Making Waves - Fall 2015

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M A K I N G

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MakingWaves Waves Fall Fall2015 2015 Making

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RECREATIONAL FISHING ALLIANC E

See Page Six for Raffle Information!

In This Issue

New North Carolina RFA Chapter Breaking Legislative News Environmental Groups-Friend or Foe? Summer Flounder– MPA’s –Buccaneer Cup and more!

Fall 2015

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Making Waves Fall 2015

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M A K I N G

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MakingWaves Waves Fall Fall2015 2015 Making

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RECREATIONAL FISHING ALLIANC E

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

By Gary Caputi

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ime for another issue of Making Waves. The RFA has been working hard on Magnuson reform with a coalition of industry and fishing organizations. Legislation is complete in the House, but getting the Senate to move will be impossible until after the Presidential election. Hopefully the result will be an administration that is not in the back pocket of the environmental community at their beg and call to shut down anything that would move fishery management in a positive direction that acknowledges recreational fishing.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Publisher’s Desk

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Executive Director’s Report: Follow the Money

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Win a Hot Fish Boat!

There’s Still Time

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Breaking Legislative News: American Eels; Cod & Haddock Man-

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The RFA has a new state chapter in North Carolina and it is headed by a group of hard-charging Carolinians who are on a mission to fight the Fish the Buccaneer unholy alliance between the state government, the marine fish comCup and Support the mission and the commercial fishing industry. With help from RFA Na- RFA tional and a growing membership they are really Making Waves!

If you haven’t purchased tickets for the RFA Contender/Yamaha Boat Raffle you still have time before the drawing in February. You will never find better odds at winning the boat of your dreams than here and you’ll be helping support the RFA, too! Check out how to purchase tickets on page 6.

And while we’re on the subject of raffles read about the fund raising raffle held at the SKA National Championships to benefit the RFA last month. The SKA has been a solid ally of the RFA in the past and the relationship continues under a new management team. Their parent company, the National Boat Owners Association (NBOA) might have some new benefits coming your way in the not too distant future, too.

RFA board member Nick Cicero is featured in a guest editorial about the insanity of the current summer flounder quota process that you won’t want to miss and watch out for the latest push for marine protected areas under the guise of the Federal National Monument designation. Hope you enjoy the read and gather lots of new information in the offing.

New RFA-North Carolina Chapter Takes Flight

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Environmental Groups 20 Friend or Foe? Reprint from 2001 The All New Miami Boat Show

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Southern Kingfish Association and the RFA

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Summer Flounder Stock Assessment Woes

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Enviros Push for MPA’s off Northeast Coast

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ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE RECREATIONAL FISHING ALLIANCE

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MakingWaves Waves Fall Fall2015 2015 Making

Executive Director’s Report

By Jim Donofrio

FOLLOW THE MONEY

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he change in leadership in the House two elections ago brought about a drastic change in the political dynamics in DC. One of the most drastic changes was the elimination of earmarks. Earmarks were the long held political currency in DC. A legislator, regardless of his or her party, had the incentive of working with members of the other party.

By crossing the aisle, that legislator then had the l everage to secure funding (earmarks) for a project that would benefit their district. Earmarks were the capital that legislators used to gain reelection, something tangible they could show their constituents that they had accomplished in DC. The republican leadership, upon taking control of the House, felt that doing away of earmarks was consistent with a more conservative agenda.

Earmarks, described as pork barrel spending, are a congressional directive towards a particular purpose and at the time, accounted for roughly 0.05% of the total budget.

That purpose could range from a highway project, to beach replenishment to funding a science program to improve the stock assessment for summer flounder. Like anything in congress, earmarks had positive and negatives. One such positive result of earmarks was funding for the Partnership for Mid Atlantic

Fisheries, which was doing extremely valuable work on the summer flounder and black sea bass.

In the current age of earmarkfree congress, legislators with ambitions to stay in congress gain more funding and support by fighting legislators on the opposite party. This situation has also been exacerbated by the Citizens United case. Legislators no longer have an incentive to work to accomplish things in DC because the big money comes from SuperPACs. It's a different game now in DC and it's hard to say if anyone is winning.

Going back to the earmark for the Partnership for the MidAtlantic Fisheries Science, this organization, composed of commercial and recreational fishermen along with researchers and academics, used a $250,000 to help improve the stock assessment for summer flounder. Considering that summer flounder is the most popular recreational fishery in the state of New Jersey, legislators, both Democrats and Republicans, supported the program because improving the assessment and management of summer flounder was very popular and important for voters in the state. It was something tangible that legislators could bring back to the district. The Partnership was gathering information regard the sex

composition and growth parameters of summer flounder. Its was collecting this much needed data because the federal government was not doing it That all ended when earmarks were thrown in the trash can like some polluted habitat that no one wanted to be associated with anymore.

What was the result of doing away with earmarks? The fishing industry is now the primary organizer and funder of necessary assessment improvements to summer flounder. Let's not forgot that the recreational summer flounder fishery alone likely generates upwards of $750 million in federal taxes to DC while politicians pat themselves on the back for taking a stand against ‘pork projects’. They rob the fishing industry of much needed science improvements to the tune of $250,000, a measly 0.3% of the federal taxes that this one fishery sends to DC. I say bring back the earmarks. We and the media can always make fun of the bridges to nowhere, funding for rodeo museums and projects to look at the sex composition of summer flounder. At least money would be coming back to the districts and making a difference for those who actually vote the politicians into office instead of

sending all our money into that cesspool we call DC. .

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Making Waves Fall 2015

f you haven’t already purchased tickets for you chance to win this exciting Yamahapowered Contender boat there's still time.

The odds of winning couldn’t be better and there are only three months left before the big drawing. Read on to learn more.

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like to thank our friends at Contender Boats, Yamaha Outboards and AmeraTrail Trailers for helping make this raffle possible.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer tickets to win this beautiful Contender/Yamaha fishing package as part of our fundraising efforts for 2015,” said Jim Donofrio, RFA Executive Director. “We would

dual-axle aluminum drive on trailer with mag wheels. All AmeraTrail aluminum boat trailer feature heavy aluminum I-beam construction, aluminum cross braces, aluminum bunk brackets, gal-

The prize boat, Contender’s brand new 22’ Sport center console, has a classy ice-blue hull and a custom embroidered cushion package, a deluxe T The Recreational Fishing Alliance is pleased to -top with rod holders, a leaning post and the faannounce an exciting fundraiser that gives you mous Contender ride. It’s powered by a Yamaha the opportunity to support the RFA with a mod- F300 four-stroke outboard, Yamaha’s top-of-theest donation and get a shot at winning an aweline V6. The combination of hull and engine is some prize—a Contender 22 Sport center console blazing fast and the ideal package to provide a fishing boat powered by a Yamaha F300 outquick ride to the fish. board, both riding on an AmeraTrail custom alu- The winner will be towing his boat in style on the minum trailer valued at over $85,000! best trailer in the industry, a custom AmeraTrail

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vanized torsion axles and hubs with superlube removable spindles.

You can buy tickets NOW through a special page on the RFA website (www.JOINRFA.org/ win-a-22-contender.

Single tickets cost $25 or you can increase your chances to win and your donation to the RFA by purchasing tickets in blocks of five for $100 per five pack. The site accepts credit cards and PayYou could be heading to the fishing grounds in a new Contender 22 Sport Pal payments. Ticket for a modest donation to the Recreational Fishing Alliance. stubs will be mailed when you purchase meetings or events please contact the RFA office online. at 888-JOIN RFA for details. We will send you a If you would like to obtain bulk tickets for club package that you can distribute to members who wish to enter. They simply tear off the stub and send the remaining portion of the ticket to the RFA, P.O. Box 3080, New Gretna, NJ 08824 along with a check for the tickets.

