Valid for all Viking Fleet trips out of Montauk and New Bedford, including fishing, ferries and whale watching.

10-19 Passengers- 10% Discount
20-29 Passengers- 15% Discount
30+ Passengers- 20% Discount

In order to receive a group discount we require $1000 (or payment in full if the total is less than $1000) non-refundable deposit. Payment must be made by a single payment method- either a credit card, a check or a money order. The remaining balance is due on the day of your trip if paying by cash or a credit card. If paying by a check or money order please make sure to get the payment to us a week before your trip.

If you have any question and to make a reservations please call our office at 631 668 5700 or email us at vikingfleet@gmail.com

In celebration of our

Make Five Trips with us and be our guest on your Sixth Trip!

Participants will be issued a Loyalty Card at the Viking Office upon purchasing an adult full fare ticket. Every time you make a Cod Trip, simply present your Loyalty Card at the office when you are picking up your boarding pass and receive a credit towards your free trip.

One credit may be earned per card-holder, per trip.

Your card will have your name and an ID number on it. Participants must present a valid photo ID to receive a Loyalty Card and every time a credit is earned.

You may make your Cod Trip reservations online or over the phone in the usual manner. Loyalty Cards must be validated at the Viking Office (not on-board), every time a trip is made.

Cards are eligible to earn credits from November 01 2011 through April 15 2012.

If you have earned your 5 credits and are unable to make your free trip by April 15 2012, please contact the office and we will issue you a credit for a future Cod trip.

This offer is valid for full price adult tickets only, and may not be combined with any other promotions. This loyalty program may be discontinued at any time without notice.

This loyalty program is applicable to Local Cod trips only, as defined by the Viking Fleet.

There is no cost to participate in this program. Participation automatically assumes full compliance with these terms and conditions.

Good Fishing!

Sailing in July and August, every Wednesday and Sunday only. Reservations strongly recommended.

Departure:  9:30am (please check in at the office 1 hour prior to departure)
Return: 3:30pm

Fares for 2012 (may be subject to a fuel surcharge)
Adults: $75
Children: (5 - 12 years): $49 Children aged 4 and under are FREE!

Group discounts available.

This trip will sail aboard the Viking Starship. The Viking Starship is 140' long, she is licensed for 300 passengers. She features a climate controlled cabin, indoor and outdoor seating, a full galley for your comfort and clean restrooms (ladies and gents). Parking at the dock is FREE of charge. The trips are narrated by a professional biologist, available to answer any questions your family may have onboard.

2012 Great South Channel trip

August 12-14, 2012

2012 Offshore Whale and Pelagic Bird Trip Reservations

100% success on our Offshore Whale and Pelagic Bird trips

We have now encountered 643 humpbacks in our 11 trips to the Great South Channel.  With the assistance of the Whale Center of New England, we have photo-identified 256 different whales during these trips.

Expectations:

Cetaceans: Humpback, Fin, Minke, Right; Sei, and Pilot whales; Common, Bottlenose, Atlantic White Sided and Risso’s Dolphins; Leatherback, Green and Loggerhead Turtles; Basking, Great White, Hammerhead, and Blue Sharks; Bluefin, Yellowfin, and Bigeye Tuna; White Marlin; Ocean Sunfish; Portuguese Man-of-War; and other marine life.

Birds: Cory’s, Greater, Sooty, Manx, and Audubon’s Shearwaters; Wilson’s and Leach’s Storm-Petrels; Northern Fulmar; Northern Gannet; Red-necked and Red Phalaropes; Pomarine, and Parasitic Jaegers; South Polar Skua; Greater Black-backed, Herring, Bonaparte’s Gulls.

2011 offshore trip to STELLWAGEN

August 14-16, 2011,  Another Extraordinary trip

73 individual humpback whales were sighted; 9 are unknown and 64 were identified inclusing 38 new ones for our trips.  This bring the total of identified whales to 254; and the total # of sightings over 11 trips to 643.

May 11 Update:

May 10, 2012 -  I Fish, I Vote bumper stickers have been a recognizable symbol of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) for the past 15 years.   Now, just one day after a key vote in the House of Representatives which would defund government efforts to "develop, approve, or implement" any new limited access privilege programs, RFA is proud to offer a new line of bumper stickers which will begin appearing on the back of RFA member vehicles across the country in the form of official 'Boycott Wal-Mart' stickers (Walmart = Save Money, Less Fishing).   Last month, the Walton Family Foundation released their 2011 funding report in which it was announced that a total of $30.54 million in charitable donations were awarded last yeardirectly for marine conservation, which is very much in line with the amounts awarded in 2010 towards the environmental business community's efforts to create marine reserves and catch share programs.   According to the report, most of the money from the heirs to the Wal-Mart corporate empire were awarded to seven major groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund ($9,035,154), Conservation International Foundation ($4,986,457), Marine Stewardship Council ($3,122,500), Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Foundation ($1,934,651), Ocean Conservancy ($1,665,146), Nature Conservancy, Inc. ($1,136,832) and the World WildlifeFund ($992,286). An additional $11.2 million was also given out to Conservation International by Walton for what was disclosed as "unspecified environmental work."   According to the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the three major funding recipients in Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Conservation International and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) are all directly involved in efforts to promote 'cap and trade' fishing schemes for U.S. coastal fisheries.   "At a time when fisheries managers are starving for improved fisheries data, scientifically sound assessments and increased data collection in the recreational community, it's hard to believe that these black tie environmental business leaders are so focused on efforts to deny the public access to our natural resources," said RFA executive director Jim Donofrio. "Fishermen are the original conservationists, so of course we support environmental awareness, but not at the expense of America's right to open access."   In 2011, RFA announced an official angler boycott of Wal-Mart stores as a result of the corporate donations awarded to efforts to close down and privatize our nation's saltwater resources. Despite receiving cover by industry professionals supportive of Wal-Mart's freshwater bass circuit, RFA said the Walton family's efforts to shut down U.S. coastal waters through marine reserves and catch shares should not be supported by the tackle manufacturers.   "You have EDF stacking the regional councils with support for catch shares, Conservation International staffers hoping to secure big money jobs in onboard observing, and MSC defining which fish stocks should be bought and sold on the free market, it's a complete fix," Donofrio said. "This isn't conspiracy theory, these are cold hard facts."   Donofrio said Conservation International is especially worthy of concern given that they are the biggest recipients of Walton Family Foundation funding. Founded in 1987 by former staffers at Nature Conservancy, Conservation International Foundation is headquartered in Alexandria, VA and has its chairman of the board Wal-Mart's Chairman Rob Walton.   Rob Walton recently was recently quoted by CNN as saying his corporation has been directly involved in the efforts to implement catch shares, "which have become very accepted over these five years or so that we've been working. I don't know how much we've been a catalyst for that but we certainly have been supporting it."   Another senior staffer at Conservation International according to the RFA is Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, who is listed on the organization's website as Senior Vice President of 'Science & Knowledge.' A former NOAA Fisheries staffer, Rosenberg is also one ofthe key members of MRAG Americas which was commissioned to perform a five-year, $2.7 million assessment on the catch shares scheme. In the official EDF Catch Share Manual, MRAG also worked with their client at EDF "in understanding how catch shares might work for the recreational charter boat fleets of the U.S."   "Not only has MRAG Americas been paid to conduct a catch share study to show how catch shares could be steamrolled into the recreational sector, part of their findings have showed how onboard observers are a critical component of this privatization scheme," said RFA managing director Jim Hutchinson, Jr. "It should come as no surprise to anyone then that this same firm that Dr. Rosenberg has helped build also offers a fisheries observer program in their suite of professional services."   Hutchinson said he hopes that RFA members will proudly show off their displeasure with the Walton Family Foundation and Wal-Mart especially for paying their way into the ocean privatization racket. "Our RFA-FL Forgotten Coast Chapter chair Capt. Tom Adams printed up the boycott stickers and will be distributing throughout the RFA-FL network, but folks reading this now who would like to join us in protesting the corporate takeover of our oceans can also purchase one online for just $3 a piece which includes the shipping and handling," he said.   To get your Wal-Mart and Walton Family Foundation bumper sticker as it appears below,click here (or call the office at 888-564-6732).

May 10 Update

Recreational Fishing Alliance   Contact:  Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732   For Immediate Release May 9, 2012      HOUSE VOTES TO STOP NEW CATCH SHARE FUNDING RFA To "Rally" Key Senate Allies For Support   (5/9/2012)  The House of Representatives last night voted 220-191 to pass the Southerland-Grimm Amendment to close the loophole created by environmental special interest groups to expand Limited Access Privilege Programs or "catch shares," along the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico.   The amendment was brought to the floor of the House by Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL) at 10:54 p.m. with the co-authored support of Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), prompting a five-minute debate amongst bipartisan coastal members of Congress. After picking up the support of key members from across the aisle including Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), the Southerland-Grimm amendment was approved by roll call vote sometime after 11 p.m.   The approved amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 would prohibit use of appropriated funds from being used to develop, approve, or implement a new limited access privilege program that is not already developed, approved, or implemented for any fishery under the jurisdiction of the South Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, New England, or Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.   Now that the House has approved the measure, it's up to the U.S. Senate to put forth the measure for final enactment. The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is hoping to count on the support of key Senate members who attended the Keep Fishermen Fishing rally on March 21, including Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), and Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC).   "We applaud the efforts of Rep. Grimm and Rep. Southerland, not only for getting this vote to the floor but for their ability to successfully debate this issue with fellow members of Congress to see it get passed," said RFA executive director Jim Donofrio. "There was certainly some partisan opposition to this effort, but for the coastal legislators who understand what's been going on back at home for the past 3-1/2 years, the united efforts of Republicans and Democrats alike was what got this important amendment through."   In a letter to colleagues released before the vote last night, Rep. Grimm and Rep. Southerland explained "catch shares are no different than any other inside-the-Beltway style tactic determined to destroy every aspect of American freedom under the guise of conservation. By capping the amount of fish that may be caught annually and gifting a select few with shares of the annual catch, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is privatizing access to a once open fishery. Make no mistake about it: catch shares are nothing less than a cap-and-trade management system for our oceans."   "I am pleased that a strong bipartisan majority of my House colleagues joined me in standing with our fishermen and opposing the federal government's efforts to pick winners and losers in our fisheries," Rep. Southerland said this morning.      Donofrio reinforced information contained in the Southerland-Grimm letter by explaining that the amendment doesn't change current catch share regulations. "The vote last night simply prevents funding within the FY2013 appropriations from developing, approving, or implementing catch share programs that have not already been developed, approved, or implemented," Donofrio said.   "Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina is a great friend to the fishermen who was wrapped up in a primary election yesterday and could not participate in the vote, but he had tried hard to put forth a similar measure in 2011 to stop NOAA from developing and approving these cap and trade fisheries policies," Donofrio said. "The problem with dealing with an arrogant government agency like NOAA is that if you give them a loophole for implementing these programs, they'll completely ignore the spirit and intent of any congressional mandate."   RFA said that NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco, who helped author the official'catch share manual' while working with Environmental Defense Fund prior to her presidential appointment in 2009, has essentially put the power of catch share development and approval into the hands of a few hand-selected appointments to the regional fisheries councils.   "What's happening at the council level however is that the NOAA catch share policy is being herded through the regional process by their plants towards final implementation, and we're happy that key staffers in Rep. Southerland's office have been attending Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meetings during the past two years to see what's actually happening under this administration," Donofrio said.   RFA is actively encouraging other coastal Members of Congress to consider sending staffers to regional fishery council meetings to gain a better understanding of the process by which this Administration has all but neglected the input of local fishermen. "It's an eye-opener watching NOAA's arrogance at work from a local level," Donofrio said.

