ASMFC Striped Bass Board Approves Draft Addendum II for Public Comment

ASMFC Striped Bass Board Approves Draft Addendum II for Public Comment

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board has approved for public comment Draft Addendum II to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The Draft Addendum proposes to allow unused coastal commercial quota of striped bass to be rolled over from one year to the next. Options include state eligibility and the amount of unused quota that may be carried over. The Draft Addendum also outlines procedures for implementing and monitoring quota roll over. Under the Draft Addendum, roll over would be prohibited if the fishing mortality rate exceeds the Plan's target or if the spawning stock biomass is below the Plan's target.

The existing management program addresses coastal commercial quota overages, requiring payback of an overage in the subsequent year, yet it is silent on coastal commercial quota underages. Since the implementation of Amendment 6, coastal commercial quota underages have been more common than overages. While avoiding a quota overage signifies managerial success, a quota underage represents lost opportunity to commercial harvesters. Quota underages may result from changes in fish abundance or distribution, environmental factors, fishing effort, and regulatory measures.

The Draft Addendum presents a hypothetical situation to analyze the potential effect of allowing roll over. Had all unused coastal commercial quota in 2003 through 2007 been rolled over and then harvested in 2004 through 2008, the average increase in the total coastal commercial quota would have been less than 15 percent and the average increase in the total coastwide harvest less than two percent. An analysis by the Technical Committee indicated that a 15 percent increase in the coastal commercial quotas would have a limited effect on the fishing mortality rate, and that large fluctuations in recreational harvest, which is not regulated by quota, present a greater level of risk of exceeding the fishing mortality target or threshold. However, the Technical Committee also noted that the potential effect of roll over on the stock increases if quota underages occur due to population decline. Other concerns included the two to three year lag in reporting the fishing mortality ra!
te estimate for any given year and that allowing roll over could provide an incentive to under report harvest.

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on Draft Addendum II, either through attending public hearings or providing written comments (a subsequent press release on scheduled public hearings will be released once the hearings have been finalized). Copies of Draft Addendum II will be available by August 28 and can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on October 8, 2009 and should be forwarded to Nichola Meserve, FMP Coordinator, 1444 'Eye' Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Draft Addendum II).

Mercury in the Nation's Streams

U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Secretary - U.S. Department of the Interior - www.doi.gov - News Release

August 19, 2009

Barbara Scudder (USGS), bscudder@usgs.gov, (608) 821-3832

Jennifer LaVista (USGS), jlavista@usgs.gov, (703) 648-4432
Study Reveals Mercury Contamination in Fish Nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Scientists detected mercury contamination in every fish sampled in 291 streams across the country, according to a U.S. Geological Survey study released today.

About a quarter of these fish were found to contain mercury at levels exceeding the criterion for the protection of people who consume average amounts of fish, established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. More than two-thirds of the fish exceeded the U.S. EPA level of concern for fish-eating mammals.

“This study shows just how widespread mercury pollution has become in our air, watersheds, and many of our fish in freshwater streams,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “This science sends a clear message that our country must continue to confront pollution, restore our nation’s waterways, and protect the public from potential health dangers.”

Some of the highest levels of mercury in fish were found in the tea-colored or “blackwater” streams in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana — areas associated with relatively undeveloped forested watersheds containing abundant wetlands compared to the rest of the country. High levels of mercury in fish also were found in relatively undeveloped watersheds in the Northeast and the Upper Midwest. Elevated levels are noted in areas of the Western United States affected by mining. Complete findings of the USGS report, as well as additional detailed studies in selected streams, are available online.

For a national listing of fish advisories from the Environmental Protection Agency, click here.

Mercury, a neurotoxin, is one of the most serious contaminants threatening our nation’s waters. The main source of mercury to natural waters is mercury that is emitted to the atmosphere and deposited onto watersheds by precipitation. However, atmospheric mercury alone does not explain contamination in fish in our nation’s streams. Naturally occurring watershed features, like wetlands and forests, can enhance the conversion of mercury to the toxic form, methylmercury. Methylmercury is readily taken up by aquatic organisms, resulting in contamination in fish.

“This study improves our understanding of where mercury ends up in fish in freshwater streams,” said USGS scientist Barbara Scudder. “The findings are critical for decision-makers to effectively manage mercury sources and to better anticipate concentrations of mercury and methylmercury in unstudied streams in comparable environmental settings.”

The USGS studied mercury contamination in fish, bed sediment and water from 291 streams across the nation, sampled from 1998 to 2005. Atmospheric mercury is the main source to most of these streams — coal-fired power plants are the largest source of mercury emissions in the United States — but 59 of the streams also were potentially affected by gold and mercury mining. Since USGS studies targeted specific sites and fish species, the findings may not be representative of mercury levels in all types of freshwater environments across the United States.

All 50 states have mercury monitoring programs, and 48 states issued fish-consumption advisories for mercury in 2006, the most recent year of national-scale reporting to the EPA. The EPA regulates mercury emissions to air, land and water. In February 2009, the EPA announced that it intends to control air emissions of mercury from coal-fired power plants by issuing a rule under the Clean Air Act.

