A Letter to the Governor of Florida; Rick Scott
From the Publisher: Fisheries are an integral part of our nation's food security -- or should be. It is time we began treating them as such -- albeit a food source directly tied to the protection of aquatic ecosystems and science-based harvest levels -- and not just the plaything of a science agency.
THE LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA: RICK SCOTT
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Sounds Fishy to Me!
The council found that dogfish meets the "global standard for
> sustainable fisheries, which includes healthy fish stocks, minimal ecosystem
> impacts, and an effective fisheries-management system," and is "managed
> within the precautionary framework" of the federal fisheries department.
Sounds good but...
100% managed as per Agenda 21.
I don't necessarily think it's a good thing to be giddy about getting the blessings from your executioner allowing you to exist for the time being after they have done away with most of the others and have frog marched you up on the gallows.
Agenda 21 is the Plan for the 21st century to manage ALL human activity along the lines of Marxist/Socialist principals. The MSA already conforms to it as per the 1996 Sustainable Fishing Act and changes made in the re-authorizations.
The Precautionary Principal is item 15 of The Rio Declaration in Agenda 21. Dr. William Kenny points to its use as a "primary reason" for the red snapper closure in the SA region.
The American fishing industry has been demolished by being managed as per Agenda 21, Chapter 17 "Global Standards".
Results: industry down by approx. 70%, seafood imports up to 86%, Seafood trade deficit over $10 billion and climbing.
Of course, that was precisely the intent of Agenda 21 in the first place as articulated by the statement made by Maurice Strong, Chair of the UN enviro- conference where Agenda 21 was introduced in 1992 "...isn’t it our responsibility to bring about the collapse of the industrialized countries?"
In view of current economic conditions in Europe and the U.S. I would suppose it is Mr. Strong who is giddy at the success of the Agenda 21 policies that have been steadily implemented since 1993.
Would conditions be better if most of that $10 billion trade deficit were still in OUR economy?
If the American fishing industry is going to survive it will only be after returning it back to being managed by AMERICAN STANDARDS based on the liberty and free market principals that made this the greatest nation on the planet.
Captain Sid Preskitt
USCG Licensed Master
The problem with Councils, to commissions is that they reduce the power of elected officials and therefore make our government somewhat less accountable to voters. There is something undemocratic about entrusting the formation of big policy decisions to expert laymen councils which have not been elected by the people...Gary A. Anderson's Opinion as a Patriot American fighting
It's Just that Simple, Send the Modern Tories Packing!
In-Kind Pol. Adv., for and approved by Gary A. Anderson,
Exploratory Candidate US Senate Fl. 2012
FLORIDA MATTERS TO ME!
Friday, September 30, 2011
NMFS: Destroying Fishermen and Their Communities Since 1976
Optimism for New England’s Groundfishery
“Last week, at the quarterly council meeting, attendees heard a prime example of this. A representative of the Sustainable Fisheries Association stood and gave comments thanking the council and the agency for their efforts to change regulations in the skate fishery. At the council’s request, the agency carried out a new stock assessment, allowing harvest to increase 56 percent for 2012 and 2013. The council and the industry worked together to decrease the amount of fish fishermen could catch per day, thus ensuring the season would be extended. As a result, these changes have contributed to a price increase of 250 percent from 2009 to 2010.”
CAN YOU SAY “SUPPLY & DEMAND?” Playing games with fishermen lives all for a buck and nothing to do with saving fish. Call the kettle the color to which it is and quit shoving this fellatio moment down our throats!
Hearing to Review Massachusetts Fishery Management Plans
Democratic Press Office - (202) 224-8374
And on the other-side of the coin, we have those working for the greater good of all anglers;
Proposed Measure Would Ease Strict Constraints on Commercial and Sport Fishermen
Jim Donofrio of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) agreed, noting that there are boats tied to the docks in the Gulf of Mexico because of catch limits ...
“Last week, at the quarterly council meeting, attendees heard a prime example of this. A representative of the Sustainable Fisheries Association stood and gave comments thanking the council and the agency for their efforts to change regulations in the skate fishery. At the council’s request, the agency carried out a new stock assessment, allowing harvest to increase 56 percent for 2012 and 2013. The council and the industry worked together to decrease the amount of fish fishermen could catch per day, thus ensuring the season would be extended. As a result, these changes have contributed to a price increase of 250 percent from 2009 to 2010.”
