FISHERMAN STAFFER EARNS PRESTIGIOUS ‘BILL GRAY CONSERVATION AWARD’ - The Fisherman

FISHERMAN STAFFER EARNS PRESTIGIOUS ‘BILL GRAY CONSERVATION AWARD’

Each year the folks from Gray FishTag Research (GFR) choose a participant from their many fish tagging programs to present the ‘Bill Gray Conservation Award.’ This prominent award is given to someone who has gone above and beyond to further the Gray FishTag mission and selflessly help to bring awareness to the program.

This year’s Bill Gray Conservation Award goes to The Fisherman’s own, Jim Hutchinson, Jr.

In a statement released by GFR in mid-January, Hutchinson was credited with helping with program fundraising, introducing the Gray’s team to well-known and respected captains, fishing club presidents and scientists while also rallying groups to join the tagging efforts for 2020. “Jim blazed a trail to map out the satellite tag study, only to be shut down due to the Covid virus,” the statement read, noting how Hutchinson and The Fisherman team helped redesign a plan while assembling several highly qualified teams to fulfill the mission of satellite tagging striped bass for the continuation of the Northeast Striped Bass Study.

“Jim has been an incredible advocate for the tagging program, especially the Northeast Striped Bass Study, and his vast knowledge and relationships are some key reasons for its success,” said Bill Dobbelaer, president of GFR, while adding “All year he was a key leader in the most successful study ever at GFR.”

At the close of the year, when the Independence satellite tag released as programmed near the shore, Hutchinson assembled a search party through his social media posts and even drove the two-plus-hour trip to walk the beach in search of the tag himself. Through his efforts GFR was able to locate and retrieve this tag and therefore fully harvest all data collected during its four months at sea.

“Jim is an outstanding leader in the industry and will always go the extra mile for the cause,” Dobbelaer said, adding “He is what the Bill Gray Conservation Award was designed for; passionate people who love fishing.”

Hutchinson, who was added to the GFR Advisory Board in 2020, said he was accepting the Bill Gray Conservation Award on behalf of all those who had contributed to the ongoing striped bass studies. “I can’t help but feel a bit humbled by this, especially considering that the Northeast Striped Bass Study has been such a team project,” Hutchinson said, adding “Between our industry partners, the hardcore striper guys who put us on tag-worthy fish and of course the clubs and anglers who have donated to the project, we’re all pretty proud here at The Fisherman Magazine for this honor.”

Calling it “big news for all of us along the Striper Coast,” Hutchinson said he believes that Gray FishTag Research has tapped into something remarkable with the Northeast Striped Bass Study. “To be honored with the Bill Gray award is personally very special to me, but it also acknowledges that this incredible research is garnering a lot of national attention,” he added.

From the moment the first satellite tag was recovered in the Northeast Striped Bass Study and the data contained within reviewed, some perceptions of the seasonal movements of Atlantic striped bass have changed greatly. While anglers have long debated whether or not these highly migratory fish spend time well offshore, there was little more than anecdotal evidence to support the theory. That all changed when the first tagged fish, aptly named Liberty as she was tagged in the lower Hudson River near the Statue of Liberty, showed a track over her 5 months at sea which included a stint in the canyons off New England.

But while just one fish making such a journey does not make for a pattern, what if two, three, four and perhaps even more fish take similar paths throughout the season? Well, that is just what has happened with subsequent tag deployments and data review on five total fish and counting!

Stay tuned for details on the 2021 installment of the ongoing Northeast Striped Bass tag Study as we work to further unlocking the mysteries which surround season movements of Atlantic striped bass.

Please join us as we congratulate Jim and thank him for his service to Gray FishTag Research and a better understanding of the movements and habits of the Atlantic striped bass on behalf of all readers and advertisers at The Fisherman Magazine.

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