RFA National News Releases

Thursday, March 01, 2007

 

RFA WINS ONE FOR ALASKA’S HALIBUT FISHERMEN

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2007 
CONTACT: James Donofrio

RFA WINS ONE FOR ALASKA’S HALIBUT FISHERMEN

 

Anchorage, AK- With the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) proposing a 50 percent cut in Halibut catch for Alaska's recreational anglers, the charter boat industry in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska were facing the threat of a potentially crippling reduction.  The IPHC proposal would have reduced the state's current bag limit from two halibut per day to only one, placing a severe strain on an industry that thrives on the high demand of anglers, both resident and non-resident, seeking halibut in Alaskan waters.

 

Last month the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) launched an intense lobbying effort with the full force of its entire membership, including a letter writing campaign to Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.  To further reinforce their efforts, RFA officials and Capt. Greg Sutter of the Alaska Charter Association met with high level Commerce and State Department officials to ensure that IPHC's proposal would be rejected.  "Although the IPHC voted to cut our bag limit, the decision was still subject to the approval of our government", stated Capt. Greg Sutter.

 

Members of the sportfishing community knew that a one-fish bag limit would not only devastate Alaska's recreational and tourism industries, but also undermine the recently re-authorized Magnuson Stevens Act (MSA), which mandates that all proposed regulations consider public input.  According to RFA Executive Director Jim Donofrio, "We have fought long and hard to guarantee that decision-makers listen to and respond to the concerns of recreational anglers."

 

RFA continues to support and defend the rights of Alaska's sportfishermen as it has for the past twelve years.   

 

 

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Tuesday, February 20, 2007

 

RFA NEWS 43rd EDITION

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February 15, 2007 Edition 43

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Protecting The Rights Of Sport Fishermen Coast To Coast


RFA SUPPORTS SAVE THE BAY

RFA is teaming up with Save the Bay and the Rhode Island Saltwalter Anglers to support the passage of bill H-5165, recently introduced by Representatives Raymond G. Gallison, Peter F. Kilmartin, Peter G. Palumbo, Peter T. Ginaitt, and Douglas W. Gablinske. This act would prohibit purse seining for the harvesting of Menhaden in Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island waters.

“The role of menhaden in the Narragansett ecosystem is a very significant one”, explains Rhode Island native and long-time angler Michael Laptew. “They are a filter feeder, capable of restoring the bay”. RFA’s stance is that this bill is essential to keeping Narransett Bay clean, thereby sustaining the regions fisheries.

RFA SEEKS FEDERAL PROTECTION

OF HISTORIC RECREATIOANL FISHERY

At the January 2007 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) meeting, the final recommendation of the board in addressing rebuilding the tautog (tog) stock was to cut recreational harvest by 28.6% and “closely monitor” a perceived problem with the illegal tog fishery. This action angered many recreational fishermen who, through public comment and at public hearings on Addendum IV, have been asking the ASMFC to take the illegal fishery serious. In New Jersey, recreational anglers have gone on the record as early as 1991 pleading with fisheries managers to address this problem.

“After pleading for 15 years with no major response by ASMFC to address this problem, shame on us to think that anything but status quo will occur. We have got to try something different” states RFA Executive Director Jim Donofrio. “The states are incapable of controlling the illegal fishery and ASMFC has exhibited habitual complacency concerning this matter. At this point, all options through the traditional channels are either exhausted or closed. We really see no other alternative than to rise above the bureaucracy of the ASMFC and pursue a solution through federal legislation.”

Since 1981, recreational tautog harvest, in numbers of fish and pounds landed, has decreased by 63.6% and 52.1% respectively. This level of reduction, combined with relatively stable legal commercial landings, was ineffective in spurring recovery and illustrates two important aspects of this fishery; it is unlikely any further reductions on the recreational sector will result in any improvement to the tog stock, and that a significant source of mortality is not currently accounted for in the management of the stock. All evidence points to a massive illegal fishery.

“The illegal tog fishery is out of control. We are reaching out to Congressman Frank Pallone to craft legislation in such a way, be it a no-sale provision or simply a ban on all tog sales, that States will be able to enforce the law with the resources available to them at this point in time” continues Donofrio. “It is irresponsible to pass regulations that are otherwise unenforceable in light of most State’s minimal budgets. Implementing a federal no-sale-of-tog law may in fact be the easiest and cheapest option for most States.”

The traditional tautog fishery is primarily a recreational fishery. Though not a glamorous fish, it carries a strong following in the private vessel sector as well as with shore based anglers. For party/charter boats and tackle businesses, tog filled gaps created when regulations on winter flounder and summer flounder shortened their seasons. Since the late 1980’s, tog biomass has been declining and fishing mortality rate remains above the F rate target.

RFA-TX FIGHTS 5 FISH REDUCTION IN LOWER LAGUNA MADRE

The Lower Laguna Madre ( LLM) is one of only five hyper-saline bay systems in the world - and two in Texas - characterized by high salinity, a shallow depth averaging 2’, and 75% grass covered bottom with very clear water.

