Disturbing Video

[La Gringa]

Email sent. Hope I don't get killed out there. I can see the headlines now: Boston Man Killed in Collision with Unknown Fishing Vessel

Gentlemen,

It was suggested that I forward a video taken last weekend E of the shipping lanes off Chatham. I presume it's the result of bycatch after spotting a comm boat a short distance away. Nothing I saw was illegal. Nor is splitting the nets before the haul hits the deck to avoid reporting of bycatch. In fact, it's required by law. However, that doesn't make it right.

What we witnessed were 100s, maybe 1000s of large striped bass floating on the surface. Some dead, some not. None would surely survive. What a waste!!!

Here is a link to one of the videos. You can have all of the originals. A copy was also forwarded to WBZ news. I don't know what else to do with them.

http://www.chumtini.com/media/Videos/DeadBass-1.wmv

Sincerely,

Mr. Chumtini

wtg Chum...!!! doing something is better than doing nothing.... nothing will get nothing... but maybe this will get something... keep us posted...!!

[Animal 1]

I just read something interesting in this weeks fisherman mag.NEAMAP has been dragging for surveying purposes.
Well apparently on October 6(real close to the date you posted this)they made a tow in which they reported approximatelt 1100 striped bass were caught.They reported that all but a dozen swam away fine.This from the captain of the DARANA R,a NC boat captained by Jim Ruhle.
I'm not sure exactly where you took your film Chum,but this allegedly took place near the Shrewsbury rocks.
It's kinda sickening that the way they estimate the stocks is by killing them needlessly.

[chumtini]

I didn't mark our position. It was slighty N of the route between Chatham Harbor and the Sword, just E of the lanes. Right about here..

[BasicPatrick]

Mr Chumtini,

I can not thank you enough for posting this video and starting attention once again be focused on an ongoing problem. As a past President of the MA Striped Bass Assn and the current gov't Affairs Officer, I have been trying to get this issue adressed for years. Your video coupled with the multiple reports of this latest incident has gotten the attention refocused once again.

MSBA released the following statement last night:

Dear MSBA Member,

There is once again reports by the Tuna fleet of a massive kill of large Striped Bass in the area east of Chatham. Video of this obvious commercial by catch incident can be found at the following web address:

Disturbing Video

On behalf of the membership of MSBA, I recently sent the following e-mail to MA DMF Director Paul Diodati:

Dear Director Diodati,

I am writing you to express the total outrage felt by the members of MSBA and the recreational fishing community in general regarding recent reports of a massive amount of Striped Bass by catch being witnessed by the Tuna Fleet while fishing "out east" of Chatham. As I have been investigating these reports, it is becoming clear that there were Mid water Trawlers in the area just prior to the discovery of miles of large dead and dying Striped Bass. I am sure that by now you know there is video of the actual by catch on the Internet and that video has literally had my phone and e-mail overloaded. The fact that this "may" be another by catch issue associated with the Mid water Trawl fleet makes the situation even worse.

To be clear, whether this by catch is truly coming from the Mid water Trawl fleet or from the boats of the twelve disciples themselves this ANNUAL SLAUGHTER OF STRIPED BASS MIGRATING SOUTH TO SPAWNING HABITATAT MUST BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. ANYTHING LESS THAN EMERGENCY ACTION BY DMF IS BOTH IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!! I am contacting you today to formally request you use your authority and take some kind of emergency action to stop what will surely be further needless by catch of thousands of pounds of striped bass over the coming weeks.

I am also writing to let you know that at this point, after years of protesting this by catch with phone calls and diplomacy, MSBA can no longer sit by and wait for nothing to be done by DMF and other fisheries management agencies. The Mid water Trawl fleet has recently been involved in a massive Haddock by catch incident, has recently been reported as having predictable and significant River Herring by catch incidents, and continues to be suspected of "take" of protected mammals and whales. For years DMF has known of the annual slaughter of Striped Bass that has prompted this e-mail. It is time for emergency action and then vigorous follow up with the appropriate agencies. This dirtiest of all commercial fisheries must be severely restricted now.

In closing, I have recently been shown the e-mail exchange between yourself and Peter Baker of the Herring Alliance and need to let you know the tone and language in his original e-mail are an accurate description of the many e-mails and phone calls I am currently receiving. Please be informed the recreational community has no choice than to get very loud on this issue and point the finger at the DMF for once again allowing this massive and predictable Striped Bass kill to have occurred. Please give me a reason to not "attack" DMF over this issue.

As always, I can be contacted via my cell phone to discuss this issue.

sincerely
Patrick Paquette
MSBA Gov;t Affairs

MSBA has asked it's membership and the membership of many recreational fishing web based discussion boards to call DMF and request emergency action. It is true, DMF only deals with State Wates however DMF could push hard and get NMFS to adress the issue immediately. Also, without DMF leading the charge it is unlikely any action will be taken by either The New England Fisheries Management Council or any other fisheries management agency.

I will be sending Chumtini a PM later this evening as your videos and eye witness account may help end this atrocity.

I just wanted to thank you in public for your shining lite on this very predictable annual by catch incident.

[backman]

I can also produce an eye witness who was running my boat (without me) that day. He has 4-6 still pictures of the fish floating.

[BasicPatrick]

Hey guys,

I am collecting a bunch of info to use in a campaign to try and end this and other by catch issues related to the Midwater Trawl fleet.

I need written accounts of what was encountered that are signed with contact info etc. These will go to public officials that may contact you.

I am also looking for any video or pictures of the by catch. The best photos would be of commercial vessels actually discarding or working the area.

Bottom line is we need all the info and proof we can gather.

send me a private message and I will respond

[twofinbluna]

Getting shots of boats actually doing the dumping would be very helpful. The next best thing to do would be to observe who what boats are in the area of the dumped fish- that is what types of boats, with names if possible, and anything else that can help identify who may have done it. And always keep record of where it is done, too.

If you are not there when they are dumped, videos of the discards are great, too, so not saying to ignore that. What chumtini did was the right thing to do in the situation- get it on tape, then spread it around so people see.

Good reason to ALWAYS carry either a camera or, ideally, a camcorder.

[brad regan 01]

this is complete bs. i dont see how this is legal for a boat to do this.

[hamer31]

this is disgusting. i hope the MSBA is able to do something about it, but i can't say i'm hopeful because it seems that those responsible for controlling the commercial fleets let them do whatever they want

[backside bill]

Wow Can't believe that video. I bust my butt to be careful with the fish I catch to make sure they have a chance to survive after release and to see this makes me SICK.

Even during commercial season I release fish that are 33 and 9/16ths because it's the right thing to do.

Nice job bring this type of activity to the fore front