Releases – December 15, 2011
With a December 31 deadline looming, support is surging for legislation to ensure that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service uses sound science to set catch limits for the nation’s fisheries as a Senate version of the Fishery Science Improvement Act was introduced by Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL).
As amended in 2006, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires Regional Fishery Management Councils to put in place annual catch limits (ACLs) for every fishery by December 31, 2011. The requirements were intended to end overfishing by 2011 but were predicated on two critical assumptions: catch limit decisions would be based on up-to-date and accurate stock assessments; and there would be improved catch data to better anticipate potential problems in a given fishery. Neither of these obligations has been met.
“Fishery management decisions should be based on sound science,” Sen. Nelson said. “This legislation will ensure that science is a priority.”
“It’s a simple formula,” said Sen. Rubio. “Regulatory decisions, if necessary, should always be based on sound science. This legislation provides a simple answer to fishermen and to fishery managers.”
Similar to legislation introduced in the House by Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) and 34 bi-partisan co-authors, the Nelson/Rubio Bill has the backing of a broad coalition of fishing, boating and industry groups that see a critical need for federal managers to avoid an unacceptable situation in which arbitrary deadlines are being allowed to trump the essential need for science-based management of our marine resources.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus—the largest bi-partisan, bi-cameral caucus in the U.S. Congress with nearly 300 Members representing all 50 states—has lent its powerful voice to call for this legislation that will safeguard the strong conservation standards of the Magnuson-Stevens Act while addressing the shortcomings within NOAA Fisheries. The bill has the support of American Sportfishing Association (ASA), Center for Coastal Conservation (Center), Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), International Game Fish Association (IGFA), National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), and The Billfish Foundation (TBF).
To maintain the Magnuson-Stevens conservation tenets, the Nelson/Rubio Bill would not apply to stocks that have already been determined to be overfished. However, it offers key components that are intended to steer NOAA Fisheries back to the true intention of the 2006 MSA reauthorization. The bill states that if NOAA Fisheries has not done a stock assessment on a particular stock in the last six years, and there is no indication that overfishing is occurring, an annual catch limit on that stock is not required.
“The legislation is critical to sportsmen from coast to coast to coast,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “NOAA Fisheries needs this discrete legislative fix to ensure that recreational and commercial fishermen are not left at the dock because of the agency’s lack of science.”
The federal government currently has approximately 528 fish stocks or complexes of stocks under management, and today only 121 of those stocks are considered “adequately assessed.” If the agency does not have the data to even hazard a guess about an ACL for some species, there is currently an option for the agency to simply remove those stocks from all management protections, which is not a desirable result. The Nelson/Rubio Bill provides a timely path for NOAA Fisheries to manage all of America’s marine fish stocks based on sound science.
“Conservation of our marine resources is important to anglers, so much so that we demand a level of confidence and trust in the federal fisheries management system,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Coastal Conservation. “The Nelson/Rubio Bill strengthens the ties between science and the rational management of our resources. The ultimate goal of this bill is to achieve sound management practices that make economic sense for the country, conservation sense for the resource, and common sense for anglers.”
For a fact sheet on the Nelson/Rubio Bill (S.1916), go to www.asafishing.org.
Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, in Wrightsville Beach, has announced that the 2012 Johnnie Mercer’s Pier Dogfish Tournament will be held on January 28 from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
While not producing a single dogfish, last year’s event was a record breaker for attendance. A total of 136 anglers took part, and at times the other visitors swelled the event to well over 200 people out over the water.
“This is a great opportunity for friends to get together and pursue their love of fishing,” said Rick Britt, one of the originators of this event.
It was originally started by some of the regular fishermen at Johnnie Mercers Pier as a way to get together in the off-season and kick the doldrums of cabin fever by braving the elements and getting out over the water for a day of fishing.
Fishing conditions have varied over the years for the JMP Dogfish. “One year it’s freezing rain or snow, and the next it is sunny and warm. You have to come prepared for both,” said Eric Kielmeyer, from Columbus, Ohio, who makes the trip every year.
People last year came from as far away as Columbus, Ohio; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and Charleston, West Virginia.
Dogfish are active all year long in the waters of North Carolina, and the eligible fish include both the spiny and smooth dogfish.
The North Carolina Fishing Pier Society (www.ncfps.com) is pleased once again to participate in this event, and the North Carolina Public Access Foundation (www.ncpaf.com) will be donating the trophies. The cost to participate is $5.00 per rod plus the normal pier fee of $8.00 per rod. There will be door prizes, and the entry fee money will be redistributed to the top three anglers that weigh in the three biggest dogfish, either smooth or spiny, during the tournament. All fish entered must be released alive to be considered for prizes.
Prior to the event, the NCPAF will be conducting a raffle to raise money to preserve access to North Carolina’s natural resources.
For more information on the event, go to www.ncfps.com/specialevents, or you can call Al Baird at (704) 293-5524 or contact Johnnie Mercer’s Pier at (910) 256-2743.
