Last month U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced three major developments in American offshore wind energy that set the table for fishermen engagement through public comment on plans. Input sought on South Fork Wind Farm construction and environmental plans Like bees buzzing around their hive, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) staff
It’s time to fight By Tony Friedrich On October 4, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) posted an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) regarding fishing for striped bass in the EEZ around Block Island. This move kicks off a process that could have devastating consequences for the future of the striped bass resource.
It’s high time we organize By Capt. John McMurray Let me be honest. I’m a little angry. Angry about one instance that’s probably best not to go into here (although it can’t hurt to include the link). But more broadly, angry that what’s likely majority of the recreational fishing community has been misrepresented, or
Western Long Island Sound fishing tournament kicks ass for marine conservation September 28th, 29th and 30th. Put it on your calendar. The first Tightlined Slam tournament to benefit the Marine Fish Conservation Network will be occurring at Wilson Cove Marina in Norwalk, CT. Captains’ Meeting, September 28 at 7:00pm. Rules will be
When is rains, it pours in the Chesapeake Bay By Tony Friedrich Right now, the Chesapeake region is experiencing unprecedented rains. In May, Ellicott City experienced a “once in a thousand-year flood,” for the second time in two years. July 2018 saw the most rain for that month on record. Between July 19
On Wednesday, July 11, the United States House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 200, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act. As we’ve written on a number of occasions, H.R. 200 is a bad bill, legislation that, if it becomes law, would substantially weaken the conservation and stock rebuilding provisions
Photo courtesy of Northeast Fisheries Science Center – NOAA By Tony Friedrich If you follow this blog, you probably know by now that the writers stand united against H.R. 200, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act. We’ve written extensively about this deeply flawed legislation to make all of you
Photo by Angelo Peluso The Council met this week, here’s what you should know By Capt. John McMurray There were really only three agenda items during this meeting that are of importance to anglers. Although before getting to those, we want to point out that during the Law Enforcement Committee report on Tuesday, a NOAA
This legislative session (the two-year 115th Congress, 2017-2018) has been a busy one for federal fisheries policy, with relevant legislation being introduced and moving through the Committee process in both the House and the Senate. But the bills have seemed to have hit a stalling point. When that point breaks and things begin
Striped bass were a hot topic at the most recent ASMFC meeting. First, Maryland proposed a one-inch reduction in size by mandating circle hooks for the Chesapeake Bay. Circle hooks will make an impact. Frankly, circle hooks should be mandatory anyway. But, these days you take conservation in any form available. A minimal reduction in