Remember, the RFA is a political action organization with a 19 year track record of working to protect your right to fish. Its mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs and ensure the long-term sustainability of U.S. saltwater fisheries.

Now more than ever the RFA needs the support of a growing grassroots army of anglers and this raffle is a fun way to make a donation and take a chance at winning an amazing prize!

All proceeds from the raffle benefit the Recreational Fishing Alliance (Registration Identification: 22-5-39533 RL# 39572015). The drawing will be held on February 20, 2016 at the New Jersey Boat Expo in Edison, NJ. You must be 21 years of age to win and all applicable taxes are the responsibility of the winner. If gambling is a problem for you or someone in your family dial 1-800-GAMBLER.

To learn more about the RFA and to join go to www.joinrfa.org.

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BREAKING REGULATORY NEWS USF&WS Says American Eel Population Not Endangered

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n October 7th, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (released a statement rejecting a push to list the American eel under the Endangered Species Act.

from Maine to North Carolina and cre- salmon. Eels spawn in the Sargasso ate their own slice of economic activity Sea east of the Bahamas, and the tiny within the larger sport fishing industry. juveniles then make their way to the mainland of North, Central, and South A listing as “endangered” would have America. Here the young, almost transhuge ramifications for the recreational parent 2-inch to 3.5-inch eels known as A petition to list eels as endangered striped bass fishery. “If eels had beelvers or ‘glass eels” ascend coastal was submitted to the USF&WS back in come listed, it would have been disasstreams and rivers that lead to fresh 2010 by the California-based Center for trous for striper fishermen,” said Jim water ponds and lakes, where they will Environmental Science, Accuracy & Donofrio, RFA’s Executive Director. “It grow to adulthood. After reaching maReliability. The group alleged that eels would have completely shut down the turity and ready to spawn, they will have lost nearly 80 percent of their harvest of eels of any size, and prohibithead back down the streams and rivhabitat, and suffer from commercial ed sale and even possession. Tens of ers and swim all the way out fishing pressure. to the Sargasso Sea to do so, completing the cycle.

In response, the USF&WS conducted an in-depth, 12Eels, however, face plenty of month study in conjuncstress in their lives. Besides tion with the National Ocebeing gobbled up by a myrianic & Atmospheric Adminad of natural predators such istration, the U.S. Geologias fish, birds, and mammals, cal Survey, the U.S. Forest eels face habitat loss Service, and the Atlantic throughout their range.

States Marine Fisheries Dams which prevent eels Commission’s (ASMFC) Eel from ascending and descendTechnical Committee. After Study finds American eels are not endangered. Eel photos ing waterways are a big examining the best sciencourtesy Mike Laptew Fine Arts Images. problem, as is mortality in tific and commercial inforhydroelectric turbines and mation available regarding past, prethousands of anglers who depend on diminished water quality. Dam removsent, and future impacts on the speeels as a readily available and easilyals, culvert replacement, night-time cies, the USF&WS ultimately deterpurchased live bait would be left with hydroelectric facility shut-downs, and mined that the population of eels is few alternatives. There’s no question upgraded fish passages have helped stable overall and not likely to become that this would discourage a lot of peo- restore habitat to some extent, and the endangered or threatened in the forple from continuing to participate in USF&WS has secured $10.4 million in seeable future. salt water fishing, and would financial- funding to remove 13 more dams from Rhode Island through Maryland.

This is good news for recreational fish- ly impact bait eel harvesters and the ermen, as eels have been a widely pop- tackle shops as well.”

Harvesting is responsible for another ular and effective bait along the U.S. The American eel is an interesting crea- significant impact on American eel East Coast for perhaps 100 years, priture. It is considered a catadromous stocks, and it needs to be carefully conmarily by anglers targeting striped fish, meaning that it lives most of its life trolled. More mature, pigmented bass. Live eels, and to a lesser extent in fresh water but spawns in salt, the “yellow” or adult “silver” eels are rigged eels, are a staple in bait shops opposite of anadromous fish such as caught by recreational fishermen, and

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Making Waves Fall 2015 1,000 elvers.

The result is that millions of young eels get caught and shipped overseas each year.

creased since 2012, largely due to the implementation and reduction of overall quota in Maine, many scientists believe that the removal of this number of juvenile eels from the ecosystem is detrimental to the stock and to the predators that depend upon them for forage. Although ASMFC has coerced Maine into lowering its quota, the state continues to allow the fishery due to its Poaching, monetary value. Maine is not a wealthy which many state with an abundance of good jobs, believe is a so $11 million in economic activity is rampant difficult to give up, even in the name of problem, conservation. adds additional pres- “As much as we’re pleased with the sure. Elvers USF&WS’s decision not to list eels as are illegally endangered, we think it’s time to connetted in sider ending the elver fishery,” says streams in RFA’s Donofrio. “This would leave milstates that lions more eels in the ecosystem, boldo not alster the stock, and put an end to the low it, nota- poaching, and unreported harvesting. bly MassaWe realize that it would be an ecochusetts nomic loss for Maine and its elver harand New vesters, but we have to look at the big many states have bag and size limits.

Jersey, and taken over the road to picture, and the future. We may have Commercial fishermen catch these Maine and sold as “Maine elvers,” a ducked the bullet this time, but we larger eels for food or to sell to tackle violation of state and federal law. But don’t want to have to revisit this issue shops for bait, as mentioned above, yet poachers are difficult to catch in the in five years when someone files anin many cases have restrictions on minact and prosecute, so it remains a crimi- other petition for endangered species imum size and the types of pots or net mesh that can be used. About 1 million pounds of yellow and silver eels are harvested annually coast-wide, with a value of around $1.5 million.

The tiny elvers, or glass eels, are another story. These juveniles, which are netted at night while ascending the streams and rivers in the spring, were worth up to $2,100 per pound in 2015, up from $100 per pound in 2009. The elvers are sold to dealers, who ship them live to Asia where they are reared to adulthood in ponds and used as food.

The elvers’ high value has dramatically increased pressure on the stock. Most East Coast states have banned elver harvesting, but it is still allowed in Maine, and to a much smaller extent in South Carolina. Maine’s 920 licensed elver fishermen netted 5,242 pounds of eels during the 2015 season, worth some $11.4 million. While the poundage doesn’t sound like much compared to harvests of other types of seafood, each pound is made up of over

It is feared that elvers, also called glass eels, are being overfished hurting future stock abundance. With stronger harvest controls the stock can be protected. nal activity that entices the unscrupulous.

status. Let’s build up the eel stock and maintain it at a healthy level.”

Is the elver harvest sustainable? Although poundage and value has de-

- Capt. Barry Gibson, New England Regional Director

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PROPOSED COD & HADDOCK BAG LIMITS IN THE WESTERN GULF OF MAINE ARE OF CONCERN

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uring the past few years we have seen our Gulf of Maine haddock bag limits go from unlimited to 10 per angler and, in 2015, a mere 3 per angler. With a zero cod retention limit and only 3 haddock, few recreational anglers even left the dock, and the charter and party boats saw a 90% or more reduction in their businesses.

This has resulted in a significant detrimental impact to the economy to the costal communities of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

In 2015 we found haddock throughout our waters in great numbers, which was inconsistent with the models and estimates used by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as to the status of both stocks. We had examples of shoals of haddock observed near shore south of Race Point, Cape Cod, being feasted upon by striped bass.

