Making Waves - Summer 2019

M A K I N G

Making Waves Making Waves Summer Summer2016 2019

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The Official Publication of the Recreational Fishing Alliance

RFA/FCT Manhattan Cup Honors Fallen Hero Msgt.

Christopher J. Raguso New Push for MSA Reform

Surprising Swordfish Stories New Summer Flounder Specs News , Views and More

Summer 2019

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Making Waves Summer 2019

PROUD SPONSOR

M A K I N G

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Making Waves Making Waves Summer Summer2016 2019

The Official Publication of the Recreational Fishing Alliance

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

By Gary Caputi Welcome to another jam-packed issue of Making Waves. It covers a lot of ground and includes a pile of news updates on fisheries and legislative issues that cover everything from summer flounder to sharks, swordfish to snapper.

On page 8 you'll find a revisionist press piece by NOAA fisheries on their hard work that rebuilt the swordfish population in the Western Atlantic. Revisionist because it ignores the part about RFA lighting a political firecracker under the butts to get them to actually do it! That is covered in a short piece entitled, "The Rest of the Story" that I am sure you will find interesting and dates back to the early days of this organization.

Starting on page 25 are two articles on RFA's efforts to reopen the move to revamp the Magnuson Stevens Act with real changes that will benefit recreational fishermen and the industry, changes that were dropped from the Modern Fish Act as being too hard to push through. We call BS on that one!. Read RFA Board member Nick Cicero's testimony before the Congressional Committee. There is also an interesting culinary story penned by Cicero later in the issue that we found to be heart warming and all too true.

You can read about the RFA/FTC Manhattan Cup held recently in NY Harbor and the fallen warrior we honored at that event in this issues.

Lots of good stuff to read and learn from in here so get started.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Publisher’s Desk

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

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Surprising Swordfish Story & The Rest of the Story

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Breaking: NOAA Plans for Engaging Rec Fishermen

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Breaking: 2019 Summer Flounder Specifications

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Florida Shuts Down the Big Three on the Gulf

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Tuna Troubles at ICCAT

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RFA Takes Lead Promoting True MSA Reform

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RFA Back in Washington Spotlight: CIcero Educates Congressional Committee

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'19 Manhattan Cup Recap

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Honoring a Fallen Hero

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Bait Box Chowder

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News & Views

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About the Cover Msgt. Christopher J. Raguso, hero NYFD Lieutenant, USAF Search & Rescue Helicopter Pilot, KIA March 15, 2018 during Operation Inherent Resolve - the Battle to Defeat ISIS. Honored at the 2019 Manhattan Cup.

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Executive Director’s Report

By Jim Donofrio

Growing Recreational Fishing in Saltwater

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he National Marine Manufacturers Association held its 2019 American Boating Congress in Washington recently. It’s their annual effort to bring together industry leaders with members of Congress and the Administration to educate them about the boating industry, its positive impact on the economy and its needs to remain viable. During a side discussion with the media Ben Speciale, president of Yamaha Marine, offered his perspective on legislative and regulatory hurdles that have impacted the industry and he talked openly about how important it is to not only maintain the industry at current levels, but to be able to grow it going forward. It was encouraging to hear an industry leader with his credentials advocate for growth and his words struck home for us here at the RFA as we continue to press for changes to the Magnuson Stevens Act.

Legislators and some industry people simply accept it, perhaps afraid of the perception or back lash of asking for more reasonable measures that recognize increased access as fish stocks rebound. With limited entry, the commercial fleet doesn’t need or seek growth, participants make more money with a small fleet. Yet, the recreational sector requires growth opportunities. It needs new fishermen entering the sport and overly restrictive management measures scare new participants away. It’s the reason we are losing tackle shops, party boats and charter boats at a rate never seen before.

Recreational advocacy and industry groups have an unrealistic view of how to attract new participants and spend millions on outreach efforts in an attempt to market fishing to the general public. The results for saltwater have been dismal because they fail to address the underlying issue that saltwater fishing is a mentor sport, passed The main thrust of Magnuson since the 1996 down from generation to generation or person reauthorization has been fishing effort and catch to person. One of the best ways to introduce new people, especially young people, to fishing reduction. Reducing the number of fishermen, has always been a friend or relative taking them boats, quota and days at sea. And while those on party boats, but the party boat fleet has been measures were intended for the over-capitalized decimated by over-regulation. commercial sector, the concept quickly started The RFA agrees with Ben Speciale. The recreaspilling over to the recreational sector with little tional marine and fishing tackle industries need consideration of how the two sectors differ. This growth, but under current Federal regulatory is painfully evident today just by looking at the practices it simply won’t happen. MSA must be statistics for saltwater recreational fishing partici- fixed with more emphasis on recreational access pation. All growth in angler participation for the to increase participation back to and beyond the nation is taking place in freshwater while saltwa- levels of the past if the industries to flourish. It's time to ditch the losing attitude. and do it! ter angler numbers plummet.

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Editor's Note: This short press feature sent out in April by NOAA Fisheries tells an interesting story about the rebuilding of swordfish stocks in US waters, but it is a bit of revisionist history. It conveniently leaves out the work the RFA did to force the Agency into instituting the Swordfish Fishery Management Plan in the first place and the heavy political lifting it involved because, at the time, NMFS was totally in the pocket of the US Long Line industry. Read this and then read "The Rest of the Story" that follows and you'll know the real story.

The Surprising Story of Swordfish You May Not Know Today’s North Atlantic swordfish stock is fully rebuilt and maintaining above-target population levels. But there’s work to be done to ensure management measures better support the fishing industry.

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oday’s North Atlantic swordfish popula- percent of the target level. This means there weren’t enough North Atlantic swordfish in tion is a great fishery rebuilding story. the water to maintain their population in the Twenty years ago, this predatory fish was in face of fishing by the many countries who trouble. Their population had dropped to 65 share the resource.

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Fast forward to 2009 and the international commission that manages species like swordfish declared the Northern Atlantic stock fully rebuilt. That announcement came a year ahead of the 2010 target date set in the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna’s (ICCAT) 10-year rebuilding plan.

gies implemented over the next eight years, the stock continued to suffer. By the late 1990s, the average weight of swordfish caught in U.S. waters had fallen to 90 pounds, a drop from the 250-pound average fishermen enjoyed in the 1960s. This was in part because the population decline meant fishermen were catching younger fish.

“If it’s U.S.-harvested swordfish, consumers can feel confident it’s a smart seafood choice,” said Rick Pearson, NOAA Fisheries fishery management specialist. “We should reward our sustainable stewardship practices at the seafood counter.”

