What a turn of events.  Last month we heard that Rhode Island recreational anglers over fished their target in 2015 and that there would be an overall 30% reduction in summer flounder quota coastwide. However, it looks like recreational regulations in Rhode Island for 2016 will likely be similar to 2015 (eight fish/angler/day).  

Jason McNamee, chief of the Marine Fisheries Division of the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) said, "The Rhode Island summer flounder recreational fishery will not have to take a 30% harvest reduction in 2016."

McNamee's comments were made last week at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Black Sea Bass and Scup Management Board hearing in Rhode Island to take public comment on their joint Commission/Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council addendum. Draft Addendum XXVII proposes a regional management approach for the 2016 summer flounder and black sea bass recreational fisheries. The condition of the summer flounder and black sea bass fisheries was discussed briefly at the meeting along with the likelihood of quota enhancements and reductions.

McNamee said, "The reason why recreational summer flounder regulations will not have to reflect a 30% reduction is that on a coastwide basis recreational anglers did not exceed their Recreational Harvest Limit (RHL)."  However, the commercial summer flounder fishery did over fish their quota coastwide and they will be taking a 30% reduction in Rhode Island and coastwide.

Just the reverse happened with black sea bass (BSB).  In 2015 recreational anglers overfished coastwide and the commercial fishery did not overfish coastwide.  So commercial fishing regulations will likely be status quo, but the BSB news for recreational anglers continues to be gloomy coastwide and in Rhode Island where more conservative regulations will likely be put in place for 2016. 

The BSB stock assessment that anglers hope will prove we have an overabundance of BSB in our waters will likely not be ready for fisheries management decision making until 2018. However McNamee said, "If (and that is IF) there is good news in the BSB stock assessment you can bet that fish mangers will push to use the information to set 2017 regulations." 

The BSB fishery received some "overabundance" recognition this year when catch limits were enhanced a bit using a new method which incorporates important abundance indices. 

For the past two years Rhode Island has been able to set its own regulations to meet their RHL for summer flounder but was part of a larger region.  The same approach was supported by anglers at the meeting Wednesday.  

In regard to BSB, draft Addendum XXVII proposes two reginal options.  The first is a coastwide approach and the second is to continue to use management measures by northern (Massachusetts - New Jersey) and southern regions (Delaware - North Carolina) which has been the case since 2011.

Recreational representatives at the meeting including Capt. Andy Dangelo, treasurer of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association and Steve Medeiros, president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, said they support treating Rhode Island as a separate entity within a region for summer flounder and support a regional approach for black sea bass.

Most anglers at the meeting felt the same way and supported a two year timeline for the summer flounder and black sea bass options outlined in the addendum.

Rhode Island recreational fishing regulations for summer flounder, black sea bass and other species commonly caught by saltwater anglers recreationally will likely be addressed at a workshop and public hearing sometime in February.  Regulations will then go before the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council for recommendations and then to DEM director Janet Coit for her final decision on 2016 recreational fishing regulations.

Add drone photos of hot fishing spots to your arsenal

If you are interested in spring striped bass fishing in Narragansett Bay you won't want to miss Capt. Ray Stachelek' s "Favorite fish'n holes around Greenwich Bay" presentation Tuesday, January 19th, 6:30 p.m. at the Rhody Fly Rodders meeting, Riverside Sportsmen's Association, 19 Mohawk Drive, East Providence.

Capt. Stachelek said, "This presentation will be off the charts and is the first time it will be given."  The content will include aerial drone video and photographs of some of the most popular and productive wading locations centered on Greenwich Bay.  The presentation will include when to fish, tides, seasons, bait supplies and a review of strategies that will put you onto fish. 

The meeting is open to the public.  Contact Perter Nilsen, president, at 245-7172 or at pdfish@fullchannel.net for additional information. 

Marine Fisheries Council looking to fill two seats

The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) is seeking candidates to fill two council seats.  The RIMFC is seeking a representative from the commercial fishing industry and one from the sport fishing industry.

RIMFC is composed of eight individuals and the DEM Director or her designee. The Council serves in an advisory capacity to the Director, providing recommendations on proposed marine fisheries regulatory issues and other matters pertaining to marine fisheries management in Rhode Island. 

Council members are chosen from among those with skill, knowledge, and experience in the commercial fishing industry, the sport fishing industry, and in the conservation and management of fisheries resources. 

Members are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Rhode Island Senate. Members are appointed to four-year terms, are expected to attend about eight meetings per year, and serve without compensation.

Anyone interested in serving on the Council is invited to submit a letter of interest and resume to: Robert Ballou, Assistant to the Director, DEM, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908; Robert.Ballou@dem.

ri.gov. The deadline for submittals is February 19, 2016. All candidates will be forwarded to DEM Director Coit and Governor Raimondo for review and consideration.

Any questions regarding this notice may be directed to Robert Ballou at 401-222-4700, ext. 4420.

Where's the bite

Cod fishing continues to remain strong.  The best it has been in recent years.   Capt. Andy Dangelo of the Seven B's party boat, Pt. Judith, RI said, "Fishing has been very strong this year.  Last week on a windy day we had twelve anglers on board and they caught eighty-six keeper cod. We expect fishing to be good until the water cools. So if you are thinking of cod fishing, now is the time to go."  Both jigs and bait (sea clams) have been working this year. Anglers should bring gear to handle plenty of lead and heavy jigs as strong winds create a fast drift that may require quite a bit of weight to get your cod rig or jig down to the bottom. Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, "On windy days anglers need to have stout equipment capable of handling jigs up to 16 ounces and sinkers up to 20 ounces. The scotch line or "store made" style cod rigs have been producing really well since the fall. Friday we had a few cod up to 15 pounds. Pool fish other days were in the 10-12 pound range. Porpoises, sea birds of many kinds and even an occasional finback whale has been seen frolicking on the cod grounds due to a massive amount of bait."

"Striped bass fishing for school size hold-over bass have not been in the upper Providence River near Hemenway's Restaurant as they were last year. We will have to wait to see if they show up in the next month or two." said John Littlefield of Archie's Bait & Tackle, Riverside. 

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing for over 40 years. He holds a captain's master license and a charter fishing license. Visit Captain Dave's No Fluke website at www.noflukefishing.com or e-mail him with your fishing news and photos at dmontifish@verizon.net.