April 19 Update

Recreational Fishing Alliance   Contact:  Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732   For Immediate Release April 18, 2012       SENATORS CALL FOR OCEANS OVERSIGHT HEARINGS RFA Praises Legislators For Addressing National Oceans Policy Order   (04/18/2012)  The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) today praised a coalition of U.S. Senators for calling on oversight hearings in the Senate to examine the president's new National Oceans Policy. Enacted by executive order in the summer of 2010, the National Oceans Policy has been widely criticized for its over-burdensome bureaucracy which was passed without support of Congress.   On March 20, Senators David Vitter (R-LA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mike Lee (R-UT), John Barrasso (R-WY), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and John Cornyn (R-TX) sent a letter to the chairs of of the Commerce, Science and Transportation committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "Given the many industries and issues captured by the plan and also under the jurisdiction of your committees, we would specifically like to explore under what Congressional authority the Administration has proposed this plan and, additionally, request oversight hearings on the nine national priorities listed by the plan," the letter states.   "While the policy purports to use existing authorities and funding for implementation, we are concerned the absence of Congressional oversight combined with the vastness of the proposal may lead to increased government spending and, ultimately, an expanded bureaucracy," the letter continues. Citing the regulatory uncertainty created by the draft plan as it relates to industries which depend on the ocean (including recreational and commercial fishing), the letter was addressed to Senate committee chairmen John Rockefeller (D-WV), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) by adding "webelieve rigorous Congressional oversight is necessary."   Last week, the RFA signed on to a group letter of 80 different organizations in support of efforts by Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA) to call for a "pause in policy implementation" through funding appropriations towards President Obama's National Oceans Policy. Enacted by the president through executive privilege on July 19, 2010, the National Oceans Policy is eerily similar to a piece of legislation sponsored by Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) which languished in Congress for nearly a decade due to overall lack of support by democrats and republicans in the House. After several failed attempts to get legislation (Oceans 21) passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee, a National Oceans Policy wasinstead enacted by President Obama through executive order 13547.   In a recent email blast to members, RFA executive director Jim Donofrio called the National Oceans Policy "a complete takeover of our state rights," which he said "should not be supported by either party."   RFA praised the latest effort by the nine signers of the Senate letter to Rockefeller, Boxer and Bingaman and encouraged the committee chairs to give ample consideration to the request. "Some groups are hailing this executive order as a way to curb sea sprawl and regulated ocean industry, but the political reality is that this effort never made it out of a congressional committee in the first place because it essentially awarded complete control of our nation's waters to the federal government and key political appointees in the process," he said.   "Some Beltway insiders are claiming to have the public's interest at heart by participating in this process but most grassroots activists see it as more Washington two-stepping and bureaucratic bungling at the sake of our coastal communities," Donofrio said, adding "this Presidential edict completely bypassed the legislative process and left all congressional debate and concerns at the wayside."   RFA has been bolstered by the fact that many U.S. legislators recognize what the political action fishing organizations has said all along, that well-funded environmental groups have been pushing an agenda-driven no-use policy masked as a multi-use spatial planning initiative.   "If you look at the catalyst for the entire initiative, it comes from the playbook of environmental groups that think the ocean ought to be controlled by the federal government," said Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX). In a recent article by award-winning investigative journalist Audrey Hudson, Flores noted "This one to me could be the sleeping power grab that Americans will wake up to one day and wonder what the heck hit them."   "This administration is more aggressive and left-leaning, and they are going whole hog," added Sen. Vitter. "I think it's clearly a threat, and in terms of negatively impacting jobs, it's a very, very big threat."   Two weeks ago, Rep. Hastings sent official correspondence from his House Natural Resources Committee to the House Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers (KY), as well as the Chairperson of each House Appropriations Subcommittee, asking that language be included in all Fiscal Year 2013 appropriations bills that would prohibit the use of funds to implement the new National Ocean Policy. The request was made as part of an effort to achieve a pause in policy implementation that would provide more time for oversight and examination of potential impacts   In supporting the letter, RFA cited Donofrio's testimony before Rep. Hastings' Committee in 2011 in which he said "It seems counterproductive to advance and fund the NOP when it will stifle job growth in the fishing sectors."   "The administration claims that this whole National Ocean Policy is nothing more than an attempt to coordinate federal agencies and make better permitting decisions," said Rep. Don Young (R-AK) at a recent hearing. "Forgive me if I am a little suspicious when the federal government-through an executive order-decides to create a new bureaucracy thatwill 'help' us plan where activities can or cannot take place in our waters and inland."   In the recent letter calling for additional congressional oversight in the Senate, the signors explain "in these tough economic times, it would be unfortunate if Congress chose to ignore responsibility for limiting bureaucratic hurdles to prosperity," the lawmakers said in aMarch 20 letter.   RFA's position is that any formal oceans policy which would lead to new regulations and additional bureaucratic governance must first come from both the House and the Senate, with debate and approval by all congressional committees, prior to becoming the law of the land.   "A lot of folks are calling us to ask what can be done to stop the National Oceans Policy, and outside of overwhelming Congressional support to slow the process through funding measures, the only political solution is to have our next president actually repeal executive order 13547," Donofrio said.   View Senate letter at http://www.joinrfa.org/Press/NOP_oversight_FINAL.pdf   View House letter at http://www.joinrfa.org/Press/NOP_HouseResources.pdf

April 6th Update

March 25th Update

-------------------------------------

Captain Paul G Forsberg and everyone at the Viking Fleet would like to express our gratitude to all the officials, fishermen and supporters who spoke at the 2012 United We Fish Rally, as well as all of the people who made the long journey to march for everyone's right to fish. Speakers included Gus Bilirakis, Allen West, Steve Southerland of Florida, Frank LoBiondo of New Jersey, Chuck Schumer of New York, John Kerry and Scott Brown from Massachusetts, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Bob Zales of the National Charterboat Association, Tim Jackson of American Alliance of Fishermen and more!

Anthony Jr Darrigo with Sen Chuck Schumer

United We Fish Rally 2012

The Viking Fleet would like to express our gratitude to Capt Len Belcaro, publisher of Big Game Fishing Journal, as well as Jim Hutchinson for continually putting out truthful and awakening articles about the fishing industry and the difficulties we face. Big Game Fishing Journal is the only sports magazine refusing to be pressured by environmentalist advertising. You can subscribe to the magazine and read some of the most recent articles in it HERE. 

March 8th- Let's March DC for Our Right to Fish! Bus leaving the Viking Dock Wed March 21st @ 5am. Call 631 668 5700 to book or do so directly online- by clicking HERE

For immediate release:

The Long Island Commercial Fishing Association and the Viking Fleet will co-sponsor a bus charter from Montauk to the Keep Fishermen Fishing (KFF) rally in Washington, DC on Wednesday, March 21, 2012. It is the second national fishing rally uniting all US fishing sectors and their communities from coast to coast and Alaska; the first was held in 2010 under the banner United We Fish. Fishermen will be pressing legislators for reform of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the regulatory law which governs all US fishing.

Bonnie Brady, executive director of LICFA, said the need for reform was crucial. “The ten-year timeline clause added to Magnuson in 1996, which said any fishery if depleted must be rebuilt within ten years, was the nuclear option to US fishing communities,” said Brady, adding “The fallout has been the economic strangulation of those communities without a shred of scientific evidence to support it (the ten-year timeline.) As long as fish populations continue to rebuild, Magnuson and fishery management councils should have the flexibility to create regulations that allow both fish and fishermen to thrive simultaneously.”

Captain Paul Forsberg Sr., of the Viking Fleet concurred. “We took the cutbacks and the fisheries are rebuilt. Now it’s time to let us go fishing and save our jobs.” Forsberg urged Long Islanders to “Get on the bus with us and help us fight for your right to go fishing!”

"I am proud to once again be given the opportunity to address members of fishing communities from across the US," said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "As I have said before, you cannot build a regulatory structure around antiquated laws and brush aside the science. I look forward to lending my voice to this important cause and event."   

The junior Senator from NY and Congressman Tim Bishop of the first district are scheduled to speak at the bi-partisan KFF rally along with Senators Kerry and Brown from Massachusetts and other coastal members of Congress. Senator Chuck Schumer and Cong. Peter King have also been invited.

The bus will leave the Viking Fleet parking lot at 5 a.m. from Montauk, with a stop in Southampton, and arrive in Washington shortly before noon, returning at approximately 10 p.m. Round-trip ticket cost is $50 and includes a box lunch from Panera. More information and sign-ups can be made by calling the Viking Fleet at 631-668-5700 or at www.vikingfleet.com

Reservations on other buses from New York, including one from Point Lookout with available seats, can be reserved through the www.keepfishermenfishing.com webpage.