We have not observed or experienced such haddock numbers in years.

Cod and haddock are both currently found in healthy numbers in the Western Gulf of Maine (WGOM) waters, yet the NMFS studies and flawed trawl surveys, impacted by the changed spatial distribution of these species as a result of environmental factors, are not considered in the assessments.

NMFS has concluded that there are so few cod in our waters that they are concerned about cod bycatch and release mortality in the recreational pursuit of haddock. We are now told that the haddock stock is approximately five times larger than previously estimated, but NMFS says it cannot increase the haddock bag limit because of potential mortality of cod if people continue to fish to try and catch more than

three haddock. If there are so few cod out there, how can we be catching very many while we target the abundant haddock, which are normally found in different water depths and over different bottom types than cod inhabit? We are waiting for an answer to that question.

resulted in a financial hardship to all who rely on the party/charter fleet for employment, along with shore-side businesses that support private recreational anglers.

On November 17th there will be a New England Fishery Management Council Recreational Advisory Panel (RAP) The 2015 and 2016, bag limits if they meeting where we will be given the remain the same, will result in a col- details of proposed haddock and cod bag limits for 2016. There are different options before us, from landing haddock greater than 17 inches with a bag limit of 3, to 8 haddock per person, to unlimited haddock per angler. The variation in bag limits will be subject to what month or months an angler will be permitted to land the haddock. There is not much of a change to the cod bag limit, which will range from zero retention to perhaps 1 cod, and with sizes ranging from 23 to 24 inches or larger in size. Careful review of the MRIP data that is utilized to estimate the cod and haddock landed in 2015 continues to suffer from flawed data, evidenced by a standard deviation percentage that is, in some instance, greater than 102%. That’s totally unacceptable.

Ultimately, our on-the-water observations of the healthy levels of cod and haddock in the GOM is not consistent with the government data. The result may be that continued low bag limits and shortened seasons will result in the complete collapse of the groundfish for-hire fleet, with few if any private recreational anglers leaving the dock. This will result in a significant detrimental economic impact on all who rely on recreational groundfishing to make a living. We’ll report on the November RAP meeting and any further developments in the next issue of Making Waves. – Capt.

lapse of the groundish for-hire and private recreational fleet. For example, the Green Harbor, MA groundfish charter fleet experienced a 90 percent reduction in trips this year. No one left the dock. The landings for 2015, and those projected for 2016, do not seem to accurately reflect the fact that few Mike Pierdinock, Massachusetts RFA people are fishing. Lack of fishing has Director

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53rd Annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament January 21– 23, 2016 Benefits the RFA

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he Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament has been a perennial Florida tradition and is one of the oldest continuously run billfish tournaments in the world! This year, with the support of sponsors including MTU, Johnson & Towers, Florida Detroit Diesel Allison, Viking Yachts, HMY Yacht Sales, Bimini Bay, Salt Life Optics, American Custom Yachts, Contender Boats, Jarrett Bay Boatworks, International Paint, AFW/Hi-Seas, Cummins Marine, Yamaha, Seakeeper, Bahama Boats, Rybovich Marine and others we are reaching out to a broader group of fishing teams to expand the tournament’s reach, payout and fundraising potential.

The two-day format starts off with the Captains Meeting/Party at the legendary Buccaneer Marina Restaurant on January 21st followed by two fishing days, capped off by the awards dinner at the Sailfish Club of Florida that is always the talk of the tournament circuit. Both locations are steeped in bluewater fishing history and you can feel the presences of the legends of our sport around you.

Your entry fee puts you in the running for the $10,000 cash payout plus tickets to the captain’s party and awards dinner. Enter the Calcutta, which includes overall, live and dead bait categories, and the potential winnings increase exponentially. Last year’s top boat, the Apava, went home with over $92,000 in cash and trophies and owner Dave Przysinda and crew are returning to defend their title! Total payout

was over a quarter million dollars and with a wider field this year the dollars could increase significantly.

The Buccaneer Cup’s roots are in the Palm Beach area where it has been run for 52 consecutive years! You can fish from and return to either Lake Worth or Jupiter inlet. The tournament is non-profit with all the proceeds going to the Recreational Fishing Alliance so your participation is helping fund the work of this organization.

The RFA is fighting every day to assure our sport has a bright future deserves your support.

What better way to get involved than to enter the Buc Cup. In 2015 the tournament generated $50,000 for the RFA! To enter go to www.BuccaneerCup.com and follow the instructions on the home page. You can register and pay online with a credit card or follow up your registration by sending a check for payment. Questions? Call or write Gary Caputi 732-740-9982 (caputifish@comcast.net) or Courtney Bowden 561-909-7868 (court.bowden@gmail.com).

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE Captain’s Meeting & Party; January 21, 2016 – Buccaneer Restaurant & Marina, Palm Beach Shores Fishing Days: January 22 – 23, 2016. No Lay Day. Awards Banquet:: January 23, 2016 – Sailfish Club of Florida, Palm Beach – 7 PM Free water taxi service from Sailfish Marina to Club dock.

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New RFA North Carolina Chapter on the March!

The RFA’s newest state chapter is manned by a core group of dedicated people.

Would you like to get involved?

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orth Carolina boasts some of the best recreational fishing opportunities along the Atlantic Coast. This is largely in part to its location at the epicenter of two distinct ocean regions, the south Atlantic and the Mid-Atlantic, which gives anglers a wide range of fishing options and target species. From speckled trout in quiet creeks to bull red drum charging the beach; striped bass , Volkswagen-size bluefin near shore in the winter, and amazing bluewater fishery for marlin and tuna and numerous species of snapper and grouper, the diversity and range of fish is off the charts in North Carolina. Also contributing to the State’s unique offerings are its hundreds of miles of largely undeveloped estuaries that serve as critical nursery areas for many important species that end up in North Carolina and others that ride the coastal current and make their way up to the Gulf of Maine or the Straits of Florida.

North Carolina Of those, 48% are anglers from out of state which contributes significantly to the state’s billion dollar plus tourism industry. Both resident and nonresident anglers are a huge economic engine in the state, supporting thousands of full-time jobs and sending over $100 million in state sales tax to Raleigh. It’s easy to do the math on the economic impact

States. Throw in million dollar offshore fishing tournaments and a growing tackle manufacturing sector and you can’t deny that North Carolina is a recreational fishing powerhouse.

Considering the huge social and economic importance of recreational fishing and recreational fishing associated businesses in the state, you would think that legislators and policy makers would work hard to accommodate the needs of the recreational fishing community, anglers and the tens of thousands of residents whose businesses depend on healthy fisheries and public access to them. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the current situation in state politics and the of recreational fishing in North Car- state’s marine fish regulatory agenolina when you consider that cy! The state government in Ra4,954,073 fishing trips are estimat- leigh and the North Carolina Maed to occur every year. This num- rine Fisheries Commission has long ber equates to 13,572 trips per day devoted the overwhelming which is an impressive numamount of its attention to the comber. Drive through Wanchese inmercial fishing sector. Commercial NC has long been a destination for dustrial complex, once a dominant fishing lobbyists have run rough anglers from neighboring state and commercial fishing hub, and you shod over state legislators and the internationally. According to the find it is now home to more custom NCMFC for years with little push US Department of Commerce, sportfish boat builders per square back from the recreational commu1,655,544 saltwater anglers fish in mile than any area in the United nity. This institutional bias is

“These guys really hit the ground running.” said Donofrio. “They wanted to make a difference for the better in their home state and nothing is going to get in their way!”

