Ocean Salmon Sport Season South of Cape Falcon Is Closed
August 15, 2008
NEWPORT, Ore. — The ocean salmon recreational fishery south of Cape Falcon, Ore., to the California boarder has closed effective 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008 when the coho quota for the season is expected to be reached.
“We had a quota of 9,000 hatchery coho this year,” said Eric Schindler, supervising biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Strong winds and poor ocean conditions kept many fishermen off the water during the early part of the season, which stretched the season longer than many expected.”
The season opened for fin-clipped coho retention on June 22 with a quota of 9,000 fish. During the week of August 4-10, effort and catch accelerated and brought total landings to 8,462 coho by Sunday evening (94 percent of quota).
Managers expect the quota will be fully attained by Thursday.
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Ducks Unlimited Goin’ Fishin’ in Kansas
July 29, 2008
Wildlife conservation group to hold catfish tournament to raise funds
BURLINGTON — The John Redmond Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will hold its Fourth Annual Catfish Tournament at John Redmond Reservoir on July 26 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
“This is the first time we have tried a catfish tournament as a way to raise money for wetland conservation,” says Bob Hammond, chapter chairman.
Cost to enter the tournament is $50 per boat. Cash payouts will be paid for first, second, and third places. Payout is based upon number of boats entered. Last year, 42 boats entered the tournament, and more than $1,500 was paid in cash and prizes. Other prizes and raffles will be available.
“We are anticipating a much higher turnout this year due to local interest and support,” says Hammond. “Last year, the lake was 15 feet above normal, which caused some of the fishermen to stay home. We have had interested fisherman from as far away as Colorado contact us about fishing in the tournament.”
For additional information, phone Hammond at 620-364-2953 or email him at duckman182 [at] mchsi [dot] com
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FWC Posts Fishing Signs On Keys Bridges
July 28, 2008
Officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up to educate fishermen about varieties of fish, many of which are being illegally harvested in very high numbers in the Keys.
The officers are posting signs on 24 fishing bridges in the Keys, from Key Largo to Key West. The signs illustrate the most common types of fish caught at the bridges, including snapper, snook, shark and grouper. It also shows the names of the fish in Spanish and English, as well as the size and bag limits.
Many of the fish being caught from the bridges are not legal to take, according to FWC officers. The officers repeatedly cite fishermen with multiple fishing violations, such as keeping fish over the bag limit, catching fish out of season, and keeping fish under the minimum legal size.
“We want to make sure the public is aware of fishing regulations,” said Officer David Dipre. “Many fishermen who receive warnings or citations say they didn’t know there were regulations in place. While many fishermen may be telling the truth, others may not. By putting up these signs, we’re increasing awareness and eliminating the ‘I didn’t know’ excuse.”
For more information on fishing regulations, go to MyFWC.com and click on “Fishing.”
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Connecticut DEP Says Success of Lobster “V-notch” Program Postpones Increase in Minimum Size
July 21, 2008
Effort involved lobstermen and students at three high schools
![Connecticut DEP Says Success of Lobster "V-notch" Program Postpones Increase in Minimum Size](http://www.outdoorcentral.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/20080721009.jpg "Connecticut DEP Says Success of Lobster \\"V-notch\\" Program Postpones Increase in Minimum Size")
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said today that the lobster “V-notch” program has achieved the level of success needed to delay – for at least one year – an increase in the current minimum legal size for lobsters that are taken from the waters of Long Island Sound.
Under the “V-notch” program – which was designed to monitor and improve the Long Island Sound lobster population – fishermen from Connecticut and New York returned the equivalent of more than 58,000 mature female lobsters to the Sound between December 2007 and July 2008. This represents more than 100% of the goal established for the first year of the program.
As a result of an agreement with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the “V-notch” program was approved as a viable alternative to an increase in the minimum size for purposes of attempting to restore the Sound’s lobster population. The Commission had agreed to certain milestones – and delaying an increase in minimum size for a year was the recognition agreed to once at least 90% of the goal of the initial phase of the “V-notch” program was achieved.
DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, “We are working to show that the ‘V-Notch’ program can serve as a viable alternative to increases in the minimum legal size and a valuable educational opportunity for the students involved. Completing the first year’s v-notch goal means Connecticut and New York lobstermen fishing in the Sound will not have to endure a gauge increase for at least another year.”