The Keep Fishermen Fishing 2012 organizers include the Recreational Fishing Alliance, Southeastern Fisheries Association, Viking Village, Lund’s Fisheries, Fishermen’s Dock, North Carolina Watermen United, Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association, Southern Off Shore Fishing Association, Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Association, Long Island Commercial Fishermen's Association, National Association of Charterboat Operators, Montauk Inlet Seafood, Hull’s Seafood, Panama City Boatmen’s Association, Alliance of Communities For Sustainable Fisheries, Westport Charterboat Association, Garibaldi Charters, Monkfish Defense Fund, Rivercenter Marine, Garden State Seafood Association, Big Game Fishing Journal, New York Fishing Tackle Trades Association, New York Sportfishing Federation, United Boatmen, Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund, Atlantic Capes Seafood, West Coast Seafood Processors Association, Lower Columbia Alliance for Sustainable Fisheries, Ocean Isle Fishing Center, Tailwalker Marine, Fishing United & Raffields Fisheries.

For more information contact Bonnie Brady, Exec Director, LICFA 516-527-3099

March 14 Update:

Recreational Fishing Alliance         "America's Right to Fish Is Under Attack in DC"   SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN  March 13, 2012      OBAMA'S 'ANTI-STIMULUS' PACKAGE HITS MASS COAST Behavior Modification Study Aimed At Reducing Angler Participation   What would you be willing to give up in exchange for $500?   If the U.S. Department of Education offered you $500 to keep your kid out of school for a few weeks, would you take it? What if the government explained that this was simply a study designed to determine exactly how much you felt your child's education was worth? Would the results of such a study encourage your support for such behavior modification analysis?   How about if the Department of Health offered you $500 to give up coffee with sugar for one month? Or, what about a government-funded study where random voters are given the option of accepting $500 in exchange for their right to vote in November? Would you accept a $500 check to read only certain types of books or download specific kinds of songs?   If you think about it, such 'willingness-to-pay' research could prove invaluable in providing our state and federal government agencies with important data about the financial line which Americans are willing to cross in exchange for valuable goods, services, rights & privileges. Sociologists love this type of data, and it's arguably an excellent way to determine a financial threshold for changing behavioral habits of American citizens.   The problem that most Americans have with studies like these is that it's social engineering at U.S. taxpayer expense. This type of behavior modification might be fine for a grad student working on some Ivy League college campus, but the thought that our own government would freely support such 'willingness to pay' studies through taxpayer funds is one that liberals and conservatives alike should each find quite troubling.   Regrettably, our government is actively engaged in just this type of behavior modification study, whereby Massachusetts anglers are being asked to accept $500 in taxpayer funds to give up their right to fish recreational in marine waters there for the rest of 2012. The obvious question is how on earth our Department of Commerce can justify paying Americans to stay at home and not spend their money on items of commerce, notably sportfishing in Massachusetts?   In any other American business, this type of government action would be met with quite a bit of disdain and discomfort, worthy of national headlines - for our recreational fishing industry however, it's just another one of a thousand cuts felt by local business people every single day of the year.   Here's what we do know; NOAA Fisheries and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) which is managed under the auspice of the Department of Commerce, is currently undertaking a socioeconomic study in conjunction with the state of Massachusetts whereby approximately 700 saltwater anglers have been offered cash in exchange for the anglers' willingness to give up his/her right to fish. Those licensed Massachusetts anglers who accept the offer will receive up to $500 apiece following their willingness to give up their fishing license and all rights to fish in state coastal waters in 2012.   In a recent conference call with stakeholders, NOAA Fisheries explained that approximately 25% of those 700 anglers had responded favorably by agreeing to give up their right to fish in 2012 in exchange for cold, hard cash. In agreeing to accept the government's terms, these particular Massachusetts residents are agreeing to not fish this season, which means no need to visit the local tackle shop, giving up any charter/headboat trips this summer and making plans other than those surrounding a saltwater angling trip with family and friends.   If NOAA Fisheries' estimates are correct, 175 respondents will actually be giving up their right to fish in saltwater this season. According to socioeconomic data on saltwater angling habits that already exists through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service however, the final economic impact within the Massachusetts coastal fishing community amounts to approximately $201,425 in overall consumer spending.   For anglers 16 and older, total trip and equipment expenditures by saltwater anglers averages about $1,151 per person, with $219 spent annually on food & lodging, $137 on transportation expenses, and $795 per angler directly related to fishing equipment and services. It doesn't take too long to figure out that if dad is spending over a thousand bucks a year on fishing for fluke, cod, sea bass or other inshore species, if he sells off his 'fishing privileges' for the season then he's probably not taking the teens and pre-teens on a fishing vacation in 2012 - which means there's more economic loss than even the statistics show.   The US Fish and Wildlife Service's data indicates that there are approximately 298,000 saltwater anglers in the state of Massachusetts who in 2006 spent more than $494.6 million on saltwater fishing tackle alone. Approximately 69% of those anglers fished by boat in 2006, meaning that there is also money being spent on boat preparation and docking, fuel, and other services related to the marine industry. If nearly 70% of those 175 respondents and their families keep their boat under wraps in 2012 to take advantage of the government's recreational fisherman buyout study - that too will have a trickle down financial impact within the Massachusetts coastal community.   At a time when our Department of Commerce and the entire Obama Administration should be helping spur economic growth in America, it's hard to fathom how the sociologists and economists at NOAA Fisheries can justify such a deplorable study in behavior modification theory. It's essentially the counter-opposite to a federal stimulus package, one which is micromanaged at a state and regional level to see what happens to businesses when customers are lured away to other pursuits.   Spending priceless taxpayer dollars on ways of limiting consumer spending in beleaguered coastal communities is the worst kind of social engineering one could possibly imagine, and it provides a perfect example of why this Administration's jobs initiatives have failed miserably.    Are you tired of NOAA Fisheries paying $$$ to anglers to not fish, instead of applying these important taxpayer funds towards proper fisheries science and data collection improvements? On Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at noon, several thousand fishermen from around the country will be at Upper Senate Park in Washington DC in support of legislative efforts which would ensure that NOAA Fisheries is living up to its Congressional mandates to fix the recreational data collection. Join the RFA on 3-21-12 - for details, visit www.keepfishermenfishing.com.  Or, call 888-564-6732.       About Recreational Fishing Alliance The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. If you'd like to tell Washington that your right to fish is NOT FOR SALE, join RFA now at www.joinrfa.org.

March 2 2012 update:

Recreational Fishing Alliance 3-21-12 Rally Update United We Fish Bus Information  March 1, 2012

Get On The Bus! Florida & South Carolina   NC & NJ   New York   I Fish, I Vote Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization that represents recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues.   The RFA mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries.   United We Fish 3-21-12 Rally Update Quick Links Our Website Press Releases Join RFA Now! :: 888-JOIN RFA (564-6732) Dear Paul,   With just 21 days until the second historic fishermen's rally in Washington DC, transportation efforts along are shaping up as two more buses have been added to ferry coastal anglers to and from the March 21 Keep Fishermen Fishing rally at our nation's capital, with fishermen in coastal South Carolina and Northern New Jersey upping the ante in the attendance race to bring the current total number of buses to 13.   3-21-12 Rally Closes In   According to the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), by the day of the first United We Fish rally in 2010, there were approximately 40 buses packed with protesters bound for Washington DC. "We didn't start really filling up those seats and ordering new buses until just a couple of weeks before the 2010 rally, so we're entering the homestretch right now," said RFA's Jim Hutchinson, Jr.   The March 21, 2012 rally is being held at Upper Senate Park in Washington DC beginning at noon. Similar to the 2010 event at the same location, the Keep Fishermen Fishing rally is historic in that it unites two sectors of fishermen which have traditionally been at odds. According to RFA executive director Jim Donofrio, disagreements between the recreational and commercial fishing sectors will always exist.   "I don't expect that our groups will ever fully resolve our conflicts regarding gear type or stock allocation, but the political reality is that coastal fishermen are stronger whenever we can work together under a common goal, which in this case is in support of responsible Magnuson reform," Donofrio said, adding that more than 30 different organizations from both the recreational and commercial fishing sectors have come together to organize the rally.   "Regardless of whether one fishes for sport, for money or simply to put food on the table, all coastal fishermen share a common danger in the form of those who would prefer to see us both off the water indefinitely," Donofrio said. "We're essentially crossing party lines on March 21 for the sake of open access, under the law, for all Americans, to healthy and sustainable coastal fisheries, which is exactly what we hope to see from Congress in the next few months in terms of this important coastal jobs issue," he added.   FLORIDA Evidence of the united call for fisheries reform is very apparent along Florida's Gulf Coast, where Raffield Fisheries is sponsoring two buses set to depart Panama City, FL on March 20, returning early morning on March 22. The bus ride is offered free to any fishermen -recreational or commercial - able to make the long trip north to Washington DC for the event.  A host of Panama City area fishermen are expected to make the trip, as Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL) is expected to give a rousing speech at Upper Senate Park on March 21 to those constituents taking the time to attend the event. "As an avid angler myself, I look forward to joining thousands of recreational and commercial fishermen from across America on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol for this year's 'Keep Fishermen Fishing' rally," said Rep. Southerland who encouraged fishermen to "remain united in our fight to secure fair and open access to our seas."   Those interested in hopping aboard one of the Florida buses are encouraged to call RFA board member and chairman of the National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO), Capt. Bob Zales, II at850-814-8001 or RFA-FL's 'Forgotten Coast Chapter' Chair Tom Adams at 850-381-1313.  Organizers there are asking attendees to respond before March 7.    SOUTH CAROLINA This week, the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce announced that they will be sponsoring a bus to leave Harborgate Marina in Myrtle Beach, SC at 3 a.m. on March 21. According to Capt. Keith Logan with the RFA-SC chapter, the bus is free but will be limited to the first 56 people who call to sign up for this historic road trip. "We have a great relationship with the folks at the Little River, North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach chambers of commerce, and they've been very active in fighting to protect the rights of our fishermen," Logan said. "The Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring this particular bus on March 21, which means it's a free ride for those fishermen who want to climb onboard for the trip to the rally in Washington." South Carolina coastal are encouraged to call Capt. Keith Logan as soon as possible at 843-907-0064 to reserve a spot (get more at www.southcarolina-offshore.com).   Several weeks ago, Tailwalker Marine of Georgetown, SC announced that they were sponsoring half the $3,600 cost for the round-trip price of getting fishermen to and from Washington DC on March 21. Anglers in the Georgetown, SC area who are looking to spend the day rallying at Upper Senate Park on behalf of improved recreational fishing access on South Atlantic fisheries can hop aboard the Tailwalker Marine bus for just $35 per person. For details call 843-527-2495 or 800-768-2495.   NORTH CAROLINA Capt. Brant McMullan of Ocean Isle Fishing Center out of Ocean Isle Beach, NC is sponsoring a bus to transport area fishermen to the 2012 rally, same as they had done in 2010. "Everyone met at the OIFC the morning of the rally at 4:30 a.m. and by noon we were all marching on Washington," said McMullan, adding that now the rally is on again "it is time to band together to show our continued resolve to correct fishery mismanagement." The bus will leave OIFC at 4:30 a.m. on March 21 with a cost of just $35 per person which will help cover bus rental. It is expected to return that same day around 11 p.m., leaving Washington DC not long after the rally finishes up around 3 p.m. "It is a long day, but every voice is needed to make a difference and it is one heck of an experience," McMullan said.   Email captbrant@oifc.com or call Ocean Isle Fishing Center at 910-575-FISH.    NEW JERSEY  Organizers from the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund (SSFFF) now have five buses set to leave New Jersey on the morning of the March 21 rally, with two leaving from Bogan's Boat Basin in Brielle, two in South Jersey set to depart from the Wildwood Fishing Center, and one additional bus added this week for departure from and return to Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina.  SSFFF which was instrumental in helping correct the fatal errors contained in recent NOAA Fisheries' summer flounder assessment models is also supportive of responsible reform of the Magnuson Stevens Act to keep fishermen fishing.  The coalition partners at SSFFF are sponsoring the full cost of each of the five New Jersey buses, with a small fee of $10 per person is being collected for a beverage, snack and the bus driver's gratuity.  New Jersey anglers looking to hop on a bus can purchase tickets at www.ssfff.net.   NEW YORK Buses are now filling up with support from the party boat fleet from Point Lookout and Sheepshead Bay. The captains and crew of the Marilyn Jean, Brooklyn VI and Ocean Eagle, with support fromFishingUnited.com, have one bus set to leave Pier Number 6 along Emmons Avenue in Brooklyn at 6 a.m. sharp on March 21. Those fishermen in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island interested in hopping aboard one of the New York City area buses should contact Capt. Tony Santella at 917-560-8224. The Point Lookout bus has been donated by Capt. Tony Joseph of the FV Stirs, and also includesbagels and other breakfast goodies for the trip down including bottle water. All that is being asked is a donation being given for the seat, but again, the seats have been donated.   "All the seats have mostly been furnished, now it's up to the fishing community to fill those seats so that we can get Congress to move on important amendments to our federal fisheries law designed to keep us fishing in the years ahead," said RFA's Jim Hutchinson who added that the national rally in DC also boasts the organizational support of the New York Sportfishing Federation, New York Fishing Tackle Trades Association and United Boatmen. "We have several New York legislators who have expressed interest in addressing the fleet when they arrive in Washington on March 21, what we need now are the rally supporters to show them that we fish and we vote."