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steeped in a long history of commercial fishing in the state coupled with politically savvy commercial fishing organizations who gave to the right legislators and effectively created voting blocs, and that has resulted in the simple fact that the needs of the commercial sector continually getting preference over the long-term sustainability of the state's marine resources and certainly over the interests of the recreational fishermen. Perhaps dismissed by some as a pastime or hobby, it is no longer possible to deny or ignore the significant positive impact that fishing has on the state.

Enter the North Carolina chapter of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA-NC). Organized as a political action organization, the chapter, in short order, has made its presence known in the Raleigh and at the Marine Fisheries Commission meetings. The chapter engaged the service of a well-known lobbying firm in Raleigh to help them with access to key legislators and to let those legislators know there is a new player in their midst, one that plans to shine the light of day on the cozy relationship they have had with the commercial industry and how that has resulted in overfishing of fisheries to the detriment of the recreational fishing industry and visitors to the state.

Spearheaded by father and son, Captains Charlie and Robert Schoonmaker along with Captain Owen Sewell were tired of seeing recreational fishing trampled and decided to do something about it.

They did their research and decided the one organization that understood the politics of fishery management was the RFA. They contacted executive director Jim Donofrio and managing director John DePersenaire and started the work of forming a chapter.

Schoonmaker. “The stock is depressed at best and may be on the verge of collapse but the NCDMF headed by Dr. Louis Daniel has for years failed in their attempts to improve or protect the stock and this cannot be allowed to continue.

The RFA-NC has championed the One of the first campaigns the fight to bring to the public’s attenchapter undertook was addressing tion this sorry state of affairs and is the logbook regulation that was working with members of the rammed through without the sup- North Carolina Legislature and port of the for-hire sector by the government entities to pressure unholy alliance between the com- the NCDMF to correct their failing mercial lobbyists and the policies.

NCDFC. The chapter worked to modify the regulations to capture “On November 18th there will be a the necessary data while not being pivotal meeting of the State’s Maa burden on owner/ rine Fisheries Commissioners as operators. The chapter took a hard they may, for the first time in over stance on southern flounder, a 30 years, recognize the value of popular recreational fishery that the state’s recreational fishermen was being overfished by the com- and begin the process of addressmercial sector. The chapter made ing their problems with the current a sound argument that measures lack of management of the reneeded to be put in place to ensource,” he continued. “The RFAsure the long-term sustainability of NC will continue to work hard for the stock and that such measures our resources and improvement of should not fall solely on the backs our resources.” of recreational anglers. The chapter is making significant progress If you’d like to join the members of and for the first time, having the the RFA-NC contact are below and interests of the recreational combe prepared to get active. Charter munity put on a comparable level captains, members of the tackle to that of the commercial fisherand recreational marine industry, men. This is not about a commer- fishing clubs and individual anglers cial/recreational power struggle all need to come together to build but simply making sure that ana political action presences in Raglers and the businesses supported leigh and around the state to bring by anglers are heard. The folks at sanity and balance to the manageRFA-NC are not anti-commercial ment of marine fisheries in North fishing. They are strongly proCarolina. recreational fishing and they are convinced that with fair represen- Capt. Owen Sewell tation and the appropriate plans to (910) 622-3474 protect critical species from overcapefearbigfish@hotmail.com fishing the two sectors can co-exist Capt. Charlie Schoonmaker and thrive while managing the re(910) 262-3474 source for long term sustainability. schoonfish@hotmail.com “These guys really hit the ground running.” said Donofrio. “They wanted to make a difference for the better in their home state and nothing was going to get in their way!”

“The RFA-NC is making considerable headway in our efforts on the Southern Flounder issues in North Carolina,” reported Charlie

Capt. Robert Schoonmaker (910) 264-1807 robert@carolinaexplorer.com

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Environmental Groups: Friend or Foe Reprinted from Making Waves, September 2001

Editors Note: It’s interesting to learn from the past and this article, originally published in the print version of Making Waves almost 15 years ago is a good example.

Keep in mind the article comments on issues that were taking place at the time, but the situations are not much different from the issues we face today except now they are bigger and more far-reaching. The Environmental Industry, as they have become known in more recent years, has proven to be a nemesis rather than an ally.

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n recent months environmental groups that once courted recreational fishermen calling us allies in conservation have struck out on courses of action that have left most anglers a bit bewildered and feeling disenfranchised. It seems that some eco-groups want our support and the benefit of our growing political influence for their pet issues, but when it comes to exercising a reasonable approach on issues affecting recreational fishing, they aren’t interested in our input or our concerns. Three current issues come to mind, one on a state level, another on a more regional scale and the last national in scope. What all three have in common is a lack of consideration for recreational fishing members and associated organizations that were considered an important part of the coalitions these groups forged. It appears that once some eco-groups get the bit in their teeth they have no problem leaving recreational fishermen standing in the wings, or even worse, out in the cold.

find money and materials to create these ecosystem-building manmade structures. Much of the impetus has come from recreational fishermen and their associations since most states have little or no funding available for artificial reef construction. In many cases they raise private money to cover the cost of obtaining, preparing and placing reef materials to create habitat for marine life. Typically, artificial reefs are constructed using derelict ships, surplus military hardware, concrete rubble, construction materials and similar items that require disposal or recycling when they wear out or become obsolete. Within just a few weeks of deployment the colonization process begins. Tiny mussels and barnacles kick off the encrustation by attaching themselves to exposed surfaces. Then immature crabs, sea worms and tiny species of shrimp take up residence. In a matter of months, structures become a complete food web with forage and predatory fish there to take advantage of the protection the cover offers and the abundance of the food it provides.

New York have relatively extensive reef systems while other states are finding how beneficial they are to improving fish habitat and are competing for reef materials for their own federally approved sites.

Enter New York City Transit, a division of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, faced with the dilemma of what to do with a few thousand obsolete subway cars scheduled to be decommissioned in the coming years. Recycling heavy steel components like wheels and running gear was no problem, but they still had to contend with how and where to dispose of the car bodies.

They decided to explore donating the bodies to constructing artificial reefs with the realization that New Jersey had 25 square miles of federally designated reef sites that only had about 2% coverage with materials and New York had similar needs for materials for their reef program. Each state could receive up to 650 cars in the next year, already cleaned to Coast Guard/NOAA specifications, shipped by barge to any reef site they designated and deposited The NY Subway Car DeState governments working with prithere free of charge. The deal would bacle vate groups have been sinking all man- also allowed the states to apply for fedArtificial reefs are good things, right? A ner of approved materials on designat- eral Wallop-Breaux Sportfishing Restoed reef sites to increase the marine life ration Funds as matching money number of states on the eastern seain areas that were once only a barren when weighed against the cost of board have worked long and hard to sand bottomscape. New Jersey and shipping the cars to the sites even

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MakingWaves Waves Fall Fall2015 2015 Making though NYC Transit was paying for shipping. It would provide the state with at least a couple million dollars in found money to use for other reef or sportfishing restoration projects. It was a real sweetheart deal.

Negotiations were going smoothly until two regional environmental groups decided that using subway cars on reefs was, in their opinion, the equivalent of ocean dumping because they felt the cars would deteriorate too quickly. So they began a campaign in opposition of the project using unfounded allegations and old, unproven scientific studies. Both groups had long -standing agreements with recreational fishing associations and clubs that were part of a standing coalition dealing with environmental and clean water issues, yet the group’s directors came out in opposition to this project without discussion with their recreational fishing affiliates and without polling their memberships. Recreational fishermen were overwhelmingly in favor of the subway car reef project yet even

after fishing members found out about the campaign and voiced their dissent, the directors persisted in opposing the project so vehemently that the acting governor of New Jersey refused to accept the cars and New York followed suit.

clubs in their other campaigns without express written permission on an issue by issue basis. They have lost the respect of a large number of members in the offing and all over a position on an issue that end up having no basis in science and even less credibility.

