No Fluke

Electronic monitoring good for some species

Captain Dave Monti
Posted 9/17/15

Fish managers are always looking for ways to reduce the cost of implementing fisheries management plans for various species.  In an effort to determine cost efficiency, a recent National Oceanic …

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No Fluke

Electronic monitoring good for some species

Posted

Fish managers are always looking for ways to reduce the cost of implementing fisheries management plans for various species.  In an effort to determine cost efficiency, a recent National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries study compared the cost of monitoring some commercial fisheries with electronic technologies to the cost of at sea monitoring observers. 

The study found that electronic technologies can be a cost-efficient monitoring option in some cases, but not always. Findings suggest technology on commercial fishing vessels, such as on-board camera systems combined with GPS tracking systems, hydraulic and drum rotation sensors all feeding into an onboard computer, may be most cost-effective for monitoring compliance, such as in the midwater trawl herring and mackerel fisheries. However, the study also shows that human observers proved more cost-efficient than electronic technologies at catch accounting, such as required for groundfish sectors.

In a study advisory NOAA Fisheries related that any monitoring program must weigh many factors including data quality, feasibility, and cost. This analysis of relative costs fills an important information gap, and is a first step that will help inform the broader discussion taking place at the New England Fishery Management Council (and other regional Councils) about the most effective way to monitor fisheries. 

You can find the full reports, including details about factors driving program costs and study assumptions at www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/. Contact Jennifer Goebel, NOAA's Regional Office, at 978-281-6175 or Jennifer.Goebel@noaa.gov for information and questions.

Electronic reporting and recreational fishing

Electronic monitoring (more like reporting) is also being explored to monitor recreational fishing on charter and party boats through the use of smart phones, tablets and computers.  A Rhode Island pilot project spearheaded by ten charter captains successfully did this for two years. They are advocating for the charter boats to be assigned a quota and use electronic reporting and data collection to make sure they stay within quota.

Additionally, there have been several volunteer programs where catch and fishing effort has been successfully recorded and reported from private recreational anglers.  New electronic reporting and monitoring software is being developed and tested every day for recreational fishing, a fishing sector that historically has not reported catch and effort. Catch and effort data would allow fish managers to better manage recreational fisheries, many feel fishing regulations may become more liberal with some species as fish managers would have better data to estimate the number of fish being taken out of the water by recreational fishers. 

Newport International Boat Show this week

The largest boat show in New England, the Newport International Boat show, will 'kick off' the fall boat show season, this Thursday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20th.

The Newport International Boat Show provides visitors from Rhode Island and around the world a venue to see the latest boats and product offerings from hundreds of manufacturers and dealers, including dozens debuting for the first time in the United States. Show planners are offering a variety of educational and fun activities for boating enthusiasts of all ages and experience.  For information visit www.newportboatshow.com. 

Where's the bite

Anglers are catching a lot of different fish.  

Bonito and false albacore have been hot at Pt. Judith with both species running wild on the outgoing tide both Saturday and Sunday morning this week.  

Angler Jack Leyden said, "I had a trifecta today, caught a false albacore and then we moved on to catch fluke and black sea bass at Pt. Judith." Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown, said, "Anglers had a good time with the bonito and false albacore outside and inside the West Wall of the Harbor of Refuge.  

Angler Eric Duda on the RI Saltwater Anglers blog said that after fishing for scup under the Newport Bridge Saturday he decided to try his luck top water fishing.  Eric said, "I used a one ounce green Deadly Dick lure, casting near the bridge pillars.  First fish was an 11 pound false albacore, then three stripers in the 23" range and one very large bluefish about ten pounds."  

Phil Matteson of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown, said, "Bonito fishing remains hot and for the past two weeks the false albacore have been with them all along the coastal shore."

Striped bass fishing remains good on Block Island.  Snug Harbor Marina held there Midnight Madness Striper Shootout from 6:00 p.m. Saturday to 10:00 a.m. Sunday.  First place went to Kyle Dawson of Greenhill with a 47.9 pound fish; 2nd place to Brandon Lake of Warwick with a 45.6 pound bass; and 3rd place was taken by Kyle Oneppo of Warwick with a 31.5 pound striped bass. Phil Matteson of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown said, "Bass are moving towards shore and onto the beaches with anglers catching fish from the Charlestown Breachway, form the beaches and from boats in the 20 to 25 pound range."  

Offshore fishing was slow last week due to bad weather but things are expected to improve this week.  Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina said, "The weather hopefully turned up the water and cooled off the surface a bit.  This usually enhances the bite giving us more action on the top." Capt. Frank Blount of the Francis Fleet said, "This week we came back with some big yellowfin in the 80-90 pound range as well as some smaller ones and a few good size Mahi."

Fluke fishing has slowed as anglers start to target others species. However, there are some quality fish still being caught.  Roger Simpson of the Frances Fleet said, "We continue to find some quality fluke with fish upwards to eight pounds recorded this week near structure. Better drift conditions dictated more fluke but for early/mid-September there are no complaints."  Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle Warren said "We had two anglers catch 20" fluke this week in the Warren River in about 25 feet of water.  One angler (Eddy) who fishes from the Warren (bike path) Bridge was fishing for scup with clam tongue when the 20" fluke hit.  This is unusual for this time of year." bass bite is good. Giselle Golembeski said, "Headed to the East Grounds Saturday, nice smooth ride over. 12 nice sea bass to 4 pounds and two fluke one 18 1/2" and the other 6 pounds. Absolutely gorgeous out there today. Phil Matteson of Breachway Bait & Tackle said, "Anglers are catching black sea bass and scup from the Charlestown Breachway using clams and squid."

"Bluefish are surfacing, top water feeding frenzies are occurring in the East passage from Conimicut Light to Warwick Light. It is nice to have the back again.  We have so much bait in the Bay of all types.  Last week Gaspee was filled with pogies." said Greg Bruning of the Tackle Box, Warwick.  Phil Matteson of Breachway Bait said, "Anglers are landing large bluefish from the beaches and the Breachway.  The bluefish bite has been excellent."  

"Tautog fishing is good with anglers catching keepers and an occasional large fish in the 22" range." said Phil Matteson of Breachway Bait & Tackle.

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing for over 40 years. He holds a captain's master license and a charter fishing license. Visit Captain Dave's No Fluke website at www.noflukefishing.com or e-mail him with your fishing news and photos at dmontifish@verizon.net.

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