Recently, a group of South Texas fishing enthusiasts have been pressuring the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to reduce Speckled Trout limits from 10 to 5 fish and implement a "regionalization plan" where it could be managed as a separate fishery from the rest of the coast.

Currently, there is no evidence that gives validity to the claims that overfishing is occurring in the LLM. In fact TPW's own LLM project leader Randy Blankenship stated that this is "not a fishery in crisis". We at RFA-TX feel that there are more pressing issues that need to be addressed in the LLM such as fertilizer runoff and nutrient build up, water flow issues due to passes being silted shut and not maintained, and wastewater flow from the Arroyo Colorado. We feel that adjusting the daily limits is not a panacea and that, even if limits are reduced, we are still left with an ecosystem suffering from the aforementioned problems. Not to address those concerns would be careless and irresponsible. We feel that the matter deserves a much closer look before implementing a half measure solution.

RFA-TX has met with TPWD and the head of Coastal Fisheries, Dr. Larry McKinney, to express our concern for this matter in great detail. TPWD will make a final decision at the Commission meeting on April 4th and 5th in Austin, TX. We encourage all interested parties to attend and speak.

MLPA PROCESS HITS SNAG ON OPEN MEETINGS ACT

Responding to a question from RFA's Jim Martin, the legal counsel for the California Fish & Game Commission advised the commissioners that the Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act applies to the meetings of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Science Advisory Team, which provided "guidance" for the design of the proposed network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in central California.

"I don't know if this is the silver bullet people have been hoping for in this highly unusual stakeholder process," said Martin, "but one thing is certain: the process will change for the better from here on, as a result of Deputy Attorney General William Cunningham's opinion." Rather than RFA using our own legal counsel to explore the question, we felt it would be better to ask the Commission's own counsel to provide advice to the Fish & Game Commission before the public process gets even more skewed in north-central California, the next phase of the MLPA implementation.

At issue is the lack of public notice, failure to provide the public with written materials, and lack of notice for subcommittees of the Science Advisory Team, also known as the "SAT." The SAT was composed of marine ecologists rather than fishery management scientists – and many of the scientists were recipients of grants from environmentalist foundations like Pew Charitable Trusts. "We had situations where meetings were announced the night before they occurred, rather than with ten days notice as required by law," reported Martin. "Even worse, subcommittees of the SAT were formed, developed policy guidelines, and these policies were presented to the F&G Commissioners, and the BRTF as agreed to by the whole team. The Bagley Keene Act requires, in our view, that the entire team meet and make motions, take votes, just as any legislatively authorized body, like the Fish & Game Commission, must do."

Special thanks go to Joel Greenberg, RFA-SoCal Chair, and commercial fisherman William James, who did the research on Bagley Keene and passed the information on to the California Fisheries Coalition, a partnership of over 25 fishing associations in California formed to deal with the MLPA. To learn more about the MLPA, visit www.fishpolitics.com.

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FW: RFA NEWS 42nd EDITION

 

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January 26, 2007 Edition 42

 

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Protecting The Rights Of Sport Fishermen Coast To Coast


 

NOAA FISHERIES ANNOUNCES 2007 FLUKE LIMIT

 

Silver Spring, MD- Summer flounder, also known as fluke, has been at the center of much debate since last summer. With National Marine Fisheries Service proposing a crippling harvest level for 2007, the recreational fishing industry feared it would not have any fluke season at all.

 

In 2006, fluke anglers enjoyed a total allowable landing (TAL) of 23 million pounds split between the commercial and recreational communities. This season, however, the fluke TAL will see a 6 million pound decrease. This TAL cut was brought about by an emergency rule in an effort to rebuild the stock. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), limits are placed on summer flounder in an effort to rebuild their stock. This season’s 17.112 million pound limit was authorized by a recent amendment to the MSA, which was signed into law on January 19th, and is estimated at having a 75% probability of achieving the rebuilding goal.

 

“When we had originally heard the proposed five million pound limit last summer, it was obvious that the very concept would be devastating to fluke anglers on the east coast”, explained Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). “Thankfully, some members of congress were willing to explore an alternative for rebuilding. Our request was for a five year extension, and we’ve been given three years.”

 

While the recreational fishing industry has been given some reprieve, it will still feel some pain this season. Donofrio stated “RFA recognizes that this amendment does not address the long-term issues concerning Fisheries Management or keeping the recreational community fishing. It is unfortunate that we haven’t been granted flexibility for the management of all species.”

 

Fluke is the most popular species of fish harvested by recreational anglers in the mid-Atlantic region, bringing in over $300 million in revenue to communities up and down the east coast. 