After investigating the use of subway cars for reefs and finding that they met all state and federal criteria for use, the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, with the blessing of Governor Ruth Ann Minner, said they would accepted an initial deployment of 400 cars and began construction of the Red Bird Reef off Indian River Inlet. They received the same letters and calls in opposition from the New Jersey environmental groups, but found their objections without merit.

The Summer Flounder Lawsuit

The two groups in question lost a great deal of credibility with recreational fishermen and are now viewed with suspicion. They have lost the ability to use the names and the clout of once affiliated recreational fishing associations and

The summer flounder is the most popular fish pursued by anglers in saltwater in the Mid-Atlantic States and, therefore, one of the most economically important. More angler days are spent chasing these tasty flatfish than even the highly regarded striped bass! The species has been under management by the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission since the early 1980s because stocks had been overfished to near collapse. The rebuilding plan, while getting off to a very slow start, showed significant progress the later half of the 1990s. By 2001, the overall stock size has reached

Page 22 levels not seen since the early 1980s and the spawning stock (fish two years and older) was triple the highest level recorded in the prior 20 years. With such a remarkable increase in population and expansion in age structure, one might think that enviro-groups would be pleased that the plan was finally working and stocks were responding in dramatic fashion. Well, that wasn’t the case.

Making Waves Fall 2015

mistake in 1998, a mistake that had battles they choose can have a very had little or no impact on stock rebuild- detrimental impact on their fishing activities. In this case winning the suit did ing. not equate to increased abundance or The environmental groups won the better management so it can only be suit and the result was a punitive stock assumed that the motive was to win at reduction that would do little to imall costs to make a point. Fishermen prove the rapid rebuilding process unwho were members of some of these der the management plan while exgroups have had to rethink their intracting heavy economic and social volvement as a result. costs from fishermen. As a result, several states increased size limits to meet “No Fishing! This Means In 2000, it became possible to begin the mandated reduction so dramaticalrelaxing some of the highly restrictive ly that release mortality increased. Oth- YOU! quotas set on commercial and recrea- er states reduced their already truncat- There is a great deal of pressure being placed on politicians in Washington tional fishermen, but optimism quickly ed open seasons with disastrous reresponsible for writing legislation that faded when a consortium of environsults. New Jersey, where summer mental groups decided to sue the Na- flounder represent an enormously im- govern the management of marine fisheries by environmental groups to tional Maine Fishery Service over what portant recreational fishery, lopped they felt was a risky level of landings almost a month off the summer floun- close large areas of the ocean to all set back in 1998. The suit was one of der season in the fall. Such loses in fish- “consumptive” uses. Consumptive means fishing including recreational many funded by the Pew Foundation ing opportunities have a negative imfishing. Marine Reserves or Sanctuaries in an effort to have environmental pact on the state’s economy to the are No Take Zones, but they are being groups flex their muscles over the man- tune of $20 million to $40 million! included under the general term agement system. It worked, but not the The pressure on the summer flounder “Marine Protected Areas,” which can first time out. After winning their point fishery by environmental groups isn’t mean any of a host of measures that on a narrowly based decision in a fedover yet and recreational fishermen pertain to a designated location varyeral court of appeals, the court deterwho were once allies with some of ing from restriction of certain activities mined that a quota reduction in 2001 these groups today realize that the to complete exclusion of human conwould be required to make up for the

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Some “marine protected area” designations have the potential to benefit sensitive habitats from a wide variety of impacts, but overall the science surrounding the benefits accrued from closing vast areas of the ocean as reserves is still weak and the benefits can vary dramatically from region to region. Yet the push to incorporate language mandating the use of reserves is becoming a full court press by environmental groups through an organized and well-funded effort. An Executive Order announced during the waning days of the Clinton Administration set the process in motion to explore the possibility of a network of reserves in U.S. waters and the order remains in effect since the Bush Administration has decided to let it stand.

Bailey Hutchinson, both worried about such negative impacts on recreational fishing by the push to close the ocean by extreme environmental groups and the wide latitude of the Executive Order on the subject, recently worked with the American Sportfishing Association (an industry trade goup) on wording for legislation they call the “Freedom to Fish Act.” It requires federal agencies to prove recreational fishing is having a detrimental impact before it can be prohibited from reserves.

The RFA is supporting this legislation as a counterpoint to the rush to close large areas of the ocean from public use.

Jim Donofrio, RFA executive director, said, “while creating reserves prohibiting some forms of activities can be a good thing, the wholesale prohibition of public use should not be allowed to occur. It would be the equivalent of the federal government closing National Parks to all public access. The public is allowed to fish recreationally in National Parks, adhering to fish and game laws, but their access is not denied. Recreational fishermen should be allowed to fish in marine protected areas under the same conditions, unless there is scientific proof that such activities are having a serious negative impact. The RFA will have a strong presence in Washington on your behalf working with members of Congress on reauthorization language and issues that will impact your fishing in the future.”

The problem with marine reserves prohibiting recreational fishing in all forms is that there is scarce evidence that recreational fishing has a negative impact on the habitat or marine life when managed through other measures like seasonal closures to protect spawning fish, size limits to improve age structure of stocks and/or bag limits to prevent overfishing. Yet “no take zones” are being touted as a hedge against ineffective fishery management plans at a time when an increasing number of plans are better written and more effective than ever before. Many recreational fishermen feel their activities are not the problem and, therefore, should not be locked out of fishing grounds that might need protection from other Protecting the Environimpacts, especially when they are alment For The Public ready being managed through other Working to protect the marine environmeans. ment and conserve fishery resources No-Take Zones will become a battlehas been a goal of recreational fisherfield in the upcoming reauthorization men long before the explosion of enviof the Magnuson-Stevens Sustainable ronmental groups came on the scene.

Fisheries Act next year unless environ- Today, millions of dollars are being mental groups and politicians take channeled into some of these groups heed of recreational fishermen. The through none-profit funds and public RFA is looking very carefully at the de- donations and some have leveled their bate and the tactics being used and sights on recreational fishing. There will work to prevent wholesale clowill be times when the RFA will work sures that will have little positive bene- on issues of concern in concert with fits to habitat and fisheries while inflict- environmental groups, but unfortuing serious social and economic damnately, it appears that great efforts will age on anglers and the industry. In have to be made to keep track of those fact, Senators John Breaux and Kay groups that would just as soon see

angling prohibited altogether. While that may seem extreme, some environmental groups have become just that, extreme. They will slowly chip away at your right to fish and, if you let them, do it with your donations. If you belong to any such groups, take the time to find out what ocean issues are on their agenda. Clean water and healthy, sustainable fisheries are certainly common goals, but there are those are acting on issues that can and will negatively impact your ability to fish. Your best defense is to know who it is you are supporting and where your money is being spent. Supporting the RFA is the best way to fulfill your desire to promote conservation while maintaining your right to fish.

Editors Note: A lot of water has gone under the bridge since this article was published in 2001 including two reauthorizations of the Magnuson Stevens Act that, while rebuilding some fisheries have also done an excellent job of destroying recreational fishing . Both were heavily influenced by the environmental groups that once counted recreational fishermen among their supporters.

The rise to political prominence of the environmental lobby has continued under the two terms of the Obama Administration and it is unlikely substantive changes in the way recreational fishing is managed under the current Federal law will change until a new Administration is sworn in, but the fight can not be put on hold . Now is the time to continue the groundwork in Congress and build our coalition and power base.

