Environmental Monitoring Devices

[bloocrab]

Does anyone know the deal with these "EMD"s?

I was out this week sitting in a stew of pogies and noticed quite a few of these monitoring devices floating around. I saw them last week too which peaked my curiosity. I did a little research and think I have an idea...

Based on what I've read on the taking of Menhaden

(R.I.-DEM) 16.2.5 "Biomass Floor" ......"On an annual basis beginning every spring, the DFW, utilizing approved scientific monitoring methods, shall conduct regular estimates of the weekly standing stock of menhaden present in the management area. On the basis of those estimates, the DFW shall issue a notice when the estimated weekly standing stock reaches a threshold of 1,500,000 pounds, and the DFW shall open the commercial fishery, at an initial possession limit of 120,000 pounds per vessel per calendar day, when the estimated weekly standing stock reaches 2,000,000 pounds."

If it's what I think it is, these "scientific monitoring methods" assess the amount of Menhaden within this management area. (???)
If I'm correct, how is this so? These schools constantly circle around, whether on their own or with the tide stages...how does this "monitoring device" determine what they've already counted? How does it determine whether or not a school is sitting right on it continually schooling around the device?

I hope I'm wrong on what I think because this doesn't really make much sense.

Can someone "in-the-know" elaborate on this subject please?


Flipping the page, but within the same book, on my last day out I had the privilege of witnessing the pogy-hawk circling above...and the next thing you know, Ahab appeared out of no-where and sent out the tin-man to corral one of the MANY large schools. ARK Bait was all over them. In a 6 hour span, they wiped out most of the larger schools......I understand that they're within their legal rights, but man.....it always hurts to witness it. I got up real close to see of any possible by-catch, but got disgusted at the rec. boats pulling up with dip-nets for their free fill of their live-wells. Not sure what pissed me off more, all the above, or the fact that I probably would have pulled right up myself if my 13' dory had one...

120,000 #s per vessel per day....OUCH!!!