Martha’s Vineyard Derby Will Remove Striped Bass From Competition
The venerable saltwater fishing contest entering its 75th year, will eliminate striped bass from the competition this fall.
With striped bass stocks in steep decline all along the Eastern seaboard, the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby announced this week that it will eliminate the historic game fish from its storied saltwater fishing tournament this year.
The derby committee voted unanimously at a meeting on Jan. 30 to remove bass from the contest, which will mark its 75th anniversary in September.
The decision caps months of internal debate within the 36-member committee.
“We understand the magnitude of this decision,” derby president John Custer told the Gazette. “We recognize people look to the derby for leadership, and in that sense it was the responsible thing to do,” he added.
“It’s no secret the bass are struggling,” said Joe El-Deiry, chairman of the derby committee. “Striped bass are probably the most important fish that swim in these waters.”
The announcement was made Monday.
“Because of the obvious significance of striped bass — to the recreational fishing community and to the derby — we strongly believe that the responsible decision is to completely remove it as an eligible species in the 2020 derby, including any catch-and-release component,” a press release said in part.
Widely recognized as a premiere saltwater fishing competition, the derby offers prizes for the largest fish caught in four species categories: striped bass, bluefish, false albacore and bonito.
This marks the second time the derby has eliminated striped bass from the competition. The last time was in 1985, when striped bass stocks had hit a historic low. The decision was soon followed by a statewide moratorium on the taking of stripers. In 1993 striped bass were back in the derby.
Today the bass are in trouble again, and a groundswell of scientific, regulatory and conservationist efforts are aimed at restoring the dwindling population, which federal regulators have declared overfished since 2013. Last year, striped bass dropped 50 million pounds below their sustainable threshold.
The numbers are regional, as the fish migrate seasonally up and down the East Coast. But the impact of declining stocks has been felt at the local level. The derby, which is seen by some as a barometer for the health of the fishery, has documented the decline. This past fall committee members described an unsettling relative quiet inside the wood-frame derby headquarters at the foot of Main street in Edgartown. That quiet could be measured in pounds of fish.
In 2002, 800 striped bass crossed the scales at the weigh station. This year, 146 were weighed in.
“A scientist would say the few striped bass weighed in during the derby clearly isn’t going to impact the whole stock,” Mr. Custer said. “It was a drop in the bucket of a much greater issue.”
New slot regulations adopted this year by federal regulators will restrict the maximum size of keeper striped bass to 35 inches, effectively prohibiting the taking of large fish. The rules apply to the recreational fishery; different reductions apply to the commercial fishery. Given the new rules, some fishermen said the derby had no choice but to eliminate the fish. And there were claims that the derby committee was under pressure from sponsors.
But Mr. El-Deiry disputed both notions.
“It’s not about that,” he said. “It’s about being leaders in encouraging healthy stocks for the future. We have always prided ourselves in our conservation efforts.”
Anglers around the Island reacted to the news.
Some expressed dismay, especially charter fishermen, who said taking bass out of the derby will hurt their business, a small but important cog in the Island shoulder season economy. But many more voiced their support, declaring it an important gesture, even if symbolic, that the derby rise to the challenge of saving the stripers.
“Striped bass have been hurting for a long time,” said Jamie Boyle, an Island flyfishing guide. “We can take the hit.”
“It’s the right thing to do,” said Kib Bramhall, a respected longtime fisherman and conservationist who lives in West Tisbury. He continued:
“The amount of bass caught in the derby was a drop in the bucket compared to the overall coastal catch — it’s about being a leader in the conservation of a threatened species rather than putting the bounty on the head of a fish that is threatened.”
Walter Greene, a young recreational fisherman who lives in West Tisbury, said he agreed with the derby committee’s decision but nevertheless found it hard to take in.
“When it really comes down to it, it’s sad,” he said. “It’s sad because it’s the decision that needs to happen at this point. I wish we didn’t have to even think about this.
“I’m not bummed at the derby, I’m bummed that this has to happen.”
Wes Brighton, a commercial fisherman who lives in Chilmark and is a member of the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust, echoed a similar sentiment.
“It’s complex,” he said. “I think there’s a problem with trophy fishing in general . . . no question there has been a lot of increased pressure on the recreational side of the fishery.”
