Black Sea Bass Discard Mortality seminar, Sept. 25, 7:00 PM, Rutgers Coop Extension

[RUCoopExt]

Hello Everyone,

Our Marine Extension Program Seminar Series (MEPSS) with Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) is getting restarted for the fall and winter. This series will include a monthly seminar event covering topics related to fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal resource management.

The first fall seminar will be from 7:00-8:30 PM on Tuesday, September 25 at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County (1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, NJ 08755). I'll be the speaker for the first event and will deliver a presentation on:

"Estimating and Reducing the Discard Mortality Rate of Black Sea Bass in Deepwater Recreational Fisheries"

The presentation will describe the results from a black sea bass tagging study that was conducted to estimate the discard mortality rate of black sea bass during the winter offshore recreational fishery, including recommended best capture and handling practices for reducing the discard mortality rate of black sea bass (e.g., swim bladder venting).

This seminar is open to all who are interested and will be a "HyFlex" seminar offering where you can participate live in-class or remotely via webinar.

Please register for in-class or webinar participation by Friday, September 21 by contacting Kelly Jurgensen (kjurgensen@co.ocean.nj.us | 732-349-1152).

In-Class: $10 Program Fee, includes VENTAFISH™ venting tool
Checks can be made out to "Ocean County Board of Agriculture"
and mailed in advance to the address above, or payment can also
be made via cash or check at the event.

Webinar: Free, but must register in advance

Please feel free to forward this announcement to anyone who might be interested and to contact me if you have any questions. We're looking forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday, September 25!

Thank You,
Doug

[AndyS]

You do realize the winter offshore recreational fishery for Black Sea Bass no longer exists in New Jersey. We used to be allowed to fish in January and February, which in my opinion were the two best months, but not any more :)

[Rocky]

Great opportunity for recreational fishermen to learn how to vent a fish properly. Tossing back unvented fish is usually a death sentence for the fish and a waste of a great resource.

When I am on charters I can't believe how many fishermen do not do this. It is easy to do and we need to do everything possible to keep this fish stock healthy.

[bulletbob]

"The presentation will describe the results from a black sea bass tagging study that was conducted to estimate the discard mortality rate of black sea bass during the winter offshore recreational fishery, including recommended best capture and handling practices for reducing the discard mortality rate of black sea bass (e.g., swim bladder venting)."



With all due respect,, which "winter offshore recreational fishery" are we discussing here?

The one that ends Dec 31 and doesn't open again until May 15?

Not really much of a winter offshore recreational fishery to discuss- wouldn't you agree?

[Rocky]

November and December are considered Winter months.

Yes I miss those January and February overnight seabass trips also, but this is what we have now and venting fish is something every fishermen should know and do.

[bulletbob]

November and December are considered Winter months.

Yes I miss those January and February overnight seabass trips also, but this is what we have now and venting fish is something every fishermen should know and do.

We can argue semantics if you'd like, but sorry 6-7 weeks before the Solstice is NOT winter.. We can agree on venting, for certain..

[TerriMc223]

I highly recommend taking this seminar!. I had the pleasure of attending the seminars Doug ran this past winter and spring at the same location. He talked a little bit then about his "at sea" research concerning doing better catch and release and venting of sea bass to reduce mortality then so I am interested in hearing more. Hope I can make it.

[RUCoopExt]

I agree its nothing like the winter fishery of years ago, especially here in NJ (i.e., some other states opted to participate in a Wave 1 - January and February black sea bass fishery last year). But, black sea bass are caught and released not only during the directed fishery when the season is open here in NJ in November and December, but also during other deepwater (>100 feet) fisheries both as the target species and non-target species when pursuing other species such as porgies, cod, pollock, or tilefish. The topics covered in this seminar will have relevance to these other fisheries as well.

Terry: Great to hear from you! I hope all is well and that I see you later this month.

Thanks,
Doug

[AndyS]

I understand educating recreational anglers on aspects of catch and release, it's just a tough nut to swallow while commercial boats decimate the seas.

[dakota560]

The amount of sea bass and other species I've witnessed over the years floating away as sea gull bait on deep water trips is disturbing and at times significant. Learning how to properly vent fish is something that can only help the resource. Andy I agree with you, it's a tough pill to swallow when probably every fish brought up in nets whether kept or released ends up dying but we can control only what's in our control. Every off shore captain should have a venting tools on board with mates who know how to use them, they cost only a few bucks. Any anglers who knows the technique and wants to assist, even better.

