Striped Bass, Menhaden, Bluefish & Recreational/Commercial Allocation Topped the Agenda Top Photo: Bunker and striper; Credit: John McMurray Last week the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission met, in part, jointly with the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council to consider a number of issues. Of course, because of the COVID 19 pandemic, Commissioners and Council members […]
Author Archives: John McMurray
Weathering The Storm: On COVID-19 and the Saltwater Guide Industry
Photo by John McMurray These last several weeks have been awful. No matter how hard I try to find a silver lining, there sure doesn’t appear to be one. If you live in the tri-state area and don’t know anyone who’s been sick yet, you are in the minority. And if you’re on the other […]
Striped Bass & Menhaden Headline This Week’s ASMFC Meeting
Good news with menhaden, but it’s likely the Commission will fall short on striped bass Menhaden So, here’s the good news. It is highly likely, after a good 20 years of advocacy by anglers and environmental groups, that we’ll see menhaden managed in the context of its value as a prey species, by as early […]
Another Year On The Water… And Off It
Top photo by Ralph D’Angelo The grind, the glory, and the absurdity of giving a crap Well, it’s done. Finally. Jan 2, the 36′ Contender just got wrapped and the 31′ is stripped and on a trailer, ready to go north for some long overdue shop work. The Maritime Skiff’s rear-end is bare, waiting for […]
At Last Week’s ASMFC/MAFMC Meeting, Here’s What Went Down
Big Cuts for Bluefish, While Scup and Black Seabass Dodge a Bullet This article first appeared on Fissues.org On Dec 10th and 11th, the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission met jointly to complete 2020 recreational fishing specifications for bluefish, summer flounder, scup and black seabass. Here’s what happened. […]
In 2018 — This Is What I’m Thankful For, And This Is What I’m Not
I’m darn lucky to be doing this, but how long can I keep doing it? As I’m writing this, I’m on my way to Vermont to spend Thanksgiving with my parents. My wife is driving, snow is falling. And in a rare moment, my kids are quiet, heads down in laptops. But me… my mind […]
Of The Sea
Surfers, divers, fishers… This is our legacy. So speak the hell up! My name is John McMurray, and I’m an ocean-junkie. I make a living from the sea. And saltwater courses though my veins. Almost every day, I get my fix – when the alarm-clock starts screaming at 3am; when I start the engine up; […]
Code Red Herring!
One of the most important forage fish in the ocean is in trouble, but YOU can do something about it Top photo: Atlantic herring, via John McMurray Atlantic herring are in bad shape. No ifs, ands or buts about it. A recent stock assessment confirmed what most of us already knew – the sea herring […]