CAN YOU SAY “SUPPLY & DEMAND?” Playing games with fishermen lives all for a buck and nothing to do with saving fish. Call the kettle the color to which it is and quit shoving this fellatio moment down our throats!
Hearing to Review Massachusetts Fishery Management Plans
Democratic Press Office - (202) 224-8374
Proposed Measure Would Ease Strict Constraints on Commercial and Sport Fishermen
Jim Donofrio of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) agreed, noting that there are boats tied to the docks in the Gulf of Mexico because of catch limits ...
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Americans, remember the Constitution | The Daily Journal | thedailyjournal.com
Americans, remember the Constitution | The Daily Journal | thedailyjournal.com
America doesn’t need sustainable development; America needs sustainable freedom. The source of that freedom is the Creator of all things. The U.S. Constitution guarantees that freedom to every American. Honor it; defend it; celebrate it. Don’t let professional bureaucrats or elected officials replace your freedom with freedom-killing polices while waving the flag of sustainability.
America doesn’t need sustainable development; America needs sustainable freedom. The source of that freedom is the Creator of all things. The U.S. Constitution guarantees that freedom to every American. Honor it; defend it; celebrate it. Don’t let professional bureaucrats or elected officials replace your freedom with freedom-killing polices while waving the flag of sustainability.
NC FISHERMEN ENCOURAGE WALMART BOYCOTT
PRESS RELEASE
Recreational Fishing Alliance
5724 N. Route 9, New Gretna, NJ 08224
P: 888-564-6732 F: 609-294-3812
Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. 888 564-6732
September 15, 2011
NC FISHERMEN ENCOURAGE WALMART BOYCOTT
RFA Praises NCWU For Pressing Walton Family’s Corporate Ethics
The North Carolina Watermen United (NCWU) this week sent a letter to the Global Ethics Office at Walmart
informing them of the group’s intention to boycott the store immediately. The NCWU announcement comes as a
result of the Recreational Fishing Alliance’s (RFA) call for a nationwide Walmart boycott by U.S. fishermen in
light of the corporation’s support of catch shares and marine reserves.
“By using millions of dollars in funds and working hand-in-hand with conservation agencies to influence policies
that ensure that U.S. fishermen and their harvest are regulated and listed on the world commodities market by a
Catch Shares system and Limited Access Licenses (probably bought by large world corporations) to harvest fish,
the Walton Family Foundation violates the Walmart Ethic – Restrictive Trade Practice,” said NCWU president
Britton Shackelford. Co-signed by the entire NCWU Board of Directors, the letter references Walmart’s own
corporate policy which states, “we will not participate in any activity intended to restrain trade, or promote a
refusal to conduct business with customers, members, or suppliers, in any country where such a refusal would be
a violation of applicable law.”
According to RFA executive director Jim Donofrio, catch shares and blanket marine reserves are clearly in
opposition to Walmart’s stated corporate ethic. “By handing over millions of dollars in support to groups like
Ocean Conservancy and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to privatize our coastal fisheries and close down the
oceans, the Walton Family Foundation is contributing directly to activities which destroy free trade in this
country. If NCWU captains can’t take their customers out fishing, then it’s impossible for them to conduct
business,” Donofrio said.
Last month, RFA called for the nationwide boycott following a news release from Walmart’s corporate
headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas in which the Walton Family Foundation announced investments of over
$36 million in 2010 alone to marine conservation grantees including Ocean Conservancy, Conservation
International Foundation, Marine Stewardship Council, World Wildlife Fund and EDF. According to the release,
the Walton Family Foundation is working “to create economic incentives for ocean conservation,” while candidly
pledging their support for “projects that reverse the incentives to fish unsustainably that exist in ‘open access
fisheries’ by creating catch share programs.”
“This action is in direct violation of one of the stated Walmart Ethics – Fair Competition, which is in place to
protect free enterprise by ensuring vigorous competition and prohibiting activities that restrain trade,” said
Shackleford, captain of a 61-foot custom-built Outer Banks charter boat (Doghouse).
“With the Walton Family Foundation giving their proceeds over to groups like EDF, shopping for fishing
equipment at Walwart contributes directly to the demise of our sport, it supports lost fishing opportunities and it
effectively denies all Americans free and open access to our public resource,” Donofrio said.