Feb 1 2012 update:

Recreational Fishing Alliance   Contact:  Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732   For Immediate Release February 1, 2012      NOAA FISHERIES SAYS "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" RFA Says That's Up For Congress & Scientists To Decide   Federal officials recently unveiled a revised new method for estimating how many fish are caught by the nation's recreational saltwater fishermen. While the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) remains cautiously optimistic that the improvements required by Congress will be fully incorporated into the angler data collection program sometime in the future, the initial fanfare created by the national media seems a bit disconcerting.   "RFA appreciates the work that NOAA Fisheries staff has done to implement some of the mandated improvements to the existing angler survey program in place, particularly project leader Gordon Colvin, but it's far too early to stand on deck and announce 'mission accomplished' without getting a better understanding of what's really been done or how these revised numbers will impact assessment estimates and quota monitoring," said RFA executive director Jim Donofrio.   "You certainly can't say the data has been improved if you're simply re-estimating numbers based on the same flawed data which was collected over the past 25 years, information which still relies on angler recall," he added.   In response to a phone press conference last Wednesday, several national and local news outlets reported that NOAA is now utilizing a brand new method of compiling angler data to generate overall stock assessments and monitor the annual catch by recreational fishermen. RFA points out that the driving factor motivating NOAA Fisheries to implement this program was the reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) back in 2007.   At the request of Congress, the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences performed a comprehensive review of the Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey, or MRFSS, a program used since 1979 to gauge overall harvest and participation trends in the recreational sector. In presenting the final report to Congress in 2006, NRC committee chair Dr. Patrick Sullivan deemed MRFSS "fatally flawed," a term which has been used by fishermen ever since when referring to the data collection system.   "Despite the complexity of the challenge and its importance for fishery management, the MRFSS staff have been severely handicapped in their efforts to implement, operate, and improve the MRFSS, including implementing the recommendations of earlier reviews," the NRC 2006 report stated. "It is not reasonable to expect such a small staff - and one that lacks a Ph.D.-level mathematical statistician - to operate a national survey of such complexity, despite the dedication of the small staff the MRFSS does have."   "In addition, the MRFSS is severely limited by the lack of a universal sampling frame for all saltwater anglers, a lack that is not of the MRFSS's own making," the report further stated, adding "To make matters even more difficult, some of the data that the MRFSS depends on are collected by states, which use a variety of data-collection and sampling protocols."   According to Donofrio, it was Congress who led the charge and got the NRC to coordinate the 2006 review, not NOAA Fisheries as some of the media outlets have been reporting in the past several days.   "I would love to join the rest of the fishing community in celebrating good times ahead, but if the MRFSS staff is using the same effort and participation data coupled with inadequate intercept data generated over the past 33 years, then I'm not so sure that we've turned a corner instead of just running around in more circles," Donofrio said. "Congress mandated that this data collection effort was to have been completed by 2009, and I'm not convinced the job has been fully completed to this day, certainly not to the national standards established under the Magnuson-Stevens Act."   In testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee on December 1, 2011, NOAA's Eric Schwaab admitted that his agency had failed to meet their time-specific deadline to replace the "fatally flawed" MRFSS program with a new and improved Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), acknowledging that any new processes for scientific improvement wouldn't be fully incorporated until at least 2013. Pressed by Committee member Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) about how new hard catch limits and accountability measures could be mandated by NOAA Fisheries before meeting their own mandates to fix the soft data used compiled by random surveys, Schwaab replied by saying "certainly it's suboptimal," while referring to recreational data as "a small portion of the assessment process."   "There are two different ways in which recreational data factor into the management process, one is as a component of the assessment process, and certainly recreational effort and landings are considered by the scientific teams that make assessment decisions," Schwaab said, adding "secondly is managing, once a quota is set, the recreational component of the fishery."   RFA points to Schwaab's Congressional testimony as an example of how recreational data is used not only to enforce recreational regulations on an annual basis, but also in terms of monitoring the overall health of the stock. "Improved angler data isn't a small portion of the process, it's a huge component of figuring out the total health of our coastal fisheries stock and demands more than just a press conference and a mission accomplished banner," Donofrio added.   Legislation introduced by Rep. Pallone called the Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011 (H.R. 3061) would make critical improvements to the way America's fisheries are managed, including a requirement that NRC perform another comprehensive report on improvements made to the recreational fishing data collection. Currently under review by the House Natural Resources Committee, HR3061 is co-sponsored by Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), Rep. Donna Christensen (D-VI), Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Rep. Tim Scott (R-SC), Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL), Rep. John Tierney (D-MA), and Rep. Bob Turner (R-NY).   "Mr. Colvin and his staff seem to be stuck in a rut, and RFA and our allies are hoping that HR3061 will help them finally get this statistical monkey off their back," Donofrio said. "These numbers are critically important since they ultimately drive the management of the recreational sector. The best system in my mind needs to be as accurate as possible," Donofrio said.   "Even the nicest looking inboard at the boat show isn't worth launching this spring without a good look inside the engine room, which is why we prefer to leave it up to Congress and the National Academy of Sciences to decide it this ship is really ready to sail," he added.        To review the official NRC findings, download: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/mafac/meetings/2006_07/docs/NRC_MRFSS_2006.pdf    To see how Congress responded, turn to page 158 of the following PDF under section 109-479n of Magnuson as it relates to Recreational Fisheries, download: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/sfd/MSA_amended_20070112_FINAL.pdf    About Recreational Fishing Alliance The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org.

Jan 24 2012 update:

