How are regulations shaping up for 2017?

By Captain Dave Monti
Posted 1/18/17

Two meetings last week gave fishermen an idea of what some of the saltwater fishing regulations may be for 2017. First, a Department of Environmental Management (DEM) public workshop was held last Tuesday night at the Coastal

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How are regulations shaping up for 2017?

Posted

Two meetings last week gave fishermen an idea of what some of the saltwater fishing regulations may be for 2017.

First, a Department of Environmental Management (DEM) public workshop was held last Tuesday night at the Coastal Institute, URI Bay Campus. The stock status and preliminary regulation proposal options for tautog, striped bass, Atlantic menhaden and bluefish were reviewed.

Thursday night, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) held a public hearing at the URI Bay Campus on the summer flounder (fluke) fisheries management plan addendum. When passed by the Commission, the addendum will set the table for summer flounder regulations in Rhode Island and all coastal states from Massachusetts to North Carolina.

Regulation options discussed at these two meetings are tentative. Further vetting at public hearings, at the ASMFC and recommendations by DEM staff on preferred options is still to come. Then recommendations are made by the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council, all input then goes to Janet Coit, DEM director, for the department’s final ruling on 2017 regulations.

Highlights from the two meetings this week:

Striped bass stock is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring with mortality below the threshold and target. Management measures implemented in 2015 seem to be working. The proposed recreational management option for 2017 is status quo, 28-inch minimum size and one fish/day/person with a year-round season.

The commercial striped bass fishing season dates received a lot of attention from fishermen as they usually do. Commercial Narragansett Bay fishermen want an early season start, as early as the end of May. They say this is when the fish are in the upper reaches in the Bay. Fishermen who fish in the Block Island area prefer a later season start as that is when fish are there most often. Michael Lanni, a commercial rod and reel fisherman who fishes the Block Island area, said, “The season is starting too early in the spring and too late in the fall. I suggest we align the seasons when the fish are available to us.” A variety of options were reviewed and proposed that will go to public hearing for comment.

Atlantic menhaden is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. Fishing mortality is below the threshold. The stock is in very good shape. Catch limits increased by 10 percent for the past two years, and this year the total allowable catch (TAC) will increase by 6.45 percent.

One major proposal made by a commercial bait fishery company fishing in Narragansett Bay was to have controlled openings of areas in Greenwich Bay and areas north of Conimicut Point to commercial Atlantic menhaden boats (these areas have been closed to commercial fishing for the past few years). The rationale for opening up these areas was that so many Atlantic menhaden are expected in the upper reaches of the Bay this year that fish kills may occur. This information was not verified by DEM staff at the meeting.

Tautog reference points have not been approved at this time by the ASMFC. The assumption is that the stock status is poor based on the accepted updated assessment. The tautog technical committee and the ASMFC will meet in January and February to review the stock again. For now, the only option presented at the meeting was status quo from last year, a 16-inch fish with a three fish/person/day limit from April 15 to May 31 and from Aug. 1 to Oct. 21; with a six fish/person/day limit from Oct. 22 to Dec. 15. A 10 fish/vessel limit applies to all periods, which is not applicable for party and charter boats. A status quo option was presented for the commercial tautog fishery as well.

Summer flounder (fluke) received a lot of attention at the ASMFC hearing. Summer flounder recreational fishing regulation options being considered drastically reduce catch limits.

Some regulation options cut the recreational allowable catch in Rhode Island in half from eight to four fish, others increase the minimum size from 18 inches to 19 inches, and just about all of the options reduce the number of fishing days.

The ASMFC and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) modified specifications for summer flounder, reducing harvest limits in 2017 for both recreational and commercial fisheries by about 30 percent. Combine this with penalties for overfishing in 2016 and it can translate to over a 40 percent reduction for some coastal states.

In a letter to the ASMFC, Steven Medeiros, president of the RI Saltwater Anglers Association, said, “Our Association has always believed in conservation, a “fish first” attitude when a species is under stress. We favor option No. 2 that increases size to 19 inches, allows for a good season and an eight-fish limit.” We can also support option No. 3, which is an 18-inch fish and a bag limit of four fish, as many of our members fish Narragansett Bay and would benefit from this smaller size fish. Both options achieve the necessary coastwide reductions.

Cap. Rick Bellavance, president of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association, said, “We can support Option 2 that gives Rhode Islanders eight 19-inch fish, however, Option 1 is our first choice. It gives us an 18-inch fish and would result in lower reductions for RI fishermen and give us more flexibility in choosing measures for 2017. Option 2 will provide other regions with increased opportunity when compared to Option 1.”

Visit www.asmfc.org for a copy of the “Summer Flounder Draft Addendum XXVIII,” which relates stock status and regulation options being proposed. Public comments on the Addendum will be taken at the hearing and accepted by email until Jan. 19, 5 p.m. at Krootes-murdy Summer Flounder Draft Addendum XXVIII.

Fly-Tying for beginners or those in the know

The Narragansett Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU225) will host a fly tying meeting that is open to the public on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m. at the Coventry/West Greenwich Elks Lodge, 42 Nooseneck Hill Road (Rte. 3, Exit 6 off of Rte. 95), West Greenwich. After a short business meeting, the chapter will be hosting a fly-tying class open to members and the public. Those interested in tying with experts should bring their own tools. For those who would like to learn the basics of fly tying, there will be a beginners tying table with tools and materials.

For information or to reserve a seat for the fly-tying class, contact chapter president Glenn Place at 1-401-225-7712 or email GlennPlace83@gmail.com.

Where’s the bite?

Cod fishing.

Captain Andy Dangelo of the Seven B’s party boat said, “Cod fishing has been very good, especially when the weather conditions allowed the boat to drift. This past Saturday, the fishing was excellent with a near boat limit of cod averaging in the 12- to 15-pound range. The largest cod weighed in at 19-plus pounds.” Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “We had a wild week of winter weather ranging from a crippling snowstorm to southerly gales that kept the Lady Frances tied to the dock until Saturday. Anglers were treated to beautiful mid-winter weather and a pick of market cod with the best action rather close to home. Hi-hook boxed five cod fish and the biggest fish was in the low teens.”

Party boats sailing for cod this time of year include the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com, the Seven B’s at www.sevenbs.com and the Island Current at www.islandcurrent.com .

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. He is a RISAA board member, a member of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association and a member of the RI Marine Fisheries Council. Contact or forward fishing news and photos to Capt. Dave at dmontifish@verizon.net or visit his website at www.noflukefishing.com.

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