Fishing News 20240401-20240407
Fishing News 20240401-20240407 – Here you can check out some international news that has something to do with fishing. Some items are very actual.
New Tool Helps Manage Coastal Development (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
April 1, 2024
(source: ecori.org – by Rob Smith)
State regulators in Rhode Island now have a valuable resource to aid decision-making on shoreline development projects. The Rhode Island Recreational Fishing Tool is a first-of-its-kind survey conducted in the state.
Unveiling Angler Preferences
Over 300 residents participated in the survey, revealing their preferred fishing spots and target species. This data was used to create a GIS map highlighting roughly 2,500 coastal fishing locations across Rhode Island. The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) anticipates using this tool when evaluating permits that could impact fishing, such as aquaculture siting.
Collaboration for Informed Decisions (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
The Rhode Island Recreational Fishing Tool is a collaborative effort between CRMC, the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), and several other key entities. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive approach to understanding coastal user needs.
Popular Fishing Spots Revealed
The survey results provide valuable insights into Rhode Island’s most frequented fishing destinations. Fort Adams and Brenton State Parks in Newport, Point Judith and the Narrow River mouth in Narragansett, and the Charlestown Breachway top the list. Other popular spots include Galilee in Narragansett, Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, and Weaver Cove in Portsmouth.
Angler Preferences by Season and Species
The survey also sheds light on seasonal fishing trends and target species. Striped bass, black sea bass, and bluefish are the most popular catches among Rhode Island anglers. Interestingly, 97% of respondents fish in the summer, followed by spring (78%) and fall (77%). Winter fishing attracts only 22% of participants.
Economic Significance of Recreational Fishing(Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
Recreational fishing is a significant economic driver for Rhode Island. Over 80,000 residents and an equal number of out-of-state visitors enjoy this activity, contributing an estimated $419 million annually to the state’s economy through hospitality, restaurants, bait shops, and marinas.
Balancing Interests: Mitigating Conflict
However, tensions have arisen in recent years between the recreational fishing industry and offshore wind and aquaculture development. These industries compete for space, raising concerns among anglers about losing prime fishing spots. This friction even led to the resignation of CRMC’s Fishermen’s Advisory Board last year.
Finding Common Ground: New Tool Fosters Collaboration
Despite past tensions, the Rhode Island Recreational Fishing Tool offers a promising solution. Scott Travers, Executive Director of RISAA, praised the tool as a “fantastic tool” that can help streamline the permitting process. He highlighted an instance where an aquaculture applicant used the data to adjust their lease plan, minimizing potential conflicts with recreational anglers.
Ongoing Benefits: Long-Term Solution (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
The Rhode Island Recreational Fishing Tool is expected to be updated every 5-10 years, ensuring its continued effectiveness in managing coastal development and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
Scottish Politicians Show Support for Fishing Industry (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
April 2, 2024
(source: westcoasttoday.co.uk – by Fiona Scott)
Politicians from across the spectrum in Scotland have pledged their support for the country’s fishing industry. This backing comes amidst an exhibition, “Pride in the Seas,” showcasing the human faces behind Scottish fishing.
Highlighting the Industry’s Value
The exhibition, co-organized by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) and photographer Ian Georgeson, features portraits and stories of those working in fishing. Scottish Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon praised the industry’s “spirit and vitality,” highlighting its contribution to jobs, culture, and sustainable practices. The government, she affirmed, is committed to collaborating with the fishing sector to navigate challenges and ensure a thriving future.
Focus on Key Issues
A signed pledge by politicians calls for measures to strengthen fishing communities, ensure food security, protect access to fishing grounds, and recognize the industry’s role in producing healthy and sustainable protein.
SFF Welcomes the Support (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
Elspeth Macdonald, CEO of the SFF, expressed appreciation for the positive engagement from politicians. Recognizing the diverse makeup of Scotland, she emphasized the importance of support not just from coastal areas, but also from inland regions. Macdonald underscored the critical role fishing plays in food security and achieving net-zero goals, while acknowledging the industry’s commitment to continuous improvement.
Sharing the Story Nationwide
Following its successful debut, the “Pride in the Seas” exhibition will embark on a tour across Scotland, visiting towns, schools, museums, and other public venues. This initiative by the SFF, representing 450 fishing vessels across Scotland, serves to educate the public and garner wider support for a vital part of the nation’s economy and heritage.