What ultimately reversed their downward course was the broad suite of actions built up by the beginning of the 21st century.

Rebuilding an Important Population Efforts to restore a dwindling population of North Atlantic swordfish date back to 1985 when NOAA Fisheries implemented the first U.S. Atlantic Swordfish Fishery Management Plan. This plan reduced the harvest of small swordfish, set permitting and monitoring requirements, and launched scientific research on the swordfish stock. Minimum size limits and enforcement processes came shortly after when ICCAT issued its first recommendation on swordfish in 1990.

Despite these and other management strate-

“There is no one measure that could have brought this population back from the decline,” said Pearson. “Sustainable fishery management requires a comprehensive sciencebased approach that considers the biological needs of the fish population, the health of fisheries, the fishing industry, and coastal communities.”

In the United States today: A limited number of vessels can target swordfish commercially with longline gear.

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All fishermen must abide by minimum size limits, and many must also abide by retention limits.

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Closures prevent pelagic longline fishing

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in waters with historically high levels of byNorth Atlantic swordfish are not being overcatch species, including undersized swordfish. fished, the United States has seen a fall in its total annual catch. In 2017, U.S. fishermen • Satellite tracking systems are mandatory caught just 14 percent of the total swordfish on some vessels that target swordfish. catch reported to ICCAT. • The use of circle hooks is required in comThere are several reasons for this decline, says mercial fisheries to increase the survival of sea Pearson, including rising fuel prices, an aging turtles and other animals caught accidentally. commercial fleet, and competition from often Commercial fishermen must attend workshops where they learn to properly handle and release bycatch, including undersized swordfish.

lower-quality imported frozen products.

Observer programs provide fishery scientists and managers with needed data.

To help more U.S. fishermen take advantage of our national ICCAT-allotted quota, NOAA Fisheries has made several changes in the last decade to commercial and recreational restrictions, such as:

Leading the International Community

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Some of these measures can be traced back to the ICCAT rebuilding plan, but many are the result of U.S.-led efforts to protect swordfish, reduce bycatch of other species, and sustainably manage fisheries that interact with swordfish.

Removing vessel size and horsepower restrictions on pelagic longline permits.

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Increasing retention limits on some permits.

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Launching a hand gear permit, allowing fishermen to participate in the fishery without spending more to buy a longline permit from another vessel.

Pearson and others also point to the key role the U.S. commercial fishing industry played in Making it easier for fishermen to get and rehelping to establish these domestic efforts new permits. and supporting greater international collaboration.

But there is more work to be done to ensure our regulatory program is effective in both “The United States led the charge internationmaintaining swordfish populations and supally to adopt measures to recover North Atporting the fishing industry. We are currently lantic swordfish,” said Christopher Rogers, diexamining whether some area-based and rector of International Fisheries. “We pressed gear management measures that affect our international partners to adopt measures swordfish fisheries could be modified in light U.S. fishermen were already practicing, such of the success of a program that has reduced as catch limits, minimum sizes, recording and bluefin tuna bycatch. reducing dead discards, and appropriate observer coverage. Strong U.S. leadership “The U.S. fishery management process is a dyhelped ensure the international community namic process,” said Pearson. “Protecting the shared the burden for rebuilding this iconic North Atlantic swordfish population from species.” overfishing while ensuring fishing opportunities for our recreational and commercial fishSupport for a Valuable U.S. Fishery ermen requires the best available science and In the decade since ICCAT first declared that responsive management.”

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And Now-The Rest of the Story

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Executive Director's Report continued

NOAA Fisheries Announces New Plans for Engaging with Recreational Fishermen NOAA Fisheries has developed region-specific plans for connecting to and collaborating with the recreational fishing community

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OAA Fisheries is sharpening our focus on engaging recreational fishermen where they live and fish. Engaging the marine recreational fishing community is fundamental to

successful fisheries management, yet is highly challenging with nearly 10 million saltwater fishermen out on the water. To be effective in our engagement efforts, we have produced a set of six recreational en-

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gagement plans highlighting actions that NOAA Fisheries will take to work with and connect to the recreational fishing communities we serve.

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Establish a visible presence among the recreational fishing community.

In 2017, NOAA Fisheries held nine public roundtable meetings with recreational fishermen across the country as part of an ongoing dialogue. The findings from these conversations provided the basis for discussions with fishermen at the 2018 National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Summit. Major topics—from alternative management to conservation—were covered at the Summit, and participants made it clear that anglers want more engagement and two-way dialogue with NOAA Fisheries.

Enhance collaboration with the recreational fishing community.

Develop a mutual understanding of priorities, concerns, and challenges.

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The release of these regional engagement plans represents the latest step in NOAA Fisheries’ continued commitment to strengthening our relationship with saltwater recreational fishermen. They are a key step toward implementing the recently-signed Memorandum of Agreement between NOAA Fisheries and four recreational fishing organizations (the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the American Sportfishing Association, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation) to promote sustainable recreational fishing and boating. As these engagement plans are put into action in the coming months, we look forward to strengthening existing partnerships like these, and to cultivating new ones.

In order to reflect the breadth and diversity of American recreational fisheries, these engagement plans were developed by our regional offices and employ a variety of methods for connecting with the fishing public. There are broad-scale activities, such as improvements to online resources that can reach thousands of anglers at a time, as well as smaller-scale activities like best practices workshops and youth National RecFish Engagement Highlight outreach events where anglers and NOAA personnel will be able to meet face to Fact Sheet (PDF, 5 pages) face.

Regional Engagement Plans Engagement Objectives Alaska (PDF, 3 pages) While the particular actions described in each region’s plan are tailored to the needs of the fisheries they host, all engagement actions are designed to support one or more of the following three objectives:

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (PDF, 4 pages) Greater Atlantic (PDF, 4 pages) Pacific Islands (PDF, 4 pages)

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NOAA Fisheries Revises 2019 Summer Flounder Specifications Today, we are announcing increases to the summer flounder catch and landings limits for the 2019 fishing year in response to new information from a benchmark stock assessment.

Final assessment results became available to managers in February 2019. The assessment included the incorporation of revised Marine Recreational Information Program estimates of recreational catch, which has an important impact on estimated spawning stock biomass for summer flounder.

The assessment determined that the summer flounder stock is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring, enabling us to increase catch and landing limits for 2019 .

Table 1: Summary of Previous and Revised 2019 Summer Flounder Fishery Specifications, in millions of pounds.

Previous Acceptable Biological Catch 15.41 Commercial Quota* 6.67 Recreational Harvest Limit 5.15

Revised 25.03 10.98 7.69

Difference (%) +62 +65 +49

*After accountability measures have been applied.

