Cod fishing 2012 in GOM

[SWEET DREAM III]

Also note the parts about the cod being smaller for a given age than historically. I am sure that couldn't have anything to do with having to compete with millions of dog fish for food and the pair trawlers slamming the herring. Probably all unrelated.

[bobbysea]

Not to diverge, but from 91 to 94 my dad and I would run our 31 Rampage up to Harwichport from the 1st of March till Memorial Day to take advantage of the cod fishing.We'd run up there because the traditional grounds of Block and MTK sucked. At the time they were shutting down the fishery because of supposed low tow numbers. We'd fish the Regal Sword if we could and stop and drop on the way back. It would be nothing to fill 6 or 7 totes in no time with market fish on the inshore numbers. Many times I'd see draggers northeast of the Lemons not far from us and I'd keep asking myself if it's this good now what was it like before? As many of you are aware the cod fishing around Block and MTK for the past few years has been at times outstanding. My question is, are they intentionaly taking sample tows where they know there are no fish? Who is it that tells them where to tow?

[F/V Kelley Anne]

Also note the parts about the cod being smaller for a given age than historically. I am sure that couldn't have anything to do with having to compete with millions of dog fish for food and the pair trawlers slamming the herring. Probably all unrelated.

Roger that Capt.!

[Captain Greg Sears]

Not to diverge, but from 91 to 94 my dad and I would run our 31 Rampage up to Harwichport from the 1st of March till Memorial Day to take advantage of the cod fishing.We'd run up there because the traditional grounds of Block and MTK sucked. At the time they were shutting down the fishery because of supposed low tow numbers. We'd fish the Regal Sword if we could and stop and drop on the way back. It would be nothing to fill 6 or 7 totes in no time with market fish on the inshore numbers. Many times I'd see draggers northeast of the Lemons not far from us and I'd keep asking myself if it's this good now what was it like before? As many of you are aware the cod fishing around Block and MTK for the past few years has been at times outstanding. My question is, are they intentionaly taking sample tows where they know there are no fish? Who is it that tells them where to tow?

From my understanding they have taken samples from the same exact tow lines every year never changing location. If the fish move over 100 yards they will catch nothing. plus If you tow in the same place over and over you flatten the ground so there is no structure for forage. also they are using a new boat and who knows if the crew is setting the net correctly. If you have an unbalanced net the fish just fall out before they even get caught.

I just received information regarding the Haddock change proposal and I talk to people at headquarters regarding the cod situation and asked why this was not mentioned in their letter. They told me any change in recreational cod fishing was just rumor at this point and no plans have been made at this point..? I am not sure if they are just keeping it quiet until the meeting this January to avoid a bunch of us wanting to attend or if they are going to do nothing in regards to Recreational fishing. They told me all the talks where about commercial quota not recreational. Some of you may have more information please feel free to comment..

[FullStrikeAngler]

I just don't believe the data they use to determine recreational catch rate has any validity. If haddock are indeed in such dire straits, why have they been allowing fishing in the Georges Bank closed haddock spawning area for the past few years,and when the midwater trawlers exceeded their limit of haddock by catch why did they simply increase their by catch quota. Recreational angling is not the problem here but we are easy targets as we are not unified and do not speak with one
voice.

Meanwhile, the cod decision (recommendation) will be made at the Council meeting Jan 31-Feb 2 in Portsmouth and the changes will be put in place beginning May 1, 2012 (beginning of the new fishing year). Unless Congress steps in and directs NMFS in another direction, it dosen't look good for either sector, commercial or recreational, in terms of cod fishing in 2012 in the GOM.

[happytuna]

i hope everyone sends a letter in it is open till 1/17/212

[ironskippy]

[QUOTE=FullStrikeAngler;2312167]

Meanwhile, the cod decision (recommendation) will be made at the Council meeting Jan 31-Feb 2 in Portsmouth and the changes will be put in place beginning May 1, 2012 (beginning of the new fishing year).

Does this mean we can plan for the 10 fish limit for the last two weeks of April? That would be a key piece of knowledge so I could schedule to get my cod people out then.

jb