The ASMFC is an interstate compact of the 15 Atlantic coastal states which manage fisheries in state waters (shore to 3 mile line).
There’s been some great science coming out about fish lately. The findings are eye opening because scientific studies have shown us that bigger, older, and fatter female fish are better reproducers. A recent study in the journal Science supports this theory, finding that larger females produce disproportionately more eggs. Scientists have even come up with
ASMFC met April 30th to May 3rd, here’s what went down By Capt. John McMurray The Spring 2018 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) meeting took place last week, and of course, we were there. While there were a number of topics discussed, and actions taken, in the interest of simplification and providing readers with
As the reduction industry fights to take more fish in the Chesapeake, things get muddied By Capt. John McMurray To those of us who fish, it seems so darn obvious. If you take a HUGE amount of what by all accounts is a critically important forage source for, well, just about everything, out of a
On March 6, the Richmond Times Dispatch reported that the bill from Governor Northam to keep the Virginia reduction fishery in compliance was killed by the House of Delegates. Omega Protein, a major political donor in Virginia, is fighting a ruling that gave them an 8% increase in quota because it also limited the amount
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY-1) sponsored the amendment on an approved House appropriations bill that prohibits the Coast Guard and NOAA Fisheries from enforcing a moratorium on striped bass in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surrounding Block Island, Rhode Island. This House approved amendment is bad for the fish and fisheries management. Block Island Sound fishermen
Striped bass in Maryland, menhaden in VA, and regional management for black seabass By Capt. John McMurray While there were many issues discussed, and action taken on several different species at last week’s ASMFC meeting, the below are what we felt were issues important to anglers. For the full meeting report, see the Commission’s 2018
Virginia files an appeal, because apparently, 80% of a public resource is not enough By Capt. John McMurray Last November, the ASMFC Menhaden Board met with the intention of finalizing Amendment 3 to the Atlantic Menhaden Fishery Management Plan. We wrote about the outcome here: With Menhaden, Here’s What Went Down. But the long and
If Commissioners don’t do the right thing next week, we risk immense localized depletion By Tony Friedrich Several of weeks ago, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, received a letter from John Bull, Virginia ASMFC commissioner stating, “Virginia hereby appeals the decision of the Atlantic Menhaden Management Board (the “Board”) to set the coast-wide total
The Council met Monday through Thursday of last week. On day one, there was a first “framework” meeting for a possible change to the Council’s “Risk Policy”. While this is undoubtedly complicated and wonky, the Council’s “Risk Policy” can best be described as policy articulating how much risk they want to take given the best
2017 was a good year, but in the end, it can all go away pretty easily Let me be clear about something… I’m not done by any means. The stripers are still going, and for sure I’ll get a few, hopefully more than a few, more cracks at them. And, I’m pretty sure, or at