This action also revises the previous commercial fishery accountability measures in response to the improved status of the stock. We are revising the previously implemented accountability measure for a 2017 overage from 1.04 million pounds to 547,000 pounds. With this new accountability measure applied, the commercial Annual Catch Target is reduced from 13.53 to 12.98 million pounds. Commercial state allocations for summer flounder are also revised (see bulletin for additional details).

This action does not change the current commercial management measures, including the minimum fish size (14-inch total length), gear requirements, and possession limits. The 2019 recreational management measures for summer flounder are being developed in a separate concurrent action.

For more information read the rule as filed in the Federal Register or the bulletin posted on our website.

Fishermen: Contact Cynthia Ferrio, Regional Office, 978-281-9180

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Florida Shuts Down the Big Three of Inshore Fishing on SW Coast

by Frank Sargeant, Editor, The Fishing Wire

Story courtesy The Fishing Wire (www.thefishingwire.com)

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lorida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) made a pre-emptive strike on restoration of inshore fish on the state's southwest coast devastated by red tide--and shocked many anglers--by moving to shut down all harvest of the Big Three of Florida fishing, snook, redfish and spotted sea trout. The closure, which begins May 11 this year and continues until May 31 of 2020 as it now stands, will likely have a significant financial impact on guides, bait shops, fishing-oriented resorts and tackle and kayak and boat sales to say nothing of individual recreational anglers--but will be very good for the fish.

It won't be the first time one of the state's premiere fisheries has been shut down to allow recovery--in 2010 after a massive winter kill of snook, the commission shut down all take for almost three years.

Millions of adult fish were killed in the most recent red tide, which extended from November 2017 to early 2019, 15 horrendous months. Countless tens of millions more fry-size fish as well as the bait all gamefish feed on were also wiped out.

While some estuarine areas where the tide did not reach remain very good--or even better than before in a few places because the noxious water pushed fish off the coast and well up the bays to escape--others like Sarasota Bay, a narrow bay with three inlets direct to the beach, had a devastating complete kill. Beaches and residential canals were littered with tons of rotting fish, and spending a day on the beach became

impossible--many beachfront hotels all but shuttered their doors as thousands canceled vacations.

Rotting fish not only wiped out anglers' hopes but also decimated the beachfront resort business during the extended red tide. (Photo credit FWC) The red tide finally dissipated as mysteriously as it came, in February this year. The state still has no cure and perhaps never will, though the new conservationoriented Republican governor Ron DeSantis has appointed a commission and created a department to attack the problem along with blue green algae, a separate issue mostly affecting fresh water but also a major issue in the Indian River Lagoon near Jensen Beach in recent years. (Why there are not more Republican's tapping into the conservationist/boater/ angler/outdoorsman vote these days is a mystery well worth exploring.)

The closure will extend from the Pasco-Hernando county line near Tarpon Springs south (including all waters of Tampa Bay) through Gordon Pass in Collier County, just south of Naples.

The area traditionally has been the heart of snook country in Florida. Redfish and trout were already down when the red tide struck, some think from overharvest as a result of Florida's booming population of inshore anglers, guides and kayak fishers. There have also been some water quality issues, particularly on Tampa Bay, where the city of St. Petersburg has had several massive sewage spills in recent years. (In general, though, 40 years of conservation efforts on the

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bay have brought steady improvement in clarity and consequently in the amount of sea grass, a mark of a healthy estuary--until the disastrous red tide struck.)

to survive is the quickest way to recovery.

For those who enjoy eating fresh fish they've caught themselves, there are still plenty of targets; flounder There's no question that a complete shutdown will go and pompano from spring through fall, sheepshead a long way towards rapidly restoring these important and mangrove snapper--two of the best tasting fish in fisheries--the extended snook closure of 2010 to 2013 the sea--in cooler months. Off the beaches, there are produced the best snook fishing seen in decades imSpanish and kings, and on the reefs adult mangrove mediately after, snapper, yellowand the effect is tail snapper, red still obvious, and black with anglers grouper and of outside the red course red tide zones rousnapper, which tinely catching seem to be doand releasing 40 ing exceptionalto 50 linesiders ly well these in a day when days as a result fishing with live of very tight sardines. management for several FWC has been years. working with partners includIt's going to be ing Coastal Cona trying year for servation Associmany who deation Florida, Snook are no longer on the menu starting May 11 and continu- pend on the Duke Energy inshore fishery ing for more than a year in Southwest Florida due to a shutdown by FWC. (Frank Sargeant Photo) and Mote Mafor their livelirine Laboratory hood. Though & Aquarium to raise and release red drum and snook many guides have already gone to very limited harinto southwest Florida waters to help address red tide vest just to protect their own turf, a complete shutimpacts--a popular move with anglers. down will surely cause some customers who would have chartered them to choose something else to do Restocking of juvenile fish may help kick start some during their Florida visit, or perhaps to head to northareas, but research indicates the best solution for rewest Florida for a charter, where the fisheries remain covery is a healthy stock of natural spawners. (Photo open.

credit FWC)

However, past efforts with limited stockings have shown very small returns relative to the cost--most released fingerlings wind up as chum for larger fish. Nature functioning the way it should is the best cure, by far, and shutting down the harvest to allow spawners

The good news is that barring another visit from Karenia brevis and related nasties, anglers are likely to see some exciting fishing when the closure comes to an end next year, and hopefully a strong year class of spawning fish may mean even better fishing ahead.

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by Captain Mike Pierdinock

Courtesy Marlin Magazine

A recap of the 2019 ICCAT conference yields troubling news

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De-Bait-Able won big with a first place finish and a check for over $110,000!

Story Courtesy Marlin Magazine

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Déjà Vu: RFA Takes the Lead in Promoting True Magnuson Stevens Act Reform “Magnuson has been successful in spurring tremendous rebuilding and growth... where it has failed is in providing recreational fishermen access to these fisheries.”

by John DePersenaire, RFA Managing Director

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ith the Modern Fish Act less than 6 months old and NOAA Fisheries working through its legal interpretation and implementation, the House of Representatives has taken up the issue of reforming the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation Act (MSA) again in the 116th session of Congress. Following the 2018 election, House Leadership changed, and committee assignments were reworked with new chairmen taking charge. This process includes priority setting for how they will address lingering issues associated with MSA. The effort was kicked off with a legislative hearing held by the Water, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee on May 1, 2019 titled “The State of Fisheries.”

Nick Cicero, Sales Manager of the Folsom Corporation, one of the oldest fishing tackle distribution companies in the US and RFA Board of Directors member, was invited to be a witness at the hearing. Mr. Cicero has spent his entire professional career involved with fishing, fisheries and the recreational fishing industry. His vast knowledge and understanding of the needs and constraints that challenge our industry far exceeds most of the managers on the regional councils and other individuals in positions to steer fisheries policy.