Recreational Fishing Alliance   Contact:  Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732   For Immediate Release January 24, 2012      U.S. COASTAL FISHERMEN TO RALLY IN DC MARCH 21 RFA Helps Organize Efforts To "Keep Fishermen Fishing"   In another historic show of solidarity, U.S. recreational and commercial fishermen will gather near the U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2012 in an organized demonstration supporting sensible reform of the Magnuson Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Stevens Act). According to the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) which is helping organize this year's event, permitting efforts have been underway for weeks and official details about the organized protest will be made public in the coming days.   A rally on February 24, 2010, under a United We Fish™ banner, brought some 5,000 recreational, commercial and party/charter vessel owners and folks in associated businesses from all over the country to Washington. More than two dozen members of the Senate and the House of Representatives took time out from their busy schedules to address the crowd. The March 21 rally is being billed asKeep Fishermen Fishing, and once again will unite the commercial and recreational sectors under one common message, "reform Magnuson now."   "Those who didn't attend or perhaps chose not to support the original rally are mostly unaware of the great things which were accomplished in between those two winter storms of 2010," said RFA executive director Jim Donofrio. "Of the two dozen members of Congress who addressed our troops at the rally, several top legislators pushed to have Magnuson reform initiatives prioritized in Congress which is why the House Natural Resources Committee is now reviewing eight different pieces of fisheries reform legislation."   "Our coastal fisheries have been getting national headlines in the past two years, and our Keep Fishermen Fishing organizers are hoping to keep that momentum going forward in order to reform Magnuson now," Donofrio said.   Signed into law in 1976, NOAA Fisheries describes the 36-year-old federal fisheries law this way, "most notably, the Magnuson-Stevens Act aided in the development of the domestic fishing industry by phasing out foreign fishing." In recent years however, rally organizers claim the Magnuson Stevens Act has been transformed from its original intent into a weapon employed by a handful of mega-foundations and the anti-fishing ENGOs they support to drive fishermen off the water.   "Real-time biological overfishing is not occurring in most U.S. fisheries today, as fishermen know it," Donofrio said. "We're being held to a statutory overfishing definition which has nothing to do with science, and that needs to be changed in the law."   Citing a continuous stream of regulatory requirements which have led to unnecessary and unacceptable restrictions in demonstrably sustainable fisheries, organizers say the American public is being denied access to the food and fun of this tremendous natural resource. "We've watched access to vital coastal fisheries like cod, summer flounder, black sea bass, red snapper, amberjack, gag grouper and others virtually destroyed during the past 5 years, this is clearly a huge jobs issue which has already been recognized by House Speaker John Boehner," he said referencing the speaker's blog site at www.speaker.gov/Blog/Default.aspx?postid=266385.   "We are seeking bipartisan congressional support to fix our law, to put folks to work and specifically to keep our fishermen fishing," Donofrio said.    Most U.S. fisheries are in better shape biologically than they've been for a generation or more. In fact, last year NOAA Fisheries scientists announced that 84% of U.S. fish stocks studied for fishing activity were not experiencing overfishing as of 2010. However, despite the heavy sacrifices on the part of coastal fishermen, the same federal agency in charge of managing the resource has been using a broken law to mete out broken promises upon these constituents to ratchet down regulations as fisheries continue to rebuild.   As was the case in 2010, organizers are anticipating foundation-funded ENGO lobbying disguised as a grassroots fishermen's effort aimed at marginalizing theKeep Fishermen Fishing rally. The message that anti-fishing groups will be relaying to Congress is that truly conservation-minded recreational, commercial and party/charter fishermen fully support the Magnuson Stevens Act as it is today and oppose any efforts to amendment it.   Keep Fishermen Fishing organizers however say that the truly conservation-minded fishermen won't be those walking the halls of Congress trying to sell their anti-fishing message because of foundation/ENGO funding, they'll be the people who are there on their own dime and who are committed to returning to a federal fisheries management system that recognizes that they and the fishing communities they support are as important as the fish are.   While final details of the 2012 Keep Fishermen Fishing rally are still being put in place, state organizers from the New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and Gulf regions have already begun coordinated efforts to schedule buses into Washington DC on March 20th and 21st. Those interesting in organizing a bus effort or getting travel information for joining the rally in DC should bookmarkwww.keepfishermenfishing.com.     You can also call the RFA headquarters at 888-564-6732 for additional information or to learn how to lend your support for the 3-21-12 rally for fishermen's rights. Follow the rally efforts by typing Keep Fishermen Fishing or Recreational Fishing Alliance into the search bar at Facebook.com (the RFA Facebook group page currently stands at more than 2,300 members and growing!)   Click here to donate exclusively towards national rally efforts on March 21, 2012.    About Recreational Fishing Alliance The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org.

Dec 21 2011 update:

Recreational Fishing Alliance   Contact:  Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732   For Immediate Release December 20, 2011      CONGRESS SET TO GO ON CHRISTMAS BREAK RFA Hopes For Responsible Magnuson Reform Early In 2012   (12/20/2011)  This week, members of Congress hope to avert a federal shutdown before going on a holiday break. After meeting with key members of the House of Representatives, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) says one thing that shouldn't be expected before 2011 ends is congressional reform of the Magnuson Stevens Act.     RFA said that's not necessarily a bad thing either.   While the end of 2011 marks an important deadline for full implementation of annual catch limits (ACLs) and the associated recreational paybacks which may result, RFA said the most draconian restrictions have already been put in place by regional management councils since the 2006 reauthorization of Magnuson.   Since early in 2007, RFA has spearheaded legislative reform efforts in Congress to incorporate much needed management flexibility into the federal fisheries law in hopes of keeping anglers on the water through a better balance of commerce and conservation. One particular bill of importance has been the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act, which by 2009 had the support of hundreds of fishing and boating organizations including the National Association of Charterboat Operators, Marine Retailers Association of America, and even the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).   Calls for Magnuson reform culminated in a national protest near the steps of the U.S. Capitol on February 24, 2010, during which more than 20 federal lawmakers joined an estimated 5,000 fishermen from around the country for a three-hour rally supporting national fisheries reform. While the grassroots effort was secured through this historic event, behind the scenes on Capitol Hill other lawmakers were being influenced by opposing political interests who were ardent supporters of the restrictive changes made to Magnuson back in 2006 and who have themselves lobbied against all efforts to reform the federal fisheries law.   According to RFA executive director Jim Donofrio, it was the immediate closure of the recreational amberjack fishery in the fall of 2009 which became the final straw in calling for a national rally. "Whether or not the national trades groups wanted individual owner-operators speaking up for their rights in DC didn't really matter to us, nor does it matter to us today. Our local fishermen have grown incensed at the ongoing closures and are willing to fight for legislative reform, with the national trades support or without."   "RFA members in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions would not be fishing on summer flounder today if it weren't for the actions of a few key lawmakers in building extended rebuilding deadline into the 2006 reauthorization, but now we have rebuilt stocks like black sea bass and scup being taken away from those same Mid-Atlantic anglers, cod and haddock in New England, red snapper, grouper and kingfish down south, rockfish off the coast of California. These are the fish species generating support for Magnuson reform in Congress."   Donofrio said as these vitally important recreational fisheries were deemed off-limits to anglers, the local fishermen have gotten more active in the process. "As representatives of the individual marine anglers, the local tackle shops which service those customers and the for-hire captains that bus folks out to the fishing grounds, RFA has always been committed to the belief that all politics is local, and we remain dedicated, both publicly and privately, to promoting legislation that protects coastal access to these stocks. Members expect us to stick to our guns on this."   In response to the specific issues with species like black sea bass, porgies, summer flounder, cod, haddock, summer flounder, amberjack, gag grouper, kingfish, as well as red snapper and vermillion, among others, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), and Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) re-introduced the Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011, with additional support from Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Rep. Tim Scott (R-SC), Rep. John Tierney (D-MA) and Rep. Bob Turner (R-NY).   Similar to previous legislation introduced just after the Magnuson reauthorization in 2007, the "Flexibility Bill" (HR3061) calls for extending the authorized time period for rebuilding certain overfished fisheries, while also providing the Secretary of Commerce with authority to suspend annual catch limits (ACLs) if a stock is either rebuilt or deemed not overfished, or when the level of uncertainty in the data is not consistent with National Standard 8 (best available science).   While there are eight pieces of Magnuson reform legislation being reviewed in the House Resource Committee, HR3061 is the only bill that specifically addresses those coastal fisheries which have led to angler unrest across the country. RFA's Donofrio called it "critical" that language contained in the Flexibility Bill is incorporated into whatever legislation is ultimately passed out of the Committee for congressional response in 2012.   "There's another bill in Committee popular with the national trade associations and the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) that will help suspend ACLs and accountability measures only on those stocks not assessed in the past 5 years like mahi and cobia which is certainly fine, but these aren't the fish stocks creating access problems for our local fishermen right now," Donofrio said. "Some folks can't deal with honest criticism, but trying to steamroll a bill through Congress that doesn't address any real problems is not something that RFA is going to allow happen without criticism."   The Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011 contains language which would require NOAA Fisheries' Science and Statistical Committees to provide detailed reports to justify any of their management recommendations while identifying areas where precautionary management approach was applied. HR3061 also calls on regional councils to calculate the socioeconomic impact of their management decisions on an annual basis and report upon what impact management decisions will have on the future socioeconomic value.   "This is a jobs bill for our recreational fishing community, which is why RFA has been working so hard with key members of Congress to ensure that this language is included in the final bill," Donofrio said. "We don't need some 'pass this bill now, we'll see what happens later' effort, we need common-sense fisheries reform so that anglers can keep on fishing while local businesses remain solvent."     Donofrio said groups who are pushing for one legislative fix over all others are taking dire risks with the future of the recreational fishing community by threatening to disregard any real improvements in the scientific side of fisheries management. "There is clear understanding within our fishing communities that the House and Senate version of the so-called Fisheries Science and Improvement Act pushed by the national trade groups won't apply to the most sought after recreational fisheries nor will they have any direct impact on science, but just because the bills don't do much doesn't mean they're not dangerous."   Donofrio called scientific improvement a "top priority of the RFA and the fishing industry," explaining how better science tends to foster better management decisions. "However, if a science bill with no real science is moved through Congress, it makes our already difficult job of lobbying Congress for additional research funds even harder given that legislators may be under the mistaken impression that they've already addressed the science issue with this bill."   From a practical standpoint, RFA sees passage of these bills without amendment as potentially stifling of future involvement of the fishing industries in working to improve fisheries science. "Many species such as king mackerel and summer flounder experienced great improvements to their assessment approach due to efforts by the fishing industry, but if Congress were to pass a law that only protects fish stocks not scientifically assessed, fishermen may see the only way to avoid the damage of ACLs is by stopping stock assessments altogether or simply allowing them to run with such poor data that they actually fail peer review."   Recreational fishing industry leaders have made frequent requests to NOAA over the years for additional social and economic impact studies, enhanced stock assessments, and significant improvements in the recreational angler participation data. In response to angler requests and concerns, congressional representatives put forth the Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011 to specifically address these science and statistical issues.     "HR3061 would charge the National Research Council with performing a comprehensive review of the current recreational data collection systems to determine what changes, if any, were made since their last report in 2006," Donofrio said. "Other bills on the docket don't specifically address NOAA's disregard for their scientific requirements so I really can't fathom why the national trade groups under the direction of CCA lobbyists would oppose these local efforts."   In 2008, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) was asked by coastal organizations to support Congressman Pallone's efforts to amend Magnuson via the original flexibility bill (HR5425). In a letter to industry representatives dated April 30, 2008, ASA vice president Gordon Robertson said "After extensive deliberation by the Government Affairs Committee, ASA neither supports nor opposes HR5425."   RFA managing director Jim Hutchinson points out that just three months after ASA voted to take no position on allowing limited deadline flexibility, the tackle and boating trade associations (ASA and NMMA) together introduced former CCA Louisiana staffer Jefferson Anglers as their federal fisheries lobbyist of record at their newly created Center for Coastal Conservation, a political group launched with the expressed support of "ending overfishing by a time certain" and "rebuilding plans for fisheries with time constraints."   "I think many manufacturers thought in 2008 that they were getting a political bulldog that would fight for their customers' access rights, but based on the CCC tenants and mission and Mr. Angers' own lobbying efforts, it seems as if all of the industry's political funding has been used to confuse legislators, local anglers and the owners of fishing related businesses," Hutchinson said. "RFA didn't create the conflict between the industry and their own political mouthpiece, we're simply shining a light on an obvious leadership issue."   "How does one group without a public position and another group with a public position of support, suddenly create an umbrella organization with an opposing point of view, then expect to be taken seriously," Hutchinson asked. "As an overall policy, we don't criticize organizations that are effective, only those which are clearly being dishonest."   About Recreational Fishing Alliance The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org.