“This is something people in this industry felt was critical for their businesses, given the high costs of fuel and bait and low catches in recent years,” Commissioner McCarthy said. “The achievements of the “V-notch” program were possible only as a result of the support of Governor Rell and the state legislature and the hard work of the Lobster Restoration Advisory Committee (LRAC), the city of Bridgeport, local lobstermen and the state’s three marine-themed technical high schools.”
Having fulfilled the first year goal, the “V-notch” program has delayed – by at least one year – action by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission that would have increased the current minimum legal size by 1/16″ from 3 5/16″ to 3 3/8″ on August 1, 2008. This fall, students are expected to begin v-notching for “year two,” and this work will continue until the funding is exhausted. Under the current management plan the next scheduled increase in the minimum legal size would take place in 2010.
Barbara Gordon, Executive Director of the CT Seafood Council said, “I would like to congratulate the staff of the DEP, the three participating schools and the lobstermen who have spent many hours on the water working toward the success of this program. We also owe a big ‘thanks’ and huge praise to the students who made this program work. I would also like to express thanks to legislative leaders and the Governor for believing in us and for providing funding to make this program a success.”
Bart Mansi, a Guilford lobsterman who serves on the LRAC, said, “All the hard work needed to establish the “V-notch” program was well worth the effort. It is a great program and we will work to identify future funding to continue it for the benefit of both the students involved and the industry. This is the first time industry, management and education have really teamed up to work together on an issue and we want to continue this kind of cooperation into the future.”
Background on “V-notch” Program
The “V-notch” program, established by the General Assembly in 2006, is a cooperative venture of Connecticut lobstermen who participate voluntarily, three coastal Connecticut high schools with specialized programs in aquaculture or maritime sciences, and the DEP. In the program, the tails of mature female lobsters are v-notched and the animals are released back into Long Island Sound. This mark protects them from harvest for about two years, giving them time to grow and reproduce.
The program was designed by the Lobster Restoration Advisory Committee, established by the state legislature. Participants include three Connecticut lobstermen, three representatives of the schools, Connecticut’s three Commissioners of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, a representative of Commissioner McCarthy and the Executive Director of the Connecticut Seafood Council.
The program is administered by the City of Bridgeport through its Board of Education and Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School under a grant from the DEP. Bridgeport’s role as administrator was a critical component for the program, without which employing students and processing payments to vendors, students and lobstermen may not have been possible.
Other participating schools are the Ella T. Grasso Vocational Technical High School in Groton and The Sound School Vocational Aquaculture High School in New Haven. Students of the three schools are employed as “v-notch agents” deployed on the vessels of participating lobstermen. Two person teams notch the lobsters, record biological data, and verify the numbers notched for accountability.
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Successful San Francisco Bay Halibut Catch Triggers DFG Survey to Ensure Sustainable Fishery
July 1, 2008
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will monitor the San Francisco Bay halibut fishery to ensure that current regulations are protecting the species from overfishing. Recreational anglers and commercial hook-and-line fishermen are harvesting a higher than normal number of halibut from the bay for this time of year.
“This successful harvest is likely due to a strong class of halibut that were born in 2004 and such reproduction is historically infrequent,” said DFG Director Donald Koch. “Although there is no indication that the halibut fishery is not sustainable, additional scientific data will allow us to better assess how the species should be managed, particularly in booming population years.”
A minimum legal size is a commonly-used management tool intended to allow the fish to reach reproductive size before being subjected to fishing pressure. Recreational and commercial halibut fisheries require fish to be at least 22 inches in total length. The length and weight of the fish are routinely collected for the fisheries; when possible, otoliths (ear bones) are taken for age determination. To evaluate the impact of various gear types on the survival of released halibut, DFG will also conduct a hooking mortality study within San Francisco Bay this summer. The study will help demonstrate the effectiveness of the size limit regulation.
The California halibut fishery is known to exhibit geographic fluctuations and anglers should be aware that the fish tend to migrate inshore in the spring and summer to forage and spawn. After spawning, the adults generally move offshore in the fall and winter.