 

 

 

 

IPHC CUTS ALASKA’S HALIBUT BAG LIMIT

 

As the result of a closed meeting held earlier this month, the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has taken the liberty of cutting Alaska’s recreational halibut bag limit by 50%, allowing only one per person.  What truly disturbs us about this decision is that the IPHC decided the fate of Alaska’s sportfishing not in Alaska, but in Canada.   This action severely undermines the newly reauthored Magnuson Stevens Act (MSA), under which we are assured a transparent process with public involvement. At this time, RFA is urging the US State Department and US Department of Commerce to investigate the legitimacy of this process.

 

 

 

PACIFIC COUNCIL ADOPTS NEW RULES ON KLAMATH SALMON AND TUNA BAG LIMITS

 

            Paving the way for a 2007 recreational salmon season, the Pacific Fisheries Management Council passed an amendment to the Salmon Fishery Management Plan that would allow for "de minimus" ocean fisheries to occur, even when the conservation goals of 35,000 natural spawner Fall Chinook salmon are not predicted to return. This gives the Council guidance about how to craft ocean salmon seasons without getting approval for an emergency rule from the U. S. Commerce Department when the fall run is projected to be poor. While recreational anglers were relieved by the decision, which is likely to be approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), commercial salmon trollers can hope at best to hang on by their fingernails. The inside skinny was that this amendment would lead to fairly decent recreational seasons in California and Oregon, because our impacts on Klamath stocks are minimal compared to the commercial fleet. The Council also adopted a new bag limit on albacore tuna, with a ten fish bag south of Pt. Conception and a twenty-five fish bag north to the Oregon border. This option was supported by the RFA and all of California's sportfishing advocates.

 

 

DOUBLE SHOT A DOUBLE SUCCESS!

 

                On January 16 captains and crews from over 40 of the finest sportfishing yachts on the East Coast gathered under the big top at Sailfish Marina for the kick off of the 2007 Palm Beach Double Shot—the simultaneous running of the 44th Annual Buccaneer Cup and the 5th Annual Fish for Life Sailfish Release Tournaments. This unique event was the culmination of months of planning and hard work by the tournament directors and a staff of dedicated volunteers. It resulted in four days of competitive fishing, great parties, camaraderie and big donations for the tournament’s beneficiaries.

                The Buccaneer Cup, a legend in the billfishing community for over four decades, now benefits the Recreational Fishing Alliance—saltwater fishing’s acclaimed political action organization. The Fish for Life donates its proceeds to the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania and the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, both research and treatment centers for special cancers.

                The captain’s meeting and accompanying party was attended by several hundred who enjoyed the food, open bar and music by Rip Tide. The Buc kicked off the next day with teams allowed to fish three of the next four days, while the FFL started on Thursday, fishing two of three days so both events would culminate on Saturday, January 20 with a five-star dinner at the exclusive Sailfish Club in Palm Beach. The overwhelming majority of teams entered both events.

                Day one, Buccaneer Cup only, saw the live bait specialists on the Sandman jump off to a commanding lead with only 15 boats releasing a total of 39 fish. Ditch Digger had four on dead bait for second place and the classic Rybovich, Glory Days, trolled three for 600 points.

                Day two saw 32 boats fish, but it was a tough day on the water with only 35 fish caught. Sandman took a lay day and managed to stay in first in the Buc with Streaker tying at 1200 and jumping into first place in the FFL. Anejo trolled four for 800 point and second in the FFL.

                Day three dawned dark and breezy, but it didn’t do much for the fishing. A cold front was needed to get the sails snapping and it just wasn’t in the forecast. It closed with 42 fish released, Streaker surging ahead of Sandman in the Buc and staying in first in the FFL. Kids Stuff had a hot day increasing to 1400 release points, third place in the Buc and second in the FFL.

                Day four and the fishing got a little hotter with the scores tightening up under bright, sunny skies. Sandman fought back into the lead pushing their points total up to 2300 while the Streaker crew did their best to keep them honest raising their points total to 2200. Close behind also at 2200 was Kids Stuff and Anejo with Catch One tallying ten releases the last day, but not enough to get into the running after weak showings earlier in the events.

                The finals for the Buccaneer Cup were Sandman taking first place with all their releases on live bait; Streaker trolling their way to a strong second and Kids Stuff in third. Finals for the Fish for Life saw Anejo trolling up a first place win, Streaker in second and Kids Stuff in third.

                The teams gathered that evening at the Sailfish Club where Buc tournament director and Saltwater Sportsman Offshore Editor, Gary Caputi, played host and emcee to a packed crowd of nearly 300 for an evening of celebration, great food and libation. The capper for the two tournaments was the money raised, over $50,000 by the Fish for Life for cancer research and treatment, and over $70,000 for the Recreational Fishing Alliance to continue its strong political representation of saltwater anglers. The entire event was first class from start to finish and a truly premiere billfish event. For more information and to register for next year’s Palm Beach Double Shot go to www.buccaneercup.com and www.fishforlife.org.