Forward email

Recreational Fishing Alliance   Contact:  Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732   For Immediate Release November 30, 2011      HOUSE COMMITTEE TO HOLD MAGNUSON HEARING Congress To Address Federal Fisheries Reform on December 1   After 5 years of widespread fishing closures, strict seasonal restrictions, diminished angler access and participation, and staged protests and rallies at government offices throughout the country, Congress is finally set to hear debate about problems with the federal fisheries law.   This Thursday, December 1, the House Natural Resources Committee will hold a legislative hearing on bills to amend the Magnuson Stevens Act. The full Committee hearing will be held starting at 10 a.m. in Hearing Room 1324 in the Longworth House Office Building in Washington DC and will be broadcast live via the web at http://naturalresources.house.gov/live.   According to Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), when the Magnuson Stevens Act (MSA) was reauthorized in 2007, President Bush signed off on a piece of legislation which was never debated before the Senate, a fact which left many of the fishing community's concerns unaddressed.   "Senate passed Magnuson by unanimous consent, meaning there was no discussion about what arbitrary deadlines, accountability measures, annual catch limits or statutory fisheries definitions would mean to our coastal fishermen," Donofrio said this morning, adding "on December 1, let's hope our U.S. fishermen will get their chance before a full Committee to finally be heard."   RFA has lobbied extensively for the past 4-1/2 years to return the Magnuson debate back to Committee in order to address serious federal fisheries reform, and Donofrio said he's thankful that members of the House Natural Resource Committee are willing to tackle the issues which have left so many boats tied to the dock in the past several seasons.   "There are eight different pieces of Magnuson reform legislation being discussed so it's quite clear that Magnuson is broken," he said. "While each bill has its own unique way of addressing specific problems which have arisen during the past 5 years, it is our hope that Committee members will see the need to pass the most comprehensive reform on behalf of all coastal fishermen across many regions."   Capt. Bob Zales, II, president of the National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO) and member of RFA's national Board of Directors agreed that there are plenty of good pieces of Magnuson reform now on the table, but stressed that putting them all together into one sensible package was the most important task at hand.   "The current Magnuson overly restrictive requirements are forcing recreational fishermen to seek other forms of recreation and commercial fishermen to seek other jobs," Zales said, adding "this all equates to lost jobs for Americans."   Capt. Zales, who has been invited to testify on Thursday on behalf of the recreational fishing community said coastal fisheries are rebounding and continue to be sustainable. "MSA must be amended to ease the regulatory burden and allow the councils to have the flexibility to provide fair and reasonable management measures that allow fishermen to fish while maintaining sustainable fishery stocks. Providing flexibility to the MSA by passing the combined language contained in the eight house proposed bills the current issues of allocation, catch shares, and other restraining measures may become unnecessary."   "Overfishing is an arbitrary term created by environmental groups and other forces who want to end fishing," Zales added.   Two years ago, RFA posted an article online about overfishing (Overfishing, An Arbitrary "Term of Art," http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=hclmspcab&et=1108885475796&s=7800&e=001iXDueXjxANfKXv7Jf--aum1qCOomh0dCPk6LOAv1EUlp1xrY_Bn6DHC4Yz_P8yKE0uJXldvpynQ7meF3X9f8gg-aVRVZote4xN7rdUqFC_g=) explaining the difference between 'statutory' and 'biological' overfishing definitions and how the term itself has been used to ratchet down new restrictions. Donofrio said rewrites to MSA in 1996 and again in 2006 have essentially taken management authority from members of the regional fisheries management councils, with the threat of 'overfishing' forcing managers into tighter corners.   "It's imperative that Congress address the lack of management flexibility in terms of regional fisheries councils managing economically vital coastal fisheries like red snapper, summer flounder, black sea bass, scup, amberjack and king mackerel," Donofrio said. "RFA has worked very hard to ensure that meaningful dialog for fisheries reform was put forth before Congress, it is critical that the final markup coming out of this committee covers the finer points of Thursday's discussion."   Since early in 2007, RFA has been lobbying extensively for legislation to incorporate additional management flexibility into MSA, even spearheading a national rally in Washington DC on February 24, 2010 to set the stage for fisheries reform. Earlier this year, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) reintroduced his own Magnuson reform bill (HR3061) called the Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act.  Key provisions in the Pallone legislation would allow for an extension of the timeframe for rebuilding a fish stock beyond 10 years under certain circumstances, increased transparency in the process for developing annual maximum fishing levels and requiring fisheries managers to use an improved system of data collection.   The bill also will allow the Secretary of Commerce to suspend restrictive fisheries management measures when there isn't the science to back it up and requires the Secretary to mitigate adverse impacts fisheries management is having on coastal communities and businesses.   "Our coastal communities need help today because current conditions threaten a way of life for generations of fishermen on the Jersey shore and across the country," said Pallone. "There are many ways we can help these communities by concentrating on the industries that are dependent on the ocean. These are necessary repairs to make the fisheries management process work again."   Donofrio praised Rep. Pallone for being the first U.S. legislator to take the lead with attempting to reform MSA as early as the winter of 2007, and said he hopes to see Republicans and Democrats along the coast working together in the coming days to ensure that responsible reform is pushed through Congress.   "Partisan politics being what they are in Washington today, what's most important here is that a final piece of legislation gets passed as quickly as possible that addresses the fundamental problems with Magnuson," Donofrio said.   "It doesn't matter which side of the aisle it comes from or who gets the credit, just as long as a sensible solution is achieved that keeps our fishermen on the water in the years to come," he added.

Latest RFA Press Release Oct 28 2011

Sept 6 2011

http://www.vikingfleet.com/vikingnews/articlefiles/683-Political_Angler_MayJun2011.pdf

Breaking News Feb 19
The House of Representatives has voted against funding for the Catch Shares policy by overwhelming majority of 259 to 159. The vote will go to the Senate next week so we need to contact our Senators and tell them to vote against catch shares funding as well! You can find a list of Senators and their contact info right on our website- Click HERE

  

Also Read:
RFA SAYS ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE IS ON THE OFFENSIVE Catch Share Activists Arrive In DC This Week To Spread Anti-American Fishing Propaganda

We would like to thank Capt. Len Belcaro for his contribution to the fishing community. His Big Game Fishing Journal has many insightful articles which are a must read for any fisherman. Big Game Fishing Journal does not take advertising money from extreme environmental groups. You can access the journal online- http://www.biggamefishingjournal.com/

Most recent Updates Jan 03 2011:

CONGRESSMAN JONES SLAMS NOAA CATCH SHARE POLICY- Click HERE to read the full article

Captain Paul G Forsberg at the United We Fish March in Washington DC earlier this year.

January 3rd 2010- Tuna Fishermen Take Action. Your right to catch Tuna is going to be taken away. 

http://www.savingseafood.org/conservation-environment/american-bluefin-tuna-association-urges-fishermen-to-attend-noaa-nmcs-listening-sessions-on-endangered-species-li-2.html 

Tuna Fishermen have one last opportunity to make their case before the Status Review Team (SRT), comprised solely of NOAA and NMFS employees, makes a determination on listing bluefin tuna under the Endangered Species Act. The initial petition was submitted by the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity, a group known for using the Endangered Species Act to achieve their goals. 


NOAA determined in September that listing bluefin tuna under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) might be warranted. As a result Atlantic bluefin tuna are now considered a candidate species and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) must make a final determination by May 2011 as to whether a listing is warranted. If bluefin tuna were to be listed as “endangered”, all commercial and recreational fishing for bluefin would be prohibited. This prohibition would only affect US fishermen and would have no impact on other countries fishing for bluefin. Even scientists are amazed with the biological futility of an action designed to only affect US fishermen given the low mortality they cause on the species (US fishermen caught less than 5% of the bluefin in the Atlantic in 2009) 

The petition was originally submitted by the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity, a group known for using ESA to achieve their goals. NOAA had the opportunity to dismiss this frivolous attack on US bluefin fishermen but, as is consistent with their recent policy decisions in other areas, they chose to support the petition. The positive finding by NOAA is without merit and NOAA should have dismissed the petition. This is another stunning example of NOAA’s intent to destroy the US bluefin industry and to damage the domestic market for bluefin. A listing under ESA only hurts US fishermen whose quota share would be distributed to other countries along with the US jobs that go with it. 

Currently the formal review process is underway. The Status Review Team (SRT), comprised solely of NOAA and NMFS employees, is tasked with compiling all available information on bluefin and conducting a threats assessment/extinction risk analysis. Their report will be handed over to NMFS for the final determination. Despite the overwhelming data to the contrary, there is great concern that Dr Lubchenco will once again try to forward her “preservation” agenda to destroy this fishery. 

Fishermen have one last opportunity to have input in this process before the SRT makes its report to NMFS. The American Bluefin Tuna Association (ABTA) insisted that fishermen be allowed the opportunity to be heard and NMFS agreed. There are 5 “Listening Sessions” scheduled in January 2011 that will allow fishermen to educate the SRT as to their observations of the fish and their habits, as well as give their opinions of why the current available science may be flawed and insufficient. 

It is important that fishermen attend at least one of the 5 listening sessions. It is critical that NMFS hears your comments and insights. The existing science is very weak and a thorough compilation of fishermen’s observations should be influential. ESA is the knock-out punch. Take it seriously and come speak your mind. Let Dr Lubchenco know your feelings about the health of your fishery. 

If you plan to attend any of the meetings please contact Kim Damon-Randall at kimberly.damon-randall@noaa.gov or call her at 978-282-8485 in advance. It is necessary to RSVP due to security and space concerns. 