During El Niño events, halibut larvae may be transported into northern California and after these fish grow to the minimum legal size of 22-inches in length they provide significant fishing opportunities in some years. In addition, juveniles and adults may move northward during these events.
In addition to monitoring halibut in San Francisco Bay, DFG is also observing halibut fisheries at various locations within California and a formal stock assessment is expected to begin later this year. The assessment will be the first statewide evaluation of the halibut resource and is designed to provide an accurate estimate of the population size, as well as the amount of fishing pressure that the fishery can safely sustain.
The recreational halibut fishery is monitored through the California Recreational Fisheries Survey. Commercial and charter boat halibut catch is monitored by DFG though landing receipts and logbooks.
The primary distribution of California’s halibut stock is from central California to northern Baja California. All fishery regulation changes are under the jurisdiction of the Fish and Game Commission. Legislation would be required to change the commercial minimum size limit for halibut.
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Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza Rescheduled
June 19, 2008
LITTLE ROCK – Anglers after the big one on the Arkansas River will have to wait. High water and current on the river have forced the Arkansas Hospitality Association to reschedule the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza to August 1-3.
Originally scheduled for June 27-29, the tournament is the largest amateur tournament in the nation, with as many as 3,000 competitors fishing for the $100,000 grand prize.
Tournament officials moved the tournament because heavy rains throughout the Midwest continue to keep the river flow well above safe boating levels.
Executive Director of the Arkansas Hospitality Association Montine McNulty said, “We postponed the fishing tournament in the interest of safety. The fishermen support and understand the river situation. We look forward to a great tournament August 1st.”
McNulty added that there’s a silver lining to those rain clouds.
“By rescheduling for August, we’ll have an additional five weeks to promote the tournament and recruit more anglers – meaning more competition and potentially even more prize money to distribute.”
All current tournament registrations will be honored for the new dates, and the tournament rules and prize pay-out arrangements will remain the same. Full tournament rules, format, and pay-outs are available at www.arkansasbigbass.com .
Current registrants unable to participate on the rescheduled August dates can receive a refund of their registration fees. Contact the Arkansas Hospitality Association at (501) 376-2323 or 1-800-472-5022. All refund requests must be postmarked by Monday, July 7. .
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Reminder! Horsepower Limits Raised on Wildlife Area Lakes in Knox, Williams, Defiance and Vinton Counties Beginning July 1
June 16, 2008
COLUMBUS, OH - Boaters and anglers are reminded that horsepower regulations on several state wildlife area lakes will increase on July 1.
Beginning July 1, boats with motors greater than 10 horsepower will be allowed on Knox Lake in Knox County, Lake La Su An in Williams County, Oxbow Lake in Defiance County and Rupert Lake in Vinton County as long as they are operated at idle speed.
In addition, new regulations will allow gasoline motors with ratings of 10 horsepower or less to operate on Zepperneck Lake in Columbiana County, as well as Greenfield and Rockmill lakes in Fairfield County. Only electric motors were allowed on these lakes previously.
The Ohio Wildlife Council voted in early March to increase the horsepower limits on these state wildlife area lakes. The increase will allow greater access and more sporting opportunities for boaters and fishermen around the state.
Another administrative rule taking effect on July 1 will allow the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft to issue “contingent registrations” to boaters when there are situations that would delay the registration process. These registrations would be free of charge and allow the boater to get out on the water while the division conducts the reviews required to issue a standard registration.
State watercraft officers may also issue “contingent registration” tags for newly purchased watercraft operating under the state’s “bill-of-sale” provisions. These provisions grant a new owner permission to operate a boat without Ohio numbers for a period of either 30 or 45 days following purchase in order to allow time for title and other transfer documents to be processed.
Contingent registration tags are good for 15 days from the date of application or until the “bill-of-sale” provision ends. The decision to issue a contingent registration lies solely with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft.
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Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza Set For June 27-29
June 12, 2008
LITTLE ROCK – Registration is open for the 2008 Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza, the country’s largest amateur big bass tournament, which will be held on the Arkansas River for the ninth consecutive year, with this year’s dates June 27-29.
Fishermen can register online at www.arkansasbigbass.com.