NCWU represents all professional Watermen of North Carolina, including the charter/headboat industry,
commercial fishermen and the customers/consumers who rely on the services they provide. Founded to protect
the livelihood of the people who fish for a living while promoting enactment and enforcement of fair regulations
for the regulated community, NCWU has been extremely active in legislative issues of concern to a large variety
of coastal fishermen who utilized a variety of gear types.
Also signing the letter encouraging members to boycott Walmart were fellow fishermen and Board members
Sonny Davis (Capt Stacy Fishing Fleet), Billy Maxwell (Tuna Fever), Ernie Foster (Albatross Fleet), Greg Mayer
(Fishin' Frenzy), Tilman Gray (Avon Seafood), Elson Myers (Canyon Blues), Tom Harper (Harper's Folly), Jamie
Reibel (Phideaux), Glen Hopkins (FV Watersport), Duke Spencer (Captain Duke), Matt Huth (FV Hardway) and
Rom Whitaker (Release).
“I hope all RFA members across the country will follow NCWU’s lead on this,” Donofrio said, adding “though it
would be nice to see our national boating and tackle industry help spread the message by also pulling their
product off Walmart’s shelves in support of our coastal for-hire fleet and local tackle shops.”
Donofrio and the RFA say that legislative efforts to reform the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act are underway in Congress and that with subtle fixes to the federal fisheries law the
preservationist community’s two-pronged attack with catch shares and marine reserves should essentially die out.
“We need an act of Congress to fix our broken fisheries law, but America’s fishermen could also use an act of
corporate integrity to the cause of fair competition and access as well.”
######
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen
and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. RFA’s Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater
anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation’s saltwater
fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org .
Recreational Fishing Alliance
5724 N. Route 9, New Gretna, NJ 08224
P: 888-564-6732 F: 609-294-3812
Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. 888 564-6732
September 15, 2011
NC FISHERMEN ENCOURAGE WALMART BOYCOTT
RFA Praises NCWU For Pressing Walton Family’s Corporate Ethics
The North Carolina Watermen United (NCWU) this week sent a letter to the Global Ethics Office at Walmart
informing them of the group’s intention to boycott the store immediately. The NCWU announcement comes as a
result of the Recreational Fishing Alliance’s (RFA) call for a nationwide Walmart boycott by U.S. fishermen in
light of the corporation’s support of catch shares and marine reserves.
“By using millions of dollars in funds and working hand-in-hand with conservation agencies to influence policies
that ensure that U.S. fishermen and their harvest are regulated and listed on the world commodities market by a
Catch Shares system and Limited Access Licenses (probably bought by large world corporations) to harvest fish,
the Walton Family Foundation violates the Walmart Ethic – Restrictive Trade Practice,” said NCWU president
Britton Shackelford. Co-signed by the entire NCWU Board of Directors, the letter references Walmart’s own
corporate policy which states, “we will not participate in any activity intended to restrain trade, or promote a
refusal to conduct business with customers, members, or suppliers, in any country where such a refusal would be
a violation of applicable law.”
According to RFA executive director Jim Donofrio, catch shares and blanket marine reserves are clearly in
opposition to Walmart’s stated corporate ethic. “By handing over millions of dollars in support to groups like
Ocean Conservancy and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to privatize our coastal fisheries and close down the
oceans, the Walton Family Foundation is contributing directly to activities which destroy free trade in this
country. If NCWU captains can’t take their customers out fishing, then it’s impossible for them to conduct
business,” Donofrio said.
Last month, RFA called for the nationwide boycott following a news release from Walmart’s corporate
headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas in which the Walton Family Foundation announced investments of over
$36 million in 2010 alone to marine conservation grantees including Ocean Conservancy, Conservation
International Foundation, Marine Stewardship Council, World Wildlife Fund and EDF. According to the release,
the Walton Family Foundation is working “to create economic incentives for ocean conservation,” while candidly
pledging their support for “projects that reverse the incentives to fish unsustainably that exist in ‘open access
fisheries’ by creating catch share programs.”
“This action is in direct violation of one of the stated Walmart Ethics – Fair Competition, which is in place to
protect free enterprise by ensuring vigorous competition and prohibiting activities that restrain trade,” said
Shackleford, captain of a 61-foot custom-built Outer Banks charter boat (Doghouse).
