decline? for real?
“mr keys”
Can anyone post the highpoints of the meeting? I live too far away at the moment to make the meeting.
Sea Hunt BX22 Br
WS Tarpon 140
quote:
Originally posted by FishinCoachSPECIAL COBIA MEETING
Dr. Michael Denson, director for South Carolina’s Marine Resources Research Institute and one of the nations leading experts on Cobia presents the latest research on the decline </font id=“size5”> and challenges facing our Beaufort County Cobia fishery.
Friday, March 20th 6-7:30 PM Port Royal Sound FoundationMaritime Center at Lemon Island
310 Okatie Hwy.
This is very interesting…
I am going to post some information in a bit from SC DNR themselves. Hopefully, the above is just a bad choice of words for the meeting notification.
The Waddell Center is to be credited for a huge turnaround in our local cobia stocks. Not a decline at all.
This was presented to the SAFMC about two years ago.
http://www.safmc.net/sites/default/files/SCDNRCobiapptMDenson.pdf
About half-way through, look at the slide called “evidence of strong recruitment.”
Any “decline” would be historical- not recent. There should be an uptick in the population since 2009, which this last presentation is based on.
Personally, I have never seen so many cobia being caught offshore SC recreationally as there have been in the last few years. I thought what SC DNR suggested to the SAFMC was that the reason was the restocking at Waddell. This evidence helped the SAFMC and GMFMC decide not to do a joint gulf-s. atlantic management plan for cobia in the coastal migratory species plan. In other words, SC’s population has been going up while others’ have not, so we should not be under the same management regime as NC, GA and FL.
They were wanting to cut the bag limit or put in a spawning season clo
Agreed Phin - I have never heard of so many cobia being caught offshore in the past 4 years in all my 40 something of fishing the waters near Beaufort. However, the fact that SO many fish have been taken out at the Ross and other offshore wrecks, has played havoc on the river fisherman and fancy fly-guys who site fish. Both used to be able to catch fish regularly. Ask some of those guys if they think the double digit numbers PER BOAT at the Ross have had a “NEGATIVE IMPACT OR DECLINE” in their fun… I bet you they say yes.
Something should be done to curb all the fish being killed offshore, maybe this is a good first step meeting.
24 Scottie Craft
Twin Chrysler 454’s
Semper Fi - USMC 67’
quote:
Originally posted by OldSchoolAgreed Phin - I have never heard of so many cobia being caught offshore in the past 4 years in all my 40 something of fishing the waters near Beaufort. However, the fact that SO many fish have been taken out at the Ross and other offshore wrecks, has played havoc on the river fisherman and fancy fly-guys who site fish. Both used to be able to catch fish regularly. Ask some of those guys if they think the double digit numbers PER BOAT at the Ross have had a “NEGATIVE IMPACT OR DECLINE” in their fun… I bet you they say yes.
Something should be done to curb all the fish being killed offshore, maybe this is a good first step meeting.
24 Scottie Craft
Twin Chrysler 454’s
Semper Fi - USMC 67’
Sounds like there needs to be a boat limit in addition to 2 per person???
And/or - increase the min. size limit.
I’m just saying be careful what you wish for. The river boys will get SHUT DOWN in their peak months if the feds and enviros get what they originally sought.
http://www.sustainablefishing.org/
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
Mr. Phin is a smart fellow.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
The title of that graph may be taken out of context. It is hard to see the colors on the figures, but if I am getting the colors correct the figure is saying that 2004 was a successful year for spawning, which led to good recruitment to the fishery in 2007(when the fish are age 3 and susceptible to fishing). You are then following that year class (all the fish spawned in 2004) through the subsequent years, which is why you are seeing the step like pattern in the humps from 2007-2009. Every year there are less and less fish in that year class due to both natural and fishing mortality. I would suspect that you would see that pattern at age 6 fish in 2010, age 7 in 2011, etc. This would explain the years of high catches and possibly lead to lower catches in coming years as that year class dies out(or the decline that was mentioned). If you had another year of successful spawning in 2012, then this year could be awesome. But I could be interpreting the figure wrong.
With that being said I think they should place some management restrictions on the river, but not close it down completely. A combination of increasing the size limit and lowering possession limits, as Phin mentioned, would be a great plan. It is to easy to target the river fish that are coming in to spawn. It is common sense that you can’t consistently hammer spawning aggregations and expect the resource to withstand it year in and out. I personally have never taken part in the fishery, but friends who do say that the river fishing is getting worse every year. Unfortunately, a lot folks have the mentality of take, take, take and deal with it when it crashes. And before I am called a hippy, PETA supporting, tree hugging, democrat I do kill my fair share of fish and am all for responsible fish harvesting.