Crisis on the Yukon River: Chinook Salmon Face Fishing Ban (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
April 3, 2024
(source: cbc.ca – by Julien Gignac)
Chinook salmon populations in the Yukon River are in dire straits. To aid their recovery, a historic agreement between Canada and Alaska suspends fishing of the species for seven years – a full salmon life cycle.
Dismal Numbers Prompt Drastic Measures
The number of chinook salmon reaching Canadian waters has plummeted for years, with 2023 marking one of the worst tallies ever. The agreement acknowledges various threats to the fish, including habitat degradation, hatchery practices, and climate change.
Setting Ambitious Goals for Recovery
The agreement establishes a new target: 71,000 Canadian-origin chinook must reach spawning grounds annually for the next seven years. Reaching this target involves reducing accidental catches in other fisheries, restoring river habitats, and researching diseases impacting salmon survival. Additionally, both governments will seek increased funding for restoration efforts.
Historic Suspension of Fishing (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
The agreement represents a significant shift in management strategy. Previously, fishing quotas were set annually. Steve Gotch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada highlights the scale of the suspension, noting that commercial fisheries capture up to 95% of migrating chinook. He emphasizes the critical need for all chinook to reach spawning grounds and rebuild the population.
Recognizing the Cost of Conservation
Alaska’s Fish and Game Commissioner, Doug Vincent-Lang, acknowledges the economic sacrifices involved but emphasizes the long-term benefits. He stresses the shared interest in a healthy Canadian chinook stock for both nations.
Balancing Conservation with Cultural Needs
The agreement allows for limited ceremonial harvests by Indigenous groups, contingent on the annual salmon numbers. If projections indicate a surplus exceeding the 71,000 target, subsistence fishing opportunities might be considered. Negotiators recognized the cultural significance of the Yukon River chinook salmon for Yukon First Nations and Alaska Native tribes and aimed to minimize disruption to these traditions.
Manx Fishing Industry Embraces Sustainable Practices (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
April 4, 2024
(source: bbc.com – by Rebecca Brahde)
The Isle of Man is taking a “significant step forward” in its fishing industry and food policies, according to Jack Emmerson, the government’s sea fisheries manager. A ban on bottom trawling in three designated areas off the west coast, effective April 8th, paves the way for a new, eco-friendly langoustine fishery.
New Quota and Eco-Friendly Methods
This initiative follows the Isle of Man’s successful bid for a 100-tonne langoustine quota from the UK. To ensure long-term sustainability, the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture has implemented a ban on bottom trawling in these areas until December 2026. This timeframe allows for research on blue carbon and seabed habitats, alongside an evaluation of the trial fishery.
Protecting the Seabed and Mitigating Climate Change (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
The ban safeguards sensitive marine habitats within the western Irish Sea mud-belt. Bottom trawling, a method that drags nets along the seabed, can disrupt these ecosystems. The new regulations prioritize the use of creels, baited traps placed on the seabed, which have a significantly lower impact on the environment and minimize unintended bycatch.
Balancing Sustainability and Research
“These measures strike a balance,” explains Emmerson. They prioritize sustainable local food production, environmental protection, and the need for further research into the role these marine habitats play in mitigating climate change.
Manx Fish Producers Lead the Way
David Beard, representing the Manx Fish Producers Organisation, expresses enthusiasm for the initiative. The initial catches from the new creel fishery, he says, solidify the Isle of Man’s position “at the forefront of sustainable fisheries management.”
Beware, Anglers: Licences Required to Avoid Fines (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
April 5, 2024
(source: keighleynews.co.uk – by Alistair Shand)
The Environment Agency in Keighley district is reminding anglers of the importance of obtaining a proper licence before fishing. Over 50 individuals from the area recently faced court proceedings for fishing illegally, resulting in hefty fines.
The Cost of Non-Compliance
The total penalties imposed surpassed £21,000, with fines reaching nearly £10,000 and additional court costs exceeding £11,000. The majority of offenses involved fishing without a valid licence.
Protecting Fisheries for the Future
“Illegal fishing is a serious offense,” emphasizes Paul Caygill, a fisheries enforcement officer with the Environment Agency. He highlights the deterrent effect of these penalties, aiming to discourage individuals from violating fishing regulations.
Invest in Sustainability: Purchase a Licence (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
Mr. Caygill emphasizes the affordability of licences, with a one-day permit costing only £6.60 and an annual licence priced at £33. He stresses that a simple purchase could have prevented the court appearances and subsequent fines.
