous effort by Alabama anglers, which caused us to close the season after 28 days. We were required to adhere to the quota and, for the most part, we did, as we exceeded the quota by only 0.2 percent. Although the season was shortened, a tremendous number of people took advantage of the amazing red snapper fishery off

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Making Waves Waves Summer 2016 Making Winter 2019

Alabama’s coast, and we have shown that AlaFlorida Confirms Recreational Red bama can manage the season effectively and make adjustments necessary to maintain this val- Snapper Season Dates uable fishery.”

At it's February meeting in Gainesville, the FloriAnglers are reminded to report their red snapper da Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) set the popular and economically imthrough the mandatory Snapper Check reportportant 2019 Gulf red snapper recreational seaing program. Reports can be submitted via the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natu- son to open June 11 through July 12, with a possible fall reopening if quota is available. ral Resources’ Outdoor Alabama app, available for both iOS and Android users, or paper reports This season will apply to those fishing from priavailable at select public boat ramps. Only one vate recreational vessels in state and federal wareport is required for each vessel landing red ters and to charter vessels that do not have a fedsnapper in Alabama. The fish must be reported eral reef fish permit and are limited to fishing in prior to the fish being landed, which is defined state waters only. as when fish are removed from the boat or the boat containing the fish is removed from the wa- For more information, view the presentation given at the Commission meeting found at ter.

MyFWC.com/Commission by clicking on “I am looking forward to another great summer “Commission Meetings” and the agenda under of fishing for red snapper with my family and “February 20-21.” friends,” said Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship. “I also want to thank Gov. Kay Ivey, For those interested in participating in this year’s Gulf red snapper season, don’t forget that anRep. Bradley Byrne and Sen. Richard Shelby for glers fishing from private vessels must get the their continued support toward state manageGulf Reef Fish Angler designation on their liment of this important species for Alabama’s cense. For-hire operations that do not have a coastal economy.” federal reef fish permit and are limited to state Other Gulf states will be announcing their 2019 waters only for red snapper fishing must get the seasons in the coming weeks, and Alabama an- State Gulf Reef Fish Charter designation on their glers may fish in those waters as long as they license. Learn more about these programs and meet the requirements of that state and land red how to obtain these designations at snapper in a state that is open to landing of red MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking on “Recreational snapper. When Alabama’s recreational season is Regulations,” “Reef Fish” and “Gulf Reef Fish Surclosed, anglers are not permitted to be in posses- vey.” sion of red snapper on Alabama’s waters or land Share your real-time catch data with us by downred snapper in Alabama, no matter where they loading and using the iAngler Gulf Red Snapper were caught. app for private anglers or the iAngler Gulf Red More information is available at OutdoorAlaSnapper Charter app if you are a charter operabama.com or by contacting Marine Resources tion.

Division offices at Dauphin Island, 251-861-2882; or Gulf Shores, 251-968-7576.

NOAA Fisheries Announces 2019 The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit http://www.outdooralabama.com.

Bluefish Specifications

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Making Waves Winter 2019

Today we filed a final rule approving and imple- For more details please read the rule as filed in menting the 2019 specifications for the Atlantic the Federal Register and our permit holder bullebluefish fishery recommended by the Midtin Atlantic Fishery Management Council in cooperation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries ICCAT Seeks Anglers to Assist in Commission.

The final 2019 specifications are fundamentally the same as 2018, with only minor adjustments to the final commercial quota and recreational harvest limit to account for most recent full year of recreational catch data (2017), and a 4.0 million lb of quota transferred from the recreational to the commercial sector rather than 3.5 million lb in 2018.

Table 1 (below) provides the commercial fishery state allocations for 2019 based on the final 2019 coast-wide commercial quota, and the allocated percentages defined in the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan. No states exceeded their state allocated quota in 2018; therefore, no accountability measures need to be implemented for the 2019 fishing year.

