At the May ASMFC/MAFMC MEETING, Here’s What Went Down

At the May ASMFC/MAFMC MEETING, Here’s What Went Down

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 […]

Striped Bass & Menhaden Headline This Week’s ASMFC Meeting

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 […]

At Last Week’s ASMFC/MAFMC Meeting, Here’s What Went Down

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. […]

Of The Sea

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!

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 […]