Funding for a Sustainable Future
Revenue generated from licence sales directly supports efforts to improve and safeguard fish stocks and fisheries across the UK. These efforts ensure that fishing remains a sustainable activity for generations to come. Mr. Caygill concludes by emphasizing that illegal fishing undermines these critical conservation efforts.
Licence Requirement: A Reminder
The Environment Agency reiterates that all anglers aged 13 and over require a valid licence to fish in any river, canal, or still water body within England and Wales.
Sault Tribe Challenges Great Lakes Fishing Decree (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
April 6, 2024
(source: eu.sooeveningnews.com – by BRENDAN WIESNER)
The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is contesting the recently implemented 2023 Great Lakes Fishing Decree. They filed an appeal on April 3rd, arguing that the decree violates their treaty rights and denies them due process.
A Decree Governing Tribal Fishing Rights
The 2023 decree, approved in August 2023, manages commercial fishing in Michigan’s Great Lakes for the next 24 years. It considers the interests of various stakeholders, including tribal nations with fishing rights secured in the 1836 Treaty of Washington.
The Tribe’s Objections
The Sault Tribe contends that the decree unfairly restricts their fishing activities. These limitations include designated fishing areas, permitted fish species, and allowable gear. The tribe emphasizes the cultural and economic significance of their fisheries program, highlighting their commitment to sustainable practices.
Generational Responsibility and Cultural Significance (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes emphasizes their adherence to the “seventh generation principle,” which requires considering the impact of present actions on future generations. He explains that this principle motivates their appeal of the decree. The tribe’s significant contributions to fish stock restoration exemplify their dedication to responsible fishery management.
A Longstanding Tradition Under Threat
Chairman Lowes underscores the tribe’s long history of commercial and subsistence fishing in the Great Lakes. He asserts that these activities not only sustain their people but are also deeply woven into their cultural identity.
Due Process Concerns
The tribe argues that Judge Maloney’s approval of the decree in 2023 disregarded their right to due process. They requested a trial to present expert testimony that they believe should have been considered in formulating the decree.
Challenging Tribal Sovereignty (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
Chairman Lowes expresses outrage that the tribe, present before Michigan’s statehood, requires approval for fishing in ceded waters. He views the decree as an erosion of their sovereign rights and indigenous rights secured by treaties.
The Road Ahead
The U.S. Court of Appeals has until May 10th to respond to the tribe’s appeal. Following the court’s response, arguments in the case can begin.
From Donkey Brays to Real Joy: Fishing Derby Benefits Hay River Youth (Fishing News 20240401-20240407)
April 7, 2024
(source: cabinradio.ca – by Ollie Williams)
The serenity of an early spring morning on Prelude Lake is momentarily broken by a digital donkey bray. This sound, courtesy of the FishDonkey app used for managing fishing derbies, signifies a new leader on the scoreboard. Thankfully, the real impact of the NWT Arctic Anglers Family Fishing Derby extends far beyond the app’s lighthearted noises.
Funds Flow South: Supporting Hay River Youth
While the derby unfolds on Prelude Lake, the true celebration is happening 200 kilometers south in Hay River. This year’s proceeds from the event will directly benefit the town’s youth centre, a vital resource for local youth aged 12-18. Scott Clouthier, the centre’s executive director, expressed his delight, highlighting the unrestricted nature of these funds. These resources will help cover essential expenses like rent, utilities, and internet access, which are often overlooked by other funding sources. As Clouthier emphasizes, these flexible funds are crucial for keeping the centre operational and ensuring program continuity.
Community Support Through Participation
By Saturday afternoon, the derby had already attracted nearly 150 teams, translating to an estimated 400-600 individual participants. Clayton Bell, president of the NWT Arctic Anglers, explains the decision to support the Hay River youth centre, particularly considering the recent hardships faced by the community due to evacuations. Bell emphasizes the derby’s charitable focus, highlighting that each of the past seven editions has raised funds for NWT charities, drawing anglers from across the territory and beyond.
Sustainability at the Core: Catch-and-Release Focus
The derby operates under a catch-and-release format, prioritizing the health of the fish population. Organizers, including Ben Balmer, acknowledge the potential negative impact of removing large numbers of fish from the lake. They express pride in their commitment to sustainable practices, ensuring the derby leaves a minimal environmental footprint.