State

Percent Share

Quota Allocation (lb)

Maine

0.67

51,538

New Hampshire

0.41

31,956

Massachusetts

6.72

517,828

Rhode Island

6.81

524,874

Connecticut

1.27

97,626

New York

10.39

800,645

New Jersey

14.82

1,142,264

Delaware

1.88

144,801

Maryland

3.00

231,426

Virginia

11.88

915,857

North Carolina

32.06

2,471,746

South Carolina

0.04

2,714

Georgia

0.01

732

Florida

10.06

775,558

Total

100.00

7,709,565

Table 1. 2019 Bluefish State Commercial Quota Allocations.

Tuna Tagging Program

The Atlantic Ocean Tropical Tuna Tagging Pro-

gram (AOTTP) was established by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in 2015 to study key aspects of bigeye, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna life history and movements in the Atlantic Ocean. Over a five year period, the AOTTP aims to partner with scientists and commercial and recreational tuna fishermen to tag at least 120,000 tropical tuna with conventional and/or electronic tags throughout the Atlantic. The data generated from these tags will be essential in improving understanding of these important species, which will enhance fisheries management and promote sustainability of the stocks. Given the status of the stocks, data on tropical tunas are desperately needed to preserve fishing opportunities in the western North Atlantic.

As part of the AOTTP, Dr. Walt Golet from the University of Maine and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute will be working with colleagues at the New England Aquarium, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, University of Miami, and NOAA Fisheries to deploy 5,000 conventional tags on bigeye, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna in the west-

Making Waves Waves Summer 2016 Making Winter 2019

ern North Atlantic from Canada to Venezuela, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

However, to do this, we need your help!

If you are interested in participating in the AOTTP project and would like to volunteer to tag bigeye, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna, simply contact Dr. Walt Golet at walter.golet@maine.edu or call 207 -351-5413 to get more information on how to become involved in this free program.

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monsense legislation. NMMA looks forward to working with both leaders to get this bill across the finish line and encourages all Members of Congress to support this critical measure.”

“As we are presented with more choices at the gas pump, it is imperative that American consumers know exactly what kind of fuel they are putting into their engines,” said Congressman Scott.

“Gas pumps today are riddled with confusing labels and fail to adequately warn consumers of Signing up is easy. Just provide your contact inthe dangers of fueling small engine equipment formation and mailing address and we will send with E15. For this reason, with the support of you all the necessary information, instructions, Congresswoman Frankel, I introduced the Conand materials to start tagging tuna. Every fish sumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act of tagged will not only allow you to become in2018 to ensure that E15 is more clearly labelled volved in important scientific research, but also and consumers are made better aware of the give you a chance to win one of 20 individual damages misfueling can cause to their vehicles, cash prizes totaling more than $39,000 US dollars power equipment and boats. By making fuel that will be awarded at the end of the project. pump labels easier to decipher and coordinating For more information visit: https://www.iccat.int/ public education programs at multiple levels, this legislation can save consumers time and energy aottp/en/index.html at the pumps and avoid headaches and costs down the road.”

NMMA Celebrates Reintroduction of E15 Consumer Protection Bill

Yesterday, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL21) and Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA-08), members of the Congressional Boating Caucus, reintroduced bipartisan legislation to more clearly define and label E15 ethanol blended gasoline at pumps. The legislation, known as the Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act, would better protect consumers from misfuelling with E15 – a major NMMA advocacy priority that the association helped spearhead.

“With the EPA working to authorize year-round sales of E15 ahead of the 2019 summer season, the Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act is needed now more than ever,” said NMMA president, Thom Dammrich. “Representative Frankel and Representative Scott have been tireless advocates in the effort to protect countless American consumers and 141 million recreational boaters from the dangers of misfuelling, and we thank them for reintroducing this com-

“When families set out for a fun day on America’s waterways, we want them to be safe. Our bipartisan bill helps boaters know what kind of fuel will keep their motors running,” said Rep. Frankel.

The Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act of 2019 would require more detailed labeling of gas pumps that dispense E15 fuel, or fuel with a 15% ethanol, 85% gasoline blend. E15 fuel has been determined to not be suitable for small engines in outdoor equipment and non-road products as E15 can cause corrosion, reduced fuel storage, and less engine lubrication resulting in engines to run hotter. Examples of impacted equipment include items such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, generators, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicle (ATVs), and boats, among others. E15 can also cause issues for vehicles, especially those manufactured before 2001.