You can just as easily look online to learn what is a very simple technique, just need the tools and a little pratice. Can only help even thought it doesn't level the playing field. Would rather in all cases see a fish not harvested swim away than float to the back of the boat as a death sentence. Just my opinion.

[River2C]

First I don't think they should be charging at a state university site. Second I agree with most here, we barely have a winter fishery anymore. They close the season on specific fish and I can't remember the last whiting I caught(and don't tell me to go to New England). They'll cut the rec guys limits but the commercial 's are still cleaning the bottoms with no regards, Its a resource not a ecosystem to many of them. Winter is Dec 21! Nov is Fall striper season

[Harpoon]

First I don't think they should be charging at a state university site. Second I agree with most here, we barely have a winter fishery anymore. They close the season on specific fish and I can't remember the last whiting I caught(and don't tell me to go to New England). They'll cut the rec guys limits but the commercial 's are still cleaning the bottoms with no regards, Its a resource not a ecosystem to many of them. Winter is Dec 21! Nov is Fall striper season

Only charging if you show up in person and getting a venting tool...online is free. I don't see them limiting to only NJ residents as well, so maybe PA/NY people want to come, and they are not taxed to assist RU. Would you say the same thing if you went to an RU football game?

Second what does your comment (along with others regarding seasons/comms) having anything to do with the subject posted by the OP???

[Taxman]

Cut the guy s break, if you are not interested stfu and move along

[dales529]

Cut the guy s break, if you are not interested stfu and move along

Exactly! Dont want to participate than simply dont but stop all the paranoia on somehow getting screwed, you already have been and not by Rutgers.
Rutgers and Dr Doug are far from the enemy for recreational fishermen.

Dr Doug feel free to correct me if I am wrong but I also think these types of educational seminars are part of the compromise with NOAA that allowed us to stay at 18" Fluke vs 19" and be our own region.. Granted this is seabass but probably falls under that umbrella.

Also would be nice to get real data on mortality for all species. I for one am sick of losing 10% of our quotas on arbitrary mortality.
Instead of fighting the old commercial game that has gotten us no where prove you are concerned and interested in saving recreational fish and quotas by instead of bashing , participating in this and other conservation minded studies. If we would just prove its NOT US than it gets easier for our fight at the federal and state levels.

[RUCoopExt]

Thanks, Dale. We're working hard in terms of research and education programs here at Rutgers.

NJDEP's If You Can't Keep It, Save It! program focuses on summer flounder and was factored into setting the 2017 regulations:

https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fluke.htm

In terms of black sea bass, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council published a fact sheet back in the spring that explains the management challenges despite an abundant stock:

http://www.mafmc.org/newsfeed/2018/recreational-black-sea-bass-fact-sheet-management-challenges-for-an-abundant-stock

Here is a link to the summary of the most recent black sea bass stock assessment published in 2017. Page 17 has a graph of landings and discards of the commercial and recreational fisheries, with 61% of the 2015 total catch estimated to be from the recreational fishery:

https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/publications/crd/crd1701/

[Solemate]

Thank you for posting this and trying to help with the mortality rate of Black Seabass. You are more than likely being paid to do this so therefore a professional. Whatever we can do to preserve our stocks is tremendously important. I am not a professional just a recreational fisherman. To me our time and effort would be better served in devising a scientific means to determine a species biomass that does not include surveys. Our species are dependant on us not reducing stocks to extinction and asking people for data undermines this goal. Thanks again for your efforts.

[NoLimit]

You do realize the winter offshore recreational fishery for Black Sea Bass no longer exists in New Jersey. We used to be allowed to fish in January and February, which in my opinion were the two best months, but not any more :) Reducing mortality is not the goal here. The goal is to blame the recreational fisherman (again).

[NoLimit]

The amount of sea bass and other species I've witnessed over the years floating away as sea gull bait on deep water trips is disturbing and at times significant. Learning how to properly vent fish is something that can only help the resource. Andy I agree with you, it's a tough pill to swallow when probably every fish brought up in nets whether kept or released ends up dying but we can control only what's in our control. Every off shore captain should have a venting tools on board with mates who know how to use them, they cost only a few bucks. Any anglers who knows the technique and wants to assist, even better.

