Let me be clear about something. I kill fish…I eat fish. Not only that, I make a living taking other folks out to do the same…or at the very least, we stick hooks in fish, yank them out of the water, and then put them back…mostly to ensure that we have the opportunity to do […]
Author Archives: John McMurray
Straight Talk On Striped Bass
Addressing Common Misconceptions about Striper Management I’ll admit here that while I try real hard to NOT look at social media or other internet chatter on fisheries management stuff, I often can’t help it. I mean, I haven’t exactly found that arguing with people on Facebook is productive. So, I’ve become accustomed to reading, shaking […]
You Can’t Always Get What You Want…
Do Fishery Managers Actually Listen to the Public? I’ve been there…and it’s incredibly frustrating. For months, you do your best to educate folks on what are often complicated fishery management actions, explaining the options/alternatives that are on the table, and which one(s) will best protect the fishery and serve their/our interests. You urge people to […]
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 […]
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. […]