Please visit the “Current Actions” section of the ABTA web site at http://www.theabta.com/CurrentActions.html to see “Listening Discussion Topics” and some other documents which will help fishermen understand the ESA process. 

The meeting schedule is as follows: (each meeting begins at 10am): 

Jan 5 - NMFS Lab in Sandy Hook, NJ 

Jan 6 - Mariner's House in Boston, MA 

Jan 7 - Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland, ME 

Jan 10- NMFS Lab in Pascagoula, MS 

Jan 11- NMFS Lab in Beaufort, NC 

NMFS has also arranged to have a Web Ex for each session. If you are interested in participating via Web Ex, please contact Kim with the date of the session you are interested in, and she will provide the Web Ex information. Finally, NMFS has reserved an operator assisted conference line for those wishing to call in. The number is 888-455-1634, and the operator will ask for a verbal pass code which is "bluefin tuna." The operator will ask for your name and affiliation and will help to facilitate those on the call to ensure that anyone wishing to ask a question or provide information has the opportunity to do so. 

Also written comments can be sent to Kim via email (or regular mail at NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930) no later than close of business on January 18th.

Update Nov 12 2010
CONGRESSMAN JONES SLAMS NOAA CATCH SHARE POLICY

Washington, Nov 8 -

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) sent a letter to Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), opposing NOAA’s recently announced National Catch Share Policy and demanding answers regarding its development.  Jones called the policy “totally unnecessary for species protection.”  He expressed outrage over NOAA’s announcement of a $2.2 million grant program to advance its catch shares agenda, which will put Americans out of work and is opposed by the vast majority of fishermen.  Jones believes that “to the extent that solid science demonstrates that reductions in catch in any given fishery are necessary, there are far better options than catch shares for achieving those reductions.” Jones has long opposed catch shares and is working in Congress to block funding for implementation of new catch share programs.

Click HERE to read the full article

Update November 11 2010

Bellow is a letter I have put together, which has been sent to our elected officials, newspapers, radio stations, and fishing organizations. I urge you to read it and to do the same. We need to spread awareness! 

Capt Paul G Forsberg

"Let us have our jobs back!"

My name is Paul G Forsberg and I am the owner of Viking Fleet which operates fishing party boats out of Montauk NY, New Bedford MA, Quincy MA, and formerly from Tarpon Springs FL. I would like to bring to your attention an issue which has not been in the media, and has garnered a lot less attention than it deserves. The issue is the unnecessarily harsh fishing regulations imposed on fishermen all along the Southeast and Northeast Atlantic coast line- impacting negatively the recreational sector of the industry as well as the commercial and party boat businesses. Millions of jobs have been lost unnecessarily. Read on to find out more!

The Magnuson- Stevens Fishery conservation and Management Act of 1976 and its two major amendments in 1996 and 2006 is the governing force behind the policies and regulations the fishing communities have been burdened with. The 2006 amendment of the act puts forth a timeline for rebuilding fish stocks which lacks flexibility, thus destroying the fishing industry. The act lays out a plan for rebuilding stocks along the Atlantic coast- many of which are on track, or have already been rebuilt by as much as 200% in the case of the porgy (scup) fisheries.

The agency behind the scientific research conducted in an effort to estimate the fish populations and their health is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its Fisheries Service. In a report to the US Congress, the agency itself has declared 85% of fisheries examined in 2009 to be rebuilt. Somehow, the numbers are being ignored and the strict regulations implemented are in direct conflict of what we know about the fish stocks. Almost all fisheries are at healthy levels, yet us fishermen are being denied access to those fisheries and our livelihoods and means of supporting our families and communities are being destroyed.

The recent appointment of Jane Lubchenco by President Obama as a head to NOAA's Fisheries Service is another development that has gone under the radar. Dr Lubchenco's past career appointments include serving on the Pew Ocean Commission. She has also received a Pew Fellowship in the amount of $150,000. Pew as an organization pumps some 5 billion dollars into research aimed at promoting extreme environmental ideology and bad science. The fishing industry has no chance of survival- we cannot fight a 5 billion dollar behemoth whose protege currently holds one of the most powerful positions in fisheries management. We need a non-bias, moderate appointee in that position. Her appointment was protested in New England, and her resignation has been asked for by many, including Senator Barney Frank.

One of the proposed policies put forth by Dr Lubchenco's team is that of "Catch Shares". Catch Shares basically convert our oceans and the fish stocks into commodities that will be doled out by the government to fishermen in the form of permits which will allow a preset catch. Fishermen will then be allowed to sell or rent their shares to others in the industry, and the catch shares will be a percent of the so called "Total Allowable Catch" or TAC. The TAC will be mandated by the government. To put it in Dr. Lubchenco's own words, Catch Shares are: "A negotiable stock that fishermen can sell as they go out of business, allowing them to exit with some cash." Catch Shares are a politically correct way of saying fishermen will be forced to take a pitiful severance package as they are made to exit the industry without a chance of survival.

My business employs 50 employees in our Northeast locations during the height of the season. At one point that number was in the 60's. Business has been going downhill and we have lost a number of our employees. We were forced to close our Tarpon Springs, Florida port completely due to the unnecessary and harsh fishing regulations, which has cost the local economy millions of dollars. In addition we were forced to lay off 12 of my employees in Florida, and the situation is looking grimmer every day. This is not isolated to just the fishing industry. It is a catastrophic chain reaction which has hurt tackle shops, restaurants, the hospitality industry and the entire tourism industry as well. These industries employ millions of people. Why can't we put people back to work? If you want to create jobs and get us back on the right track- let us fish! The fish stocks are healthy, but we are told to sit back and watch as we lose our freedom, our right to fish, and our right to support our families and communities.

We need room to breathe. We need to go back to work. We need to preserve our right to fish. We need to pass S. 1255- Flexibility in Rebuilding Fisheries Act of 2009 sponsored by Senator Chuck Schumer-NY and cosponsored by Kristen Gillibrand-NY, and H. R. 1584 originated by Frank Pallone. The two bills aim to introduce flexibility to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which in its current format is used as a tool to destroy the fishing industry. That will be the first step in reviving our coastal industries and returning some much needed jobs as well as creating new ones!

I was at a meeting in Tampa, FL on Monday Nov 8th, organized by the Gulf Council. The issue discussed was Sector Separation in the Recreational Fishery. It was brought to my attention during that meeting that as far as the government is concerned in the Gulf of Mexico, fishing is no longer a right. It is now a privilege. No one seems to know when our fishing rights were stolen from us by the government and when it became a privilege in the Gulf of Mexico. I have a section of my website dedicated to articles and news pertinent to the plight of our industry. You can visit www.vikingfleet.com to read more about what has been taking place under the radar for over a decade of struggle to preserve our right to fish.

Sincerely,


Capt. Paul G Forsberg

UPDATE NOVEMBER 10:

ASMFC REJECTS COMMERCIAL STRIPER QUOTA INCREASE
RFA Says It's Time To Address Illegal and Un-Reported Harvest
 
(11/9/2010) - The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASFMC) today rejected a proposed increase in commercial striped bass quota.  According to FishingUnited.com, the final vote of 10-4-1 in favor of status quo was supported by Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Sources indicated that states supporting measures to increase the commercial harvest of striped bass included North Carolina, Delaware, Rhode Island and New York.  The ASMFC representative from the District of Columbia was absent for the vote and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission voted to abstain.
 
"We're pleased that there's no commercial increase, but as we've said all along there was no need for any increase in either the commercial or recreational sector, not when there are so many questions with regard to the illegal and unreported harvest we know to be taking place in federal waters," said Jim Donofrio Executive Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA).  Donofrio cited evidence from federal enforcement authorities over the past two seasons of a number of striped bass harvest violations in federal waters off North Carolina in January and February when big breeding size fish are staging several miles off Carolina's Outer Banks.  Donofrio notes that it's illegal for any striped bass to be harvested outside of 3 miles from shore, whether commercial or recreational.
 
"Now that we're done with this debate over increasing commercial harvest of striped bass, it's time for the ASMFC and the federal government to figure out what's going on with the illegal fishery as documented by the U.S. Coast Guard and several Mid-Atlantic state agencies," Donofrio added. 
 
Last month, RFA submitted official comments to the ASMFC on behalf of their national membership as well as the New York Sportfishing Federation, opposing efforts to increase the commercial striped bass harvest based on several issues including the illegal harvest in federal waters while also citing recent stock assessments showing that the 2007 and 2008 striped bass population abundance estimates (in numbers of fish) are the lowest in the past 15 years.  The RFA noted that at a time when recreational anglers are asking ASMFC to look at efforts to reduce the number of bigger breeding striped bass harvested, the proposal to kill more fish in the commercial sector was ill-timed.
 
"There is growing consensus within the recreational sector that our coastal regulations should be modified to minimize harvest on bigger, older fish in the population," said RFA Managing Director and New York Sportfishing Federation president, Jim Hutchinson, Jr.  "I'm rather disappointed to learn that our New York delegates failed to listen to the overwhelming opposition to increased striper harvest within our recreational fishing community, but thankfully there's proper reasoning coming from our neighboring ASMFC states."
 
Hutchinson noted that a series of hearings were held to gauge public comment on the proposal, which he said was overwhelming in New York as being opposed to the increase.  "The anglers made it clear that it's time to talk about renewed conservation efforts to protect breeding stock fish, and I don't know if there's anyone I've spoken to in the recreational sector who believed that a quota increase was appropriate at this time, certainly not in New York or New Jersey," Hutchinson said. 
 

Fight for Your Right to Fish- News, Views, and Updates

What can you do? Contact your State Legislators NOW. Let them know how you feel about the issues. We have compiled a list of senators on a state by state basis HERE.

The Viking Fleet would like to extend our gratitude to Senator Chuck Schumer of NY for his continued efforts in supporting the fishing community. 


The Viking Fleet supports the Boy Scouts of America. Earn your merit badges fishing on the Viking Fleet. All boy scouts fish half price on any of our trips. Please contact your local representatives and voice your support against a movement to prevent Boy Scouts of America earning their merit badges fishing. 

The Recreational Fishing Alliance
The RFA Mission

	Safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers
	Protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs
	Ensure the long-term sustainability of our nation’s fisheries.

