Tag Archives: rockfish

Federal Aid Denied: Maryland’s Battle Against Blue Catfish Takes a Hit

In the ongoing struggle to mitigate the impact of blue catfish on the Chesapeake Bay’s ecosystem, Governor Wes Moore’s proactive approach, from last year, faces a setback as the request for a fishery resource disaster declaration has been denied by the federal government.  Blue catfish, a persistent problem in the Chesapeake Bay waterway for decades, pose a threat to the delicate balance of the ecosystem by preying on baby crabs, rockfish, and menhaden—integral components of the livelihood for commercial watermen. Maryland’s fishery revenue has already experienced a significant decline of 24%, falling short of the federal government’s required 35% decline to classify the invasive species as a disaster. Lynn Fegley, the Director of Fishing and Boating Services at Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), warns of potential future impacts on commercial fisheries. Video, more, >>click to read<< 10:35

Reopening Areas for Groundfish Fishing After 20 Years

NOAA Fisheries has published regulation changes that will open fishing areas that have been closed for over 20 years. These areas were originally closed in the early 2000s to protect several species of overfished rockfish. With the rebuilt status of almost all these groundfish species, these closures can slowly be opened and allow fishermen greater access to catch healthy fish stocks. The regulations will also close some small areas to protect groundfish habitat, yelloweye rockfish (a species that is still rebuilding), and sensitive areas with abundant coral.  These regulation changes are effective on January 1, 2024. Groundfish on the West Coast encompass over 90 species sharing one important trait: at some point in their life, they live on or near the ocean floor. Groundfish are a crucial part of West Coast underwater environments. They act as both predator and prey to different species and help maintain balance in underwater food chains. photos, charts, info, >>click to read<< 11:10

ASMFC says rockfish harvests need to be cut 17 percent

East Coast fishery managers last week took the first steps toward cutting the striped bass harvest 17 percent next year to help end overfishing of the popular species, which has been in decline for years. Options about how the harvest should be reduced will be presented to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission at its August meeting, after which proposals would go out for public comment. Final measures could be approved in October.,,, The issue of such “dead discards” — fish that die after being released by anglers — has gained more attention from fishery managers because the new assessment found,,, >click to read<08:45

Gerald Almy: Virginia’s trophy saltwater striped bass season canceled – >click to read<09:19

Rockfish make a remarkable recovery off California coast, prompting federal officials to raise catch limits

Locally caught red snapper was once a staple on Southern California menus and a vital part of the state’s fishing industry. But overfishing took its toll, resulting in federal restrictions nearly two decades ago to prevent their extinction. But with stocks rebuilding faster than anticipated, federal officials on Tuesday boosted catch limits by more than 100% for some species of rockfish in a move they said would help revive West Coast bottom trawlers and sportfishing fleets. >click to read<13:15

Jaws of life (Release the Kracken!)

“Conserving our planet one fish at a time.” You do a double-take when you see the sign. Because Randy Hupp’s a commercial fisherman. But he is serious about this. What he’s started, from his home in La Mesa, is not just a program to throw back fish from fishing boats — fish that are too young to be eaten, or too old, or too endangered — but to make sure they survive the throw-back. Because from the depths he fishes at, the fish get the bends, the excruciating decompression sickness fish and divers alike suffer if they come up from depth too quickly.,,  “So I got this idea to somehow grab each fish by the mouth, take him off the hook, clamp him to a weighted line, and send him back down to 150, maybe 300 feet.” >click to read<14:42

Kodiak jig fishermen explore other markets during poor cod season

Kodiak processors and fishermen are seeing the effects of the 80 percent cut to cod quota in the Gulf of Alaska. Some small boat fishermen who previously relied on targeting cod are turning to other means to make a profit. One way to do that is to join a community supported fishery, or CSF. That’s what some Kodiak jig fishermen are doing to bolster their incomes. Jig fisherman Darius Kasprzak holds up a scrap piece of iron from WWII. He says he picked it up off a beach and uses it as a weight for his line. “When people were making money cod fishing, you’d just buy lead weights, but those days are over.” >click to read< 14:36

Predator-prey relationship of Lingcod and Rockfish – Catching one improves chances for the other

The UW scientists examined this predator-prey relationship between lingcod and rockfish to see if allowing lingcod fishing in rockfish conservation areas could take some of the pressure off of rockfish and let small juveniles grow bigger and stronger to rival lingcod. Their models showed that modestly fishing for lingcod in these areas using different, more selective gear could avoid harming rockfish. It would also benefit fishermen and could bring more tasty fish to the market. “This is about the ability to actually use a resource that’s out there — lingcod, which is now a really reproductive and healthy stock,” said senior author Tim Essington, UW professor and associate director of the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Read the rest here 12:50

3-Minute Market Insight – Rockfish Market Update: Prices, Inventories, Fresh vs Frozen Markets

Bad weather kept boats at the docks, drying up both fresh and frozen inventories. The fresh market for Rockfish fillets is 40 cents higher than frozen products with much less labour, so processors are leaning towards the fresh market right now. Pacific Rockfish Inventories will Strengthen as the Market Floods with Fresh Products. Watch the video here 11:12

For Rockfish, A Tale Of Recovery, Hidden On Menus

 For West Coast commercial fishermen and seafood lovers, there is reason to cheer. “On the East Coast, they call striped bass ‘rockfish.’ You offer them a chilipepper,” Moonen says, citing the name of one rockfish species, “and call it a ‘rockfish’ and they’ll think they’re getting a striped bass.” “I think it’s more interesting to use the real names,” Rorapaugh says. “If you have thornyhead rockfish on the menu, it will start a conversation.” Read the rest here 09:42

The Center for Biological Diversity today filed a notice of intent to sue the National Marine Fisheries Service

“Every single fish matters in keeping these rockfish from going extinct,” said Center attorney Catherine Kilduff. “Some rockfish can live to be 100 years old, so wiping out Puget Sound rockfish is like clearcutting an old-growth forest.” continued@commondreams

CAPITAL GAZETTE: rockfish survey records all-time low-But lets not get ahead of ourselves! Article, and Analysis. Saving Menhaden Fisheries

Also critical to the striper stock’s health is  adequate food, principally menhaden. For year fishermen and fishing  conservation groups have argued that too many adult menhaden are being  harvested from the Chesapeake, and as a result a significant ,,,,,Analysis: The article, “Outdoors: Rock survey records all-time low” in the Capital Gazette, alleges that the current rate of menhaden fishing is having a negative impact on predator fish species, such as striped bass, even though the science behind these claims,,,,Read More.

http://www.savingseafood.org/conservation-environment/capital-gazette-rock-survey-records-all-tim.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SavingSeafoodRss+%28Saving+Seafood%29