Some Island fishermen believe the slot limit doesn’t go far enough. They point to the fact that the juvenile fish population is strong, while the large breeding-aged fish are struggling. The slot limit would effectively place the juvenile fish in target range over the next few years, killing them before they are able to fully mature into breeders. There have been calls for the state to go further, by eliminating the commercial fishery and making striped bass a game fish, or even establishing a statewide moratorium.
Regardless, Mr. Custer said the derby committee felt the time to act is now.
“We didn’t want to sit around and wait for the state to catch up,” he said. “We play a small role, but the decision was a symbolic gesture that we hope regulators and the recreational community pay close attention to.”
There is also concern that state and federal regulators are too narrowly focused on catch limits while ignoring other factors, including the booming seal population and disappearing menhaden stocks, a key food source for striped bass. Large quantities of menhaden are being scooped up as bycatch by midwater trawlers that ply Atlantic waters.
“It’s complicated, we all want striped bass to come back, but they are failing in the places that matter,” said Jennifer Clarke, an Island charter captain based in Menemsha, referring to the state Division of Marine Fisheries.
Mr. Custer, who has had a leadership role in the derby for many years, acknowledged the conundrum.
“We recognize the tournament supports the local economy, and charter fishermen are a huge part of that,” he said. “The fish are incredibly important to all of us. But the most important thing is the success of the fishery.”
In the press release, the derby committee said it would continue to partner with fishery scientists and state regulators “in an effort to thoughtfully and responsibly consider the role of striped bass in the derby . . . we encourage anglers and derby participants to continue to think about striped bass, even if not fishing for them.” It concludes:
“While it is disappointing to not include striped bass in the 2020 derby, we recognize it as a necessary decision, just as the committee did in 1985. We hope it again will be part of a larger effort that is successful in realizing the recovery of striped bass.”
Mr. Custer said while no striped bass will cross the scales at the weigh station come fall, the derby name will remain unchanged. And the trademark leaderboard that hangs on the wall of derby headquarters will have an empty black column running parallel to columns for bluefish, false albacore and bonito.
“We aren’t going to cover up the striped bass column, we are going to keep it right there,” he said. “Even if it’s blank, we want everybody to be thinking, and working towards, the recovery of the fish.”
Comments
I’m reading Janet Messineo’s
Meg K ForestdaleI’m reading Janet Messineo’s book just read the chapter about this happening 1985-1993. I wonder how many years this will last. We definitely need to protect this elusive fish.
Wow! I think it’s great to
Mike Holliday Stuart, FLWow! I think it’s great to see the Derby be the ones setting the trends based on their catch records and health of the fishery! It’s incumbent on all anglers to make sure we have healthy fisheries to hand down to future generations of anglers. Way to go!
The derby is not being
James PI3 EdgartownThe derby is not being proactive, they are being completely reactive. They had no choice but to take this measure. They've been behind the curve on conservation issues at every step along the way.
They are not setting trends,
Steve FalmouthThey are not setting trends, they are lagging behind. Let's be honest the only reason they are dropping striped bass is the new slot rules prohibiting keeping large bass. If they are concerned about fish stocks, why not set some trends and do the same for Bluefish which are now considered overfished? Other more prestigious striper tournaments like the striper cup are already catch and release.
Source on Bluefish being
Slater MVSource on Bluefish being overfished? I find that claim dubious....
https://www.onthewater.com
Steve Falmouthhttps://www.onthewater.com/big-cut-to-bluefish-bag-limit
Wow. Thanks Steve. Is there
Slater MVWow. Thanks Steve. Is there anything we humans can’t muck up?
Derby was forced into it but
R Scott Patterson EdgartownDerby was forced into it but I will take it. Not really a viable way to keep the striper in with the new slot limit. Derby unable to lead on an important issue but at least they are able to follow actual leaders.
