Easter Sunday has come and gone. Spring breaks are over. And still no fish. Water temps are warming and tog should be flirting with us soon. Getting itchy for the tug on the line? Trout, trout, and more trout. Try your luck in fresh water.
Plenty of concerns and regulations to hold our interest in the meanwhile. Try to attend one or two of the meetings or seminars. It’s time for us to be in the know and you can always learn something new.
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife biologist Russ Allen will speak at a public forum in Manahawkin on striped bass management tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. Hosted by the RFA’s New Jersey Chapter, this free event will feature an overview of the latest Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) striped bass assessment results, current coastwide stock status, New Jersey’s survey results and potential ASMFC management actions. Event is at the Holiday Inn of Manahawkin on the south side of Route 72, 1 mile east of the GSP, Exit 63.
ASMFC will take up the striped bass discussion again at meetings in Alexandria, Va, on May 12. In response, the public will be asked to comment on a series of management options this summer which are to meet conservation goals and targets for Atlantic Coast striped bass stocks. Any changes to the recreational or commercial sector are expected to be implemented for the 2015 calendar year.
During last week’s meeting in Montauk, NY, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council adopted golden tilefish management measures for the next three years. For 2015, the Council recommended a 1.766 million pound annual catch limit (ACL). For 2016 and 2017, the Council recommended an ACL of 1.898 million pounds and a TAL of 1.887 million pounds.
The Council’s recommendations were based on the recent tilefish stock assessment, which found that the stock was not overfished and overfishing was not occurring. The Council considered adjustments to the current recreational possession limit of 8-fish per person per trip, but no action was taken. However, the Council did initiate a framework that could result in new catch and discard accounting procedures for both the commercial and recreational fisheries. This could result in changes in the recreational possession limit accounting process to accommodate multiday trips for the party/charter vessel participants.
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds anglers to register now for the 23rd Annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament. This year the tournament will be held on May 18 at Island Beach State Park. Anglers planning on participating in the tournament should register early to save $5 on adult registration, are assured easy entry to the park, and are eligible for special prizes. Pre-registration is $15 ages 18 and up; $20 on tournament day. Registration fee ages 13-17 is $5; free for ages 12 and under. Visit the tournament page at www.njfishandwildlife.com/gsft.htm on the Division’s website.
Tournament anglers may be asked to verify their compliance with the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program, so if you have not already registered please make sure you do at http://www.nj.gov/dep/saltwaterregistry/ before hitting the beach the day of the tournament.
NOAA Fisheries: By April 28, submit your comments on proposed specifications for the 2014 Atlantic bluefish fishery, including an annual catch limit, total allowable landings, a commercial quota and recreational harvest limit, and a recreational possession limit.
By May 12, submit your comments on proposed implementation of Amendment 3 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan. Proposed measures include implementing a research set-aside program, updating essential fish habitat definitions, allowing rollover of specifications, and eliminating the seasonal allocation of the commercial quota.
The SEA STAR III, Cape May, is up and running and plans to sail daily until sometime in December.
This Saturday join the American Littoral Society for an Earth Day/Arbor Day Tree Walk, Sandy Hook, at 2 pm.
Take your binoculars and cameras, you never know what exciting things you’ll see out on the Hook. Great for families. Meet at building 18, free, megan@littoralsociety.org or call 732-291-0055
Coastal Naturalist Series, Sandy Hook, May 13 & 20, 5:30-8 p.m. and May 17, 8:30-11 a.m. Explore the beach, bay, marsh, and maritime forest. Learn to recognize plants and animals found in coastal habitats. Ideal for nature enthusiasts and educators. Meet at 18 Hartshorne Drive, Sandy Hook, $99 stevie@littoralsociety.org or call 732-291-0055
Speaking of Earth Day, be kind. When you uncover the boat this spring, recycle your shrink wrap. If your marina does not have a recycling program, send them to www.recycling-run.com where they can learn about starting one, courtesy of Dr. Shrink. Be sure to give your marina any discarded fluids such as engine oil to recycle, too. (BoatUS)
The Fishing Line runs year round so keep sending your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com and on Facebook. Check out Miller’s new children’s book “Counting the Fish in the Sea: The Story of the NEAMAP Trawls” on www.epektales.com
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