For more information, please contact NMMA senior vice president of government relations and legal affairs, Nicole Vasilaros at nvasilaros@nmma.org.

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NOAA Announces Partnership with Recreational Fishing Groups

Making Waves Winter 2019

dertaken with anglers to improve life on the water, and I am pleased to partner with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in joining the Agreement. With 98% of Sanctuary waters open to fishing, our national sanctuary system has much to offer anglers.

According to a 2018 study by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreation represented 2.2% of the U.S. economy in 2016, with boating and fishing being the largest contributor within the recreational sector of the economy. With the activities of more than 10 million saltwater anglers having supported 472,000 jobs, generated $68 billion in sales impacts, and contributed roughly $39 billion to the Gross Domestic Product that same year, I am enthusiastic about NONOAA announces the signing of a Memorandum AA’s continued collaboration with the recreationof Agreement with recreation industry intended al sector and support for outdoor recreation as a driver of our Blue Economy. Improving cooperato help communities realize greater social and economic benefits from sustainable recreational tion in planning and implementing projects that fishing and boating and inspire momentum for a promote sustainable long-term recreational boating and fishing opportunities will help anglers healthy ocean. and communities realize greater social and ecoToday, I am pleased to announce the signing of a nomic benefits, and this benefits us all.

Memorandum of Agreement between NOAA Fisheries, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanc- I hope to see you out on the water. tuaries, the National Marine Manufacturers AssoChris Oliver ciation, the American Sportfishing Association, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation at the Miami Boat Show. Saltwater recreational fishing is a staple of coastal communities around the country and, as I have said before, I am proud of the work NOAA Fisheries does to provide opportunities and memorable experiences for saltwater anglers everywhere.

The Agreement, a milestone for NOAA, bolsters public-private sector cooperation promoting sustainable and responsible recreational fishing and boating opportunities in federal waters, including National Marine Sanctuaries. It establishes a formal framework for communication and collaboration on mutually beneficial projects which will help advance NOAA Fisheries’ goals of supporting and promoting sustainable saltwater recreational fisheries for the benefit of the nation. It is one of many collaborative actions, such as the 2018 National Recreational Fisheries Summit, un-

New York State Study Hudson River Sturgeon Since 2003, fish biologists in DEC's Hudson and Delaware Marine Fisheries unit have been studying the population, life cycle, and habitats of the endangered Atlantic sturgeon in order to manage and conserve this signature species.

Sturgeon spawned in the Hudson spend one to six years in the river before they migrate to the

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ocean. Annual counting and tagging of these young sturgeon help determine how the relative abundance is changing over time. By analyzing several years worth of catch data, biologists can begin to see trends in the Hudson River stock. Is it stable? Increasing? Decreasing?

The Juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon takes place in March through early May in Haverstraw Bay, an overwintering area for these young fish. Research shows the combination of soft, river-bottom sediments and deeper water (more than 20-feet) is ideal for juvenile Atlantic sturgeon.

Fisheries staff use anchored gill nets to catch the sturgeon. The sturgeon are weighed, measured for length, and examined for previous tags. A small sample is taken from each fish for genetic and age analysies. Untagged fish are tagged under the dorsal fin with a Passive Integrated Transponder or PIT tag. This tag is similar to a microchip put in pets and is about the size of a grain of rice.

Making Waves Winter 2019

the first half of their life in freshwater rivers and streams along the East Coast of North America and the second half maturing in the seas between Northeastern Canada and Greenland. Today, the last remnant populations of wild Atlantic salmon in U.S. waters exist in just a few rivers and streams in central and eastern Maine.

Atlantic salmon have been listed as “endangered� under the Endangered Species Act since 2000, having declined from hundreds of thousands returning to New England rivers to around 1,000 individuals returning in 2017.

Through this recovery plan, NOAA Fisheries together with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is committed to giving Atlantic salmon their best chance to recover.

The recovery plan and a web story that explain more about Atlantic salmon conservation and our role in their recovery are available on our website.