                The staff of the Buccaneer Cup would like to thank their sponsors: Merrill-Lynch; Rybovich; Detroit Diesel/MTU; American Custom Yachts; Release Marine; Viking Yachts; Murray Products; Lowrance Electronics; Integrity Marine; Saltwater Sportsman; Motor Boating; Yachting; HMY Yacht Sales; Awlgrip Yacht Coatings; Interlux Yacht Paint; Black Bart Tackle; Hi-Seas Line; American Fishing Wire; Bill Buckland’s Fisherman’s Center and Canyon Gear International.

                The staff of Fish for Life would like to thank their sponsors: Caterpillar Marine Power and their participating distributors Ransome, Pantropic and Gregory Poole; Merrill-Lynch; Viking Yachts; Ocean Yachts; HMY Yacht Sales; MarineMax; ZF Transmissions; Christi Marine; Strataglass; Black Bart Tackle; Bluewater Chairs; Hydro Glow; Sea View; Canyon Gear International and Fisherman’s Center.

 

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FW: RFA NEWS 41st Edition

 

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January 12, 2007 Edition 42

 

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Protecting The Rights Of Sport Fishermen Coast To Coast


HALIBUT ACTION ALERT

            Your action is needed now. The fate of sport fishing for halibut in Alaska will be decided in Canada, not the U.S.A., behind closed doors by the commercial fishing industry during the week of January 15, 2007.

 

Currently, Alaska's commercial fleets harvest over 90% of the US halibut quota and kill over 12 million pounds in bycatch alone.  This waste associated with commercial bycatch is close to double the amount that sport anglers catch.  Despite this unbalanced allocation, commercial halibut longliners are strongly pushing to cut recreational bag limits in half just so they can have more fish to sell.  The methods used to pursue these proposed cuts are extremely troublesome.

           

Halibut are managed under an international treaty between the U.S.A. and Canada by an organization called the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). The IPHC's main job is to continually monitor the health of the halibut biomass and then determine how many pounds of halibut can be harvested in a given year. That harvest amount gets divided between the U.S., and Canada. Under usual circumstances, the allowable catch for halibut is then managed federally by the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPFMC), under the control of the National Marine Fisheries Service. NPFMC as well as the other seven federal management councils in the U.S. was established by the Magnuson-Stevens Act which mandates proper guidelines and insures public involvement in the process.

 

            This normal process is being subverted in a foreign country by the IPHC which is completely controlled by commercial fishing interests. Ironically, the Magnuson-Stevens Act which bears the name of Alaska's prominent senator, Senator Ted Stevens, is being subverted by commercial interests from the Senator's own state, and their actions will adversely effect Alaskan residents and visitors alike.

 

            We cannot allow this to happen. The Magnuson-Stevens Act was recently reauthorized by our Congress in 2006 and dictates a transparent process with public input.  It is necessary that you call, fax, or email Dr. William Hogarth, Assistant Administrator NOAA Fisheries, Senator Ted Stevens from Alaska, and your local Senator immediately.  Let them know that fishermen will not stand for this action and that the management of the halibut charter fishery must remain with the NPFMC and the US.  Please call, write and fax your concerns today.

           

 

Dr. William T. Hogarth                                     Senator Ted Stevens

National Marine Fisheries Service                                 United States Senate from Alaska

301 301-2239 phone                                                   202 224-3004 phone

301 713-1940 fax                                                        202 224-3004 fax 

bill.hogarth@noaa.gov                                     

 

 

Use the following URL to find your Senator

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

 

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Wednesday, October 11, 2006

 

RFA Launches All-Star TX Board

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2006 
CONTACT: James Donofrio

RFA Launches All-Star TX Board

 

October 4, 2006, Houston, TX- RFA is proud to announce the formation of an all-star TX Board of Directors. This diverse group of individuals will be leading the charge to create the Texas Great Barrier Reef Project (TGBRP).  

 

The TGBRP will be the world's largest artificial reef program, of which will create an artificial reefing corridor spanning the entire length of the Texas coast.  The reef will be positioned in state waters from 7.5 to 8.5 miles off of the beach varying 40-90 ft in depth.  The TGBRP will extend from Port Isabel to Sabine Pass, and be divided into 5 segments due to shipping lanes.

 

"This was a vision of RFA-TX board members and will prove to be the conservation move of the century affecting numerous species," states Jim Smarr, RFA-TX State Chairman.  Up to 4,000 artificial reefs per year will be deployed in an effort to provide Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for red snapper and a multitude of other sportfish species important to our coastal economies including kingfish, grouper, ling, dorado, redfish, tarpon, flounder, sea trout, sailfish and mahi-mahi.

 

"The TGBR is like the second wall on the Alamo, when the first wall falls, i.e. NMFS, it reduces our snapper limits down to one, then we Texans will rally behind TGBR and make our stand," states Tom Hilton, RFA-TX. "We intend to illustrate to our federal fisheries managers that with a proactive artificial reefing program, we will be able to produce more snapper annually in four years than the TAC in the entire Gulf of Mexico."