“With the Walton Family Foundation giving their proceeds over to groups like EDF, shopping for fishing
equipment at Walwart contributes directly to the demise of our sport, it supports lost fishing opportunities and it
effectively denies all Americans free and open access to our public resource,” Donofrio said.
NCWU represents all professional Watermen of North Carolina, including the charter/headboat industry,
commercial fishermen and the customers/consumers who rely on the services they provide. Founded to protect
the livelihood of the people who fish for a living while promoting enactment and enforcement of fair regulations
for the regulated community, NCWU has been extremely active in legislative issues of concern to a large variety
of coastal fishermen who utilized a variety of gear types.
Also signing the letter encouraging members to boycott Walmart were fellow fishermen and Board members
Sonny Davis (Capt Stacy Fishing Fleet), Billy Maxwell (Tuna Fever), Ernie Foster (Albatross Fleet), Greg Mayer
(Fishin' Frenzy), Tilman Gray (Avon Seafood), Elson Myers (Canyon Blues), Tom Harper (Harper's Folly), Jamie
Reibel (Phideaux), Glen Hopkins (FV Watersport), Duke Spencer (Captain Duke), Matt Huth (FV Hardway) and
Rom Whitaker (Release).
“I hope all RFA members across the country will follow NCWU’s lead on this,” Donofrio said, adding “though it
would be nice to see our national boating and tackle industry help spread the message by also pulling their
product off Walmart’s shelves in support of our coastal for-hire fleet and local tackle shops.”
Donofrio and the RFA say that legislative efforts to reform the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act are underway in Congress and that with subtle fixes to the federal fisheries law the
preservationist community’s two-pronged attack with catch shares and marine reserves should essentially die out.
“We need an act of Congress to fix our broken fisheries law, but America’s fishermen could also use an act of
corporate integrity to the cause of fair competition and access as well.”
######
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen
and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. RFA’s Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater
anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation’s saltwater
fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org .
Friday, September 16, 2011
Gulf Council Special Shrimp and Special Reef Fish Standings...
Gulf Council Press Release
Meeting Notice Contact: Steven Atran
September 16, 2011 813-348-1630
Gulf Council to convene its Standing, Special Shrimp and Special Reef Fish Scientific & Statistical Committees
The Gulf Council’s Standing, Special Shrimp and Special Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSCs) will meet October 11 - 13, 2011. The meeting will be held at the Gulf Council Office – 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, Florida beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday, concluding by noon Thursday.
The Standing and Special Shrimp SSC will meet Tuesday to review benchmark stock assessments on brown shrimp, white shrimp, and pink shrimp, and may consider recommending definitions of overfishing limit and acceptable biological catch.
The remainder of the meeting will be a joint meeting of the Standing and Special Reef Fish SSC. The Standing and Special Reef Fish SSC will review and make recommendations on the SEDAR stock assessment schedule. The SSC will also:
* Review update assessments of gray triggerfish and vermilion snapper
* Recommend an overfishing limit and acceptable biological catch for those stocks
* Discuss data needs from the Southeast Fisheries Science Center in order to reevaluate the 2012 red snapper annual catch limit
*
During this meeting a representative from the Southeast Regional Office will present the methodology used to calculate the length of the red snapper recreational season, as well as review decision tools for evaluating commercial and recreational greater amberjack management measures under proposed Reef Fish Amendment 35.
The SSC will also hear a reports from the October 4-6, 2011 National SSC meeting and the September 15, 2011 Ecosystem SSC webinar.
Finally, the SSC will discuss possible revisions to the definition of optimum yield based on the revised National Standard 1 guidelines, and it will review the tentative schedule of SSC meetings planned for 2012.
Copies of the agenda and other related materials can be obtained by calling the Council office at 813-348-1630. Materials can also be downloaded from the Council’s site – www.gulfcouncil.org -
Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the SSCs for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (M-SFCMA), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions of the SSCs will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda, as well as any issues that may arise after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) M-SFCMA, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take action to address the emergency.