Therefore, the suggestions and issues he presented to the Subcommittee were shaped by his lifelong commitment to the industry and its future. The criticisms of Magnuson he raised are not driven by short-term gain, but with

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the goal of having sustainable fisheries in the future and fair and equitable access to them by recreational fishermen.

RFA believes his insight is extremely important as Congress deliberates changes not only to our Nation’s fisheries law, but as the Subcommittee tackles emerging issues such as the impact of climate change on fisheries.

Making Waves Summer 2019

far-reaching negative impacts on the recreational sector. Annual catch limits are an effective tool for commercial quota monitoring, but it cannot and should not be applied to the recreational sector because there is no hyperaccurate data monitoring mechanism in place. The RFA position was articulated by none other than the National Academy of Sciences. MRIP, the primary recreational data collection program, was designed to show long-term trends in recreational catch and is not an accurate measure of recreational harvest on a semi-annual or even annual basis.

The result is overly restrictive seasonal closures and loss of access to healthy fisheries and that dissuades people from becoming interested in saltwater fishing and even forces current participants out of the fishery and away from fishing altogether. This is evident in the statistics regarding recreational saltwater fishing participation and the loss of recreational fishing businesses and jobs. It is up to Congress to fix MSA to stop this trend.

RFA wants to stress one point raised during the hearing. Mr. Cicero was very clear in his statement that MSA has been successful in spurring rebuilding and growth. In recreationally important fisheries such as black sea bass, red snapper and summer flounder, the level of stock growth has been unprecedented, attaining historic levels of abundance. Where Magnuson has failed, and failed miserably, is in providing recreational fishermen renewed access to these fisheries. The conservation sacrifices of recreational fishermen played a pivotal role in those rebuilding successes. During the process they were told that cutbacks now would provide greater opportunities in the future, but that promise was not kept and MSA may be producing abundant fish this is evident in the overly restrictive stocks, but it’s clearly causing a decline seasons and bag limits on stocks that in recreational fishing participation. As are once again abundant.

Mr. Cicero explained during the hearThis very point was explained in detail ing, Congress must begin work on a by the RFA during the 2006 MSA reau- suite of amendments that will achieve thorization process. It was clear then, the original intent of the Act so it is and even clearer now that the imposi- both fair and sustainable for fish and tion of annual catch limits would have fishermen.

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RFA BACK IN THE WASHINGTON SPOTLIGHT A New Jersey angler, fishing industry leader and board member of the Recreational Fishing Alliance shares his views in a House Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing on May 1, 2019, as the Magnuson Stevens Act enters the spotlight once again.

By Jim Hutchinson, Jr./Story Courtesy The Fisherman

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The Folsom Corporation’s Nick Cicero talks shop at the Salt Water Fishing Expo. In addition to his role in sales and product development at an international level, the former New Jersey charter captain is also actively involved in the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund, is an advisor at ICCAT and a member of the RFA board of directors.

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Presented by

Honors Fallen Hero Christopher J. Raguso and 25 Combat Veterans

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n Friday, June 7th the return of the legendary Manhattan Cup Charity Striped Bass Catch and Release Tournament—presented by Yamaha—was held and proved to be a huge success. After a reading of the rules and buffet breakfast at the Liberty House, 26 boats departed Liberty Landing Marina for a shot gun start accompanied by the New York Fire Department Fire Boat who honored their fallen brother Lt. Chris Raguso with the spraying of their water cannons.

funds for fisheries conservation. The event is all charity, with donations to the Fisheries Conservation Trust and toward sponsoring warriors who were assembled by our very own Robert Gil, a hero veteran of the Iraq War. He returned with physical and physiological wounds and credits the Manhattan Cup with saving his life. Today, Robert is the Cup's official veteran liaison.

After a full day on the water the boats returned to the docks at 4pm with the teams turned in “Overall, the fishing was slow,” said tournament their score cards and headed inside for beveragco-director Capt. Frank Crescitelli, “but some of es, dinner and festivities inside Liberty House a the teams, including the many donated boats car- stone’s throw away from the docks. Crescitelli rerying 22 at-risk veterans, caught a decent mix of prieved his role as master of ceremonies, as raffles striped bass and bluefish and a rare (for this area) and the live auction got underway raising money black drum which was tagged and released. The for the charities. real goal of the tournament is to give veterans a day on the water; fishing around NYC, the Statue This year's Manhattan Cup went to Clark Harris of Liberty, ect., and in that regard, the event was for catching, tagging and releasing an estimated 43.7 lb striped bass while fishing aboard the Jera huge success." sey Devil captained by Capt. Brian Rice and mate The FCT Manhattan Cup included fishing teams Pauly "Walnuts." Clark Harris is the Pro Bowl long in private boats fishing alongside boats donated snapper for the Cincinnati Bengals and former for the day by the area’s top charter and light Rutgers standout tight end. tackle guides. Its goals are to highlight the amazThe top veteran award went to Efrain Diaz for ing fishery that exists within sight of downtown New York City, provide a great day on the water catching an estimated 13.77 pound striped bass while fishing with Capt. Guy Talerico on the My for transitioning combat veterans and generate

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Three Sons. Diaz was presented the award by John Raguso of The Fisherman Magazine. The award was named in honor of his late son Christopher Raguso who was killed in action in 2018 in Iraq in Operation Inherent Resolve during a campaign against ISIS. Christopher Raguso was a Msgt Search and Rescue Aviator with the US Air Force Search as well as a Lt. the New York Fire Department and the Commack Fire Department.

Top bluefish by a veteran award went to Veteran Joe Mulqueen for a 12.25lb caught on the Jenna P captained by Scott Policastro.

Sponsors included Liberty Landing Marina, Gray Taxidermy, D&R Boat World, Raymarine, Canyon Gearr, Maui Jim, AllTackle.com, AFW/Hi-Seas, Pettit, Tony Maja Tackle, Tsunami Awesome Tackle, Pettit Paint, The Fisherman Magazine, Princeton Tec, Interlux, the Recreational Fishing Alliance, Color Fast Printing, Guides Secret Fishing Gear, Fin Chasers TV , Manhattan to Montauk, F/V Tuna.com, F/V Fishing Frenzy, Canyon Runner, and Mustad. Thank you all for donating.

The Gray's FishTag Research award is given to the boat that tags the most striped bass during the tournament. Tagging fishing provides critical information that can be used by scientists to better assess the striped bass stock. The Gray's Award was presented to the crew of the Critter Catcher captained by Dave Glassberg. The team tagged 6 striped bass from 31.5 inches to 37 inches in size.

