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The
Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
April 28 - May 4, 2005 Edition
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State adjusts commercial striper regs for season beginning July 12 April 28, 2005
This season, striper fishermen may only take fish on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Last season, commercial fishermen were allowed to take fish Sunday through Wednesday. Meeting on April 7, the MFC also approved a series of regulatory changes proposed by the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) that will affect recreational fishermen seeking scup, fluke, and certain species of shark. The changes in striped bass regulations are designed to avoid the market gluts that have repeatedly occurred in recent years. Last season, the striped bass, a fish synonymous with the waters of the Cape and Islands, disappeared from market shelves and restaurant menus by mid-August. Although the fish were still available to be caught, fishermen had filled the state's commercial quota in less than five weeks, and the closely monitored fishery was shut down. The new changes will also allow fish dealers to import documented whole striped bass less than the state's 34-inch commercial minimum length prior to the July 12 season opening and again beginning five days after the close of the season. State fisheries managers said the goal is to provide a steady supply of fish so dealers and restaurants are able to build and maintain market demand. The new regulations set a daily catch limit of five fish on Sunday, but leave in place the current 30 fish limit during Tuesday through Thursday. Paul Diodati, DMF executive director, said the division did not want to eliminate the opportunity for fishermen to go out on the weekend in what has traditionally been a part-time fishery. According to a DMF press release, “These actions were taken to reduce the rate the overall quota will be consumed and to improve availability of fresh bass for weekend markets, retail outlets (retail dealers, restaurants), and consumers on a year-round basis.” The division also decided to take no action on a proposal to bar charter fishermen who also hold a commercial permit from taking fish when carrying recreational fishermen for hire. Current regulations allow sport fishermen to take two fish per day over 28 inches in length. In order to comply with inter-state fishery management plans, the MFC approved changes in recreational size limits for black sea bass, fluke, and scup. The new scup regulations are expected to dramatically affect shore fishermen in search of the tasty pan fish, who will now have to catch a fish at least ten and a half inches long. The minimum size for fluke was increased from 16.5 inches to 17 inches; the closed seasons for black sea bass were eliminated; and the scup minimum size was increased from 10 to 10 1/2 inches and the open fishing season was shortened to four months, from May 1 through August 31. Scup bag limits were reduced to 25 fish per angler, and 50 per vessel for private vessels with 2 or more anglers aboard. The MFC also approved new prohibitions on the retention of basking, dusky, sand tiger, and white sharks. When caught, a protected species of shark “must be released to ensure maximum probability of survival.” For more complete information on new fishery regulations, go to www.mass.gov/marinefisheries. Past Favorites: Fisherman artist captures spirit of Derby grand slam, October 14, 2004 This fishing Derby is not a man's world, October 7, 2004 59th Bass and Bluefish Derby heads into home stretch, September 30, 2004 For angler Olga Hirshhorn, a dream comes true, September 23, 2004 59th Derby off to quick, sometimes nutty start, September 16, 2004 Catch some luck in the 59th annual bass and bluefish Derby, September 9, 2004 Tuna madness big and small takes over the Island, September 2, 2004 Dr. Play keeps his life's priorities in order, August 26, 2004 Derby welcomes three new members to hall of fame, August 19, 2004 Commercial fisherman finds literary success and fans, August 12, 2004 Fishermen urged to play it safe on the water, August 5, 2004 First impressions are lasting in the art of gyotaku, July 29, 2004 Big rods, big fish, shark tournament draws a crowd, July 22, 2004 Mike Amaral wears the crown of the fluke king, July 15, 2004 It's no fluke, the tournament's this weekend, July 8, 2004 Chronicle of Island fishing adventures, now a classic, is republished, July 1, 2004 Charter captains weather costs and deliver fishing fun, June 24, 2004 Finding the fish is the easy part, June 17, 2004 Game fly fishermen persevere in weekend tourney, June 10, 2004 One fishing photo is worth 1,000 words, June 3, 2004 Fishing begins to heat up for the holiday weekend, May 27, 2004 Beginning where this angler left off, May 20, 2004 Familiarity breeds success in Kids' Trout Derby, May 13, 2004 Thieves Steal Poles, Not Derby Spirit, October 16, 2003 Word Always Gets Around in the 58th Derby, October 9, 2003 Kids Day Derby Provides a Successful Fishing Bouillabaisse, October 2, 2003 Derby Fishing Is a Challenge, but There Are Theories, September 25, 2003 Changes in 58th Derby, September 18, 2003 Good Derby Fishermen Know How to Prepare, September 11, 2003 King Livens Up the Vineyard Fishing Stage, September 4, 2003 Fishless Angler Sets Off to See the Sights, August 28, 2003 Island Fishermen Lured Offshore by Promise of Tuna, August 21,2003 Island Bass Fishermen Survive, August 14, 2003 When the Fish Aren’t Biting, Might As Well Do Chores, August 7, 2003 For Anglers, It's Now Bonito Time, July 31, 2003 Newest Derby Inductees Are Hall of Famers in Any League, July 24, 2003 Fishermen Do Not Get to Say Peep about Norton Point Beach Fee Hike, July 17,2003 Mon Dieu, Winning Fish was Quite a Fluke, July 10, 2003 Prey and Predator Confused On Buggy Night of Fishing, July 3, 2003 Pond Openings Hold Fish and Risk for Anglers, June 26, 2003 For an Angling Father, Something Fishy's Always Welcome, June 12, 2003 Despite Pain of It, Anglers Carry On, June 5, 2003 Fishing, Fishing Supplies & Boat Charters Business Listing |
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