The angler who lands the largest fish in the three-day tournament will take home $100,000, with other cash prizes available throughout the weekend. Approximately 3,000 fishermen are expected to compete in the event. Total prize money will be determined by the total number of registrants in the tournament. After several false starts due to high water in 2007, tournament officials distributed more than $214,000 in total prizes to last year’s winners.
The tournament begins at 6 a.m. on all three days, with the first hourly weigh-in at 8 a.m. and subsequent weigh-ins at the top of each hour until the final 1 p.m. weigh-in. Cash prizes will be awarded for the biggest fish in each pool each hour.
Big Bass Bonanza is sponsored by the Arkansas Hospitality Association, and the contest spans 300 miles of eligible fishing from Fort Smith to Dumas - the entire length of the Arkansas River within the state’s borders.
The entry fee for each day of the tournament is $80 until June 12, when the fee increases to $90 per day.
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High, Muddy Water No Problem for Catfishermen
June 10, 2008
LINCOLN, Neb. – Recent heavy rains, high water so murky it could pass for strong coffee, high humidity and the warmest temperatures so far this year, proved to be the right combination for catching catfish at Wagon Train Lake east of Hickman on Saturday morning, May 7 for three Lincoln fishermen.
Luke Covington and his sons, Eli and Micah, all of Lincoln, were fishing on the west side of the lake and caught two channel catfish on worms.
Covington said the fish were taken from an area where the grassy shoreline was underwater after recent heavy rains.
Before heading to the lake, be sure you have a 2008 Nebraska fishing permit which can be purchased online from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Web site at www.OutdoorNebraska.org, from a Commission office, or any of some 900 permit vendors across the state. With a few exceptions, any angler 16 years old or older is required to have a Nebraska fishing permit to fish in Nebraska. The resident annual fishing permit costs $26, a nonresident annual fishing permit is $58. Also pick up a free copy of the 2008 Nebraska Fishing Guide, which has information about fishing regulations and public waters across the state.
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East Coast Trap/Pot Fishermen May Get More Time to Convert to Sinking Groundline
June 4, 2008
NOAA’s Fisheries Service is proposing that East Coast trap/pot fishermen get six additional months to switch from floating to sinking groundline, a conversion that will help reduce the risk of entangling large whales in fishing gear.
NOAA is proposing the extension to ensure all crab and fish trap/pot operations, which are newly required to use modified gear, understand they are affected by the requirement and how to comply. The extension would also apply to American lobster trap gear, which has been managed under rules for reducing entanglement risk since 1997.
NOAA believes that the extension will have minimal effect on entanglement risks to large whales. The extension will occur during months when trap/pot fisheries are less active, so less gear is being used. Whales are not aggregating at this time in areas where the majority of pot/trap gear is set. In addition, all other risk reduction measures that went into place in October 2007 remain in effect and are unchanged.
There has been and will continue to be considerable outreach to fishermen on the new requirement through NOAA’s liaisons to industry, an advisory panel with industry leaders, environmentalists and elected officials, and through informational pull-outs published in trade publications.
The proposed rule will publish in the Federal register on Fri., June 6 and public comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Mon., July 7. To view the proposed rule and instructions on submitting comments visit http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/regs/com.html If the extension is implemented, sinking groundline—the line that connects multiple traps/pots when the gear is set—will be required by April 5, 2009, rather than October 5, 2008.
Between 2002 and 2006, NOAA’s Fisheries Service confirmed 314 deaths among large whales along the U.S. East Coast and adjacent Canadian Maritimes. Of these, the majority, 249, were of undetermined cause, 21 were caused by entanglement, 27 by collisions with ships, and 17 by other causes. During these four years, NOAA confirmed a total of 145 whale entanglements and 43 collisions between whales and ships.
Several species of large whales are subject to entanglement, including the North Atlantic right whale, which is also one of the most endangered. Since 1996, NOAA’s Fisheries Service has been working to eliminate this threat through a program of research, consultation with stakeholders, and regulatory actions. Gear requirements and special management areas have been a large part of this effort.
NOAA’s Fisheries Service is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation’s living marine resources and their habitat through scientific research, management and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries Service provides effective stewardship of these resources for the benefit of the nation, supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, and helping to provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational opportunities for the American public.
NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 70 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.
On the Web:
NOAA Fisheries Service: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov
Atlantic Large Whale Protection Plan: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/whaletrp
