1.19.2017
January in Cape May, NJ.
Quiet time to reflect on the year past….
Yeah right! We never stopped working. I’m questioning why we stopped fishing. I have now heard reports of Mackerel being caught and with water temps staying about level, Id like to head out and check it out. Anybody up for it should call (609)849-9453 or email info@capemaycharters.com.
Instead of reflecting on last year, we are concentrating on the here and now and tomorrow. We are fixing the things that need fixing, preparring for our annual haul out, sanding, painting, fiberglassing, etc. We have completed some nice projects with Milt, Cape May’s very own shipwright. First mate Jim and Capt Jeff finished up the fiberglass job on the roof of the Lady Chris, so no more showers for the Captain on rainy days. Still lots of work to complete before Spring.
Captain Jeff has taken time this week to complete a National Marine Fisheries Educational Workshop about the Fisheries Management Approach and how it all works. I have some thoughts on this highly educational and enlightening subject.
Recreational Fishing is a staple of living at the shore. As sure as I am that I am a local and love boats, I too love fishing. From a young age, I went fishing with my father on both private boats and Party Fishing Boats. I learned quite a bit from age 8 to age 10 aboard the Royal Flush with Captain John Royals. My fishing education expanded further aboard the Miss Chris Fleet at age 11 with Captain Fred, Captain Butch and later on Captain Chris.Along the way I learned a ton from Captain Bob Lubberman and made many trips with him. I also was mentored a bit by Captain Bill Garrison and Captain Rick Shepanski from the Lady Catherine and Miss Andrea. My education expanded once more as my long time friend Captain Jason and I fished more and more as college came to an end. I even learned a bit from the Tournament crews of Viking Yacht Company in Cancun, Mexico, though little of that can be repeated on a family fishing website.
My passion for fishing has lead me to this blog for fishing reports, boat ownership and after 34 years of regulation, I find myself wanting to understand what it all means, how it all works, and how can I help to ensure my kids can have a similar experience to what I have had. I preface this with, not only am I as worried about the looming decision to cut the Fluke quota for the next five years, but I wonder what has happened to this seemingly thriving industry in the last two decades. The following party boats have disappeared and all in my life time.
1. Buccaneer 120 passengers
2. Holiday 80 passengers
3.Captain Robbins 80 passengers
4. Rainbow 60 passengers
5. Sea Raider 60 passengers
6. Adventurer 60 Passengers
7. Wildwood III 49 Passengers
8. Miss Loraine II 49 Passengers
9. Nada Jane 49 Passengers
10. Thunderbird 80 Passengers
11. Lauren K 49 Passengers
12. North Star Express 149 Passengers
13. Jessie O 75 Passengers
14. Miss Cape May 49 Passengers
15. Fiesta 80 Passengers
16. Sonnys Toy 49 Passengers
17. Big Jim 120 Passengers
18. Catchalot 80 Passengers
19. Angler 40 Passengers
20. Ebb Tide 149 Passengers
21. MS12 49 Passengers
22. Noreaster 12 Passengers
23. Native Dancer 49 Passengers
24. Morning Star 49 Passengers
25. Captain Craemmer 60 Passengers
26. Gallant Lady 30 Passengers
27. Super Spray 49 Passengers
28. Mariner 49 Passengers
29. Bodacious 60 Passengers
30. Lone Star 49 Passengers
31. Down Deep 12 Passengers
This list reflects boats that either were sold, went out of business or were simply moved out of the area. The boats below, except for the smaller charter boats, essentially coexisted with the vessels above. So basically we had 40 boats and now, in Cape May County we have 10.
Remaining Fleet
1. Miss Chris 80 Passengers
2. Sea Star III 60 Passengers
3. Porgy IV 80 Passengers
4. Cape May Lady 80 Passengers
5. Starlight 120Passengers
6. Atlantic Star 120 Passengers
7. Fins and Grins 30 Passengers
8. Royal Flush 80 Passengers
9. Miss Avalon 80 Passengers
10. Starfish 80 Passengers
11. Cape Queen 30 Passengers
12. Unreel 20 Passengers
I know, there are a billion reasons and none of them have to do with regulation….. Well maybe some of it does. ANd let me side step further in that I by no means want to paint the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Council or the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission as the bad guys. Quite the opposite. I trully as a fisherman, as a father and as a business owner want to help. These Government Organizations, like the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Council, governed by National Marine Fisheries which is under National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which is under the Department of Commerce are bound by law, mostly the Magnuson Stevens Act of 1976 and its reauthorization in 2006. This law, the underlying language of it along with the National Standards set fourth in the reauthorization are the reasons these hard working fisheries managers do what they do. Its not because they are tree huggers, bleeding heart liberals, ecologists, or fisherman haters. Its their job and the President of the United States made it that way back in 1976. After 40 years, its not going anywhere.