Give it a break,I've been
Charlie Callahan So Boston/EdgartownGive it a break,I've been fishing the derby for 50 years and now they are blaming sport fishermen and commercial guys on the depletion. No mention of the 100,000 or so seals that weigh 200lbs and eat their weight per day on stripers,bonito,albacore,haddock etc etc and lobsters every day in the summer. And the 500 or so great whites who do the same at 1000 lbs each. That translates to about TWENTY MILLION LBS EACH DAY. Not to mention the seals are contaminating the clam flats on the cape.Do something about the real problem, it's not the fishermen killing them off. They were given endangered species status and it was never true.
How do you explain a similar
Bob Long IslandHow do you explain a similar bass stock population here on LI without desks and great whites?
The SEALS are the root of
JTWellfleet Cape CodThe SEALS are the root of this as other issues we are having in Cape Cod waters !! They need to be eradicated and controlled. We who live here see it & know it , not someone fighting for the seals living in Oklahoma !
You got it right on the $!!!
Warren BostonYou got it right on the $!!!
Regardless of whether they
AM 02539Regardless of whether they came to this conclusion on their own, or simply had no real choice, it’s a great outcome. Bravo!
Eliminating the commercial
john hauck bostonEliminating the commercial season on striped bass would also help alot
Recreational take is 5-7
Joe Day FalmouthRecreational take is 5-7 times the commercial take and always has been. In addition, the Rec’s mortality rate is much higher due to use of plugs with treble hooks, poor handling, picture taking, ridiculously light tackle which exhausts the fish to the point where they can’t recover, catching (sticking hooks into) scores of schoolies “for fun”, etc.
That argument has been debunked so many times it’s amazing people still bring it up.
Are you including the
Joe Knight MelroseAre you including the commercial by-catch mortality?...the draggers who scoop up entire schools of breeders at a time and then dump them over the rail to float belly up?
The Derby has an opportunity
DBar17 EdgartownThe Derby has an opportunity to extend this gesture to have a more impactful outcome on MV. I kindly suggest they prepare and implement a multilingual, (e.g.,English, Portuguese), educational inreach and outreach program. The curriculum could consist of informing and teaching topics ranging from the state of the fisheries in our waters, best practices for the commercial and recreational angler to enjoy the sport and intentionally engage in sustainable angling practices. Devoting a majority of their energy to sustainable fisheries could inculcate similar practices across the island angling community and for the visiting anglers we host. That said, I believe the best practice at this point would be to shut down the Atlantic striped bass fishery until such time that the regulatory bodies, i.e., ASMFC, are restructured with scientists, not lobbyists.
All great ideas..... but don
Steve FalmouthAll great ideas..... but don't hold your breath
It’s the right choice and
Frank Poirot Windsor, CtIt’s the right choice and kudos to the committee for making it.
It is the right decision, the
Kib Bramhall West TisburyIt is the right decision, the right thing to do.
Remember the last time the
kevin cusack OBRemember the last time the striped bass was removed from the derby approximately 1986 through 88.
Reason “cyclical depletion of the stock”. The fish returned strong for 30 years. We’re just going through another one of those cycles.
I remember growing up I used
J Klingensmith Naples FloridaI remember growing up I used to go fishing all the time and catch monster Stripers and Blues right off Lighthouse beach. I would have wont the Derby if I entered it. When I brought the fish home and weighed them I would compare the weights to the Derby Leaders and mine weighed more. One year I would have wont the Blue and Bass division. I started noticing a difference in the size of fish caught before moving to Florida. Down here I have won several local tournaments.
Some stories never change.
B. Wilson Martha's VineyardSome stories never change.
Were it up to me there'd be a
Nostromo New Jersey CoastWere it up to me there'd be a ten year moratorium on any and all striped bass harvesting or harrassment (fishing). Period. That would effectively remove me from the game. I haven't kept one for the table since 1995. After Hurricane Sandy in 2012 there was a noticeable improvement, locally, for a couple of years but that has ended.
Thank you to those who serve
Teri culletto Vineyard havenThank you to those who serve in the committee and demonstrate how to lead . To say no when no is the right answer is never easy, but it is the very right thing to do. The fishing derby will be just fine, with it’s “cast” of characters, late nights at the docks, early sunrises on the jetties chasing those blues, bonito And Albies with plenty of fish stories To tell over hot coffee down at the weigh-in. It’s the Button, the pin , the hat and Fish stories that “lure” me in . I will proudly wear my button in 2020. Thank you to the Derby Committee for being brave enough to say no when no was needed.