FYI. DNR is looking at genetics to try and determine if there is an inshore population and offshore population. Not sure if they have finished that study up or not though. But could explain why catches offshore are good while inshore
quote:
Originally posted by fishcrazyThe title of that graph may be taken out of context. It is hard to see the colors on the figures, but if I am getting the colors correct the figure is saying that 2004 was a successful year for spawning, which led to good recruitment to the fishery in 2007(when the fish are age 3 and susceptible to fishing). You are then following that year class (all the fish spawned in 2004) through the subsequent years, which is why you are seeing the step like pattern in the humps from 2007-2009. Every year there are less and less fish in that year class due to both natural and fishing mortality. I would suspect that you would see that pattern at age 6 fish in 2010, age 7 in 2011, etc. This would explain the years of high catches and possibly lead to lower catches in coming years as that year class dies out(or the decline that was mentioned). If you had another year of successful spawning in 2012, then this year could be awesome. But I could be interpreting the figure wrong.
With that being said I think they should place some management restrictions on the river, but not close it down completely. A combination of increasing the size limit and lowering possession limits, as Phin mentioned, would be a great plan. It is to easy to target the river fish that are coming in to spawn. It is common sense that you can’t consistently hammer spawning aggregations and expect the resource to withstand it year in and out. I personally have never taken part in the fishery, but friends who do say that the river fishing is getting worse every year. Unfortunately, a lot folks have the mentality of take, take, take and deal with it when it crashes. And before I am called a hippy, PETA supporting, tree hugging, democrat I do kill my fair share of fish and am all for responsible fish harvesting.FYI. DNR is looking at genetics to try and determine if there is an i
I can’t resist the opportunity to weigh in…hate me if you will.
Let’s just say there were those who emphatically stated at the turn of the last century (during the era…not after) that market gunning was not the cause of the decline in the duck population. We all know the decline in giant bluefin has been well documented since the 1980s, yet the world continues to hammer 'em year after year. Let’s not get caught with pants down…could we just try to be proactive rather than reactive?
What DNR does say is that fully 50% of the surveyed, harvested cobia taken in PRS are hatchery fish. That alone is scary…that we have to depend upon the hatchery to SUSTAIN the current fishery.
How about something reasonable, such as a reduction in catch limits…a boat limit and perhaps even a purchased trophy tag (with funds supporting hatchery efforts)…anything to slow mortality a bit in order to leave some for our kids and grands before the fishery collapses under increased pressures? Does everyone really need to keep 2 cobia per day the entire season??? How about the high mercury levels, especially in the larger fish? I don’t want to feed my friends and family high doses.
All I want to say is let’s open a civil dialogue to look at long-term sustainability of the species and the fishery. We in South Carolina have long enjoyed some of the most liberal creels and game bag limits in the nation. Our deer hunters, who now enjoy the longest deer season in the nation, are struggling right now with proposed buck limits…never mind that we are also the LAST state in the nation to have no limit on bucks!
Mayhaps we bees a tiny tad bit spoiled?
Ah hah… good information
“mr keys”
quote:
Originally posted by Phinquote:
Originally posted by OldSchoolAgreed Phin - I have never heard of so many cobia being caught offshore in the past 4 years in all my 40 something of fishing the waters near Beaufort. However, the fact that SO many fish have been taken out at the Ross and other offshore wrecks, has played havoc on the river fisherman and fancy fly-guys who site fish. Both used to be able to catch fish regularly. Ask some of those guys if they think the double digit numbers PER BOAT at the Ross have had a “NEGATIVE IMPACT OR DECLINE” in their fun… I bet you they say yes.
Something should be done to curb all the fish being killed offshore, maybe this is a good first step meeting.
24 Scottie Craft
Twin Chrysler 454’s
Semper Fi - USMC 67’
Sounds like there needs to be a boat limit in addition to 2 per person???
And/or - increase the min. size limit.
I’m just saying be careful what you wish for. The river boys will get SHUT DOWN in their peak months if the feds and enviros get what they originally sought.
http://www.sustainablefishing.org/
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
So what if the “river boys” get shut down if it’s for the good of the fishery? Maybe the cobia fishery would be better off if only folks who fish offshore can target them instead of hundreds of jonboats in the Broad River trying to catch them when they’re most vulnerable.
The first rule of fight club is…
quote:
Originally posted by wildlifescI can’t resist the opportunity to weigh in…hate me if you will.
Let’s just say there were those who emphatically stated at the turn of the last century (during the era…not after) that market gunning was not the cause of the decline in the duck population. We all know the decline in giant bluefin has been well documented since the 1980s, yet the world continues to hammer 'em year after year. Let’s not get caught with pants down…could we just try to be proactive rather than reactive?
What DNR does say is that fully 50% of the surveyed, harvested cobia taken in PRS are hatchery fish. That alone is scary…that we have to depend upon the hatchery to SUSTAIN the current fishery.
How about something reasonable, such as a reduction in catch limits…a boat limit and perhaps even a purchased trophy tag (with funds supporting hatchery efforts)…anything to slow mortality a bit in order to leave some for our kids and grands before the fishery collapses under increased pressures? Does everyone really need to keep 2 cobia per day the entire season??? How about the high mercury levels, especially in the larger fish? I don’t want to feed my friends and family high doses.