Among the many exceptional auction items were fishing trips for six aboard Wicked Tuna's the Fishing Frenzy out of Oregon Inlet, NC captain by Greg Mayer, the F/V Tuna.com out of Gloucester, MA and captained by Capt. Dave Carraro and a striped bass trip on the Canyon Runner. Also included in the auctions was a Yamaha outboard engine, original art by Savio Mizzi, and a signed jersey by New York Knicks Lance Thomas. High end fishing tackle was also part of the auction including $1,500 fly fishing outfits by Redington and Sage as well as other rods and reels.

“Many companies stepped up to help us put on the 19th Manhattan Cup,” said tournament co-director Gary Caputi,” and we can’t begin to express our gratitude and the appreciation of our warrior heroes who fished with us. A special Celebrity angler Clark Harris of the Cincinnati thanks to Yamaha Marine for taking on Bengals prior to tagging and releasing the the top sponsor roll recognizing the imstriper he caught that would go on to win the portance of this very special event.”

prestigious Manhattan Cup.

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Capt. Brian Rice, angler Clark Harris, long snapper for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Jim Hutchinson, Jr. take home the 2019 Manhattan Cup. Photo courtesy of The Fisherman Magazine.

John Raguso of The Fisherman Magazine, presents the Christoper J. Raguso Memorial Award to Efrain Diaz for the top striped bass caught and released by a veteran.

Photo courtesy The Fisherman Magazine

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Capt. Dave Rooney’s group put the most Gray FishTags into striped bass (4) in the shortest amount of time (under 3 hours) to win a 50-inch striper mount care of Gray Taxidermy. Photo courtesy of The Fisherman Magazine

Capt. Scott Policastro (right) and veteran Joe Mulqueen take home the top award for largest bluefish released by a veteran.

Photo courtesy of The Fisherman Magazine

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3/14/79 - 3/15/18 KIA during Operation Inherent Resolve - the War against ISIS. Lt FDNY E302; Lt Commack FD Station 4; MSgt Combat Search and Rescue Special Missions Aviator 101st Jolly Green Helicopter Rescue Squadron, USAF.

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Greater love hath no man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

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Written by Captain John N. Raguso

almost don’t know where to begin describing my oldest son Chris…the past year since his untimely passing, when he gave his life in service to his country while supporting a special ops mission against Islamic terrorists, has been a whirlwind of countless memorial ceremonies. The USAF, FDNY, the Commack volunteer fire department, Suffolk County, the towns of Huntington and Smithtown, and the schools where he grew up in Elwood, NY have all paid homage to this brave and selfless warrior and first responder. The lives of our family have been changed forever and not for the good…there’s a new normal without the comic book hero persona of Lt Chris in our everyday lives, creating a giant hole in our hearts and spirits that will never, ever be filled. It’s taking us a while to learn to deal with this sudden and tragic loss, to make some sense of it and to put it in perspective…and it’s definitely going to take a while longer. The following is a brief summary of FDNY Lt Chris Raguso’s professional life and accomplishments.

to take shape. When Chris had a chance to join my brother Joe, who was the borough commander and a 2-star chief at NYPD, much to our disbelief, Chris passed on this opportunity to follow his one, true calling…he wanted to be a NYC fire-fighter. He took the FDNY exam, physical aptitude test, got a high score and waited for his turn to be called.

In the interim, Chris had the chance to become a New York State firefighter at the Westhampton Beach airbase. Chris joined the NYANG, went to boot camp, was a squad leader and came back as an airman first class. Then 9/11 happened and the entire world changed. Chris spent a year at the Dept of Defense fire academy down in Texas and became a certified USAF fire-fighter.

In 2004, Chris was sent to the Iraq war with his best buddy Ed Kelly and they saw the world in a totally different way…death and mayhem were everywhere.

The moment that changed Chris’ life forever occurred during an attack on their airbase in Baghdad. Chris The Revelation of Helping Others Morph- and Ed were standing outside of their tent during an ing From Self to Team attack on their base when an enemy mortar round whistled in and landed 10-feet away, but didn’t exChris was born in Flushing Queens on March 14, plode. Chris and Ed hastily evacuated the area and 1979. But the moment that started a huge shift in EOD came by later to detonate the round…it wasn’t a Chris’ life was joining the Commack Fire Dept in 2000 as a volunteer fire fighter and this seemed to be dud, the good Lord just decided to spare Chris and Ed at that moment and that changed everything. Chris right in Chris’ wheelhouse. He had a chance to be a was a totally changed man when he came back from member of a proud team, to be a part of something that was bigger than himself, and to do good deeds for the Iraq war. He mentioned something about “being the community. This new lifestyle gave Chris a sense the tip of the spear” on his next deployment. He didn’t of purpose and Chris’ professional career path started want to be mission support anymore; he wanted to be the mission. But that would have to wait…FDNY

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Chris, his mother and daughters on his fishing boat, the Sunbeam.

called and he was scheduled to be in the next class at the Randall’s Island Rock in March 2005. They made him a squad leader and gave him a challenge…get all 25 of the recruits in his squad to pass the course, and he could pick any fire house in the City to start his career. That was all Chris needed to hear. He had his group out there running and practicing their drills each day, both before after class. He willed them to succeed and they did. All 25 made it and Chris chose E249/L113 as his preferred landing spot, one of the most active houses in the city located in East Flatbush Brooklyn, the “borough of fire”. His brother rats didn’t know it yet, but the “Rogers Ave Rat House” would never be the same.

tory of each service and being true to their core beliefs and high standards of excellence.

Flight Path

In 2007 Chris’ 6-year commitment to the military was up, but the USAF convinced Chris that if he reenlisted, they would send him to helicopter school to get his wings. It was an offer he couldn’t refuse...to be a special missions combat search and rescue aviator.