This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Please direct requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids to Kathy Pereira at the Council at least five working days prior to the meeting.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils established by the Magnuson‑Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans designed to manage fishery resources in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
Meeting Notice Contact: Steven Atran
September 16, 2011 813-348-1630
Gulf Council to convene its Standing, Special Shrimp and Special Reef Fish Scientific & Statistical Committees
The Gulf Council’s Standing, Special Shrimp and Special Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSCs) will meet October 11 - 13, 2011. The meeting will be held at the Gulf Council Office – 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, Florida beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday, concluding by noon Thursday.
The Standing and Special Shrimp SSC will meet Tuesday to review benchmark stock assessments on brown shrimp, white shrimp, and pink shrimp, and may consider recommending definitions of overfishing limit and acceptable biological catch.
The remainder of the meeting will be a joint meeting of the Standing and Special Reef Fish SSC. The Standing and Special Reef Fish SSC will review and make recommendations on the SEDAR stock assessment schedule. The SSC will also:
* Review update assessments of gray triggerfish and vermilion snapper
* Recommend an overfishing limit and acceptable biological catch for those stocks
* Discuss data needs from the Southeast Fisheries Science Center in order to reevaluate the 2012 red snapper annual catch limit
*
During this meeting a representative from the Southeast Regional Office will present the methodology used to calculate the length of the red snapper recreational season, as well as review decision tools for evaluating commercial and recreational greater amberjack management measures under proposed Reef Fish Amendment 35.
The SSC will also hear a reports from the October 4-6, 2011 National SSC meeting and the September 15, 2011 Ecosystem SSC webinar.
Finally, the SSC will discuss possible revisions to the definition of optimum yield based on the revised National Standard 1 guidelines, and it will review the tentative schedule of SSC meetings planned for 2012.
Copies of the agenda and other related materials can be obtained by calling the Council office at 813-348-1630. Materials can also be downloaded from the Council’s site – www.gulfcouncil.org -
Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the SSCs for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (M-SFCMA), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions of the SSCs will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda, as well as any issues that may arise after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) M-SFCMA, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take action to address the emergency.
This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Please direct requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids to Kathy Pereira at the Council at least five working days prior to the meeting.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils established by the Magnuson‑Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans designed to manage fishery resources in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Hearings on Atlantic Menhaden
ASMFC SETS SCHEDULE FOR BUNKER REDUCTION ACTION
Public Hearings on Atlantic Menhaden Management Set To Begin Sept. 29
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) announced this week the schedule of hearings on Atlantic Menhaden Draft Addendum V. Atlantic coastal states from Maine through North Carolina have scheduled hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum V to Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden.
The new draft addendum proposes establishing a new interim fishing mortality threshold and target in an attempt to increase abundance, spawning stock biomass, and menhaden availability as a forage species. In other words, the hearings are meant to get public input as to the possibility of reducing bunker harvest in the future by as much as 40%.
Based on the revised 2009 Atlantic menhaden stock assessment, menhaden was not overfished but had experienced overfishing in 2008. Given the current overfishing definition, which sets the fishing mortality rate target at 0.96 and the threshold at 2.2, this is the first time overfishing has occurred since 1998.
"The scientists say that overfishing has occurred in 32 of the last 54 years, yet the main culprits of this resource fiasco over at Omega Protein seem to get all the support in the world to keep doing their thing," said Jim Donforio, executive director at the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA).
"It's staggering to think that the management plan for menhaden that the bureaucrats keep deferring to gives 80% of the resource over to a publicly-held corporation which vacuums as much bunker as they can from the Chesapeake, depleting the resource and causing terrible damage to the ecosystem, while the local traditional bait guys get just 20% of the overall harvest," Donofrio said. RFA recently joined with 32 other organizations under the Menhaden Coalition; Donofrio said he hopes to work proactively with other coalition members in calling for the responsible management of the U.S. bunker fishery.
Thirteen coastal states from Maine to Florida have already banned reduction operations in coastal waters, with Virginia being the last state in the ASMFC which allows Omega full access to its waters in the Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay. Many fishermen and environmental activists alike believe that the localized depletion of Chesapeake Bay bunker has contributed greatly to t problems with water quality on the Bay and with resource issues pertaining to blue crabs, oysters, striped bass and weakfish stocks.
"The reduction boats are the real problem here, and it's time we stop dancing around the issue of the reckless disregard of an industrialized corporate giant masquerading as a fishing operation," Donofrio said. "It serves no conservation benefit to punish the bait fishermen who supply our tackle shops, bait suppliers, anglers and commerical fishermen. What we really need is to adjust the allocation in favor of low impact gear and harvest types and put an end to the mechanized vacuum harvest of menhaden once and for all."