For a podcast regarding today’s announcement, click here.

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2009 Storm Names

The National Weather Service's names for the 2009 Atlantic tropical storms:

Ana
Bill
Claudette
Danny
Erika
Fred
Grace
Henri
Ida
Joaquin
Kate
Larry
Mindy
Nicholas
Odette
Peter
Rose
Sam
Teresa
Victor
Wanda

NY PFD Requirements Change

Life Jacket Wear Requirements

Beginning November 1, 2009, Section 40, Subdivision 1 of the Navigation Law shall be amended by adding new paragraph (e), which reads as follows:

No owner or operator of a pleasure vessel less than twenty-one feet, including rowboats, canoes, and kayaks shall permit its operation, between November first and May first, unless each person on board such vessel is wearing a securely fastened United States Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of an appropriate size when such vessel is underway.

Failure to wear a lifejacket on such vessels will be considered a violation under Section 73-c if the Navigation Law and is punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $250, applicable to either the operator and/or the owner of the vessel.

24th Annual International Coastal Cleanup

Ocean Conservancy's 24th Annual International Coastal Cleanup to be Held Saturday, September 19th: Online Registration Opens with 2,500 Cleanup Sites Around the World, Thousands More to be Added Soon
Sign up to Clean up! Locate a Cleanup site near you and join the hundreds of thousands of volunteers around the world Start a Sea Change this September

Media Contact: Tom McCann

August 4, 2009

(Washington DC) — Today, Ocean Conservancy announces a new searchable online registration system for the International Coastal Cleanup helping volunteers find a Cleanup site in their hometown. The International Coastal Cleanup is the world's largest volunteer effort to help protect the ocean. Last year, nearly 400,000 volunteers hit their local beaches, lakes, and rivers with a common mission of improving the health of the ocean and waterways. On one day, they removed and tallied 6.8 million pounds of debris, from 6,485 sites in 100 countries and 42 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. To find a 2009 Cleanup site near you visit: www.oceanconservancy.org and search on a world map or by town or zip code.

"The ocean is our life support system yet marine debris continues to threaten its health. We know that trash travels. Wherever we live, each of us has a responsibility to prevent litter from trashing our beaches and hurting coastal economies, injuring and killing marine wildlife, and choking an already threatened ocean ecosystem," said Vikki Spruill President and CEO of Ocean Conservancy. "Trash in the ocean is one of the most widespread pollution problems threatening our ocean and waterways and it's entirely preventable."

Each year, volunteers from around the world spend a few hours removing trash and debris from beaches, lakes, rivers and other waterways keeping track of every piece of trash they find. Ocean Conservancy uses that information to produce the world’s only annual country-by-country, state-by-state index of the problem of marine debris. The report is shared with the public, industry, and government officials as we work together to end to problem of marine debris.

“The Cleanup gives everyone a chance to be a part of an important global movement to end the tide of ocean trash,” says Dianne Sherman, Director of the International Coastal Cleanup. “This new automated registration system will help volunteers from Boston to Bangladesh find a site near them and join in the effort to start a sea change."

Coca-Cola has been supporting the International Coastal Cleanup since 1995 and has been the lead sponsor since 2005 raising awareness of the issue of marine debris and the personal responsibility we all share in solving the problem. In 2008, Coca-Cola activated a network of over 50,000 employees and associates in 35 countries to help clear beaches and waterways of debris. As part of its $20 billion, 10-year initiative to address climate change, Bank of America has supported the International Coastal Cleanup for the past several years, with thousands of associates participating in Cleanup events across the United States and around the world. Other national sponsors include Booz Allen Hamilton; The Dow Chemical Company; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Philip Morris USA, an Altria Company; and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

For additional information about the International Coastal Cleanup, and to sign up to be a part of the next wave of volunteers visit: www.oceanconservancy.org/cleanup

The Delaware Bay

The water from the Upper Delaware River eventually makes its way down river where it mixes with the saltwater of the Delaware Bay. This lower river ecosystem is a spawning ground, nursery and migratory route for many different fish species.

Since 1991, the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife has done trawl surveys in the Delaware estuary. This survey was meant to compliment another study done by the State of Delaware's Division of Fish & Wildlife.

Both the NJ Delaware Survey and the Delaware Bay Assessment by the State of Delaware are worthwhile reading.



FlyFishTheDelaware.com

Fishing the Upper Delaware in the Summer

Summer opens opportunities to fish for big, selective West Branch wild brown trout either by wading or floating, determined by the water flows. A decent number of rainbow trout migrate from the Delaware River into the West Branch of the Delaware seeking colder water increasing the resident fish population. The Sulfur hatches can be incredible! Blue wing olives, isonychias, Cahills, tricos and caddis also make their famed appearances. Later in the summer terrestrials become added to the menu.

This time of year often means mid to late morning starts and wading in cold water, so appropriate gear is important. Wearing fleece under your waders on 90 degree days is normal. This isn't easy fishing, but on most days you will encounter large browns surface feeding. Light tippets and picky fish is what you should expect.

