As of Friday, Nov. 1st, vessels 65 feet or longer must slow to 10 knots or less in the North Atlantic Right Whale Seasonal Management Area. For Massachusetts and Rhode Island mariners and anglers this encompasses the area south of Block Island.
These areas are designed to protect whales in areas where they are migrating and calving. Right whales are highly endangered with an estimated 340 individuals left. Although the enforcement of the Seasonal Management Area pertains to larger vessels, all vessels are encouraged to slow down to reduce the chances of a vessel strike.
If Right Whales are observed at sea, please report sightings to RIDEM, US Coast Guard, NOAA, or the New England Aquarium. Photos of sightings are highly encouraged to assist in conservation and monitoring efforts.
Also, this week, new voluntary slow zones are in place. On Nov. 4, 2024, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Division of Marine Mammal Research aerial survey team detected the presence of right whales east of Bar Harbor, Maine. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through Nov. 19, 2024. And, there is a another slow zone SE of New York, NY - Effective Through Nov. 22. On Nov. 7, 2024, the New York Bight SE buoy operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution detected the presence of right whales southeast of New York, New York.
Locations and effective dates of mandatory and voluntary Slow Zones can be found at Reducing Vessel Strikes to North Atlantic Right Whales | NOAA Fisheries .

Shellfish Advisory Panel meetings
At press time, the Rhode Island Shellfish Advisory Panel was scheduled to meet Wednesday, Nov. 13, 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include aquaculture applications, Division proposals to amend areas closed in Foster Cove and the Providence River Area E winter/spring 2025 harvest schedule. For agenda details, meeting minutes and video (when posted) visit Advisory Panel Agendas and Minutes | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
The in person meetings are at the URI Bay Campus, Coastal Institute, Large Conference Room, South Ferry Road, Narragansett. The Zoom Webinar Nov. 13 was at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82263632034?pwd=ooxw9rT8YWVmDwVH8DSEhrWCX8tAKF.1 [us02web.zoom.us] .
The Massachusetts Shellfish Advisory Panel (SAP) met last week at the Hanover public library to discuss reports from their Aquaculture License Transfer and Hatchery Seed Work Groups. The reclassification of growing areas due to wastewater discharges was also discussed. For information on these agenda items and others as well as a video recording of the meeting (when available) visit their website at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/shellfish-advisory-panel .
The SAP was formally established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2021. Its purpose is to provide enhanced communications between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and members of the shellfish community on matters of interest to shellfish resources and shellfish fisheries. It is chaired by the Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries (or his proxy) and includes a diverse mix of stakeholders throughout the state, including state government officials, recreational and commercial harvesters, seafood dealers and processors, aquaculturists, researchers, conservationists, and municipal shellfish officials. The Panel meets at least two times annually to address critical shellfish related issues.
If you wish to directly obtain future meeting notices and materials or have any questions about the Massachusetts SAP, please contact shellfishadvisorypanel@mass.gov

Where’s the bite?
Striped bass, bluefish, bonito. “Striped bass fishing has been outstanding at Montauk from the beaches and boats with a slower bite from Watch Hill to Pt. Judith along the beaches. Bonito and mackerel keep popping up and are keeping anglers busy too,” said Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly.
Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown, said, “This past week a lot of small bait has been around from sand eels to various rain baits and anchovies. Shad, striper and bluefish continue to stick around and feed. Big fish have been coming into Ninigret pond amongst a lot of really small fish. By that I mean 10-18 inch fish. Bonito and mackerel are still out front especially around Block Island. The water is still pretty warm reports of water mostly 58-59 degrees.”
East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “My gear is getting stowed away so this is my last report of the season. Enjoy the holidays, have a safe winter and God willing we’ll wet a line again in the spring! Fishing on the Canal can be spotty this time of year but the bite can continue into winter. On the mainland side in the middle of last week ‘Donny Donuts’ spotted a large school of big fish, probably stripers, breaking close to the rip rap stone bank on the Cape side. Long casters Ron Arra, Bob Dyer and ‘Bull’ MacKinnon could have reached the fish, but us mere mortals couldn’t throw that far.”
Tautog. Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren, said, “Tog fishing out in front of Newport to the Sakonnet has been outstanding. Anglers continue to catch their limit. This weekend we landed a 12-pound tautog caught with a jig.”
“Tautog fishing has still been good. You can even have a chance at Cod this time of year especially if you are fishing deeper water. With some bigger fish coming out of the bay,” said O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle.
Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said, “Tautog fishing has been outstanding. This Friday we caught our limit off a Watch Hill Reef in no time in about 18 feet of water but the fish are moving deeper now. We them worked the humps and bumps for some great black sea bass.”
Freshwater fishing. Anglers are still catching trout from fall stockings and largemouth bass.
Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said, “Anglers have been targeting catfish but what is a bit unusual a couple started to target crappie this week.” Trout stocking locations in Massachusetts are updated daily, visit Trout stocking report | Mass.gov for an interactive map. Visit www.dem.ri.gov/fishing for ponds stocked in RI.
Dave Monti holds a master captain’s license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verison.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.