Copies of the draft are available by clicking here - fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input by attending one of public hearings or providing written comments to Toni Kerns, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator for Management, 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at tkerns@asmfc.org (Subject line: Menhaden Draft Addendum V). Comment deadline is November 2, 2011.
The Board is expected to meet in November at the Commission's Annual Meeting to review public comment and consider final action on the Addendum; the intent is to finalize these management measures for implementation in 2013.
New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife
September 29, 2011; 7:00 PM
Township of Toms River
33 Washington Street
L.M. Hirshblond Room
Toms River, New Jersey
Contact: Peter Himchak 609.748.2020
Maine Department of Marine Resources
October 3, 2011; 6 - 9 PM
The Yarmouth Log Cabin
196 Main Street
Yarmouth, Maine
Contact: Terry Stockwell at 207.624.6553
New Hampshire Fish and Game
October 4, 2011; 7 PM
Urban Forestry Center
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Contact: Doug Grout at 603.868.1095
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
September 28, 2011; 7 PM
CoCo Key Hotel & Water Resort-Boston
Newburyport Room
50 Ferncroft Road
Danvers, Massachusetts
Contact: David Pierce at 617.626.1532
Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife
October 5, 2011; 6:00 PM
URI Narragansett Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium
South Ferry Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Contact: Jason McNamee at 401.423.1943
Connecticut Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection
September 28, 2011; 4 - 6 PM
Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture Science &
Technology Center
60 St Stephens Road
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at 860.434.6043
October 5, 2011; 4 - 6 PM
The Sound School
60 South Water St
New Haven, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at 860.434.6043
October 12, 2011; 7 PM
CT DEEP Marine Headquarters
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at 860.434.6043
Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources & Environmental Control
September 26, 2011; 7:00 PM
Lewes Field Facility
901 Pilottown Road
Lewes, Delaware
Contact: Jeff Tinsman at 302.739.4782
Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
October 11, 2011; 6 - 9 PM
Tawes State Office Building, C1 Conference Room
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland
Contact: Lynn Fegley at 410.260.8285
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
October 17, 2011; 6 PM
North Umberland High School Auditorium
201 Academic Lane
Heathsville, Virginia
Contact: Jack Travelstead at 757.247.2248
Potomac River Fisheries Commission
October 18, 2011; 6:30 PM
John T Parran Hearing room
PRFC Commission Building
222 Taylor St.
Colonial Beach, Virginia
Contact: AC Carpenter at 804.224.7148
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
October 13, 2011; 6 PM
Dare County Administration Building, Room 168
954 Marshall C. Collins Drive
Manteo, North Carolina
Contact: Michelle Duval at 252.808.8011
According to Jim Gilmore, the Chief of the Bureau of Marine Resources for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), there are no meetings scheduled in New York's marine district, though he encouraged anglers to respond directly to the ASFMC in written or electronic form. New York anglers and environmental advocates who plan on emailing comments directly to the ASFMC should also copy the NYDEC at swheins@gw.dec.state.ny.us. You can also fax a copy of your comments to 631-444-0434.
About Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org.
Public Hearings on Atlantic Menhaden Management Set To Begin Sept. 29
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) announced this week the schedule of hearings on Atlantic Menhaden Draft Addendum V. Atlantic coastal states from Maine through North Carolina have scheduled hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum V to Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden.
The new draft addendum proposes establishing a new interim fishing mortality threshold and target in an attempt to increase abundance, spawning stock biomass, and menhaden availability as a forage species. In other words, the hearings are meant to get public input as to the possibility of reducing bunker harvest in the future by as much as 40%.
Based on the revised 2009 Atlantic menhaden stock assessment, menhaden was not overfished but had experienced overfishing in 2008. Given the current overfishing definition, which sets the fishing mortality rate target at 0.96 and the threshold at 2.2, this is the first time overfishing has occurred since 1998.
"The scientists say that overfishing has occurred in 32 of the last 54 years, yet the main culprits of this resource fiasco over at Omega Protein seem to get all the support in the world to keep doing their thing," said Jim Donforio, executive director at the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA).