He took a leave of absence from FDNY and over the next 16-months, Chris passed flight school, gunnery school, engineering school and the dreaded SERE (search, evade, resist, escape) school with flying colors. His graduate class was a 5-month tour in AfghaniChris listened and learned from some of the best and stan in 2008, where he learned firsthand what it meant to fly into harm’s way and save lives. There were most experienced fire-fighters in FDNY and was awarded six citations for bravery in his first few years many wounded marines who were happy to meet Chris and his crew. on the job. He even gave up a medal to a brother rat who had promised his dad that he would be a hero one Chris married the true love of his life, Carmela DiChiday…that was Chris. He didn’t care about the glory, it ara in April of 2009 after returning home from Afwas all about doing the job that made a difference. ghanistan. Chris continued to grow at FDNY and the Chris looked good in a uniform and wore all three student ultimately became a teacher, helping to train proudly (USAF, FDNY, CFD), understanding the his- the new recruits in the ways that he was taught. Giv-

ing 99% was slacking off…Chris demanded 110% at all times from himself and his students and it was contagious. The legend of Chris was beginning to take shape, the career path had become a true calling…this was the road that the Lord wanted Chris to take. His daughter Mila was born in July of 2011 and now Chris was a proud daddy and family man. Chris returned to war in 2012 for his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, where he and his crews once again saved the lives of many marines and coalition forces who were wounded in battle. When he returned just before Christmas, Carmela gave birth to their second daughter Eva Rose. Life was great. Chris was called off to war yet again in 2015 and fought with the SEALs in eastern Africa for a five month tour of duty. In October 2016, Chris was promoted to Lieutenant at FDNY and his base of operations moved to Queens, ultimately landing at E302, located just north of JFK airport.

Last Mission Chris’ last tour overseas started in January of 2018.

He had promised everyone that this would be his last time going to war. He couldn’t pass on this, since he had a trio of new flight engineers to train up and this needed to be done in-theater, face-to-face. His departure overseas was low-key and devoid of the usual family histrionics. As per his request, it was just him and Carmela. He would reach out to us periodically via facetime, so we stayed in touch, but I knew that he was doing extremely dangerous work. We heard through the grapevine that his group was set up in the western Iraq desert and were working with special ops teams, chasing the last remnants of ISIS into Syria and eliminating this threat once and for all…you can draw your own conclusions about what they were doing.

We had a facetime birthday party for him the night of March 14th, his 39th year on earth. The next day was to be his last. I’d like to forget that day, the Ides of March, which was the worst moment of my life. He died on a mission near the Iraq/Syria border while supporting coalition forces in Operation Inherent Resolve, the war against ISIS. I will never forget the image of the three uniformed USAF personnel knocking at my door at 8:30 the night of March 15, 2018 and telling us that “we lost Chris today”…my wife and I both became physically ill, flashes of which still last to this day with the thought and reality of losing our oldest son.

But why? Why did the Lord take this young man who was a life saver, a difference maker, a leader, a teacher, a larger-than-life action hero, a fantastic son, a In the summer of 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated great big the Houston, TX area and the 106th Rescue Wing was brother, a lovsent into action, plucking a total of 546 Houston resi- ing husband dents out of the flood zone and bringing them back to and an exemsafety. Chris was a big part of that operation, flying in plary father?

60-to-80 knot winds with the 101st Jolly Greens heli- Why? copter squadron. The Go-Pro camera on his helmet A Story of documented his crew’s bravery and courage for the entire world to see on night time news. According to Inspiration USAF records, Chris’ Rescue 1 HH-60 PaveHawk The trite excrew saved 135 Houston residents during their brief pression that stay down south. Two weeks later, they followed up in “only the good the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, rescuing numerous die young” survivors in Puerto Rico, Florida and the US Virgin really hits Islands. All told, we guesstimated that Chris and his home. Chris crews had saved over 400 souls during his 888 hours was a great of flight time…not a bad ratio. combination

John and Chris Raguso

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Recollections by Nick Cicero

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y good friend Charlie and I often share stories about the way it used to be and recently, when I told him about Capt Nick’s Bait Box Chowder, it inspired him to devote his whole Sunday column in the Fall River newspaper to the subject. He explained about the free and delicious cast-offs that come from the sea if you know where to look.

and delighted in feasting on the bounty of both land and sea.

You see, those of us who trace our roots to first or second generation parents of immigrants can relate to "making due" and "wasting not." I never considered myself or my family to be poor, but I knew that we never had what some of the rich kids had from the “fancy” part of town. Of course, You see, back when I was still tuna fishing, I'd fre- every one of my friends in my local neighborquently make a hearty down east chowder or hood were in the same situation as I was and we spicy Italian red sauce concoction from the select- never really knew anyone who was rich till we ed contents of the 50 pound boxes of dragger got to high school where we mingled with kids culls that we would buy from Gloucester or Prov- from other neighborhoods and somewhat better incetown day boats to use as giant tuna chum. economic situations all mixed in our classes. EatThat's right, chum! For 20 bucks we'd get a half ing off the land and sea was just a way of life for days’ worth of chum and hook baits as well as us. We thought everyone ate that way until we the makings of a hell of a meal by picking met the Wasp kids in high school and realized through the contents and using a little creativity that they ate wonder bread and meatloaf, and that we were looked down upon as hicks who in the galley. might eat anything we could forage or find in One could, if selective, find all sorts of piscatorial the water or the woods. treasures hiding in the chum box. A few broken lobster parts, a squid or three, a few small cod My uncles, all my cousins and all our relatives and pollack, a cast off mud or white hake, hand- would hunt, fish, crab, clam and trap and that fuls of sweet Gulf of Maine shrimp, often small spilled over to me too Their stories of the old dabs or yellowtail flounders, tiny whiting that I'd country and life when they first arrived in Amerisplit and stuff with fresh parsley and herbs. If can were fascinating. The hunting and fishing lucky we might even come across an ugly monk- stories they told around the table in my grandfish or unsellable crushed cusk or a wolfish. A mother's house had me mesmerized as much as vertible cullinary bonanza! Being handy in the the homemade ravioli or pappardelle and Sungalley, I would fashion up some pretty tasty day gravy full of quail ,pheasants and rabbit! Oh, meals for a crew of hungry tuna fishermen from and those Summer evenings at my uncles shore cottage that comfortably slept 6 but often those cast-offs. housed 15 or 20 relatives sleeping on floors , It might not sound too appetizing to many in the couches, the porch or even in the V berth of his younger generations, but eating like this is all old decked over leaky white cedar crabbing skiff about coming from roots that wasted nothing moored out back. The days bounty was the even-

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ing feast. Rich and tangy crab sauce covered linguini‌bursting with the saltiness of the bay. The piss clams steamed in a fresh herb broth laced with lemons and cherry peppers. The big black mussels in a spicy tomato and white wine concoction. Always succulent and tender and sand free. We would dig in the grassy Barnegat bay sedge islands and each carefully select only those from the outside of the clumps insuring sand free and plump specimens. Then there were those tiny littleneck clams on the half shell or over the open grill, covered with little medallions of prosciutto ends or the bigger ones chopped and filled back into the shells mixed with garlic and cheese and parsley. Who can forget the blowfish tails, little snow white and bone free nuggets fried in homemade breadcrumbs that were filled

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with garden herbs, Pecorino romano cheese, finished with a sauce made from lemon zest and a glass of dad's white brandy and salty capers!