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Making Waves Fall 2015

GET READY FOR A WHOLE NEW EXPERIENCE AT THE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 2016 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show Cruises into Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin - February 11-15, 2016

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don’t have to tell you that the Miami International Boat Show is one of the worlds largest and has been for as long as I can remember. I started going to the show over 35 years ago and have only missed a few. It marks the new model year for most boat and is a huge event for fishing boat builders of all sizes, especially saltwater fish boats!

You can always count on something new from the engine companies, too, whether it’s a new arrival in diesel propulsion to power big sportfish convertibles or the next advance in outboard technology with more horsepower. It you want see what’s new in electronics, accessories for your boat and the latest in fishing tackle and gear, you just have to be there. And the deals you can get from the hundreds of vendors in attendance makes it the place to buy everything from a new pair of boat shoes to a boatload of new lures. It doesn’t hurt that it’s held in Florida where the weather is warm even in February!

The upcoming show marks the 75th anniversary for the Miami Boat Show and they are doing it up right by moving it to a brand new home - the iconic Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin, just minutes from downtown Miami.

“We are absolutely thrilled to take make the move to the new location,” said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the organization that puts on the show. “Miami Marine Park is located on Virginia Key so think of it as a boat show on an island!”

The biggest complaints received from people attending the show in recent years revolve around the lack of parking and the traffic congestion near the old convention center in Miami Beach. Getting from the convention center to the various marinas for the in-water segments of the show was difficult and time consuming even with the huge fleet of shuttle buses the promoters had running constantly.

“With this move we’ve addressed those problems by bringing the entire show to one beautiful location,” Dammrich said. “This year the land-based portion of the show, the extensive Marine Mart and the in-water boat displays will all be at Miami Marina Park so you won’t have to shuttle around town to get to the various locations.”

The NMMA will be working with Park Jockey to assure parking will not be an issue and to provide the public with a

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MakingWaves Waves Fall Fall2015 2015 Making wide range of parking choices with online registration and reservations. There closest and most costly parking will be on Virginia Key at the Marine Park, approximate 4,200 in all at a cost of $35 per day. There are over 10,000 spaces are available at locations in downtown Miami at a cost of $5 per day, which includes free shuttle buses and water taxi service to the show and an additional 5,000 spaces will be reserved at Marlin Stadium also with free shuttles to and from the show. To check out the parking options and make reservations for the day or days you plan to attend go to www.miamiboatshow.com and click the show information tab, then navigate to parking. Pick your option and even pay in advance online for your reservation. It’s that easy and you’ll be assured of the parking space that meets your needs and budget.

“The show will be bigger and better with over 1,200 boats on land and in-water at Marine Park,” Dammrich explained, “but the experience of attending and getting around will be much more convenient and user friendly.

And it will include the best food service at any boat show you’ve ever been to so you can enjoy a wide range of foods while enjoying the show!”

trials for serious shoppers.

Get your feet wet. For those looking to get out and learn on the water, Discover Boating Hands-On Skills Training offers exclusive on-the-water power boating and sailing workshops. Water sport lovers can make their way to the new Try It Cove and try activities such as kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, all while enjoying the picturesque backdrop of downtown Miami.

Wine & dine like a boater. Food and beverage experiences also play a big part of the Miami Boat Show’s makeover.

From on-water dining locations to popup restaurants, a beer garden and upscale wine bar, attendees can please their palates with a variety of options. An interactive kids’ area is also onsite, where children can build their own pizzas, play, and be a part of the family fun at Miami International Boat Show.

Celebrating 75 years of boating in Miami. The Miami Boat Show celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2016 and is featuring two iconic South Florida boats. The Pilar, a replica and “sistership” of Ernest Hemingway’s famous boat, is on display, offering show goers a glimpse of the boat that influenced several of Hemingway’s finest books, like The Old Man and the Sea. “Carol Suzanne,” built by well-known hydroplane driver Robert Schroeder, is one of Miami Marine Stadium basin’s most prominent racing boats and

In addition to the new location and logistical work done to solve the parking situation NMMA has made booking rooms for the show easier, Tom Dammrich, President too. Check out the listing of hoNational Marine Manufacturers Association tels offering special room rates all in one place right on the makes her show debut. show website. You can browse and book from a variety of hotels that have blocks of rooms set aside for the show. All Travel to the show like a boater – come by sea! New, park the hotels participating will also have shuttle service to and and ride options include dozens of pick-up and drop-off from the show. points for free water taxi and shuttle bus service, located throughout Miami, making getting to and from the show So what can you expect from the all new Progressive Insurseamless and fun. Attendees can board a water taxi or shutance Miami International Boat Show this year in the way of tle bus from mainland hotels, park & ride lots, and Metro exhibits this year? Check this out.

Rail stations in Downtown, Brickell and Coconut Grove areNew For Fishermen. In addition to the 1,200 new boats as. Visit http://www.miamiboatshow.com/publicboth on land and in-water including hundreds of fishing transportation to view the full list of pick-up and drop-off boats, plus thousands of marine accessories, gear and tech- points to access the show. nologies, you won’t want to miss the new Sportfishing PavilAccommodations: Visit ion featuring hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the best in http://www.miamiboatshow.com/accomodations now to fishing products. book rooms at the best rates through the boat show’s offiA boater’s shopping paradise. The boat show’s new footcial housing partner, OnPeak. print elevates the entertainment experiences. Exhibit areas If you’ve been going to the boat show in Miami for years or are situated in large, state of the art air-conditioned tents for if this is going to be your first time expect to be immersed in boats, engines, accessories, and the latest boating technoloa totally new look and vibe. It promises to be the most gies. Temporary vessel slips will house more than 400 boats amazing boat show ever! in a marina setting, featuring boat demonstrations and sea

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Southern Kingfish Association Hosts Fundraiser for the RFA

“The Southern Kingfish Association was delighted to support the Recreational Fishing Alliance once again. It’s important to both of our organizations to encourage fishing while simultaneously respecting our fisheries for future generations and protecting the public’s right to access those fisheries. We appreciate all of the efforts of the RFA.” —Erin Henshaw, SKA

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he Southern Kingfish Association (www.fishska.com) hosts the largest saltwater tournament series in the country. Sponsored by Mercury Marine, the SKA Mercury Tournament Trail spans 8 states in the Southeast that are broken up into nine Divisions with over 50 sanctioned events attracting thousands of anglers in three boat size classes. These dedicated anglers go head to head each year to compete for the coveted title of National Champion.

in the SKA National Championships.

The elite teams that fish in the Mercury Pro Tour also receive invitations to fish the Nationals so you know the competition is going to be fierce.

watchful eyes of Iceseas Farrell, SKA president, Jim Butler and Erin Henshaw, operations managers, have worked hard to maintain the close relationship with RFA. As a result, many SKA members are also grass-roots members of the RFA.