"It's staggering to think that the management plan for menhaden that the bureaucrats keep deferring to gives 80% of the resource over to a publicly-held corporation which vacuums as much bunker as they can from the Chesapeake, depleting the resource and causing terrible damage to the ecosystem, while the local traditional bait guys get just 20% of the overall harvest," Donofrio said. RFA recently joined with 32 other organizations under the Menhaden Coalition; Donofrio said he hopes to work proactively with other coalition members in calling for the responsible management of the U.S. bunker fishery.
Thirteen coastal states from Maine to Florida have already banned reduction operations in coastal waters, with Virginia being the last state in the ASMFC which allows Omega full access to its waters in the Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay. Many fishermen and environmental activists alike believe that the localized depletion of Chesapeake Bay bunker has contributed greatly to t problems with water quality on the Bay and with resource issues pertaining to blue crabs, oysters, striped bass and weakfish stocks.
"The reduction boats are the real problem here, and it's time we stop dancing around the issue of the reckless disregard of an industrialized corporate giant masquerading as a fishing operation," Donofrio said. "It serves no conservation benefit to punish the bait fishermen who supply our tackle shops, bait suppliers, anglers and commerical fishermen. What we really need is to adjust the allocation in favor of low impact gear and harvest types and put an end to the mechanized vacuum harvest of menhaden once and for all."
Copies of the draft are available by clicking here - fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input by attending one of public hearings or providing written comments to Toni Kerns, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator for Management, 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at tkerns@asmfc.org (Subject line: Menhaden Draft Addendum V). Comment deadline is November 2, 2011.
The Board is expected to meet in November at the Commission's Annual Meeting to review public comment and consider final action on the Addendum; the intent is to finalize these management measures for implementation in 2013.
New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife
September 29, 2011; 7:00 PM
Township of Toms River
33 Washington Street
L.M. Hirshblond Room
Toms River, New Jersey
Contact: Peter Himchak 609.748.2020
Maine Department of Marine Resources
October 3, 2011; 6 - 9 PM
The Yarmouth Log Cabin
196 Main Street
Yarmouth, Maine
Contact: Terry Stockwell at 207.624.6553
New Hampshire Fish and Game
October 4, 2011; 7 PM
Urban Forestry Center
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Contact: Doug Grout at 603.868.1095
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
September 28, 2011; 7 PM
CoCo Key Hotel & Water Resort-Boston
Newburyport Room
50 Ferncroft Road
Danvers, Massachusetts
Contact: David Pierce at 617.626.1532
Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife
October 5, 2011; 6:00 PM
URI Narragansett Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium
South Ferry Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Contact: Jason McNamee at 401.423.1943
Connecticut Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection
September 28, 2011; 4 - 6 PM
Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture Science &
Technology Center
60 St Stephens Road
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at 860.434.6043
October 5, 2011; 4 - 6 PM
The Sound School
60 South Water St
New Haven, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at 860.434.6043
October 12, 2011; 7 PM
CT DEEP Marine Headquarters
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at 860.434.6043
Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources & Environmental Control
September 26, 2011; 7:00 PM
Lewes Field Facility
901 Pilottown Road
Lewes, Delaware
Contact: Jeff Tinsman at 302.739.4782
Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
October 11, 2011; 6 - 9 PM
Tawes State Office Building, C1 Conference Room
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland
Contact: Lynn Fegley at 410.260.8285
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
October 17, 2011; 6 PM
North Umberland High School Auditorium
201 Academic Lane
Heathsville, Virginia
Contact: Jack Travelstead at 757.247.2248
Potomac River Fisheries Commission
October 18, 2011; 6:30 PM
John T Parran Hearing room
PRFC Commission Building
222 Taylor St.
Colonial Beach, Virginia
Contact: AC Carpenter at 804.224.7148
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
October 13, 2011; 6 PM
Dare County Administration Building, Room 168
954 Marshall C. Collins Drive
Manteo, North Carolina
Contact: Michelle Duval at 252.808.8011
According to Jim Gilmore, the Chief of the Bureau of Marine Resources for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), there are no meetings scheduled in New York's marine district, though he encouraged anglers to respond directly to the ASFMC in written or electronic form. New York anglers and environmental advocates who plan on emailing comments directly to the ASFMC should also copy the NYDEC at swheins@gw.dec.state.ny.us. You can also fax a copy of your comments to 631-444-0434.
About Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org.
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