The hearing is at the uri campus in narragansett tonight at 6pm. Corless auditorium

RI needs legislation to keep the dam pogie boats completely out of the bay. Heck keep em' a mile or two offshore.

:skulz: :hang: :realmad: :rocketem: :af: :wall: :nailem: :liquify: :behead:

Below is a clipping from the RISAA email list --- note that this is NOT regarding the pogie boats in the bay, but the reduction boats in the Chesapeake and along the coast



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It is important that recreational anglers have a good showing at the ASMFC
Public Hearing on Menhaden tonight. This hearing will take place at 6:00 p.m.
at Corless Auditorium, URI Bay Campus, Narragansett.

The hearing concerns the Reduction Fishery and the industrial taking of Menhaden
that effects the whole coast.

While the stock is assessed on a coastwide basis, the majority of landings
(~65%) come from the Chesapeake Bay raising concerns about localized
depletion. At this time, the data to evaluate localized depletion
is not available, but a number of red flags indicate there are problems.

According to the ASMFC, menhaden are not overfished, yet anglers up and down the
coast will confirm that something is wrong - that stocks have been down for a
number of years.

Part of the problem, I believe, is that Omega Protein, the large reduction
company in Virginia, removes so many menhaden from the population, that what's
left then has to migrate along the cost. Predation and other causes further
reduce the migrating stocks. By the time the fish arrive in New England,
there's barely nothing left.

Please note that this meeting tonight is NOT about our local "pogy boat." It
concerns whether or not to restrict the taking of menhaden in the Chesapeake and
along the coast.

REC ANGLERS SHOULD SUPPORT:

1) CAP THE MENHADEN HARVEST IN THE CHESAPEAKE AND COASTWIDE

2) THE CAP SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE REDUCTION FISHERY ONLY

3) THE CAP SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE TAKE FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS

4) THE CAP SHOULD BE IN PLACE FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS

Five years should be allowed for scientists to study the problem.

Also, a five year average used to place the cap is reasonable and recommended by
most of the national marine conservation organizations. Trying to place a cap
at a lower amount would likely result in a court order to scrap the plan. The 5
year average would cap Omega Protein at 105,800 tons (they want 135,000 tons).
Their average take between '85 and '97 was 150,000 tons!

Do we wonder why there aren't as much menhaden in are area as their used to be?

SHOW UP AT THIS HEARING! It is important that the record reflect the fact that
Rhode Island recreational anglers have an interest in the future of menhaden.

Be careful what you wish for guys.. If Omega Protien is forced to limit catches in Chesapeake bay, they will go elsewhere. they cant go into NJ waters, so they will head north. This company is so powerful with lobbyists all over the place it will be hard to stop them. Watch, you will see. This is kind of like the old fable of the farmer who helped his neighbor get rid of all the mice in his fields. The neighbor got rid of the mice, and they all went to his field :hihi:

I thought that fishing for menhaden for reduction purposes was already banned in the bay?? Only fishing for bait is allowed, i think is what ive read.

This is indeed an important issue and it DOES affect Narragansett Bay.

RISAA, after discussing the matter in more detail with the RFA, came out NOT SUPPORTING THE CAP. They called for NO RENDERING BOATS IN ANY STATE WATERS. That is the law in RI now; no rendering boats or the sale to rendering boats in the bay. No rendering boats in CT, NY, NJ.

The people from Omega Protein were there observing the proceedings.

I read a statement from the RFA calling for NO RENDERING BOATS IN ANY ATLANTIC STATES.

Virginia, where Omega Protein is based, is going to be the real battlefield and they are already threatening a law suit. The RFA says, "Bring it on." They want to re-open all the other states they've been pushed out of -- that's not going to happen. There are enough menhaden for them in the offshore waters. Let's keep them out of the bays coastwide.

If we can get them out of the Chesapeake or even establish a cap that is below their last 5 year historic average we will see a significant return of menhaden to Narragansett Bay -- maybe to the point where there is enough for recreational anglers AND Arc Bait -- a totally different issue.

A new book "Striper Wars" is a must read. It not only covers what's happening with the rendering industry, but it also covers how Rhode Island and lot of local anglers (many you probably know) had a major role in bringing back the stripers from almost certain annihilation. It's by #^&#^&#^&#^& Russell and it is available at Amazon.

thanks for the update, mike. i dont think people really understand that huge battle that exists over this fishery. many of us see menhaden as a great bait to liveline or chunk for bass and blues. others know how vital this fish is for the ecosystem in rivers, sounds, and estuaries. but, it plays a huge role in the commercial sector too. this fish is used in proteins, dog food, cosmetics, and who knows how much more. this is one war rfa and risaa are fighting (with all of us i hope) for the future of this fishery, our waters, and our gamefish. i may have to go buy that book too.