You know, we might have thought those upper crust kids were the rich one, but looking back we had it all wrong. With the rich heritage and culture that was used to create these wonderful meals it was us who were rich in ways we didn't realize until we got older and wiser. Capt. Nick's Bait Box Chowder was just another example.

Nick Cicero has a lifetime of stories to tell from his long background as an angler, commercial tuna fisherman, tackle designer, industry executive and fisheries activist. Certainly enough to fill volumes.

Nick is also on the board of directors of the Recreational Fishing Alliance.

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NEWS & VIEWS ASMFC Coastal Sharks Board Approves Changes to Recreational Measures for Mako Sharks

ing. Amendment 11 also responds to a recent determination by the International Commission on the Conservation Atlantic Tunas that all member countries need to reduce current shortfin mako landings by approximately 72-79% to prevent further declines in the population.

The Board adopted complementary size limits in state waters to provide consistency with federal measures as part of ongoing efforts to rebuild the resource. The states will implement the changes to the recreational minimum size limit for Atlantic shortfin mako by January 1, 2020.

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission May 2, 2019 — The following was released by the

For more information, please contact Kirby Rootes-Murdy, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, atkrootesmurdy@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740. Information on federal HMS shark regulations can be found at https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory -species/atlantic-highly-migratory-species-fisherycompliance-guides

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Coastal Sharks Management Board approved changes to the recreational size limit for Atlantic shortfin mako sharks in state waters, specifically, a 71-inch straight line fork length (FL) for males and an 83-inch straight line FL for females. These measures are consistent with those required for federal highly migratory species (HMS) permit holders under HMS Amendment 11, which was implemented in response to the 2017 Atlantic shortfin mako stock assessment that found the resource is overfished and experiencing overfish-

Florida Gulf Reef Fish Survey Receives National Certification FWRI is excited to announce that methods used in the agency’s Gulf Reef Fish Survey data collection program have been officially certified by NOAA Fisheries.

This is a big milestone for the FWC and will help us continue to achieve our agency priority of improving recreational data for several important reef fish species including red snapper and gag grouper.

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For the past several years, FWC has worked collaboratively with NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), regional partners and academic experts from across the country to develop the new survey methods. The success of this effort is due in large part to the many anglers who participate in the survey.

NOAA certification means the Gulf Reef Fish Survey estimates are eligible for use in stock assessments. The goal of the Gulf Reef Fish Survey is to improve recreational data for reef fish species.

Sign up for this important program and learn more about the science behind the survey.

ASMFC Says Rockfish Harvests Need to be Cut 17 Percent East Coast fishery managers last week took the first steps toward cutting the striped bass harvest 17 percent next year to help end overfishing of the popular species, which has been in decline for years.

Making Waves Summer 2019

ment that fishing restrictions be enacted to curtail harvests within a year. (Dave Harp) Options about how the harvest should be reduced will be presented to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission at its August meeting, after which proposals would go out for public comment. Final measures could be approved in October.

A few states, including Virginia, have taken action to curb catches this year, though the ASMFC — which is responsible for coastwide management — will not require reductions until next year.

Although it was known that the population has been declining for years, concern was heightened when a new stock assessment, using updated information, found the population was in worse shape than previously thought.

The population is still significantly higher than the depleted levels of the early 1980s that ultimately led to a coastwide fishing moratorium. But the overfishing finding by the assessment triggers a requirement that fishing restrictions be enacted to curtail harvests within a year.

An analysis by the ASMFC’s Striped Bass Technical Committee released at the commission’s April 30 meeting showed that coastwide catches needed to be reduced from a bit more than 7 million fish in 2017 to about 5.9 million fish next year. That is equivalent to a 17 percent reduction in the Bay and along the coast.

The commission will develop a range of options to achieve that reduction between now and August. Proposals under consideration include a range of size limits as well as other changes, such as a requirement that recreational anglers use a circle hook when fishing with bait. Maryland has imposed such a requirement in recent years, and fishery officials say it has improved the survival of striped bass released after being caught.

A decline in striped bass has triggered a require-

The issue of such “dead discards” — fish that die after being released by anglers — has gained more attention from fishery managers because the new assessment found the number of fish that die after being released in recent years actually exceeded the number of fish that recreational

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anglers catch and keep.

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of landed fish by both commercial and recreational anglers. This total fishing activity contributed a total of $7.8 billion toward our nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Citing a need for speedy action, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted April 23 to close its spring trophy season, which targets the largest fish in the population. These fish are capa- While commercial fishing plays a vital role in ble of producing the most young and are there- providing key jobs and revenues with regards to striped bass, recreational anglers accounted for fore important for the future of the population.

90 percent of the striped bass caught and acNature, though, appeared to have already procounted for 98 percent of the total economic vided a boost to conservation of the species. The contributions from this fishery. The study, “The technical committee’s preliminary analysis of Economic Contributions of Recreational and 2018 data showed that fishing pressure last year Commercial Striped Bass Fishing,” reveals the true — when bad weather pummeled the region — economic significance the commercial and recrereduced recreational catches below the proposed ational striped bass fishery presents to coastal new targets. economies under current management structures.

Striped Bass Provides Huge Economic Benefits for U.S. Coastal States

The report looked at two years of data—2016, the most recent year for which data is available, plus the most productive year in the past 10 years for each coastal state from Maine to North Carolina to help show the fishery’s potential. The study was based in part on publicly available and recently revised NOAA participation, landings, expenditure and economic data. Additionally, recreational contributions were based on trip and equipment expenditures made by anglers that could reasonably be attributed to striped bass fishing. Commercial contributions included the harvest, processing, wholesale and retail industries involved in moving striped bass from sea to consumer.

Other key findings of the study included:

FERNANDINA BEACH, FL. — Fishing—both recreational and commercial—is a powerful contributor to the economies of coastal communities, with striped bass among one of the most valuable fisheries along the Atlantic seaboard. This species is a valuable natural resource that generates significant economic gains and jobs from Maine to North Carolina. A recent study commissioned by the McGraw Center for Conservation Leadership and conducted by Southwick Associates, the nation’s leading outdoor market research and economics firm, discovered that in 2016, the fishery accounted for more than 48 million pounds

• New Jersey and New York accounted for the most recreational harvest of the surveyed states in 2016, the most recent year data is available, with 12.7 million pounds and 12 million pounds caught respectively.

• Maryland and Virginia accounted for the largest haul from commercial fishermen in that same time span, landing 1.7 million pounds and 1 million pounds respectively.

• Millions of anglers pursue striped bass from North Carolina to Maine each year accounting for nearly 30 percent of all recreational fishing trips in the region.

