The Guide Post

In this episode, Captain Ray Jarvis stopped by to talk everything false albacore. In the last few weeks, ASGA guides have deployed three (3) separate Floy tags on false albacore that were all recaptured less than two weeks later! These tags tell an important story about the value of false albacore as a catch and release fishery and raise questions about the total abundance of the fishery at scale. Seventeen (17) albies tagged by ASGA guides through the Coastal Pelagics Tagging Program have been recaptured to date. Each tag provides a look into the ever-moving lifestyle of little tunny…

False albacore management is back on the docket in North Carolina. The first time albies entered the conversation in February, we saw big wins for little tunny. In that comment period, the North Carolina state agency let us know that it’s been years since they received this many comments on an issue. This influx of passionate digital comments was followed by more than 20 guides and anglers giving thoughtful in-person testimony over the course of two days. Every single voice made a difference. False albacore won because of your efforts. We now enter Step 2 in the process. Learn more and submit your comment before next Monday's deadline by clicking here.

Join the American Saltwater Guides Association and Cheeky Fishing for a rowdy celebration of the beloved Little Tunny, a.k.a false albacore. The 2024 Tunny Tournament will take place on September 21, 2024 on Cape Cod, MA. This one day tournament empowers anglers from shore and boat to chase down albies, participate in citizen science and win epic prizes from some of the best brands in the industry. All funds raised during the event will support The Albie Project, a dynamic campaign connecting passionate anglers, cutting-edge science and precautionary fisheries management. September 21, 2024. Lines in 6:00am. Lines out 3:00pm. Awards Ceremony 5:30pm. Awards Ceremony will take place at The West End, 20 Scudder Ave, Hyannis, MA 02601.

Menhaden advocates from across the country tuned into today’s ASMFC Menhaden Board meeting. At one point, there were 163 people logged into the webinar. Why was this meeting so well attended? Because of a vague statement listed as the final agenda item:

“Discuss Possible Chesapeake Bay Management (L. Fegley) Possible Action.”

Now, you know as well as we do that Maryland is not exactly a bastion of conservation.  So, where could this be coming from? It didn’t take long to figure out. Pound net fishermen are not catching any menhaden in Maryland...

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In this episode of Shop Talk, the crew sits down to share absurd guide tales and show love to underappreciated species like Jack Crevalle. The Shop Talk series provides access to the lighter side of the Association - less science and policy, more fish stories and healthy laughs.

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Take a deep dive into the Marine Biological Lab's incredible striped bass research, which utilizes local eel pond populations to better understand an important migratory species.

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In Episode 146 of The Guidepost, ASGA’s Will Poston sits down with Emilie Franke of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to discuss Draft Addendum II for Atlantic Cobia. Recreational data uncertainties, shifting distribution, and structural management deficiencies are some of these issues frustrating cobia management, and what Addendum II seeks to address. Cobia from Georgia through Rhode Island are managed by the ASMFC through Amendment 1, which utilizes a quota strategy to maintain the sustainability of the stock. However, because the fishery is overwhelmingly recreational, monitoring quotas and developing new management measures can be very challenging. The Marine Recreational Informational Program (MRIP) has its flaws, and recreational catch and effort of Atlantic cobia expose all the limitations of our data collection program, which is in part what Addendum II hopes to address. 

Draft Addendum II considers new allocations schemes for the recreational sector, such as moving from a state-by-state scheme to regional or coastwide harvest targets, which would be better suited to utilize the recreational fishing data we have now. In addition, the addendum includes other alternatives which could give managers more tools to respond to new stock assessments and make better use of the available fisheries data. This document is open for public comment now until July 8th.

Read more and develop your comment by clicking here.

Ted Upton, CEO of North Point Brands, swings by The Guide Post to talk about the most recent Cheeky Schoolie Tournament, a community celebration of an iconic species and the successful, 13-year development of an event with "dirt parking lot roots".

ASGA is extremely humbled and honored by the community reception and brand support the Association has received at the Schoolie Tournament. Thank you to Ted, Ellen, Peter and the entire team - as well as the other non-profit partners who work daily to educate and empower the angling community.

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