You can just as easily look online to learn what is a very simple technique, just need the tools and a little pratice. Can only help even thought it doesn't level the playing field. Would rather in all cases see a fish not harvested swim away than float to the back of the boat as a death sentence. Just my opinion. Do you really think Sea Bass mortality from recreational fishermen in Nov Dec is significant? Whats it going to be? 300? 700? Maybe 1000 at the most? That is what a dragger can destroy in a couple minutes.

[NoLimit]

Hello Everyone,

Our Marine Extension Program Seminar Series (MEPSS) with Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) is getting restarted for the fall and winter. This series will include a monthly seminar event covering topics related to fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal resource management.

The first fall seminar will be from 7:00-8:30 PM on Tuesday, September 25 at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County (1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, NJ 08755). I'll be the speaker for the first event and will deliver a presentation on:

"Estimating and Reducing the Discard Mortality Rate of Black Sea Bass in Deepwater Recreational Fisheries"

The presentation will describe the results from a black sea bass tagging study that was conducted to estimate the discard mortality rate of black sea bass during the winter offshore recreational fishery, including recommended best capture and handling practices for reducing the discard mortality rate of black sea bass (e.g., swim bladder venting).

This seminar is open to all who are interested and will be a "HyFlex" seminar offering where you can participate live in-class or remotely via webinar.

Please register for in-class or webinar participation by Friday, September 21 by contacting Kelly Jurgensen (kjurgensen@co.ocean.nj.us | 732-349-1152).

In-Class: $10 Program Fee, includes VENTAFISH™ venting tool
Checks can be made out to "Ocean County Board of Agriculture"
and mailed in advance to the address above, or payment can also
be made via cash or check at the event.

Webinar: Free, but must register in advance

Please feel free to forward this announcement to anyone who might be interested and to contact me if you have any questions. We're looking forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday, September 25!

Thank You,
Doug

Doug - would you not agree that your time would be better spent documenting the loss of the fluke fishery because we are forced to take only breeders with the 18-19" limit? This recreational fishing industry is dying on your watch. If Rutgers does not do it, who will?

[stripbait]

Venting tool!!!! Lol Take your marine fisheries class and follow the netters when they dump their bycatch. Wait just follow one vessel!!! Literally thousands of dead fish scattered on top of the water ..... And you want the rec guy to vent a fish to save the species. We all know what the problem is and we go on like sheep to the slaughter and allow!!
Wait better yet , dont take your classmates. higher undocumented immigrants , pack them all with vent tools , so you can get a write off, save money and make our healthcare costs go up and kill U.S. economy even more!!

[henro]

venting tool!!!! Lol take your marine fisheries class and follow the netters when they dump their bycatch. Wait just follow one vessel!!! Literally thousands of dead fish scattered on top of the water ..... And you want the rec guy to vent a fish to save the species. We all know what the problem is and we go on like sheep to the slaughter and allow!!
Wait better yet , dont take your classmates. Higher undocumented immigrants , pack them all with vent tools , so you can get a write off, save money and make our healthcare costs go up and kill u.s. Economy even more!!

rofl!!!

[Joey Dah Fish]

I just registered

[Gerry Zagorski]

I totally understand everyone's frustration with the current regulations for both recreation and commercial fisheries but I think you're barking up the wrong tree here taking your frustrations out on Rutgers Scientists.

These are the same scientists that have worked with us in the past on the Fluke size/sex study in cooperation with SSFFF. They don't make the laws and they don't decide quotas for commercial or recreational fisheries.

If you want to argue science with them, that's perfectly fine but let's not blame them for the issues with commercial fishing practices.

[bulletbob]

I totally understand everyone's frustration with the current regulations for both recreation and commercial fisheries but I think you're barking up the wrong tree here taking your frustrations out on Rutgers Scientists.

These are the same scientists that have worked with us in the past on the Fluke size/sex study in cooperation with SSFFF. They don't make the laws and they don't decide quotas for commercial or recreational fisheries.

If you want to argue science with them, that's perfectly fine but let's not blame them for the issues with commercial fishing practices.


I doubt anyone is blaming Rutgers researchers for restrictive bag limits..
I simply think that many of us realize that state and federal regulators will use their "findings" to further regulate the stock with recs coming out on the short end as always..
The funding for this type of research is provided by those entities that WILL restrict the recreational fishery.

I do not blame the scientists, researchers and students.. I do have a problem with the information they gather,where it goes, and especially who pays for it.. If NMFS has a few bucks invested, rest assured, they will never hesitate to use research findings against sport fishermen..


https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/protected/riverherring/conserv/research/funding/index.html