On April 23rd the Plum Island Surfcasters are having an event at the Riptide Cafe and Bar on Plum Island (new restaurant where the Beachcoma used to be) open to all club members and to the general public.
At the event Michele Heller from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries will be present to go over information related to their studies on how gear choices impact catch and release mortality of striped bass.
Moving to a tail flag with a singular hook on the belly (inline single OR treble hook) will drastically lower the mortality rate for striped bass which are released.
Cody Mann of Chasing Tides will also be attendance, and will tie a flag or two for people who would like one tied to match a plug they have brought. Cody is a trusted supplier of flags to lure makers such as CTK Fishing, Antagonizer Lures, ME Fishing, and 401 Plugs.
In addition the club will have a variety of flags and inline hooks to help people change over some of the plugs in their bag at the event.
On top of that we will be a raffle raising money for striped bass conservation with a small variety of prizes donated from generous sponsors.
Emilie Franke Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 1050 N. Highland Street, Suite 200 A-N Arlington, VA 22201
Dear Emilie,
Please find the following comments representing the membership of the Plum Island Surfcasters (PISC), a 500-member North Shore Massachusetts fishing club, input on Amendment 7 Addendum 2. The PISC is a non-profit sportfishing club committed to developing best practices in good sportsmanship, education, techniques, and conservation for future generations.
The membership of the Plum Island Surfcaster believes the striped bass stock condition is much worse than is being projected in this addendum. Since we are located toward the Northern reach of the striped bass ocean fishery, we are first to see more acute changes in the population. Many of our members that maintain detailed fishing logs have seen a 60 to 75% reduction in their catch over the past five years.
The Plum Island Surfcasters membership support the following Addendum 2 options:
3.1.1 Ocean Recreational Fishery Options. The membership supports Option B, 1 fish at 28” to 31” with 2022 season (all modes).
While many of our members do use for hire services, we feel that all recreational anglers should operate under the same guidelines related to the size and fish limits. We also believe that it is imperative that we protect the 2015-year class and maintain the current 28” to 31” size limit.
3.1.2 Chesapeake Bay Recreational Fishery Options. The membership supports Option B2 at 1 fish at 19” to 24”.
Option B2 was selected since it meets the desired 14.5 % reduction while holding all recreational anglers to the same size and fish limit.
3.1.3 For-Hire Management Clarification. The membership supports Option B.
While the membership believes all recreational anglers should operate under the same regulations and do not support Options C1 or C2, if either of these options are selected then Option B should be used.
3.1.4 Recreational Filleting Allowance Requirements. The membership supports Option B.
Option B gives law enforcement the ability to ensure compliance with regulations.
3.2.1 Commercial Quota Reduction Options. The membership supports Option B.
Our membership supports a quota reduction of 14.5%. This would bring the commercial quota reduction into alignment with the recreational reduction expected percentages. This is especially needed since some of the states have commercial size limits that are focused on the primary spawning stock.
3.3 Response to Stock Assessment. The membership supports Option B
Our membership supports giving the Board the ability to quickly address stock assessment data that indicates the stock is not projected to meet rebuild probability. This option should be limited to only address assessment data that indicates the stock will not meet rebuild probability.
In addition to the club commentary letter on Addendum II it is heavily encouraged that every member sends their own commentary. A strong and clear chorus championing conservation and a long-term focus on the health of our shared resource is vitally important.
Please do not copy and paste our letter as your comments. If there is no personal message from you, it will be ignored. Please rephrase in your own words and include a personal reflection on the need for protection of the striped bass breeding stock.
You cannot talk your way into catching fish during the season, but your action or silence on this issue will be weighed by the ASMFC board members when they make their decision. The results of this decision will echo for many seasons to come.
Commentary can be sent either via email or mailed letter. Commentary should indicate your opinions on the major topics of the addendum and your support for the best interest of the Striped Bass population. Please try to make your letter unique to your own experience, given that form letters are not always considered with the same weight as a personally drafted one.
Deadline: Friday, December 22, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (EST)
Merrimack River Update: Fish Migration, CSOs and Emerging Contaminants
by John Macone, Merrimack River Watershed Council
Merrimack River Update: Fish Migration, CSOs and Emerging Contaminants John Macone from Merrimack River Watershed Council will give an update on 3 issues that impact fishing on the Merrimack River — fish counts, dam removals, progress on CSO sewer discharges, and PFAS “forever chemical” contamination in the Merrimack Valley and in fish.
Our monthly meetings are held at the Salisbury, MA Hilton Senior Center, (43 Lafayette Rd., Salisbury, MA). Admission is free to members and $5.00 for non-members.
Doors open at 6:30 pm. Our club business meeting starts at 7:15 pm and the speaker’s presentation starts around 8:00 pm.
This will be a remote meeting only over Zoom. Only registered members can log on to attend. No meeting at the Senior Center.
Watch the Recorded Video:
Protecting the North Shore: A Look at Federal and State Natural Resource Law Enforcement
Speakers
Gareth Williams Federal Wildlife Officer
Joe Gray Environmental Police Officer
Topics Covering
duties training additional duties local cases
Our monthly meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Salisbury, MA Hilton Senior Center, (43 Lafayette Rd., Salisbury, MA). Admission is free to members and $5.00 for non-members.
Doors open at 6:30 pm. Our club business meeting starts at 7:15 pm and the speaker’s presentation starts around 8:00 pm.
