I went to a meeting yesterday about....

[Rob Rockcrawler]

I have talked to one of the rangers who works for F&W at monomoy. They have a big problem there with people poaching horseshoe crabs at night. That may be a reason behind not allowing night fishing. I would think that more eyes on the beach would decrease the poaching. unfortunatly, the trash left behind by some fisherman is probably another reason its closed after dark. Ive never been out there but the ranger i know who works out there said i could tag along on patrol sometime, and that i could bring a rod with me.

[Flaptail]

Mooncusser, that was a joke. I was trying to lighten up the situation because most surfcasters and bait fishermen think that flyrodders think of themselves as elite, which is not true. Relax, your getting worked up for nothing. As Robrockcrawler stated the horseshoe crab harvesting at night has been a problem but carrying a little card in your wallet with some very important phone numbers could help an awful lot with that if you happened upon it, especially with your cell phone in your pocket. The flats at Monomoy are perfect for the flyrodder and access to them for them should be a high priority. So should access to the outer beaches of monomoy for surfcasters and bait fishermen. Policing ourselves should also be a high priority, whether it is at the Monomoy refuge or any shore you fish. It would be nice to see some other surfcasters at the April 6th meeting. Karl, don't be doubtful so fast. The failing fisherman have is that when faced with a dilemma concerning thier rights to fish or access to fish some where they usually don't put up much resistence as do other wildlife based groups. Here we have a chance to be heard and I will not let that chance go unheeded. If nothing comes of it than at least I can say I tried and that is all I am asking of you all. Let's at least try.

[capesams]

the rule's state that no comm. business shall take place on the refuge.
guiding
clamming
crabbing
etc..etc..
I think you'll find the only reason why the water taxi[private business] doesn't get shut off is because the bird watcher's also use it to access the noth end.

And the only reason the fly guy's are there is so they won't loose their ferry service to the same location. their not worried about not being able to fish the flat's which is permitted during the day....

[kippy]

Not to get too far off subject Flap, but what are the horseshoe crabs poached? I didnt think you could eat them. Last time i was there it looked like a horseshoe crab graveyard from all the birds eating them.

[NIB]

well u can take all the horseshoe crabs cormarants,an seals an feed em to some great white's wouldn't bother me.On night i was into fish pretty good an the hsc where humpin my bootfoot like pam anderson in prison.I couldn't take it any more an had to split.

[capesams]

they are collected for their blood...research, etc..then 99 percent are released back into the water[alive]...some are taken for bait for traps.

[mooncusser]

Gotcha. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I'd just hate to see recreational fishermen get fractured more than they are already, especially with groups like PETA working harder than ever to destroy our sport.

[Flaptail]

Capesams, the clamming is not permitted on dry land but the flats being dry only at low water are ok ( besides that being the only place clams can survive). And the attitude to guiding is that the National Seashore does not permit it because they are on federal land ( which would actually include Nauset Beach) Monomoy is a federal wildlife refuge not a park ( the National Seashore is considered a park) All activities on Monomoy that are to be permitted must be wildlife dependent. Fishing is wildlife dependent so you can actually guide there. There is talk of requiring a permit to do so as part of regulating the use of the refuge but they ( the USFWS doesn't think it will fly). You must remember that the term "harrassment" is pretty broad though. And that is their utmost concern, to allow as much use as possible without harrassing the animals, like seals and tern nests etc. Ideas such as corridors and marked specific paths to get from one side of the island to the other. The USFWS wants the ferry services to be there. They actually need to have the island accessible to all by thier mission statement and regulations. If there is no way other than private boat that excludes the general public that is interested in going there from going there and by law they have to be accessible for all. Moneys gathered from the visitors center gift shop and tours they arrange help keep the staff numbers up. So that being the case they issued three permits for the service, Ripryder, Outermost Marina and Stage Harbor Marine ( which does not currently use the permit though they have it). A lot of of what I thought I knew was cleared up at the meeting and the same chance will be available to all at the Chatham High School Cafeteria on the 6th at 7pm. I want to be able to fish there at night at South Island at Monomoy Point ( especially the southwest side)

[piemma]

CapeSam is correct. here's the full answer as to what they do with the Horse Shoe Crab blood:

The medical profession uses an extract from the horseshoe crab's blue, copper-based blood called lysate to test the purity of medicines. Certain properties of the shell have also been used to speed blood clotting and to make absorbable sutures.

[redlite]

They are federally protected. Guy I know down the Cape we call "Stinky Jim" is one of the few people that have federal licenses to do it. Being purely judgemental based upon physical possesions and appearence, I'd have to say that it is a less than lucrative industry.

There's a place in Wareham we visit that is infested with them. They love gettin it on with feet, and ankles, and knees. Tough wadin when you're trippin over the buggers.

Would be nice to fish from shore around Monomoy, provided they got rid of the rats of the ocean.(seals)

[Edge Sportfish]

Used for bait (HSC) for whelk (scungili) traps. Flap, i'm looking forward to fishing with you this Summer...I remember when you could Duck hunt on Monomoy, will that ever happen again???

[Flaptail]

Only from a moored boat, not in a blind on dry land unfortunately.

[bassmaster]

Originally Posted by kippy

Not to get too far off subject Flap, but what are the horseshoe crabs poached? I didnt think you could eat them. Last time i was there it looked like a horseshoe crab graveyard from all the birds eating them.

eel bait for traps also