As 2019 is the International Year of the Salmon, At every net, biologists also measure water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and salinity. Since the this Recovery Plan comes at the perfect time. start of the program in 2004, standardized moni- Questions? Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Oftoring indicates the abundance of juvenile Hud- fice, at 978-281-9103 son River Atlantic sturgeon has increased over time. Additional years of monitoring will help esNOAA Seeks Applications for Comtablish recovery targets for the species as a whole. munity-Based Habitat Restoration Watch the video: Atlantic Sturgeon Research on the Hudson River

NOAA Releases Atlantic Salmon Recovery Plan NOAA Fisheries and USFWS released a joint Atlantic Salmon Recovery Plan today. The Recovery Plan is the primary tool for guiding the species recovery process. The plan outlines needed actions, criteria for determining when the necessary level of conservation has been achieved, and time and cost estimates for meeting these criteria.

Atlantic salmon were once found in North American waters from Long Island Sound in the United States to Ungava Bay in northeastern Canada.

Atlantic salmon are anadromous fish, spending

Funding

Making Waves Waves Summer 2016 Making Winter 2019

$6 million in Community-based Restoration Program funding is available for coastal and marine habitat restoration in 2019. In response to the recent lapse in appropriations, NOAA has modified the deadlines and review process for this Federal Funding Opportunity.

As of January 30, 2019, NOAA has modified the deadlines and review process for this Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) in response to the lapse in appropriations. The original pre-proposal deadline of January 14, 2019 was not modified; however, a pre-proposal is no longer mandatory to submit a full proposal. All applicants who submitted a timely pre-proposal will receive the results of their review, as described in the modified FFO. Review results will be available the first week in March. The original FFO said the closing date would be sent directly to eligible applicants.

As all applicants are now eligible to submit full proposals, we are setting the full proposal deadline as April 16, 2019. For more information visit the Fiscal Year 2019 Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Grants funding opportunity.

NOAA is seeking proposals from non-federal partners for habitat restoration projects that will restore coastal ecosystems. The selected projects will support species recovery and help rebuild fish populations, and likely yield community and economic benefits.

Funded projects will help fish stocks managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and threatened and endangered species listed under the Endangered Species Act. They’ll also benefit recreational species, as described in the National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy. Investing ecosystembased approaches to habitat restoration and recovery also leads to real, lasting differences for communities, businesses, and the environment.

Since its inception in 1996, the NOAA Community-based Restoration program has provided more than $160 million to implement more than 2,000 coastal habitat restoration projects. By partnering with more than 2,500 organizations, we have restored more than 86,000 acres of habitat for fish and opened 3,800 stream miles for fish pas-

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sage. These partnerships leverage and coordinate resources, and maximize the impact of habitat restoration. See a list of current and past community-based restoration projects.

NOAA will not accept proposals with a federal funding request of less than $75,000 or more than $3 million over a three-year project period.

Go to the RFA

Website to keep up with all the Breaking Fisheries News!

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Chairman Robert T. Healey Jr. Treasurer John Kasinski Board Members Bob Healey, Sr. Pat Healey Nick Cicero Tred Barta Jack Holmes Mike Leech Nate Odum Andrew Semprevivo Tony Novelli Jim Motsko Mark Odom Carl T. Huffman Bob Flocken Martin Peters Libby Yranski Bob Shomo Jr.

Making Waves Winter 2019

Viking Group Viking Yacht Company Viking Yacht Company Viking Yacht Company Folsom Corporation The World of Tred Barta Southern Kingfish Assn., Retired World Cup Blue Marlin Tournament Mexico Beach Marina & Outfitters Seakeeper, Inc. Contender Boats Ocean City White Marlin Open Main Street Properties Elec-Tra-Mate, Inc Hi-Liner/Diamond Fishing Products Yamaha Marine Group National Marine Manufacturers Assn.

Johnson and Towers Inc

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Page 6363 Page

M A K I N G

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Making Waves Winter 2019

T h e O f f i c ia l Pu b li ca t i o n o f t h e R e cr e a t io n a l F i sh in g A ll i a n ce

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