 

RFA is requesting all fishermen who enjoy fishing Texas waters to help and join RFA-TX in promoting and funding this remarkable project. "After leaving the Houston meeting, I am very excited with this dynamic group of talented and dedicated individuals who will make Texas a better place for fish and fishermen," states Jim Donofrio, RFA Executive Director. 

 

The new board consists of State Chairman, Jim Smarr; Membership Chairman, Mikel Stapleton and Tom Hilton; Media Chairman, Dan Bulla; Treasury and Access Committee, Buddy Wheeler and Jerry Wheeler; Randy Davis, Charlie Everts, Bobby Grumbles, Tom Hilton, Steve Morris, Chris Pratka, Mark Schweitzer, Chris Thompson, Chuck Tylka, Ann Appling and Hefner Appling.

 

Support RFA-TX, visit http://www.rfatexas.org or contact State Chairman, Jim Smarr at jimsmarr@austin.rr.com or (361) 463-1558.

 

To learn more on the TGBRP, visit http://www.texasgreatbarrierreef.com and watch the Fox 29 News clip at:

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=1035042&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1.

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RFA News Edition 40

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October 11, 2006 Edition 40

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Protecting The Rights Of Sport Fishermen Coast To Coast

"HOLE IN ONE" FUNDRAISER FOR RFA-TX
CONGRESSMAN PALLONE AND RFA IN AGREEMENT ON WEAKFISH
MASSACHUSETTS DMF ADDRESSES DOGFISH PROBLEM
RFA PRESENTS REPORT TO CA FISH & GAME COMMISSION ON MLPA
CA FISH & GAME COMMISSION MULLS CHANGES TO SPORTFISHING REGS

"HOLE IN ONE" FUNDRAISER FOR RFA-TX

The "Golf of Mexico" Tournament proved to be a great success. RFA-TX along with the Texas Great Barrier Reef Project (TGBR) held a national fundraiser in Houston on Wednesday, October 5th to support future of the Gulf of Mexico fisheries.

Fishermen from around the region showed their support for RFA and the TGBR Project. Golfers teamed up in fours for an 18-hole game on the scenic Wildcat Golf Course exhibiting t umbling fairways amidst wetlands and natural grass fields with spectacular panoramas of the Houston skyline . Following the tournament was an awards dinner and auction where RFA-TX introduced their board of directors and described the exciting TGBR Project. Auction items included full-day fishing trips, hunting trips, dinner reservations and luxurious Sakowitz Furs. "The 'Golf of Mexico' Tournament was an exciting event at a great golf course, states Jim Donofrio, RFA Executive Director. "We are expecting there will be a larger turnout next year and to eventually grow into a Pro AM event."

The TGBRP will be the world's largest artificial reef program, of which will create an artificial reefing corridor spanning the entire length of the Texas coast. The reef will be positioned in state waters from 7.5 to 8.5 miles off of the beach varying 40-90 ft in depth. The TGBRP will extend from Port Isabel to Sabine Pass, and be divided into 5 segments due to shipping lanes.

"This was a vision of RFA-TX board members and will prove to be the conservation move of the century affecting numerous species," states Jim Smarr, RFA-TX State Chairman. Up to 4,000 artificial reefs per year will be deployed in an effort to provide Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for red snapper and a multitude of other sportfish species important to our coastal economies including kingfish, grouper, ling, dorado, redfish, tarpon, flounder, sea trout, sailfish and mahi-mahi.

RFA would like to thank the sponsors and participants who supported the "Golf of Mexico" Fundraiser. Your contributions to the TGBR will leave an everlasting legacy for the future of Texas fisheries.

Support RFA-TX, visit http://www.rfatexas.org or contact State Chairman, Jim Smarr at jimsmarr@austin.rr.com or (361) 463-1558.

To learn more on the TGBRP, visit http://www.texasgreatbarrierreef.com and watch the Fox 29 News clip at:

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=1035042&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1.

CONGRESSMAN PALLONE AND RFA IN AGREEMENT ON WEAKFISH

The following letter was written by Congressman Frank Pallone urging ASMFC to adopt no further reductions for weakfish.

September 26, 2006

Mr. Preston P. Pate, Jr.

Chairman

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

1444 Eye St., NW , 6th Floor

Washington , D.C. 20005

Dear Chairman Pate:

On behalf of fishermen in my congressional district, I am writing to urge that the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) adopt the status quo option when it finalizes Draft Addendum II to Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Weakfish.

As you know, weakfish is one of the most popular species among recreational fishermen. Given the chance that drastic reductions could be made in the 2007 summer flounder quota, there is a distinct possibility that fishermen could see severe reductions in two major fishing opportunities, with serious economic repercussions.

Moreover, as was the case during consideration of Draft Addendum I, there is still no scientific evidence that fishing mortality is the cause of the recent decline in the size of the weakfish stock. As noted in Draft Addendum II, "[t]he SAS does not attribute the large decline in biomass to this slight rise in fishing mortality. Natural mortality has risen and has become a much greater portion of total mortality than fishing mortality."

