‘Spring Aboard’ campaign promotes boating education

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is teaming up with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to promote boating education.

An informed and knowledgeable boat operator is much more likely to recognize hazardous conditions on the water and avoid a mishap. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, only 12 percent of deaths occurred on vessels operated by those with a boating education certificate; 77 percent of boating deaths occurred on vessels where the boat operator never received boating education instruction.

Remaining boating courses include ‘About Boating Safety’ being offered on May 14, Cross Mills Public Library, 4417 Old Post Road, Charlestown and on June 18 at the Neighborhood Guild, 325 Columbia Street, Peacedale, RI. To register call 401/789-9301, or for more information contact David Johnson at dgjdive1@verizon.net or call 401/783-1170.

DEM also offers an online boater education course. Participants must pass a proctored exam to receive certification. For more information on Rhode Island boating laws and boating education courses, visit www.dem.ri.gov.

Forty-nine states and U.S. territories require proof of completion of a boating education course for operators of some powered vessels. In Rhode Island, successful completion of a boating safety course is required for all boaters born after January 1, 1986 who operate a boat with a motor greater than 10 horsepower; and for all operators, regardless of age, of personal watercraft.

Newport Boat Show call for entries

Newport Exhibition Group, owners and producers of the Newport International Boat Show, are accepting applications for the 2016 Newport For New Products (NFNP) Awards.

Judged by a team of marine-industry experts, NFNP winners for best new powerboat, sailboat and multihull, best new navigation product, and best new product for boat operation, maintenance, and safety will be announced on Friday, September 16th at the Industry Awards/Press Breakfast.

In addition, attendees present on opening day will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite new boat as part of the ‘People’s Choice Award’.

The Newport International Boat Show will take place September 15-18, 2016 on the Newport Waterfront, America’s Cup Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island. The Show is one of the largest in-water shows in the country and with an assortment of boats of every type and style, plus a variety of accessories, equipment, electronics, gear and services for boaters.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.newportboatshow.com.

Frank Blount of Frances Fleet to leave Council

Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet, Narragansett will be leaving the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) this year after multiple terms of service as a councilperson.

John Bullard, chief administrator of NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, said, “Frank has chaired the Ground Fish Committee for years. It’s a committee that has seen a lot of controversy (due to the poor status of ground fish in New England) and Frank has done an outstanding job. He will be missed.”

At last week’s NEFMC meeting in Mystic, CT Capt. Blount said, “I’d like to make a motion to ask NOAA to check fishing Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs) and fish processor/dealer landing reports”. The system was established by NOAA as a check and balance to make sure fish processors and fishermen are reporting landings factually. I heard Frank make the motion and was overcome with a sense of pride to have such a great fishermen from Rhode Island represent us on the Council for so many years.

Congratulations Frank! You have done a great job serving Rhode Island, New England and the fish working on the New England Council.

ASMFC to meet May 2-5

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) will meet May 2-5, at The Westin Alexandria, Alexandria, VA. Meeting materials are available on the Commission website here.

Agenda highlights of interest to recreational anglers include a meetinga of the Atlantic Costal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) Coordination Council, Shad and River Herring Management Board, a Climate Change Workshop, Interstate Fisheries Management Program Board, Weakfish Management Board, and a Coastal Shark Management Board meeting.

Where’s the bite

Cod fishing is doing very well as April usually sees a decline in fish but it has not let up yet. In fact, some larger fish have been taken. Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “This weekend we boated a 28 pound cod and the top angler took home a total of eight cod. Oher days this past week were pretty good too.”

Striped bass fishing is exploding. “Customers are catching fish in the 30” to 40” range this week. It started last Thursday when a large amount of Atlantic menhaden arrived in the Pawcatuck River. Anglers are live lining and using chucked Atlantic menhaden as bait along with eels.” said Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly. Noted striper fly fisherman Ed Lombardo said, “We got into stripers last Thursday at Narrow River. The school of bass where small but still a lot of fun and so nice to feel that strike after a long winter! The tide was outgoing and at 5:30 p.m.it changed to incoming. Small white over purple flies and all pink tide with craft fur worked well, size 1/0 .”

Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “School size bass are being caught in Greenwich Bay and in our coves. “ “We have a huge volume of small school size striped bass in the upper portion of the Providence River. Many of them are just five to six inches.” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence.
Tautog fishing really has not picked up in Rhode Island yet. Mike Wade of Watch Hill said, “This weekend a fifteen pound tautog was weighed in at River End in Old Saybrook, CT. And actually that is where the fish are being caught. Rhode Island waters are still just a little cold for the tautog but in Connecticut it is a bit warmer and the tautog bite is strong. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait said, “Ken Landry gave tautog fishing a shot off Narragansett Saturday and did pretty good and then fished for school striped bass in the Bay on the way back.”

“The squid are in.” said Dave Henault of Ocean State. A customer caught five pounds of squid. Newport, Jamestown and the Sakonnet area all had large amounts of squid this weekend.”

Freshwater fishing is excellent. Rhode Island DEM has restocked trout a second time in some locations. For a list of stocked and restocked water ways visit  www.dem.ri.gov. “The State of RI did an outstanding job stocking ponds this year as all fishermen seem to be very happy. We have some customers that have been fishing Carolina Trout Pond and have done well. Anglers are starting to switch from hatchery bait types to natural baits such as night crawlers and spinner baits.” said Mike Wade of Watch Hill. Trout is not the only freshwater fish biting… “I have already weighed in more five plus pound bass than I did all of last year was Dave Henault of Ocean State.

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shellfishing for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. He is a RISAA board member, a member of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association and a member of the RI Marine Fisheries Council. Contact or forward fishing news and photos to Capt. Dave at dmontifish@verizon.net or visit his website at www.noflukefishing.com.