Some feel we are killing fish for no reason. My argument to that is that it is not for "no reason"...there are PLENTY of good causes that come out of the death of the albies during the derby. The soc-eco benefits alone to the island make it more then worth it...not to mention the serious college scholarships that result for some lucky island kids who plan on studying a marine science. It allows fisherman to have a good time with a little competition thrown in. Many come to fish them because in large part it levels the playing field and it has been mentioned already that to have a shot at bass you have got to be in the know and as you know the locals have this pretty much sewn up...between the comm bass guys fishing out of Menemsha and the private access to many hotspots, it is near impossible for the visitor to have a realistic shot...don't think that is so...the weigh in's bear this out. Albies and bones allow others to really particapate (and in many cases win) in the derby. I love the fact that a 10-12# fish caught off the dock in the middle of town can take the grand prize...that is just great IMO and I would hate to see that elminated.
When you have such serious fishermen (like the entire B&J gang) that in large part come for an extended period of time to target these species I think there are some serious "reasons". The cash layout for a stay like that (not to mention fishing expenses) goes in large part to support the island economy outside of fishing circles.
Two other important FACTS...marine biologists have told the derby that the 4 or 5 weeks of the event does no measurable harm to the biomass and that the fish is under literally no pressure elsewhere. The population of the species is fine. These are facts.
IMO I would like to see the rules uniform for all species. All the awards (daily, weekly, mystery ect). Yes, there should be reasonable limits but I would like to see anyone who fishes for them get a reasonable shot of weighing in an albie and getting a shot of at least a mystery prize.
The sole reason on why they are considering removal is based on it is not eaten in the US. I have eaten them and they kinda suck but just because you don't eat them does not mean they are worthless (look at the Bunker!). There is someone who has said that they are willing to take them all as well as the carcasses of the other edible fish to be used in for special fertilizer. Personally I think that is as good a use as eating the meat and discarding the remains.
Frankly, I think everyone is getting concerned about nothing. IMO it is not a problem and just by finding a good use for them should make this non-problem go away.
One thing that really does irk me is that I see the ultra light and fly rod crowd preaching that we need to remove them form the derby because we are killing fish yet they continue to fish for them day in and day out catching and releasing them. They are killing more albies then they can imagine yet don't know it. I have see albies fight to the near death and then after being measured and gawked at they revive it like a brook trout and think it lives. Most of these fish will die. Just about any exhausted and bleeding albie will die. Just because it slips off into the darkness of the ocean does not mean it will live.
I think there will be more education on catch and release in the future and that should help. And not just about ablies….some need to be educated on icing down fish to be donated. But again, this species is not seeing any fishing pressure and this 5-week event does no harm yet it helps many. I would like to see the fish live on in the derby.
If we had weakfish (and the netters didn't wipe them) I imagine they would still be in the derby. Or if the Spanish Mac was more abundant that would be a good (and tasty) substitute. But the albi has put *many* smiles on fishermen’s faces each sept/oct here and it would be foolish to remove it in the name of “conservation” just because you can't eat it.
BTW, some Asians have said that we Americans don't know what we are talking about and the albi is a great fish to eat...far better then the Bonito, we just don't prepare it right.
Long live the albi....Hey I just got four sweet pairs of rod/reels just to target these fish!(st. croix and shimano's) don't take them out now!!
I am not really an albi fisherman…I have to say I catch them each season but last season was so hot that I have to say I had a ball some days. Next year might not be the same. The year prior was not that hot if you remember and very few shore albies were caught.
While I am sure the derby will live in regardless of what happens it is good that the derby gets all your inputs. no matter what side you are on. If you feel strongly about it post it on their site...
On a sad note, I heard the guy who won the bass (from boat) catagory died recently. He was in his late 80's...He caught it off a MV charter boat.
On a happy note I hear the derby will be broadcast on TV (NESN) on 1/9 @ 7:30pm and on 1/11 and 1/14 @ 6:00pm