It would simply be unfair to penalize fishermen for a stock decline that is not connected to fishing mortality. There is little reason to believe that a further reduction in fishing mortality would solve the current decline in weakfish biomass. There are clearly natural factors at work, even though the Commission's scientific advisors do not seem to understand them well.

It is troubling that, more than a year after the Weakfish Management Board delayed action, there is still very little understanding of what is causing the weakfish stock to decline. I am also concerned that the peer review panel did not support the conclusions of the Technical Assessment Committee's stock assessment report. Clearly, there is more scientific work to be done to better understand what is happening to this stock, and I urge the TAC and the Commission to do more as soon as possible.

Now is not the time to further restrict fishermen, but to work more to understand what is affecting the biomass levels. I hope that you will take my comments under consideration and retain the status quo for fishing levels.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

FRANK PALLONE, JR.

Member of Congress

RFA's weakfish comments will be posted on www.joinrfa.org.

MASSACHUSETTS DMF ADDRESSES DOGFISH PROBLEM

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (Mass DMF) has taken advantage of recent spiny dogfish stock assessments to initiate a movement to reopen a small-scale directed commercial fishery for the species. The scientific analysis to support this movement to reopen this fishery was presented to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) by Mass DMF Deputy Director Dr. David Pierce. The highlights of that analysis identity the fact that spiny dogfish is no longer overfished, that overfishing is not occurring and predation on juvenile cod by dogfish is hampering cod rebuilding efforts.

Over the past several years, spiny dogfish have infested both the inshore and offshore areas of Massachusetts Bay and the Gulf of Maine. Both the party/charter boat and private vessel recreational angling communities have been severely affected by the infestation of this species. On the offshore grounds, tuna fishing along with groundfish fishing have seen trips steadily become efforts in futility. Dogfish are so thick that boats are at times surrounded by the hundreds of dogfish. Natural baits intended for tuna, bluefish, and groundfish are immediately inhaled by the swarms of the dogfish. Some charter captains even report that they can hear the dogfish bumping into the hull of their boats. The inshore waters have experience those same problems while targeting striped bass, fluke, winter flounder and sea bass.

Currently, the ASMFC annual coast-wide commercial quota for spiny dogfish is 4 million pounds with a 600-pound trip limit. This basically equates to a by-catch fishery. Under the proposals set forth by Mass DMF, the spiny dogfish quota would increase to 6 million pounds and there would be a 3,000-pound daily trip limit. These increases would allow for a small-scale directed commercial fishery which would be a welcoming event for the recreational sector in Massachusetts. The ASMFC will be addressing this issue at the October meeting and will likely hand down a decision for the 2007 fishing year.

RFA PRESENTS REPORT TO CA FISH & GAME COMMISSION ON MLPA

RFA's Jim Martin attended the California Fish & Game Commission meeting on October 5-7 in San Diego and presented the California Fisheries Coalition "Lessons Learned" document, now available for download at http://cafisheriescoalition.org.

This is an excellent document worth reading by anyone interested in the MLPA and where we go from here. Signed by 24 stakeholder representatives who served in the central California MLPA process, the statement reflects the recommendations of fishermen on how the MLPA process can be improved and the mistakes made so far.

There was an item on the agenda for the Commission to take public testimony and discuss which subregion to choose for the next phase of the MLPA process. Many of the fishermen chose to speak on improving the public process rather than advocating one region over another. A group of fishermen from United Anglers of Southern California argued that the process should move north. Needless to say, most fishermen do not want any part of the MLPA process. The Commission decided to hold off their decision until they have a special meeting, most likely in Sacramento, to take public testimony from NorCalers on where to move the MLPA process next.

The Commission gave us time on the agenda to present our peer review of the Socio-economic Analysis of the impacts of the proposed central California MPAs. Barbara Walker, Ph.D presented the review in a concise, easy-to-understand manner. The Commissioners became more engaged than usual and had a lot of discussion on how to improve the analysis in the future. In general, the Commission expressed a desire to regain control over the MLPA process.

CA FISH & GAME COMMISSION MULLS CHANGES TO SPORTFISHING REGS

The Fish & Game Commission is taking public testimony on possible changes to sportfishing regulations. There is a three-year cycle for this process and the final decision will be made in December in Los Angeles. Some changes are being proposed by the Department of Fish & Game (DFG) and others are being proposed by the public.

RFA has been working with Jim DeMartini, who represents a group of sport crabbers out of Bodega, to make it a violation to pull somebody else's crab gear. This would seem like a no-brainer, but the regulatory process sets some tall hurdles. RFA-NorCal has attended long meetings with enforcement, local north coast prosecutors and defense attorneys, and we have testified before the Commission on this proposal. The proposal has widespread support after narrowing the scope of the regulation to the bare minimum.

