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02/01/2017 11:00 PMSo many fishers and other groups of people are troubled about the future of our fisheries. Collectively, they are also concerned about water quality and how efforts by key management, as custodians of our resources, will play out. There’s little doubt that there are attempts underway by many to achieve similar goals. Often, their approaches take on different paths that cross, resulting in friction and confrontation.
What we’re learning is that working together to solve issues is generally more constructive than lashing out at each other, whether it’s in a proactive or defensive manner. In the case of fisheries, it’s simple. The goal is to preserve and protect: Preserve our natural resource and protect it for posterity.
Many times, there are outside influences that put additional pressures on that goal. For example, a wind farm possibly constructed on or near prolific fishing grounds, or an underground cable potentially running through a vibrant area of sea life will create strong pushback. A cod closure in the Gulf of Maine or an across the board reduction in summer flounder (fluke) are also two instances where this occurs.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, in conjunction with their Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program that provides dependable and timely fishery statistics to the science-based fisheries management community, deals in many different ways to cast light on the health of this resource. In the past few years, the Marine Recreational Recreation Program has been a valuable source for recreational fisheries input. There has also been a concerted effort to have for-hire fishing vessels go electronic in their catch and effort reporting.
Programs such as these are important to guide creative ideas and coastal development, so as not to impair our fisheries and other marine life. The data that is garnered and digested, in part, allows organized groups like the Blue Plan to be more thorough in their collaborative discussions regarding their assessment of positive and negative impacts a project may have on Long Island Sound.
By having timely, accurate, and dependable information on which to base a decision, our ultimate goal of preserving and protecting our sea life is within reach. Today, we realize that data related to catch and effort, bycatch, biological, social, and economic factors are increasingly more important. With fisheries management taking a wide-eyed approach to the socio-economic effect, coastal management, planning, and conservation are becoming more effective.
On the Water
Another Nor’easter slammed New England with gale winds, causing flooding in low-lying areas. Rain due to warm air temperatures with some snow mix in the higher elevations created more of a spring-like feeling than a winter one. Any snow and ice that managed to cling on pretty much dissipated by the time the weather eased.
Shoreline water temperatures remained in the low 40s, even with the blustery wind. When the wind did subside, the door was left open for anglers to go fishing—and fish they did. Some made their way up to the northern states looking for safe ice, while others opted to fish the open waters. It wasn’t difficult to do so, either. After the rain, rivers were flowing, while the lakes, having received a good dose of it, were also above previously low levels.
Schools of fish weren’t shy about exploring the river bottoms. Sport fish, like trout and salmon, were more discrete during their investigations, but did feed. However, fish like the common dace blatantly schooled together in plain sight and seemed oblivious to their surroundings. Periodically, one or two of them poked at something near the bottom as it floated by without showing any signs of serious interest.
With the relatively mild weather, there were more fishers out and about. Some were looking to have their gear serviced or repaired, many were re-outfitting their tackle boxes, and others were looking to have reels spooled with new line. The ambitious were obtaining terminal components such as beads, spinners, swivels, and the like needed to create various rigs.
As one would expect, there was vigorous conversation centered around the upcoming 2017 marine fishing regulations, specifically, summer flounder. Fears are that any new regulations would cut into the daily limits, thereby hurting both the recreational and the for-hire segments. Fairness in all management regions is what is we strive for, meaning that mandated cuts in the overall harvest would be desired only if shared across the board by all.
Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and international fishing friends who keep up with the latest fishing news and frequent social media.
For all things fishy including rod repairs, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days, located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan
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