PROJO Editorial on the state of codfish - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

JohnnyD · 06-29-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakoMike

As much as I respect Tim I think he's off base on this one. The Canadians have banned codfish for years and not seen a rebound in populations. There is more going on with cod that just over fishing. Things are looking up though, Gulf of Maine cod have been declared restored. Georges bank cod are making a rebound and those fish we have been catching during the winter are spillovers from the George's Bank stock. Yes it has taken a long time, but we are seeing some positive results.

I'd bet that one of the biggest fears for people (fears that fisheries regulators will likely help materialize) is that because there has been *some* stock recovery away from total collapse, that it will trigger a green light for more take.

WoodyCT made a very good point that mirrors my thoughts quite closely. Hopefully this very meager recovery won't bring regulators to the opinion that they should increase quotas to utilize MSY.

MakoMike · 06-29-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Hopefully this very meager recovery won't bring regulators to the opinion that they should increase quotas to utilize MSY.

I meant to address that notion earlier. Do you know what MSY really means? It is the amount of biomass that will allow fishermen (both recreational and commercial) to catch a given number of a species in a year which will not decrease the total biomass. In other words, each years catch is replaces by that year's recruitment. The Object of every fishery management plan is to either reach or sustain a level of biomass that will allow Fmsy, where F is the total mortality on the species.

DZ · 06-29-2010, 02:21 PM

Mike,
Not to change the subject but I just received a RI Fish & Wildlife notice that RI has INCREASED the recreational bag limit on bluefish from 10 fish to 15 effective June 29. I didn't see that coming.

Any idea why?

DZ

piemma · 06-29-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZ

Mike,
Not to change the subject but I just received a RI Fish & Wildlife notice that RI has INCREASED the recreational bag limit on bluefish from 10 fish to 15 effective June 29. I didn't see that coming.

Any idea why?

DZ

Dennis, I just got the same message from RISAA. I think the DEM guys are smoking dope. Hell, the bluefish population is going DOWN, like the bass population. 3 or 4 years ago there were acres and acres of 5 to 7 and 7 to 9 pound bluefish all summer. Last year I saw a couple of schools once.

Sea Dangles · 06-29-2010, 03:18 PM

Stellwagon has blues that would make you tremble.

MakoMike · 06-30-2010, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZ

Mike,
Not to change the subject but I just received a RI Fish & Wildlife notice that RI has INCREASED the recreational bag limit on bluefish from 10 fish to 15 effective June 29. I didn't see that coming.

Any idea why?

DZ

The ASMFC adopted a 15 fish bag limit years ago, DEM was just slow to adopt it. Why they were so slow I really don't know. Bluefish populations are doing O.K., I think they did it to enable fluke fishermen to legally stockpile one of the best fluke baits.

JohnnyD · 06-29-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakoMike

I meant to address that notion earlier. Do you know what MSY really means? It is the amount of biomass that will allow fishermen (both recreational and commercial) to catch a given number of a species in a year which will not decrease the total biomass. In other words, each years catch is replaces by that year's recruitment. The Object of every fishery management plan is to either reach or sustain a level of biomass that will allow Fmsy, where F is the total mortality on the species.

I know what Maximum Sustainable Yield is *suppose* to mean. However, the way fisheries are managed never appears to be inline with that definition.

WoodyCT · 06-29-2010, 08:35 PM

I was typing with much passion in mind when the notion of MSY suddenly came to mind from my days studying at URI over a decade ago.

Before I run my mouth too much, at least for now, I'll read up on this to refresh my memory. I would suggest others do the same, for it gives great insight into how our fisheries are managed.

Understanding Fisheries Management: A Manual for understanding the Federal Fisheries Management Process, Including Analysis of the 1996 Sustainable Fisheries Act

http://nsgl.gso.uri.edu/masgc/masgch00001.pdf

Fly Rod · 06-30-2010, 08:19 AM

Who is Tim Coleman????

MakoMike · 06-30-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly Rod

Who is Tim Coleman????

Former editor of the New England edition of the Fisherman magazine.

Raven · 06-30-2010, 08:38 AM

an old timer

at home depot about the state of the cod fishery
and asked his opinion...

he had a striped bass t-shirt on and was a customer just leaving...

i asked if he was ever on S-B and he replied he doesn't even own a computer...

his reply was that the cod fishery is excellent and he absolutely killed them last weekend out in the boat...

i replied well the article in question was speaking specifically about
catching them in the surf...

he said the water is too warm for that now-a-days

he said off of Province town he saw so many breaking fish he thought they were Blues... acres and acres he said...

turned out they were striped bass.....