Saving Seafood

Yes, fish can get sunburn

October 31st, 2016 — Last summer’s heat probably caused sunburned fish.

When several Pequest Hatchery broodstock rainbow trout had developed whitish skin lesions on the dorsal surface that were spreading to the body of the fish, the doctor was called.

Jan Lovy, a research scientist in fish pathology for the Division of Fish and Wildlife, reported four broodstock rainbows were euthanized and necropsied.

Bacteriology was done on the skin lesions and the kidneys of the fish, and no significant infectious pathogens occurred within the skin lesions.

Lovy is the chair of the Technical Standard Committee in the American Fisheries Society’s Fish Health Section, and knows about diagnostic methods on fish health, so he knows his stuff.

Bacteriology was negative for all fish examined, and his report states: “The skin lesions appeared to have been related to sunburn, caused by the fish hanging out near the water surface on sunny days.”

Shaded roofs over the trout raceways would prevent fish from developing sunburn in the future.  Also, ospreys and other birds that eat trout would be prevented by roofs from eating hatchery trout.

Catfish, bottom feeders, have no sun problems.  But they don’t jump.   When rainbows are hooked, they frequently go airborne.

Read the full story at the Morristown Daily Record

New Jersey sinks more vessels for offshore reefs

October 18th, 2016 — New Jersey continues to sink large vessels at recreational fishing reef miles off the coast. 

According to a release from the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, crews deployed the Austin, a 68-foot former trawler, at the Axel Carlson Reef, located about 4.4 nautical miles southeast of the Manasquan Inlet last month.

Crews also sank Lisa Kim, a 115-foot surf clam vessel, Lisa Kim at Wildwood Reef, situated 8.3 miles northeast of Cape May Inlet.

The sinking is part of the state’s offshore artificial reef deployment program that resumed this summer after the restoration of federal funding.

According to a release from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the state expects to sink up to 10 vessels throughout its artificial reef network following a compromise between the Christie administration and recreational and commercial anglers after a dispute over access to popular reefs. 

“Artificial reefs create important habitat for many types of marine life, and attract fish that are popular with recreational anglers,” said Commissioner Bob Martin. “Our artificial reefs are an important part of the economy of the Jersey Shore because they are so popular with anglers as well as sport divers. We are grateful to all our partners in the recreational and commercial fishing industries for working with us to get this program back on track.”

Read the full story at Newsworks.com

New Delware Natural Resources video reveals strong glass eel count

March 9, 2016 — DOVER — The American eel would seem one of the slipperiest species on which to get a population handle, but a new DNREC YouTube Channel video shows otherwise — with Division of Fish & Wildlife biologists conducting a survey of young “glass eels” tallied thousands at a time by “enumerating them volumetrically” with a device known as a splitter box.

On a single splitter capture, as DNREC’s YouTube Channel documented the effort, more than 7,000 eels were counted — which fisheries biologist Jordan Zimmerman said indicated a good abundance of American eels in the Delaware Estuary (a survey day earlier this year turned up 65,000 glass eels, while another day’s count in a recent year reached almost 100,000).

The glass eel count program was established as a fisheries management plan tool for monitoring reproduction in the American eel. “Glass eels” are another stage of the American eel’s life cycle, first stage being the egg, which hatches into larvae drifting on the Gulf Stream and eventually metamorphosing to the glass eel stage and swimming toward shore and the estuaries.

Read the full story at Delaware State News

Dungeness crab season remains closed despite potential for partial open

February 17, 2016 — SAN FRANCISCO — Commercial crab fisheries will now remain closed until state officials lift the health advisory along the entire California coastline.

That decision was made on Wednesday. CDFW officials may open crab fisheries south of the border between Mendocino and Sonoma counties once the state Department of Public Health clears all of the crabs along that stretch of the coast for human consumption.

The commercial crab season has taken a huge financial hit, stalled since public health officials determined the crabs had high levels of domoic acid which is a neurotoxin.

The determination followed the strong recommendation by members of the Dungeness Crab Task Force, who urged state officials on Tuesday to keep the season closed until the health advisory was lifted coast-wide, or at a minimum, for an area south of Point Arena.

The commercial crab season has been stalled since public health officials determined the crabs had high levels of domoic acid, a neurotoxin.

But on Thursday, the CDFW said it would allow recreational crab fishing south of Point Reyes after health officials cleared the crabs for human consumption.

Read the full story at KRON4

NEW JERSEY: Anglers, you have the floor

January 21, 2016 — North Jersey anglers are a passionate bunch.

During the course of a year, I’m always getting questions about why certain things are done regarding everything from regulations to stocking. Folks aren’t shy about sharing what they think, especially when they have thoughts about what could be done better.

And while I enjoy listening, there’s a much better sounding board available. The best part is that this venue gives you a chance to really make a difference.

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife will be hosting another public forum to discuss freshwater fisheries research, management and recreational angling at 10 a.m. Jan. 30 at the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery in Warren County.

These forums are aimed at improving communication with the angling public and to solicit public input in shaping freshwater fisheries in the future. These events are a perfect opportunity for all freshwater anglers to learn about the state’s existing programs and to share their views and recommendations.

This isn’t just a show. The goal is to make fishing in New Jersey the best it can be, and the people in charge are open to all ideas.

Read the full story at NewJersey.com