Fisheries Commission sets winter meeting agenda

The final agenda and meeting materials for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) 2021 Winter Meeting Webinar are now available at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2021-winter-meeting-webinar; click on the relevant Board/Committee name to access the documents for that Board/Committee. For ease of access, all meeting documents have been combined into one document: Main Meeting Materials.

The ASMFC managers most of the fish species recreational anglers like to catch and eat in State waters from the three mile limit to shore. Commission Board meeting that are of particular interest to anglers include the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board; an important American Striped Bass Board meeting where the stock assessment timeline and the new proposed circle hook regulations could be voted on as a final action; as well as an Atlantic Menhaden Management Board meeting and a number of other species meetings.
 
Supplemental materials have been posted to the website. The Commission may adjust this agenda in accordance with the actual duration of Board meetings. If meetings run late the next meeting may start later than originally planned.
 
Board meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar, continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 4:30 p.m.) on Thursday, Feb. 4. The webinar will allow registrants to listen to board deliberations and view presentations and motions as they occur. To register for the webinar go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4886491769864000527, Webinar ID# 151-774-483.
 
Each day, the webinar will begin 30 minutes prior to the start of the first meeting so that people can troubleshoot any connectivity or audio issues they may encounter. If you are having issues with the webinar (connecting to or audio related issues), please contact Chris Jacobs at 703/842-0790.

Where’s the bite?

Freshwater fishing is focusing on large and smallmouth bass. John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside, said, “Things are kind of slow. We are in between ice fishing, shore and kayak fishing. Not enough ice to ice fish in most ponds, but too much ice to launch a kayak or fish from shore in some places… Some anglers are trout fishing in ponds stocked by the states of RI and MA.” For 2021 licensing information and a list of trout stocked ponds in Rhode Island visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/freshwater-fisheries; and in Massachusetts visit www.mass.gov/freshwater-fishing-information.
Cod fishing. Party boats fishing for cod this winter (weather permitting) include the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com, the Seven B’s at www.sevenbs.com, and the Island Current at www.islandcurrent.com.

Dave Monti 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, the American Saltwater Guides Association and the RI Marine Fisheries Council. Forward fishing news and photos to Capt. Dave at dmontifish@verizon.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.