The upper East Branch turns into a spring creek like fishery with "far and fine" being the rule for the spooky browns that call the crystal clear waters home. Stealthy wading is a must. Then there's the Mainstem...

In recent years, the Mainstem Delaware River trout fishery hasn't stretched all too far down river. This is due to warmer water temperatures. Most fish migrate into the cooler water of the West Branch and the very upper main river. As long as water temperatures peak no higher than the mid sixties the Main Delaware River fishes very well.

The Mainstem of the Delaware has become (actually, it has always been) an excellent smallmouth bass fishery. These guys are a blast on the fly as well as light tackle and inhabit some very beautiful and pristine sections of the river. The sections of the river I smallmouth fish have been ranked in the top five of smallmouth bass rivers in the US. It's a fun day of fishing with the occasional walleye or striped bass thrown in too.

FlyFishTheDelaware.com

Upper Delaware & Catskill Reading

I'm often asked what books I'd recommend about fishing the Upper Delaware and New York's Catskill streams & rivers. Here's a short list of some good reading covering the where, when and how.

"Trout Fishing in the Catskills" is included in this list as an excellent history of the region's rivers and of fly fishing in the Catskills.

Fly-Fishing Guide to the Upper Delaware River by Paul Weamer

Good Fishing in the Catskills by Jim Capossela

Trout Fishing in the Catskills by Ed Van Put and John Merwin

Fly Fishing the Beaverkill by Eric Peper and Gary LaFontaine

Hatches II by Al Caucci and Bob Nastasi

NY Freshwater Angler Survey

Thursday, July 9, 2009
DEC Announces Completion of the Freshwater Angler Survey
Information Will Be Used To Help Make Fisheries Management Decisions

The 2007 New York State Freshwater Angler Survey, which provides valuable insight on fishing trends and resource management, is now available, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. The survey is conducted periodically in order to learn more about the current fishing experiences of anglers in New York State, their interests in different types of fishing opportunities, and their opinions on fisheries management issues.

The information contained in the survey resulted from a total of approximately 20,000 completed questionnaires from a random sample of licensed anglers. The results indicate that anglers spent an estimated 18.7 million days fishing New York's freshwaters in 2007. This is a slight increase from 1996's estimate of 18.6 million, though lower than the 1988 peak of approximately 21 million. Water bodies that had significant increases in the number of angler trips in 2007 included Oneida Lake and the Hudson River -- each had a jump of approximately 200,000 additional angler days over 1996's estimates. Smaller increases were also noted for Lake Erie, Cayuga Lake and Lake Champlain. Lake Ontario remained the top fishing water, though there was a 177,000-angler-day decrease compared to 1996's estimates.

Black bass continues to be a top favorite among many anglers. Other species, including walleye, yellow perch, and bluegill/sunfish, all saw increases from 1996 levels in the number of days they were pursued by anglers.

The survey gives insight not only into fishing preferences, but also the impact fishing has on state and local economies. New York's resident and non-resident anglers collectively spent an estimated $331 million at fishing sites, and an estimated $202 million en route to fishing sites. The Great Lakes fishery alone generated an estimated $98 million in at-location expenditures.

"New York has some of the finest freshwater fishing in the country, with a wide range of angling opportunities that are the backbone of a substantial economic engine," Commissioner Grannis said. "The angler survey is an important tool that will help build upon our success in managing fisheries and create new fishing opportunities. We thank the many anglers that participated in providing this information and look forward to working together to protect, restore and enhance freshwater fishing in New York."

The survey was carried out by Cornell University's Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with DEC's Bureau of Fisheries and was funded by a federal "Sport Fish Restoration" grant.

Results of the survey are compiled in four reports:

Report 1 contains estimates of angler effort (i.e. days fished) and expenditures made by anglers; statewide, by region, and by major water body. It also provides estimates of angler effort for specific game fish species such as black bass, trout and walleye.

Report 2 assesses angler preferences for freshwater fish species and water bodies, characteristics and preferences of anglers, as well as satisfaction levels associated with some specific fishery management objectives.

Report 3 provides estimates of angler effort and expenditures by county.

Report 4 provides an assessment of recall bias by comparing the results of the two survey methodologies used in 2007. The report also provides an analysis of trends in fishing effort.

Each of the four reports, as well as a summary report that highlights significant findings, are available on the DEC website (as PDF documents). Questions pertaining to the survey can be directed to Shaun Keeler in the Bureau of Fisheries at (518) 402-8928.

What a Cool Fishing Season

Fishing has remained good to excellent with some of the best summer hatches I've seen on the main stem in a long time. Stenos & Isonychias have been the bug du jour with fish on the duns and spinners.

With continued wet weather and higher flows than what we've seen in years, this spring like summer action could continue as long as the weather remains cool. This month's night temperatures have been in the forties to mid fifties, a definite help in keeping the water temperatures cool. The West & East Branches have also fished well with sulfur hatches in full swing.

Technical trout fishing on the Delaware and its branches gets seasoned with flat out fun light tackle and fly fishing for smallmouth bass further down river. This combination will continue into mid October along with the excitement of saltwater fishing that should go well into November. I'm really looking forward to the variety the rest of the season has to offer.