The National Championship was held in Morehead City, North Carolina October 23—24 with 200 competition teams towing their fast and seaworthy center console boats into town to see who Tournaments would be are divided crowned into the nine champion. geographic And while regions with that would each Division not be deterRFA’s friends at the SKA presenting the Lady Angler of the Year Pro Division award to holding three mined until Shayna Griffin (center) of team Wild Ride at the ceremonies in the Crystal Coast Convento five sancthe final fishtioned events tion Center prior to the raffle drawing. From right to left: Iceseas Farrel, Jim Butler, ing day, one during the fish- Shayna, Michelle Kilburn from Mercury Marina, David Worsham and Erin Henshaw. thing was ing year. While certain, the SKA competition members are encour- The SKA has been closely aligned with RFA would be a big winner the night aged to fish the events within their the Recreational Fishing Alliance for a of the captain’s meeting and awards geographic region they are always number of years, encouraging its mem- dinner when the division champions welcomed and encouraged to fish bers to join RFA, support it financially would be announced and a great tournaments outside their Division. and get involved politically. The recent- barbeque dinner would be shared by Teams placing high enough in Division ly retired managing partner of the SKA, over 700 people in attendance. competition receive an invitation to Jack Holmes, and the former operacompete head-to-head with the most tions manager, Bob Flocken, handed The fundraiser put together for the day successful anglers from all the Divisions over the management reins under the was a huge raffle with several silent

Page 28 auction items with a total value of over $17,000 . The big items were an original artwork by Hank Bufkin, a complete electric kite fishing kit courtesy of Elec-Tra-Mate, Tuppens and Tigress, fishing combos from Half Hitch Tackle and loads of rods, reels, fish bags, prints, bean bags, tackle assortments, knifes, sunglasses, a 3D camera, boat accessories and more.

The raffle tickets went on sale earlier in the day during registration for the championship and continued during the

Making Waves Fall 2015 helping us reach out to their membership for this fundraising event and also for encouraging them and us to work harder to protect recreational fishing for today and for future generations. A big thank you goes out to Bob Flocken for his yeoman work getting the goodies for the raffle and for driving to North Carolina from his home base in Florida specifically for the raffle. We also send out a big thank you to Jack and Deona Holmes for also driving to Morehead City to help with the raffle. Jack has been on the RFA board of directors for a number of years and Bob is the most re-

One of the four big tables full of great merchandise donated for the raffle by a great bunch of companies and individuals show support the Recreational Fishing Alliance. All photos Courtesy Mark Calabro. happy hour and through dinner with the help of members from the newly charter RFA-North Carolina Chapter. If you are from the Carolinas and want to get involved with a bunch of great guys who are changing North Carolina fisheries management and the political landscape of the state call the RFA office and we will put you in touch with them.

The raffle culminated in the drawing immediately after the Division awards were presented. When all was said and done it generated $10,000 in ticket sales and the SKA was kind enough to write an additional check to the North Carolina chapter from the proceeds from liquor sales at the bar that evening.

cently elected members of the board. All three of these great folks are huge assets to the organization.

The RFA and SKA would like to thank Economy Tackle, Electric Fishing Reel Co., Inc., Ford Foods, Tigress, Tuppens, Bufkin Air Designs, Half Hitch Tackle, Loadmaster, Guy Harvey, Blue Water Candy, Raymarine, Garmin, C&H Lures, Ocean Tamer, Sea Angler Gear, Diamond Fishing, Buck Knives, Smith Optics, BlackBird Products, Clean Way, AFTCO, Bimini Bay, Crowder Rods, Daiwa, Moldcraft, Salt Life Optics, Carey Chen, Z Stuff, Lee’s Live Bait, Balloon Fisher King, Mercury Marine, Yamaha Marine, Grundens, Corona Beer and Swisher for their generosity in helping make the We would like to thank everyone at the SKA for once again event such a success.

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Making Waves Fall 2015

A Look at the Summer Flounder Stock Assessment Process

By John DePersenaire With Guest Commentary by Nick Cicero, RFA Board of Directors

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ssessing a marine fish population is similar in many regards to forecasting weather. Both the stock assessment team and weather forecasters take a pile of data and plug it into a model to produce a range of potential outcomes. Those outcomes are used on numerous levels from the commodity trader buying/selling futures on heating oil, to the farmer planning his planting and/or irrigation schedule to the fisherman looking to see when the wind will blow northwest and possibly turn on a striper bite.

for improvement. What people don’t always realize is that the fishermen are the ones that pay for the lack of data and how many levels of precaution are added into the calculations by the assessment scientists. The last benchmark assessment for Summer Flounder was conducted in 2013 (SAW 57). One of the most important outcomes of an assessment are the projections that predict spawning stock biomass over the coming years. These projection are used to set the overfishing limit (OFL) from which the annual catch limits are set.

Most people understand and accept the limitation of weather forecasters. No one would expect the weatherman to tell them whether it will rain or not on a given day one year in the future for planning a family barbeque. Historical averages provide the best prediction in terms of a range of temperatures and possibilities for rain and based on this information, one can make reasonable assumptions and preparations, but even historical averages provide no guarantee they will be on the money. Yet in the fisheries management world, stock assessment teams are expected to determine the population size of a stock years into the future using data that is frequently suspect or outright unreliable.

Fishermen are used to questioning the science used in stock assessments, especially when it comes the methodology used for monitoring recreational landings. It is not that fishermen believe the data has no relevance, but they lack confidence in the data when it is used for making important decisions such as setting quotas or recreational regulations. This sets up the long-standing battles between fishermen and fishery managers and rightly so. Recreational landing estimates are notoriously inaccurate and NOAA has done little to address the inaccuracies.

What fishermen rarely see is how the lack of confidence in the data cumulatively results in a significant reduction in the quota available to anglers. In Summer flounder has been getting a the example of summer flounder, the lot of press lately for the pending quota Northeast Fisheries Science Center reductions in 2016. The quota reduc(NEFSC) in their 2015 assessment uption is due in large part to the below date revised the 2016 through 2018 average recruitment during the three OFL based on the below average reyear period beginning in 2010 and cruitment that occurred from 2010 through 2013. Those limits were set at lasting through 2013.

18.06 million pounds in 2016, 19.82 We all know that the science behind million pounds in 2017 and 22.40 milstock assessments is less than perfect lion pounds in 2018. For reference, and that there is a great deal of room the OFL in 2015 was 27.06 million

pounds.

The Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council has its own internal risk policy which gives their Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) guidance when setting acceptable biological catch limits (ABC). At the core of the policy is a formula that prescribes the level of risk that can be taken based on the grade quality (1-4 with 1 being the best). The 2013 benchmark assessment for fluke was given a value of 3, not very confidence inspiring. Considering the amount of money, resources and data that goes into the summer flounder assessment it is hard to ever imagine an assessment making the top grade of 1. Following the risk policy and the level 3 grade for the fluke assessment, the SSC put forward and ABC of 16.26mp, 15.86mp and 15.68mp respectively through 2018. Note that the NEFSC OFL’s go up each year through 2018, the SSC recommendations go down each year through 2018. In 2016, the ABC is reduced from the OFL by 9.9%. This departure increases to 30% by 2018. The cumulative impact of the lack of confidence is 12.48 million pounds of quota over the three year period if the quota was set at or near the OFL. Likewise, the recreational summer flounder annual harvest limit will decrease from 5.42million pounds in 2016 to 5.26 in 2018.

How does the SSC grade assessments? The following wording is from SSC chairman John Boreman in a memo to MAFMC Chairman Richard Robins in September of 2013 regarding the summer flounder assessment might shed some light.

The SSC was not comfortable with defining the assessment (Summer Floun-

MakingWaves Waves Fall Fall2015 2015 Making

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der) as Level 1. Because no alternative level of uncertainty in OFL was provided in the assessment, the SSC is constrained to determine the Summer Flounder assessment as Level 3.

As NOAA rolls out the National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy – Implementation Plan look carefully to see how much money NOAA will be putting towards to the direct improvement or gathering of data to run stock assessments. Make no mistake, when inadequate resources are put into the assessment process, fishermen and fishing related businesses are the ones who directly suffer. All the grandiose, feel good concepts in the implementation plan are just window dressing. The most meaningful thing that NOAA could do for the recreational fishing community would be to adequately fund both the recreational data collection programs and the assessment for species important to the recreational fishing community so that uncertainty can be reduced and more fish are made available to anglers.