On November 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was yet again petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and two other anti-fishing groups, requesting that the agency regulate the manufacture and sale of lead fishing tackle of certain sizes and uses under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). If approved, such regulation could result in a de facto ban of lead sinkers, jigs, and other popular types of fishing equipment.
This comes on the heels of a similar petition that the EPA dismissed in November 2010. The original petition also sought to ban lead hunting and shooting ammunition, which is exempted from regulation under TSCA. In dismissing the original petition, the EPA indicated that the “petitioners have not demonstrated that the requested rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, as required by the TSCA.”
“The sportfishing community is once again asking the EPA to rule on the side of scientific fish and wildlife population management and dismiss this unwarranted petition,” said American Sportfishing Association (ASA) Vice President Gordon Robertson. “Such regulations will have a significant, negative impact on recreational anglers and the sportfishing industry, yet the petitioners lack credible science to back such a far-reaching request. They claim lead is threatening loons across the nation, but several studies, including one by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have shown that loon populations are either stable or increasing throughout most of their range.”
“Despite the EPA’s clear ruling, the petitioners continue to attempt to push the ban,” said Robertson. “This further demonstrates the need for a legislative solution to this growing threat to recreational fishing. In response, the co-chairs of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus have introduced the Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act, which would prevent an overreaching ban of lead fishing tackle. With anti-fishing organizations trying to over-regulate fishing using whatever means they can, legislation is needed to protect traditional fishing tackle and ammunition from unjustified bans that will harm the economy and reduce participation in outdoor activities.”
“Last year more than 43,000 anglers sent their objections to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson through KeepAmericaFishing™,” said Robertson. “ASA encourages members of the sportfishing industry and the angling public to contact the EPA in opposition to the petition and to urge their Members of Congress to support the Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act. ASA will soon provide suggested comments on www.KeepAmericaFishing.org. The sportfishing industry applauds the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus for its leadership and for so powerfully addressing an issue that urgently needs a dose of common sense.”
Two of the three petitioners are currently engaged in a lawsuit against the EPA’s dismissal of the original petition to ban lead fishing tackle. “The petitioners are taking advantage of our federal government, ignoring the decision that the EPA made just a year ago and working around the ongoing litigation that they filed shortly after that decision,” said Robertson. “This is a gaming of the system and ASA urges the EPA to deny the most recent petition and asks all anglers to voice their support for the Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act.”
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed renovations to the Newport Boating Access Area in Carteret County, and it is now open to the public.
An obsolete, 7-foot wide boat ramp at the site was replaced with a 14-foot wide ramp. Renovations also included a new 60-foot long by 8-foot wide floating dock. The site is now ADA compliant with the completion of an accessible parking space and sidewalk.
“With limited access to the Newport River, we are proud to be able to provide this newly renovated access area to the public,” said Brian Watson, a boating technician with the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “The river, and Bogue Sound, which is only a few miles away, is a popular destination for recreational boaters, anglers, and hunters.”
The renovations were funded through the Sport Fish Restoration Program and motorboat registration receipts.
For more information on boating in North Carolina, including an interactive map of more than 200 free, 24-hour boating access areas, visit www.ncwildlife.org and click on “boating.”
After the closing of Sanford’s Choplin Marine, Chatlee Marine has acquired their former competitor’s remaining inventory.
“We purchased their entire inventory,” Chatlee’s Chris Martin explained. “It wasn’t exactly a buyout. They were closing due to a death in the family, and it worked out for both of us.”
Included in the acquisition were dozens of boats from all the manufacturers that Choplin represented, along with outboard motors and more.
“We’re not going to be a dealer for their product lines,” Martin said, “but we will be selling out the remainder of their inventory.”
Of principal interest to saltwater anglers would be the Sea Fox line, so anyone interested in purchasing a new Sea Fox should inquire as to the models Chatlee has available.
The company would also like to offer local marine service to any of Choplin’s former customers.
“We‘ll be glad to help any of Choplin’s customers with service and assist in any other boating needs they might have,” Martin continued.
Carolina Beach is striving to make its boat basin and waters more friendly to transient boaters, garnering attention from nautical publications that, until recently, advised boaters to pass by the area due to limited facilities.
Principal in the improvements are a transient mooring field currently under construction in the widest area of the yacht basin. This will be the first municipal mooring field in NC waters, and it should be ready to accommodate vessels from 26-55’ in length by Spring 2012.
New (and free!) dayboater slips in the southwest corner of the town’s marina will allow those in smaller vessels to tie up and enjoy the town for the day.
Enhancing local water quality is also a priority for the town, and to that end they’re installing filtration systems on stormwater outfalls in Myrtle Grove Sound.
These are only a few of the efforts the town of Carolina Beach is currently undertaking to enhance their appeal to the boating public. More information is available at the Carolina Beach Harbor Basin’s website at www.myrtlegrovesound.com.
