STRIPED BASS BENCHMARK STOCK ASSESSMENT DUE OUT THIS MONTH - The Fisherman

STRIPED BASS BENCHMARK STOCK ASSESSMENT DUE OUT THIS MONTH

The next benchmark stock assessment for Atlantic striped bass is due to be released in February. The Assessment Workshop took place September 11-14, 2018. The final step in the assessment process, a formal peer review, was conducted at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s 66th Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW/SARC), November 27-30. The Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board will present the findings of the assessment and peer review at the Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission’s Winter Meeting on February 5-7, 2019, which will be held in Arlington, VA.

According to the meeting’s preliminary agenda, the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board is scheduled to present on Wednesday, February 6, from 2:30 to 5:30 PM as follows:

Review 2018 Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Reports and Consider Management Response; Consider Providing Comment to NOAA Fisheries Regarding Proposed Measures to Lift the Ban on Recreational Fishing in the Federal Block Island Sound Transit Zone; Review Maryland’s Conservation Equivalency Effectiveness Report of 2018 Recreational Measures for the Chesapeake Bay Summer and Fall Fishery; Review Changes to Virginia’s Striped Bass Monitoring Programs.

Board proceedings will be broadcast daily beginning on Tuesday, February 5 via webinar and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting on Thursday, February, 7. The webinar will allow registrants to listen to board/section deliberations and view presentations and motions as they occur. No comments or questions will be accepted via the webinar. Should technical difficulties arise while streaming the broadcast the boards/sections will continue their deliberations without interruption. Please go to the News section of http://www.asmfc.org/ in the days preceding the meeting to register for the webinar.

4th ANNUAL LONG ISLAND FLY FISHING expo

The Long Island Fly Fishing Expo will take place on Saturday, March 16 at the Radisson Hotel, 110 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy in Hauppauge. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is plenty of free parking, a large exhibit hall, an 80-seat presentation theater for seminars and the Film Festival, two additional break-out rooms for presentations and an outdoor casting area.

The Expo showcases the art, science and sport behind freshwater and saltwater fly fishing in the area. This is a wonderful way to learn about fly fishing for the first time, for experienced fly rod anglers to hone their skills, to learn fly tying, and to hear from professional fly fishermen. Check out the many exhibitors, fly tiers, seminars and movies. Admission is $10 for adults and kids under 18 enter free with a paid adult. For more info, contact ken@arstark.com or call 516-316-3640.

SUFFOLK COUNTY PARKS OFFERS SPORTFISHING INSTRUCTION

The Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation will offer an eight-week instructional course, “Sport Fishing on Long Island,” this winter. Captain Jerry McGrath, a former Montauk charter skipper, avid fisherman and experienced, acclaimed instructor will give first-hand instruction and tips for planning a rewarding day of fishing.

“Participants will learn numerous techniques to sharpen and improve skills for catching a variety of fish found in local Long Island waters,” said County Executive Steven Bellone.  These species include striped bass, fluke, blackfish, blues, black sea bass and more.

Captain McGrath has designed the classes to educate novices as well as the more advanced anglers in all areas of fish finding, bait and lure selection, chumming, fishing locales and “hot spots,” anchoring, tackle selection, knot and rig tying and safety.  Students will be treated to the extensive use of audio-visual materials including Power Point slide presentations, videotapes and detailed handouts. Guest speakers, many of whom are experienced and expert charter captains themselves, will address the class participants on dates to be announced. Optional fishing field trips will also be offered at an additional cost.

Classes will be held on Tuesday nights from 7:30 to 9:30 pm (beginning January 29, 2019) in the Media Room (Room #184) of the H. Lee Dennison Building, located at 100 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge (at the end of the Northern State Parkway).  Flexible make-up classes are also possible for those people who have conflicting schedules. The regular course fee is $150 per person, with discounts available for children who are 14 or younger and accompanied by a paid adult registrant ($95), as well as Veterans or Senior Citizens 65 and older ($115). For more information or to obtain a registration form, please contact the Suffolk County Parks Department at 631-854-4947.