Category: Regulation
March 27, 2012
Speak Out to Protect Herring
Message from Patrick Paquette of Honest Bycatch and the Massachusetts Striped Bass Association: Now is the time for the recreational fishing community to show up in force and help bring accountability to the Atlantic Herring Mid Water Trawl Fleet. These industrial trawlers tow nets that are longer than a football field and taller than a … Read More
March 15, 2012
Fishermen’s Rally In Washington DC March 21, 2012
A “Keep Fishermen Fishing” rally is being held at Upper Senate Park in Washington DC on March 21, 2012 beginning at noon. It has been organized in an effort by leaders from both the recreational and commercial fishing industries to unite under one shared message, to reform the Manuson-Stevens Act, the primary law governing marine … Read More
March 13, 2012
Conservationists, Fishermen Back Exclusive Funding Source for Ocean Fish Management
March 12, 2012 Press Release from The Pew Environment Group WASHINGTON—The Pew Environment Group commended Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), John D. Rockefeller (D-WV), Scott Brown (R-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today for introducing the Fisheries Investment and Regulatory Relief Act (FIRRA). A companion bill is expected in the House by Reps. … Read More
March 09, 2012
NJ “Pots Off Reef” Bill
NEW POTS OFF REEF BILL MOVES IN ASSEMBLY RFA-NJ Supports New Legislation To Address Fixed Gear Issue (3/9/2012) The New Jersey Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted this week to move forward Assembly legislation which would remove commercial gear from 99% of deployed reef materials on New Jersey’s two inshore artificial reefs. The Recreational … Read More
February 28, 2012
Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Permit Survey
We’ve taken a few calls here at On The Water from fishermen who received a letter and a survey from a company called QuanTech, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and NOAA Fisheries. Some of the surveys included a check for a specific amount, offering the recipient the option to cash the check in exchange … Read More
February 24, 2012
Rhode Island’s Felt-Soled Wader Ban Amended
News Update: The RI DEM has revised state regulations so that felt-soled foot gear is prohibited only in state freshwaters. As reported in the March 2012 issue of On The Water magazine, Rhode Island’s anglers – and especially the saltwater shore fishermen – were taken by surprise when the RI DEM published a new regulation … Read More
December 16, 2011
2011 Salmon Run Enforcement Report
Of the 574 arrests made on the Lake Ontario Tributaries during Salmon Season (between September 10 and October 20), more than half were a result of intentionally snagging or keeping snagged fish. Good to know the CO’s are out there and working hard to protect the fishery against illegal activities. Check out the full … Read More
November 10, 2011
Good News for Menhaden!
After receiving plenty of pressure from environmentalists and recreational fishermen (and those two categories are not mutually exclusive!), the folks who manage Atlantic coast fishing (The ASMFC) decided yesterday in Boston to reduce the catch of menhaden (aka pogies or bunker) by as much as 37 percent of the number caught last year. The vote … Read More
September 23, 2011
CT Extends Scup Season
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that the recreational fishery for scup (porgy) will remain open in Connecticut waters through the end of 2011. The scup fishery had been scheduled to close on September 27; however, DEEP has rescinded the closure due to the health and abundance of the coast-wide scup … Read More
July 13, 2011
Maine Does Away With Fee-Based Saltwater Fishing License
This past Friday, Maine Governor Paul LePage signed into law LD 210, "An Act Regarding the Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry," which simplifies the requirements for both resident and non-resident anglers who wish to fish in the state's coastal waters. Read More
June 30, 2011
NOAA Sets Fishing Quotas for bluefin Tuna
NOAA today announced quotas and other measures for bluefin tuna that underscore the nation’s commitment to sustainable science-based management of this vital fish stock. Read More
June 20, 2011
Rhode Islanders: Help Increase Striper Poaching Fines
We can use your help and support.The bill to increase penalties on striped bass poachers is up for the second time before the House Judiciary Committee. The first time it was "held for study." It was not voted on. Now it's up again. Read More
June 02, 2011
Massachusetts Offers Free Fishing Weekend June 4-5
June 4 & 5 — Massachusetts Statewide Free Fishing Weekend! Take a friend or family member fishing for free–you won’t need a fishing permit to fish any waterbody statewide for these two days including both freshwater and saltwater (includes state waters only)! It is time well spent with family and friends. Your purchase of a … Read More
June 02, 2011
New Jersey Beach Access in Peril
The NJ DEP has proposed new procedures involving beach access that would let individual towns determine their own beach access plans. In the past, the state regulated access, requiring 24/7 beach access and a specific number of bathrooms for each town’s beaches in order for the town to qualify for beach replenishment funding. The threat … Read More
May 27, 2011
NOAA: Atlantic Bluefin NOT Endangered
NOAA finds endangered species listing for Atlantic bluefin tuna not warranted Agency remains concerned; will revisit decision with new science After an extensive scientific review, NOAA announced today that Atlantic bluefin tuna currently do not warrant species protection under the Endangered Species Act. NOAA has committed to revisit this decision by early 2013, when … Read More
Recent Comments