Thank you, for doing the
Anne WashashoreThank you, for doing the right thing. Every year when my family visits The Vineyard we look forward to catching and buying that wonderful Striped Bass. We all should do our part. Someone have a better recipe for Bluefish? I’ll wait it out 8 or 9 years if it means my grandchildren will enjoy strippers in the future.
Sorry,not strippers, that
AnneSorry,not strippers, that would be interesting
When I was a boy my
Rick Howard South HamiltonWhen I was a boy my grandfather told me about surfcasting at night on Lynn Beach. He said that in the dark you had to be careful not to trip on the stripers laid out on the sand. He would come home with the trunk of his Chevy full of fish, more than you could eat. He would make the rounds in the neighborhood giving them away. These were the depression years. No thought of conservation back then. The supply was endless.
This is sad but necessary.
Barry Woods Portland, METhis is sad but necessary. Seals and bass have co-evolved over millennia. It is adding human pressure as much as anything that has changed the dynamic.This is BOTH a recreational and commercial problem and it won't get better, in fact t will get worse, if no actions are taken. These fish deserve our attention and best efforts to create a sustainable population with diversity of age classes. Pay now or pay later. Or should I say our children will be the ones picking up the tab. Thanks to the leaders of the MV Derby for highlighting the dire strait this fishery is now in.
The commercial guys always
Michael Frick Edgartown Ma and Ft Myers FLThe commercial guys always make a claim that it's the sport fishermen blah blah blah. How many undersized fish do the commercial guys kill that get caught in the nets they use? 1 boat kills more in a day then 200 sport guys all season long. Have you ever seen the videos of stretches of a mile long of dead bass?
I applaud the committee for doing this but a commercial moratorium needs to be implemented as well. Slotting is an ok start. They use it in FL on many species but until a commercial moratorium is started this is a band aid on a major surgery incision.
And yes seals and sharks contribute and need to be controlled but holding the commercial guys feet to the fire and working with them is the only longterm solution.
Eliminate commercial netting.
John Gonsi Plymouth, MaEliminate commercial netting. Rod and reel take is so small it us irrelevant.
Require circle hooks for rec bait fishing and require barbless trebles on all lures and put a two treble max on all lures.
Why don't they crack down on
Joe FalmouthWhy don't they crack down on all the illegal fishermen. You have the Asians,taking absolutely everything that they catch. From the smallest fish to anything. Groups of 5,10 or more people..no environmental police do anything about it..go to wood hole in the spring and summer and you will see for yourself.
How about just policing the
Steve FalmouthHow about just policing the cape cod canal? Show up in force every blitz and start checking for licenses and poached fish
People have been poaching
Marine Engineer FalmouthPeople have been poaching illegal stripers from the canal for years. Back when I was in school at MMA I used to see people line the canal before sunrise and take what they catch. Now my son goes there and he says it still goes on. Why dont the game wardens just try going there at odd hours and cracking down.
Charlie and JT nailed it. I
Mike Walsh Waltham/FalmouthCharlie and JT nailed it. I have seen seals swimming in between bathers at Falmouth heights beach on several occasions recently in summer months. This wasn't the case years ago. It is proof that the seals are coming and destroying the striper population. Charlie's facts are correct. Amount of seals, weight and amount of fish eaten per day! And the fecal waste. I do applaud the decision made, but something has to be done about the seals (but what?).
Part One is now complete, and
Mr. B ChilmarkPart One is now complete, and congrats to the Derby for getting there. Now comes Part Two: refusing to purchase or sell striped bass for the coming year(s). Eat what you catch, certainly. Share with friends over dinner. But no more marketing of the species until we get them back up in numbers. Maybe the students can, as they have in other cases, bring pressure to bear on the market. I will happily direct all my trade to any fish market that posts clearly the sign "No Striped Bass This Season."
A little late but good idea.
Steve FalmouthA little late but good idea. Now make the tourney catch an release
I'd have to add that
Nostromo New Jersey CoastI'd have to add that preserving the Menhaden biomass is of utmost importance too. I'm not much of an alarmist but things are approaching a critical juncture.