All I want to say is let’s open a civil dialogue to look at long-term sustainability of the species and the fishery. We in South Carolina have long enjoyed some of the most liberal creels and game bag limits in the nation. Our deer hunters, who now enjoy the longest deer season in the nation, are struggling right now with proposed buck limits…never mind that we are also the LAST state in the nation to have no limit on bucks!
Mayhaps we bees a tiny tad bit spoiled?
Agree with you 100%. I want to make sure nobody misinterprets anything I have said as anything other than- be care
quote:
Originally posted by Warblerquote:
Originally posted by Phinquote:
Originally posted by OldSchoolAgreed Phin - I have never heard of so many cobia being caught offshore in the past 4 years in all my 40 something of fishing the waters near Beaufort. However, the fact that SO many fish have been taken out at the Ross and other offshore wrecks, has played havoc on the river fisherman and fancy fly-guys who site fish. Both used to be able to catch fish regularly. Ask some of those guys if they think the double digit numbers PER BOAT at the Ross have had a “NEGATIVE IMPACT OR DECLINE” in their fun… I bet you they say yes.
Something should be done to curb all the fish being killed offshore, maybe this is a good first step meeting.
24 Scottie Craft
Twin Chrysler 454’s
Semper Fi - USMC 67’
Sounds like there needs to be a boat limit in addition to 2 per person???
And/or - increase the min. size limit.
I’m just saying be careful what you wish for. The river boys will get SHUT DOWN in their peak months if the feds and enviros get what they originally sought.
http://www.sustainablefishing.org/
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
So what if the “river boys” get shut down if it’s for the good of the fishery? Maybe the cobia fishery would be better off if only folks who fish offshore can target them instead of hundreds of jonboats in the Broad River trying to catch them when they’re most vulnerable.
The first rule of fight club is…
quote:
Originally posted by Phinquote:
Originally posted by Warblerquote:
Originally posted by Phinquote:
Originally posted by OldSchoolAgreed Phin - I have never heard of so many cobia being caught offshore in the past 4 years in all my 40 something of fishing the waters near Beaufort. However, the fact that SO many fish have been taken out at the Ross and other offshore wrecks, has played havoc on the river fisherman and fancy fly-guys who site fish. Both used to be able to catch fish regularly. Ask some of those guys if they think the double digit numbers PER BOAT at the Ross have had a “NEGATIVE IMPACT OR DECLINE” in their fun… I bet you they say yes.
Something should be done to curb all the fish being killed offshore, maybe this is a good first step meeting.
24 Scottie Craft
Twin Chrysler 454’s
Semper Fi - USMC 67’
Sounds like there needs to be a boat limit in addition to 2 per person???
And/or - increase the min. size limit.
I’m just saying be careful what you wish for. The river boys will get SHUT DOWN in their peak months if the feds and enviros get what they originally sought.
http://www.sustainablefishing.org/
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
So what if the “river boys” get shut down if it’s for the good of the fishery? Maybe the cobia fishery would be better off if only folks who fish off
Where did this Warbler guy come from? Wowza, bets on when the oyster baron thread returns?
“mr keys”
quote:
Originally posted by northchuckyWhere did this Warbler guy come from? Wowza, bets on when the oyster baron thread returns?
“mr keys”
Oyster baron? WTH?
The first rule of fight club is…
Warbler,
I know both Phin and Wildlifesc, and they both care DEEPLY about our fishery!!
They may both have different ideas as how to maintain it, but, they speak to one another in a professional manner and I believe respect each others ideas/thoughts.
Chiming in with your BS remarks about Phin is not productive at all and shows just how little YOU know!!
Please keep the disrespectful stuff to yourself, or on another thread, on another FORUM!
BTW, I like the idea of the length being increased to allow for more spawning.
Just saw your post, Nothchucky…No kidding!
NN
07, 23 Key West, Twin 115 Yammys
“Coastal Bound”
quote:
Originally posted by Warblerquote:
Originally posted by northchuckyWhere did this Warbler guy come from? Wowza, bets on when the oyster baron thread returns?
“mr keys”
Oyster baron? WTH?
The first rule of fight club is…
the search feature is your friend. a fella was on here with a similar attitude to you in that not too distant past, things went downhill quickly for him. hilarious though for the rest of us… 
“mr keys”
quote:
Originally posted by DoubleNWarbler,
I know both Phin and Wildlifesc, and they both care DEEPLY about our fishery!!
They may both have different ideas as how to maintain it, but, they speak to one another in a professional manner and I believe respect each others ideas/thoughts.
Chiming in with your BS remarks about Phin is not productive at all and shows just how little YOU know!!
Please keep the disrespectful stuff to yourself, or on another thread, on another FORUM!
BTW, I like the idea of the length being increased to allow for more spawning.
Just saw your post, Nothchucky…No kidding!
NN
07, 23 Key West, Twin 115 Yammys
“Coastal Bound”
No disrespect intended, but when socialist principles such as “fairness” get injected into the discussion, I think it’s “fair” to allude to the political issue of socialism—that’s what the Obama comment was about.
And, by the way, please tell me how little I know. I can’t wait to hear that.
The first rule of fight club is…