"After all that work on what we thought would be a simple matter, it is gratifying to see that the DFG has accepted our proposal," states Jim Martin, RFA-NorCal Chairman. The Commissioners were positive in their response on August 4 in Sacramento. RFA anticipates to put the brakes on crab thieves as early as this season. You can read all of the public's proposals, along with the Department's analysis & recommendations, here: http://www.fgc.ca.gov/2006/dfganalysisocean.pdf. Of those proposals, only a few made the cut as proposed regulations so far. You can read them here: http://www.fgc.ca.gov/2006/proposedregs06.htm#sf

The only other major change for saltwater/anadramous fish to consider will be the proposed punch card and annual bag limit of three (3) on sturgeon, with a narrower slot limit (46"-60"). The RFA supports the punch card and annual bag limit, but we have questions about the narrower slot limit.

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Tuesday, September 12, 2006

 

RFA News Edition 39

RFA Newsletter Header
September 12, 2006 Edition 39

Visit www.JOINRFA.org to learn more about the RFA or how to become a member today!

Protecting The Rights Of Sport Fishermen Coast To Coast

RFA-TX "GOLF OF MEXICO" FUNDRAISER
TEXAS GREAT BARRIER REEF PROJECT
RFA STATE CHAPTER INITIATIVE
HERRING PLAN NEEDS SUPPORT NOW
CALIFORNIA FISH & GAME COMMISSION BOWS TO COMPAIGN POLITICS ON MPAS
RANDY FRY TOURNAMENT
FLUKE DILEMMA HAS MANY ASKING WHY
MIKE LEECH JOINS WORLD CUP


RFA-TX "GOLF OF MEXICO" FUNDRAISER

RFA-TX along with the Texas Great Barrier Reef are holding the first annual "Golf of Mexico" Fundraiser Thursday, October 5, 2006. The format is a four-person modified scramble, and awards will be given for the low gross team, longest drive, closest to the pin, Hole in One (wins a 2006 automobile) and more. Individuals and teams are welcome!

Registration and lunch begins at 10:00 AM, with review of play and shotgun start at 12:00 PM.  A post tournament awards dinner and auction will follow at 6:00 PM.

For more information or to register online, please visit www.rfagolfofmexico.golfreg.com or contact the Tournament Chairman, Mark Schweitzer at (713) 960-9000.

TEXAS GREAT BARRIER REEF PROJECT

Due to the fact that our federal fishery managers are looking to reduce the recreational Red Snapper bag limit in federal water to 2 fish per person, we are looking to promote fishing for this species in Texas State waters. The Texas Great Barrier Reef Project (TGBRP) is a Public/Private program dedicated to the construction of an artificial reefing corridor spanning the entire length of Texas Coast positioned in State Waters from 7.5 to 8.5 miles off of the beach. The TGBRP will extend from Port Isabel to Sabine Pass, and be divided into 5 segments due to shipping lanes. Up to 4,000 artificial reefs per year will be deployed in an effort to provide Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for Red Snapper and a multitude of other sport fish species important to our Coastal Economies. EFH is being lost at an alarming rate due to the removal of oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico resulting in the detriment to our fisheries. In addition to providing badly needed EFH, this reefing project would restore a badly needed winter red snapper season inside Texas State waters. Texas has lost hundreds of millions of dollars due to no winter fishery, and stands to lose millions more if the Federal Red Snapper limits are further reduced as threatened by Roy Crabtree at the latest Gulf Council Meeting in Baton Rouge - thus the absolute need for the TGBRP. Alabama has been very successful with their artificial reef program and now accounts for 40% of all recreationally caught Red Snapper in the ENTIRE Gulf, even though their coastline is 1/9th the length of the Texas coastline. This success equates into countless of millions of dollars to THEIR Coastal Communities. This was accomplished through the development of permit reefing areas on a scale that cannot be over-exploited by recreational or commercial fishermen (1,260 sq. miles of reefing areas) and is key to this success story. We need to emulate their success here in Texas - reefing projects in the past and presently proposed by TPWD lack the vision shared by Alabama and the TGBRP. We need the leadership and vision presented by TGBRP in order to prevent the over-exploitation of the fish stocks on the reefs, and in the long term, loss of Billions of dollars to key coastal communities generated by offshore fishermen. Part of our team at TGBRP is Dick Stone, who headed up the National Artificial Reefing Program, providing a wealth of experience and knowledge in putting together Public/Private Artificial Reefing Program.

TGBRP will be done in 3 phases; Phase 1 will include the segments between Galveston and Freeport, and Port Aransas to Port Oconnor. Second phase will include the segments between Galveston and Sabine Pass and Freeport to Port Oconnor. Third phase will extend from Port Oconnor to Port Isabel. Projected time frame for initial reef deployments; Spring 2007. The TGBR has applied for $5 Million/year in CIAP Funding, which, if approved, will be distributed in spring 2007.

To learn more, please visit www.texasgreatbarrierreef.com or call (281) 431-0925.