Circling back to the weatherman, it's always easy to tell the accuracy of their forecasts when the forecast weather event comes to pass. In the world of fisheries management, we never really know how many summer flounder were in a particular year-class nor can we count every pound of fish that makes up SSB estimate. If we will never know and it is pretty clear that NOAA will never allocate enough money to find out, why continue to treat uncertainty in the assessments as something that can be fixed? Not to minimize the work that the industry has done, particularly the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund which has vastly accelerated the rate at which the summer flounder and black sea bass assessment has been funded, but how can you expect an industry that is being punished for poor science to pay for the improvements, That is not to say that improvements can’t be made and shouldn't be pursued, but this perpetual drive to micromanage and the subsequent reduction of quota that resulted in an attempt oo reduce uncertainty is a failed endeavor.

Let's accept the current quality of the summer flounder assessment as adequate from a risk standpoint and stop taking a significant amount of the quota away from fishermen. Fishermen can not continue to be punished in way of quota reductions and lost Reprinted courtesy of The Fisherman Magazine, October, 2015 opportunities due to the shortcomings of the Author Nick Cicero has been in the tackle industry for over 30 years, is a lifelong stock assessment. saltwater fisherman and holds a seat on the RFA Board of Directors.

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Making Waves Fall 2015

Enviros Push for “National Monuments” Off Northeast Coast that Could Ban Recreational Fishing

By Capt. Barry Gibson

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coalition of environmental groups including the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Conservation Law Foundation, and the National Resources Defense Council, is pushing hard to create a half-dozen “marine national monuments” in the Atlantic Ocean that would prohibit commercial fishing and could ban recreational fishing as well.

The coalition is encouraging President Obama to use his authority to designate the monuments through the Antiquities Act of 1906, which was created to “protect the objects of historic and scientific interest” and is supposed to be limited to “the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected.”

Through the Act, a president can unilaterally create these areas without any public or congressional oversight or input. A number of presidents have exercised this privilege in the past, yet most monuments have been designated on land or in the Western Pacific Ocean.

or cultural preservation. As Maine’s Gov. Paul LePage put it, the monuments designations “would serve only one purpose – excluding commercial fishing from certain segments of the ocean.”

The recreational sector, however, needs to be very careful – and skeptical as well. At least one attorney for the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) has suggested that recreational fishing would likely be allowed in the monuments, in order to garner support from sport fishermen, and indicated that it would be a real “win” for the recreational sector if just the commercials were prohibited in these areas.

But the rec sector isn’t taking the bait. “Just because a couple of environmental groups claim they wouldn’t oppose recreational fishing in the monuments doesn’t mean that sport fishing would be allowed once the final regulations are drafted in D.C.,” explained Frank Blount, chairman of the New England Fishery Management Council’s (NEFMC) Groundfish Committee and a party boat fleet owner in RI. “There’s no way to predict what the language in any monument designation will entail. We need to oppose the whole idea, right from the get-go.”

At the time of this writing the areas under consideration are not completely clear, but appear to include at least three canyons – Lydonia, Gilbert, and Oceanographer – along with four seamounts to the south, as well as Cashes Ledge some 50 miles National Monument designation is the latest way offshore in the Gulf of Maine.

One of the biggest problems Other canyons and seamounts enviros are trying to implement Marine Sanctuaries. with the Antiquities Act of 1906 are also reportedly under conis that it strips away the open, democratic processes that sideration. protect these areas yet can allow sustainable and appropriIt is clear to many of us, however, that the coalition’s intent ate fishing activity. The open federal Fishery Management in creating these monuments has little to do with historical Council system is the vehicle by which this is best accom-

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plished, and in fact the NEFMC has already implemented strong protections for Cashes Ledge, where most commercial fishing is already now prohibited. And in June, the MidAtlantic Fishery Management Council voted to protect 38,000 square miles of marine habitat in order to protect deep-sea corals.

A marine monuments designation, in contrast, would nullify these existing management actions, and deny the public any input into what new restrictions might, or should, be enacted. “Instead, it all becomes purely political,” says Jim Donofrio, the RFA’s Executive Director. “Whoever has the most influence on the administration and the president will get what they want in the way of restrictions in these areas.

This is no way to manage our publicly-owned marine resources. We already have a transparent process via the Magnuson-Stevens Act. It’s certainly not perfect, to be sure, but it at least allows for public participation.”

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monuments” and restricting the public’s ability to fish there.

The RFA will be monitoring this issue closely in the weeks and months to come. The Northeast canyons are significantly important offshore recreational fishing areas for many hundreds of private and for-hire vessels and their anglers who target yellowfin, big eye, and bluefin tuna, as well as albacore, swordfish, mahi-mahi, marlin, wahoo, and deep-water bottom species. Cashes Ledge, in the Gulf of Maine, is a historically important destination for those pursuing cod, haddock, pollock, and halibut with rod and reel.

“We simply cannot lose the potential for recreational access to these areas that provide so much in the way of social and economic benefit to our country,” says RFA’s Donofrio.

“The Antiquities Act of 1906 may work for a few small, specific areas on dry land, but is totally inappropriate for ocean management.”

We’ll report on any new developments in the next issue of Obviously, there has been a significant backlash against the Making Waves. enviros’ monument proposals. A “Town Meeting” was held to air out the subject in mid-September in Providence, RI, and both commercial and recreational fishermen turned out in force to oppose the idea.

In response, U.S. Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK) recently co-sponsored H.R. 330, “The Marine Access and State Transparency (MAST) Act,” which would prevent President Obama and any future president from unilaterally designating offshore ocean areas as “national

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Making Waves Fall 2015

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M A K I N G

MakingWaves Waves Fall Fall2015 2015 Making

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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RECREATIONAL FISHING ALLIANC E

The RFA Mission Safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers Protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs Ensure the long-term sustainability of our nation’s fisheries.

Anti-fishing groups and radical environmentalists are pushing their agenda on marine fisheries issues affecting you. The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is in the trenches too, lobbying, educating decision makers and ensuring that the interests of America’s coastal fishermen are being heard loud and clear. Incorporated in 1996 as a 501c4 national, grassroots political action organization, RFA represents recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues on every coast, with state chapters established to spearhead the regional issues while building local support.

“The biggest challenge we face is the fight to reform and bring common sense and sound science into the fisheries management process, says James Donofrio, RFA founder and Executive Director. “Anti-fishing and extreme environmental groups are working everyday to get us off the water.” Despite the threats to diminish access to our nation’s resources, Donofrio says that RFA offers members hope in an organization that’s designed from the ground up to fight back. “As individuals, our concerns will simply not be heard; but as a united group, we can and do stand up to anyone who threatens the sport we enjoy so much – fishing!”

After nearly 20 years working inside the Beltway and within state capitols along the coast, RFA has become known as one of the nation’s most respected lobbying organizations, and our members have a lot to celebrate.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance Headquarters P.O. Box 3080 New Gretna, New Jersey 08224 Phone: 1-888-564-6732 toll free Fax: (609) 294-3812

Jim Donofrio Executive Director

Capt. Barry Gibson Jim Martin New England Regional Director West Coast Regional Director

John DePersenaire Managing Director

Gary Caputi Corporate Relations Director

Cover & Background Designs by Mustard Seed Graphics

T. J. Cheek Southeast Regional Director