People always forget to
PHD in Marine BiologyPeople always forget to mention/protect the feeder fish!
Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden Menhaden, don't forget about the Menhaden
Thank you! Let the call ring
Nostromo New Jersey CoastThank you! Let the call ring out!
and herring too, get rid of
Steve Falmouthand herring too, get rid of the dams and protect the herring runs
If the state would wake up
Don't wanna say West TisburyIf the state would wake up and extend rec seabass season could they give us seabass and scup I'm serious otherwise look out bonito and Albies even a searobin! hell lemme enter a squid
The derby has been behind the
James PI3 EdgatownThe derby has been behind the times at every step of the way with regards to conservation. They had to make this move. It wasn't a choice. They should apologize for not acting sooner.
Agree 100%! I have been
R Scott Patterson EdgartownAgree 100%! I have been talking about the derby's refusal to protect the striper for several years now and have boycotted and not joined the last two. What's funny is that all the fisherman I have spoken with face to face while out fishing have agreed with me. Seems the last to recognize the dire state of the Striper population was the Derby.
Let's clear up the Seal issue
Sledge Grew up on MV, live off island now, still have house and summer thereLet's clear up the Seal issue with some facts and not opinion. Not sure what you think of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, but I consider them a pretty reliable source. If you have better, scientific data, please share.
http://nasrc.whoi.edu/faqs
From the article:
Do seals compete with fishermen for target fish or depredate on target catch?
Some seals do depredate on catch and interact with commercial fishing operations.
Changes to fishing gear or practices may be able to reduce this depredation, though this has been a challenge in other areas and fisheries with seal depredation issues.
Data from studies conducted along Cape Cod indicate that spiny dogfish cause more of an impact and depredate more than harbor seals (Rafferty et al. 2012, Sirak et al. 2015). Quantity and costs have not been assessed relative to gray seals.
Long term data studies on seal diet in the U.S. indicate that the primary diet of gray seals are sandlance, hake species and flatfish (Wenzel et al. 2017, Ampela 2009). More research is underway using stable isotopes, fatty acids and prey DNA to fully understand the diet of seals in the U.S.
Given their diverse diet, it is unlikely that seals are controlling the population of any particular species of fish. However, additional research is needed to review a wide temporal and spatial scale.
>>>>> With regard to "contaminating the clam flats", I would like to read data that supports this claim please.
From the article:
Are seals taking over beaches and causing beach closures due to their feces?
No.
A recent Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) study based on data collected by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health indicated that seals are not driving beach closures. Over time, water quality closures of beaches near seals did not increase and may, in fact, have decreased, while water quality closures of beaches far from seals remained steady or increased. Additional research is needed to confirm that beach closures are caused by effluent from human sources.
Thank you Sledge. A voice of
Dr GThank you Sledge. A voice of reason.
Lots of good comments above.
tom aquinnahLots of good comments above. After seeing the seal population on the Cape explode, I find it hard to believe they aren't part of the problem. But we do need more scientific data to confirm. That said, they aren't eating seaweed. And the depletion of menhaden also seems a contributing factor. Please get the data.
I remember the Vineyard
Francis Klink FloridaI remember the Vineyard having a great fishery when I was a kid. My Uncle used to take me out on his boat, The M/V Top Dollar, to catch stripers off of Wasque. Maybe they should look at creating another fishery with other species like seal, beagle beaks and sea robin. I know native Alakans eat seal and I have eaten sea robin....it is delicious.
Bottom line is we need to relieve the pressure of the stripers in favor of non-traditional species. Who nose, it could create a booming fishery.
Francis,
John Boone ChappaquiddickFrancis,
I believe that seals are a protected species.
Secondly, I have never heard of a beagle beak?
John,
Francis FloridaJohn,
You are right about seals being protected, but there is now the need to reverse legislation.
Beagle beaks are a species of dogfish, but with elongated snouts. Funny story: My uncle nicknamed me Beagle Beak because I have a very large nose. When I was a kid on his boat I couldn't swim so I had to wear a life preserver. He used to say that if I ever fell in the water, to float on my back and the wind would fill my nostrils and sail me to shore.
My uncle liked to bust chops, but I miss fishing with him.
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