RFA STATE CHAPTER INITIATIVE

The RFA is in the process of formally launching several state chapters across the country.  Although local RFA volunteers have worked together for years, it is only through a truly unified recreational fishing community that we will be able to continue protecting recreational fishing from the many forces that want to limit or eliminate our access to and right to fish for our natural fisheries resources. 

With thousands of members nationally, RFA has clearly been the most effective political action organization in the country in representing the rights of recreational fishermen and protecting the future of, and access to, our nation's fisheries.

RFA currently has state chapter volunteers working hard at the local level leading the fight against numerous critical issues affecting your right and access to fish.  RFA was built on grassroots membership, which has been the key to its success. We are reaching out to our local members who have to knowledge and networking contacts necessary to help move RFA forward.

If you are interested in leading the drive to strengthen RFA, contact Jessica Knox, RFA Grassroots Coordinator at (609) 404-1060, jknox@joinrfa.org or contact your state chapter chair posted on www.joinrfa.org.

HERRING PLAN NEEDS SUPPORT NOW

For several years, there has been a lot of concern from recreational and commercial fishermen, as well as whale-watch operators and environmentalists, about the large quantities of herring that are being removed annually from near-shore Gulf of Maine waters by large, efficient midwater trawlers. Herring serve as critically important forage for groundfish, tuna, striped bass, bluefish, whales and other marine mammals, but in recent years, it appears that virtually entire schools of herring are being removed from specific areas (called "localized depletion"), resulting in lack of feed for these important predators.

The New England Fishery Management Council has been crafting a new herring management plan for over a year now (known as Scallop Amendment 1), which would, among other things, ban midwater herring trawling in a region within 30 miles of the coast from Cape Cod to Canada (known as Herring Management Area 1A) from June 1st through September 30th annually. This would allow traditional fisheries for bluefin tuna and groundfish, as well as whale-watching, to be conducted during the summer months without the threat of localized herring depletion, which causes predators to move to other areas in search of food. However, the plan was not approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in time for the '06 season (and still has not as of early September) so the big trawlers have been pounding our coastal waters with their huge nets all summer.

Besides herring depletion, waste and bycatch have been serious concerns as well. A letter written to Dr. Bill Hogarth, the head of NMFS in Washington, DC, on July 20th by Rich Ruais, Executive Director of East Coast Tuna Association, sums up the problem. Rich wrote:
        
"I have confirmed through personal conversations with two tuna captains who have made direct observations of a massive dumping of dead herring, whale codfish, haddock and, at least one seal on the northern end of Jeffreys Ledge on July 19th, 2006, in the late afternoon.  In my conversations with the reporting captains, I insisted there be no embellishment to their description of the sighting of the dumped fish.
        
"The dead fish slick was seen to extend for at least one mile and was estimated to be a minimum of 100 yards across.  The captains reported the numbers of discarded cod and haddock visible was very substantial. Both captains reported seeing two midwater trawl vessels in the immediate area treading water.  Neither captain actually witnessed the dumping of the catch, so it is not definitively known if the two midwater boats seen were the offending vessels.  I have the name of the vessels seen in the immediate area.
        
"One of the tuna captains used a shrimp basket to quickly collect two boxes (200 lbs.) of bait and several of the whale cod from the slick for personal use.  He reported the cod to be very fresh, so the dumping most likely occurred earlier that day.  Both captains reported they could not cross the slick for fear of clogging their engine cooling strainers due to the density of floating herring.  Tuna fishermen, including these two captains, have sighted two dead whales (one small humpback and one minke whale) in the same area, although one of the whales was in such poor shape it was obvious that it was in the water prior to this recent dumping. 
       
"I cannot convey to you the outrage and disgust of tuna and groundfish fishermen over this situation.  There is very little tuna fishing effort this summer because most of the General and Harpoon Category fishermen do not believe there is adequate forage in the Gulf of Maine to hold visiting giant bluefins.
         
"I am copying the State (Marine Fisheries) Directors on this note with the hope that some will try and investigate this recent dumping and do all in their power to prevent further incidents.  I have also asked East Coast Tuna Association fish dealers to provide free disposable cameras to the few boats trying to document additional dumping incidents.
         
"What can NMFS do to correct this waste and damage to the discrete coastal herring stock from continuing?  Recent NMFS trawl surveys are showing a 50 percent decline in coastal herring abundance, confirming our reports that herring in the Gulf of Maine are in trouble.  At a minimum, can NMFS redeploy observers to 100 percent of the midwater herring fleet attempting to fish in Area 1A? I hope NMFS will recognize the seriousness of this situation."
 
Since the time this letter was written, a NMFS observer who was aboard one of the herring trawlers, implicated with the incident, confirmed that there was indeed a "dump" of an estimated 10,000 pounds of herring on July 19th. According to Rich, the observer claimed she was "too high up on the boat" to see any groundfish or mammals in the net. Could it be that the operator