So, what have I learned. Well, I knew nothing about the process and i know almost enough to be dangerous now. I take away some key concepts which I would like to help with going forward. As a recreational angler, and a Party fishing boat owner, I get a sense that the for hire recreational fishing angler is completely mis-understood. I believe that recreational anglers as a whole need to stop squabling and decide on one voice in order to be heard. Petitions, and associations, alliances, protests are all good, but not enough.
Recreational Anglers need to start with better Science. The Council’s Science Teams are charged with determining biomass for each species and Acceptable Biological Catch and setting Catch Limites so that Overfishing does not occur. Commercial fishing, though reluctant at first, is now participating on an unprecedented level. Science is helping Commercial Fishing Captains dial in on the best areas to fish, which is also leading to an all new Habitat based Management plan which we heard a lot about. In any case, Commercial Fishermen are reporting on a daily basis their catch through Vessel Management Systems and other electronic means. This leads to quicker calculation of data for any given fishery, which leads to better science driving a better decision making process.
Recreational Anglers do not have this type of data collection occuring. Our reluctance to oversight and more laws has lead us to where we are now. We do not want to have regulations, but we have for decades. We do not want to have a Saltwater Registration in New Jersey, but we do. Our Party boats are covered by their own permits and licenses, however, if you intend to go fishing at the beach or on a rental boat, we strongly encourage signing up for the Saltwater Fishing License Here. Currenly all data is collected through surveys over the phone or in person. I encourage you to participate often by filling out this Form.
Here is the reason I want better data and better science. Right now, these surveys are conducted on the public. Only so many people are surveyed, and the rest of the estimation is left up to scientific probability and the rest drops into a large margin for error. The level of error can mean that a large buffer is left due to Scientific Uncertainty. So, if we as anglers provide better data, we can then make a case for less Scientific Uncertainty. Why is this important to Recreational Fishing? Because Commercial fishing is already providing pinpoint numbers. The Science exists for Commercial Fishermen to push and push and push for as much of the biomass as they can allowable have access to. They are participating in this Science and getting into a seemingly cozy i scratch your back you scratch mine relationship. And why not? They have a huge stake in fisheries. Billions of dollars invested and waiting to be made. What about Recreational Anglers?
Recreational Anglers also represent billions of dollars from boats to tackle to fuel spent, etc. And, there are lots of us. It seems when public comment on something as passionate as fluke comes up, no problem filling a bus of anglers hell bent on voicing their opnion that this is BS. Well, while the Public Comment period is important part of the process, according to some Greater Atlantic Regional Offices Fisheries staffers, this stage is too late to honestly steer the conversation. The time for this would have been the very beginning in a Scoping Hearing. This information is available on the Councils Website. They recommend signing up for email updates and choosing the species you wish to learn more about as time goes by. I did this and look forward to the email updates.
As an open access permit holder with National Marine Fisheries, I already receive snail mail updates. I myself after taking this workshop would like to do more and I believe a good start would be to get involved with an Advisory Panel. I hear there is an opening for Spiney Dogfish. Not exactly what I would like to assist with, but I have some thoughts and insights which may be of use on this seemingly unwanted recreational fish. I believe my thoughts would be better served if a more ecosystem based approach to management becomes the norm, as I see Spiney Dogfish as a lazy predator which nothing eats, though they seemingly eat everything, ergo bad for other tastier species.
Its been a learning curve and the acronyms still suck. ACL, ABC, RHL, BLAH BLAH BLAH. Its government speak I will admit. It all serves a purpose and it was all crafted by people far more intelligent than myself. I personally like the idea that there are people which have this as their job, are well versed in it, and are out to rebuild stocks to ensure my kids have the same chance at fishing as I do.
I do not appreciate the level of extrapolation and variance and general mumbo jumbo that is present in the science for calculating the number of fish in the sea. Yes its an impossible task. However, we have come a long way, and as anglers who want our favorite species to be around for the next generation and their kids and so on, we can do better. Or we need a new plan. We have no right to complain if we are not participating in the data which gets us to the issue, just like we have no right to complain if some of us are not involved in the rule making process at every stage of its development. Whether via going to council meetings, or simply watching the webinars, and submitting public comment, DO IT. This is one Captain who will not remain silent anymore!