“Anglers who fish the Block Island Wind Farm say it has been beneficial for fishing.” said a study published in Marine Policy, an international journal of ocean affairs.
“Interview findings revealed anglers’ enjoyment of the offshore wind farm as an enhanced fishing location, due to catch and non-related aspects of the experience. ... Respondents also value the wind farm as symbolic of progress toward green energy.” said study authors Tiffany Smythe of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and David Bidwell and Grant Tyler of the University of Rhode Island.
An advanced online copy of the May, 2021 issue of Marine Policy can be found here
Titled “Optimistic with reservations: The impacts of the United States’ first offshore wind farm on the recreational fishing experience,” the report states: “Anglers reported concerns about increased crowding around the offshore wind farm and raised concerns about potential fishing access restrictions around this and future projects.”
In public hearings surrounding Northeast offshore wind farms, the Coast Guard has repeatedly said it will not restrict fishing around or in wind farms. And developers have said they do not have the jurisdiction — or desire — to restrict fishing in and around their wind farms. I am not aware of any fishing restrictions that have occurred at the Block Island Wind Farm since it became operational in December 2016, except during limited maintenance periods to ensure work crew and boater safety.
Trout season opens April 7
The Department of Environmental Management announced that Rhode Island trout-stocked lakes, ponds, rivers and streams will open for fishing at 6 a.m. Wednesday, April 7. The season is opening earlier this year to eliminate the large crowds that often accompany the traditional Opening Day of trout fishing season in April.
“We’re excited to welcome anglers to our state’s beautiful freshwaters this spring to experience the thrill of reeling in the first trout of the season,” said the DEM's director, Janet Coit.
An advisory issued by the agency stated: “During the COVID-19 public health emergency, fishing should be enjoyed as a solitary experience or with members of your immediate household, not as a group activity. If you arrive at a favorite fishing spot and find that crowds are forming, please leave and choose a different location.”
The DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife is stocking more than 60,000 hatchery-raised rainbow, brook, golden rainbow and brown trout in more than 100 waterways across the state. In addition, 4,000 Sebago salmon will be stocked statewide. A complete list of stocked waters and links to regulations and licenses can be found at dem.ri.gov.
Anglers weigh in on climate change
This week, anglers and recreational fishing associations from Rhode Island and Massachusetts weighed in on the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s request for initial public input on Section 216 (c) of the Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
In addition to stakeholder input meetings (last one held Thursday), the NOAA plans to meet with Regional Fisheries Councils and has asked fisheries stakeholders to email comments by Friday.
Anglers are experiencing profound changes from climate impacts of warming water, acidification, lower oxygen, rising sea levels and habitat degradation. And the fish we are catching today are different in type and abundance than what we caught 10 years ago.
Warm-water fish, such as black sea bass, scup and summer flounder, have moved into the area in greater numbers. And, cold-water fish, such as winter flounder, cod and American lobster, have left the area for colder, deeper water.
All of this is leading to less-productive stocks, which could lead to lower catches, less stability, shifting stocks and new by-catch.
In a letter to the NOAA this week, the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, which represents 7,500 anglers and 28 affiliated fishing organizations, stated: “Our national fisheries need to have strong and sustainable science-based management more than ever before. We should not move to weaken standards as some stakeholders recommend. Lowering the bar on things like ecological reference points such as biomass thresholds and targets is not the way to go.”
East End Eddie Doherty, noted Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said: “Last year was not a productive season for striped bass on the canal, which may be attributable to the reduction in oxygen-rich levels dissipating and a huge increase in the seal population. It wasn't always like this, so I think that climate change is driving seals to Cape Cod beaches and the canal. … It is estimated that seals consume 100 pounds of striped bass per day.”
NOAA will be accepting email comments until April 2 at OceanResources.Climate@noaa.gov. Let your New England Fishery Management Council representative (https://ift.tt/3sMWrPV) know how you feel; send them a copy of your comments by April 12 as the NOAA is scheduled to meet with the group for input on April 13.
Where’s the bite?
Freshwater trout season opens April 7. See the link provided above for a list of stocked waterways. Prior to the opening of trout season, anglers have been targeting largemouth bass, perch and crappies with success.
Cod fishing. Party boats fishing for cod this winter (weather permitting) include the Frances Fleet at francesfleet.com, the Seven B’s at sevenbs.com and the Island Current at islandcurrent.com.
Dave Monti holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. He is an RISAA board member, a member of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association, the American Saltwater Guides Association and the RI Marine Fisheries Council. Forward fishing news and photos to Captain Dave at dmontifish@verizon.net or visit noflukefishing.com.
The Link LonkApril 02, 2021 at 03:53AM
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Fishing Report: Wind farm has helped fishermen - The Providence Journal
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