The Guide Post

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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In this episode, ASGA's Will Poston is joined by Dr. Genny Nesslage of the University of Maryland's Chesapeake Biological Laboratory to discuss an important piece of marine food webs: menhaden.

Tony and Will drop in for a rapid reaction from the ASMFC Spring Meeting. Topics include the latest on red drum, spanish mackerel and striped bass.

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Presented by Costa Sunglasses

With the life of a fishing guide already being so chaotic, it’s hard to imagine how a simultaneous career as a musician is even possible. Balancing both of these journeys along with family life has become the norm for Chuck Ragan, a fly-fishing guide and musician based out of California. While Chuck has experienced a professional life most could only dream of, his proudest memories are based around his son. In this episode, we highlight a game changer in the fullest sense: someone lives as a shining example of "doing it your own way".