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 […]
Author Archives: John McMurray
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 […]
Thank God For Bluefish…
Why We Should Be Focusing On Fish In The Water, Rather Than Extraction While it’s probably not great for business for me to admit it, I’ve gotta be honest, on the striped bass front, it’s been tough going this spring. Lots of small fish around, but those 30-plus inch fish, (I’m talking specifically about the […]
‘Modern Fish Act’… Not Okay
Top photo: Bluefish are managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Supporters of the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act try and unify anglers around the bill… But it sure as hell ain’t good for most of “us” Let me start this off by saying things seem pretty dark lately. They always do for me during this time […]
This is What I’m Thankful For
Top photo: Menhaden off Montauk. Credit Captain John McMurray Editor’s note: Captain John McMurray’s piece first appeared on FISSUES.org. We are sharing it today because we believe it reflects what many of us are also thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving. 2017 was a good year, but in the end, it can all go away pretty easily […]
With Menhaden, Industry Arguments Just Don’t Make Sense
Next week, will ASMFC heed common sense and on-the-water experience? Top photo: A striper eating bunker Last week, I received a brief release from the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition, titled National Wildlife Federation Revives Menhaden Myths with Latest Petition. The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition describes itself as “a coalition of menhaden fishermen, related businesses, and supporting industries,” […]
On The Disdain For Abundant Fish Stocks
Editor mocks fly fishermen, light-tackle anglers, and everyone else who benefits from “abundance.” Last week I stumbled across what seemed like a somewhat useful piece from The Fisherman Magazine titled “ALPHABET SOUP: TOP 25 FISHY ACRONYMS.” The intent at first seemed to be to bring some clarity to the mess of words/acronyms regularly used in […]