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Despite a 24 percent reduction in recreational striped bass fishing trips between 2009 and 2016, the number of jobs supported by striped bass stayed steady and expenditures actually increased by nine percent.

“The findings in this study are significant as changes to striped bass management policies can have significant impacts on coastal and state economies,” says Charles S. Potter Jr., President and CEO of the McGraw Center for Conservation Leadership. “Smart management plans depend in part on understanding how changes to the fishery can impact local commercial and recreation communities as well as the public at large.”

To view the complete study, visit https:// mcgrawconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/ McGraw-Striped-Bass-Report-FINAL.pdf.

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ventional rods and reels, including electric reels mounted on rods. Hand gear, bandit gear and hydraulic reels are not permitted. Harpoons may be used to boat the fish, however. In the event of a tie, the first eligible fish boated shall be declared the winner.

Weigh-ins will be conducted at approved scales certified by governmental authorities within the last year. Fishing hours will be from 8 am on Saturday, July 27 until 8 am on Sunday, July 28, in each local time zone. Continuous video verification of the gaffing and boating of the fish with a GPS date and time stamp will be required to prove the catch was made during the specified tournament hours. The winning angler and/or team member may also be required to take a polygraph test to ensure compliance with the rules.

“Several prolific swordfish areas will be in play during our July time frame,” Navarro adds. “South Florida and the Keys, the Mid-Atlantic, as well as Inaugural Swordfish Cup To Be the Gulf of Mexico, Southern California and HaHeld Globally in July waii could all produce the winning fish. And with the caliber of teams we’re expecting, the winning April 1, 2019; West Palm Beach, Florida: weight might be decided by mere ounces. It will The 1st Annual Swordfish Cup, a tournament be an exciting 24-hour window into the sport.” with a popular 24-hour format, will be held July 27-28, 2019. Anglers around the world will be For more information on the tournament or to to compete, please visit eligible to compete in their respective time zones. r e g i s t e r This new global sport-fishing contest is being pre- www.swordfishcup.com. sented by Fly Zone Fishing and RJ Boyle Studio.

We’re excited to announce this new tournament catering to the growing legion of broadbill enthusiasts,” says Robert “Fly” Navarro, president of Fly Zone Fishing. “We’ve already heard from multiple teams and I expect to see some hefty entries hoisted to the scales. The popularity of swordfish has exploded in recent years and this tournament is designed to showcase this incredible fishery.

We’ll be doing live updates every three hours on FaceBook (flyzonefishing) and giving away some cool prizes donated by our sponsors for those watching the feeds.”

The entry fee for the Swordfish Cup is $1,500 per team, with the winner taking 80 percent of the fees for the heaviest fish exceeding the 200pound minimum weight. All line class weights will be allowed. Contestants may only use con-

Yamaha Rightwaters™ Sustainability Initiative Bows on World Oceans Day KENNESAW, Ga.-- Yamaha Marine officially launched Yamaha Rightwaters on World Oceans Day last Saturday with a public service project that targeted the Georgia coast and collected 2.3 tons of debris. The local effort is just the beginning of a far-reaching national sustainability program for the Georgia-based Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit.

“Yamaha Rightwaters is fighting to protect our most precious and essential natural resource – water. It will embody all of our company’s conservation initiatives, as well as become a platform for

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many plans the company has in store to improve about the importance of using descending devicwater resources,” said Martin Peters, Yamaha Ma- es to reduce the mortality rate of fish in catch and rine Division Manager, Government Relations. release fishing situations.

“Through Yamaha Rightwaters, we will continue to fight to improve habitat, control invasive species and support scientific research,” said Peters.

“In addition, we will focus on removing marine debris, specifically plastic. Rightwaters is an umbrella for what we have long done and for all the projects we are inspired to do.”

Yamaha Rightwaters conducted the World Oceans Day and Coastal Georgia Clean Up campaign to prevent plastic and other debris from entering the ocean. In sponsorship with Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, the Coastal Georgia Clean Up effort united 18 nonprofit, educational and governmental organizations in a simultaneous removal of litter. The group collected 4,572 pounds (2.3 tons) of trash, including more than 5,200 cigarette butts and 19 tires.

Currently, Yamaha Rightwaters is developing a pilot device engineered with Yamaha electric power and control systems that will automatically remove floating debris from waterways. Yamaha “Sponsoring a coast-wide cleanup in our home Rightwaters intends to deploy its first device in state on World Oceans Day is a great way to launch Yamaha Rightwaters and bring national coastal Georgia in early 2020. attention to the plight of our oceans,” said Peters.

Yamaha Rightwaters is also working with organi- “Conservation is a cornerstone of our business, zations such as the Bass Anglers Sportsmen’s So- and we will continue to advocate for policies and ciety (B.A.S.S.®) to improve conservation techpractices that ensure clean water and sustainable niques and mitigate invasive species. They supfisheries for everyone.” port habitat restoration projects with organizations such as the Coastal Conservation AssociaYamaha Marine products are marketed throughtion®. Yamaha plans to participate in more activi- out the United States and around the world. ties to conserve natural resources and support Yamaha Marine U.S. Business Unit, based in sustainable recreational fishing and water reKennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,400 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and sources. parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives Yamaha has a long history of natural resource to be the industry leader in reliability, technology conservation. Within the last five years alone, and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only Yamaha has given support to the Georgia Deoutboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. partment of Natural Resources, the Kenai River Customer Satisfaction Index award every year Sportfishing Association, WoundedNature.org, since its inception. the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, OCEARCH, the Melissa Boudoux National Aquarium® and the Clearwater Marine Communications Manager Aquarium®. In addition, Yamaha vigorously sup- Yamaha Marine Engine Systems ported the Save Our Seas Act, S. 3508 on Capitol Office: (770) 701-3269 Hill. The act was signed into law on Oct. 11, Mobile: (404) 381-7593 melissa_boudoux@yamaha-motor.com 2018.

In addition, Yamaha Marine developed and published an Angler Code of Ethics to ensure all Yamaha pro anglers adhere to principles of conservation and stewardship of all marine resources. Yamaha Marine also worked with the American Sportfishing Association® (ASA) and the FishSmart® Foundation to produce a series of videos that aim to educate offshore anglers

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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.

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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M A K I N G

Making Waves Making Waves Summer Summer2016 2019

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The Official Publication of the Recreational Fishing Alliance

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jim Donofrio Executive Director

John DePersenaire Managing Director

Gary Caputi Corp. Relations Director

Barry Gibson New England Director

Jim Martin West Coast Director

Sharon Scaltrito Office Manager