I think it's safe to say that this November's mid-term elections may be the most important in our lifetimes.  Over the past few years, our nation's hardcore saltwater sportsmen have watched as radical preservationist ideology - an agenda which has led to a broken and fatally flawed fisheries management system, most of which is not perpetuated by science - has been continually supported by partisan imbalance in the U.S. Senate.    During the course of our nation's history, whenever one party gains too much control over the will of the people, the truth of 'right and wrong' will be lost in a cloud of ideological agenda.  It doesn't matter if it's the right or the left, something's got to give - and on November 2, 2010, you can help chart the course for the direction our nation takes for the next six years!    Make a difference - make sure you vote on November 2!    The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit political action organization that represents recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues.  As a 501c4 organization, the RFA is legally allowed to provide candidate-related information to members, endorse specific candidates, urge the election or defeat of a particular candidate, and encourage contributions to a candidate.  That's what makes the RFA unique as an organization, with the stated mission since 1996 "to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries."   On behalf of our national membership, the RFA has compiled the following list of Senate recommendations for the upcoming election.  True to our mission, RFA is openly supporting both Republican and Democratic candidates in this cycle based on their support of our specific issues within the recreational fishing community.   It should be noted that there are some incumbents who've had the chance to work with us in the past, but due to their lack of caring and/or involvement in fisheries issues when they could've helped us most, the RFA has decided to seek out new voices as representatives within those particular states.    When you're weighing the U.S. Senate options in the voting booth this November 2, here's where the RFA stands in terms of the coastal candidates, and where they stand on issues regarding your right to fish!    Jim Donofrio - RFA Executive Director

ALABAMA The RFA supports incumbent Republican Senator Richard Shelby over his Democratic challenger William Barnes.   ALASKA As ranking Republican on the House Energy Committee and a friend to the fishing and boating industry, Lisa Murkowski has shown strong leadership worthy of RFA endorsement.  Her race as an Independent against Republican Joe Miller and Democrat Scott McAdams will be one to watch.      CALIFORNIA The U.S. Senate race between Republican challenger Carly Fiorina and incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer has been heating up, and the RFA believes Fiorina has a good chance to win, particularly if the sportfishing community can respond! Boxer has been completely missing on fishing issues and has wholeheartedly embraced the radical green agenda.  Sen. Boxer fails to recognize the significance of California's sportfishing industry, and for that reason RFA supports  Republican challenger, Carly Fiorina, in this important race.    CONNECTICUT RFA supports the Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon over the Democrat Richard Blumenthal.  Our fishing community has had less-than-stellar experience with Senate Democrats from Connecticut in recent years, and for that reason we're supporting businesswoman Linda McMahon.    DELAWARE It's time for a fresh face in the First State, and we believe that Republican Christine O'Donnell is the choice over Democrat Chris Coons.  Recent senators from Delaware have done little or next to nothing to help our coastal fishermen along. FLORIDA The three-way U.S. Senate race in Florida is key to helping fix the problems in our federal fisheries law.  The RFA is endorsing Republican candidate Marco Rubio over Democrat Kendrick Meek and the Independent challenger, former governor Charlie Crist.  Marco Rubio started engaging the fishing industry during the oil crisis and he's very interested in working with our community.    GEORGIA The RFA endorses Republican Johnny Isakson in the race against Democrat Michael Thurmond.     LOUISIANA Incumbent Republican Senator David Vitter has been a friend to Louisiana Sportsmen since he was in the House of Representatives; the RFA is endorsing David Vitter in the race against Democrat Charlie Melancon the democrat.  MARYLAND RFA endorses Dr. Eric Wargotz over incumbent Senator Barbara Mikulski who has ignored frequent pleas from the recreational fishing community.  Barbara Mikulski has been in DC for too long; let's hope Maryland sportsmen turn out in droves in November for the Republican challenger, Dr. Wargotz. NEW HAMPSHIRE Senator Paul Hodes has been MIA on fisheries issues; RFA has been to Mr. Hodes' office on several occasions with no response - except when it comes time to raising funds for the election cycle!  It's time for Mr. Hodes to re-enter the private sector!  In New Hampshire, the RFA is wholeheartedly supporting Republican Kelly Ayotte in the New Hampshire Senate race.  NEW YORK  Our good friend Senator Charles Schumer has been a friend of the fishing community for a very long time; the junior Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has also been a vocal supporter of our fishing interests.  Both Democrats were in attendance at our February 24th rally and are key signers of the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act.   NORTH CAROLINA RFA is endorsing our good friend Senator Richard Burr the Republican candidate over Democrat Elaine Marshall.  Senator Burr has been a friend to fishermen for a long time and is one of the co-sponsors of the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act. PENNSYLVANIA While the RFA appreciates Democrat Joe Sestak's willingness to go against pure party lines as a PA Congressman, it's time for a change in the Keystone State - as such, the RFA is endorsing the Republican Pat Toomey in this particular Senate race.  Since Pennsylvania holds seats on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council, RFA hopes to finally see a legislative voice for fishermen coming from the Keystone State in the future.  SOUTH CAROLINA RFA endorses incumbent Republican Jim DeMint over challenger, Alvin Greene, Democrat.  This is a no-brainer, particularly since the Senate opponent was a felon before he ever got involved in politics.  WASHINGTON RFA strongly endorses Republican Dino Rossi in the race against Democratic incumbent Senator Patty Murray.   The race is a toss-up; sportsmen need to get out and vote and support Rossi in this race.  Sen. Murray has been MIA on fishing issues.   The RFA will release their list of Congressional endorsements on Wednesday, October 13th.

Captain Paul Forsberg

June 2010 Update

Capt. Len Belcaro Editorials

 

Below you can read Capt Len Belcaro's spot on commentary about the difficulties recreational fishermen are faced with today. You can find this and other pertinent articles in Capt. Belcaro's Big Game Fishing Journal. Many thanks to Capt Belcaro for writing this insightful and must-read piece, as well as allowing us to publish it.

 

Viking Fleet

 

"OUR GREATEST ADVERSARY THE ENVIRONMENTAL "BUSINESS" COMMUNITY"

    "I have been fighting the good fight on the recreational fishing front for many a year. In the past, one of our battles was against corporate ocean dumping. The battle plan was to attack the big corporations’ environmental image which quickly and easily brought the dumping of carcinogens along our continental shelf to an end.
    During the same period, an assault on our highly migratory species (hms) was being perpetrated by commercial fishermen using unselective gear types such as longlining, pair-trawling and purse-seining operations—All with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) blessings. The blatant commercial bias of NMFS and its old Bureau of Commercial Fisheries mentality along with the politics that surround that agency were apparent with every proposed rule issued. NMFS was forcing the recreational fisherman to pay the price through excessive regulations while the cause of the problem was allowed to continue mostly unrestricted. Through many lawsuits filed against NMFS, the massive hue and cry of recreational fishermen everywhere, and the hard work of many individuals and organizations, NMFS was forced to do their job and adopt longline time and area closures in spawning areas, eliminate pair-trawling completely, and greatly curtail purse-seine operations.
    Today, we as recreational fishermen face a new adversary that is slowly, methodically and legally removing us from fishery after fishery—the environmental business community and their ideology. I use the term “business” because it is one of the most lucrative in the United States today. Their tool is the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), their methods are infiltration in the fisheries management process, the swaying of public opinion to their cause using bad science, the demand for Marine Protection Areas (MPA), and area closures to both recreational and commercial fishing.
    Recreational Fishing Alliance’s (RFA) Jim Hutchinson’s article “Pew This Stinks” in the March/April 2010 issue of The Big Game Fishing Journal clearly explains the modus-operandi of the Pew Charitable Trusts. It is a must read for every fisherman nationwide. The entire article can be found on our website at www.biggamefishingjournal.com.
The MSA’s stock rebuilding policy states, if NOAA Fisheries (NF) deems a fishery overfished, it is required to rebuild the stocks of that fishery to 100-percent sustainable within a 10 year period. In 2000 the summer flounder fishery was deemed overfished by NF. Remarkably today, ten years into the stock rebuilding plan, NF continues to list the fishery as overfished. However, many anglers, both commercial and recreational who are actually in the “trenches,” along with several fishery managers and scientists dispute this assessment. In fact, they contend that the summer flounder stock today is in the healthiest condition it has ever been. The NF decision to continue listing summer flounder stocks as overfished even though many feel they are in great shape is simply due to the bad science being used by NF to determine the health and sustainability of this fishery and many others. The lack of “flexibility” in the MSA’s rebuilding regulations is legally requiring NF to close fishery after fishery in the name of conservation. The environmental community just waits in the background ready to pounce with their team of attorneys if NMFS does not comply with the letter of the law.
    In 2006, the MSA was reauthorized with some of the strictest mandates ever seen in fisheries management. At that time, NF added an additional three years into the summer flounder rebuilding process. Prior to reaching the end of the 13 year rebuilding period in 2012, and without flexibility in the MSA, NF is required by law to shutdown the fishery if the exact summer flounder stock numbers deemed by NF to represent a healthy, 100-percent sustainable fishery are not achieved—and this means the exact numbers and not a pound under.
To the delight of the anti-fishing environmental business organizations, this lack of flexibility in the MSA rebuilding policy is a blessing and has already been instrumental in closing the recreational and commercial fishing door to sea bass, red snapper, amberjack and several species of grouper. The environmental business community, with Pew leading the charge is vehemently fighting against Congressman Frank Pallone’s bill HR 1584 and Senator Chuck Schumer’s S1255, which would provide this much-needed flexibility in the rebuilding process. If the bipartisan HR 1584 and S 1255 are adopted, the anti-fishing groups will lose a powerful tool to continue their assault on recreational and commercial fishing.
    Let’s take a look at one of the driving forces and decision makers at NOAA Fisheries today. Dr. Jane Lubchenco, current NOAA Administrator has served on the Pew Ocean Commission and received a Pew Fellowship along with an award of $150,000 from the environmental group. As a Pew Fellow, it is my belief that the recipient of the fellowship and monetary award must continue to promote Pew ideology. One of her first appointments made as NOAA Administrator was Justin Kenney as NOAA Director of Communication and External Affairs. While Kenney was a former communications director for NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program in the 90’s, he was most recently the Public Affairs Senior Officer at Pew Charitable Trusts. After switching PR digs from Pew to NOAA, Kenney was soon appointed by Lubchenco to act as an ex-officio member of the federal Catch Share Task Force. Dr. Lubchenco asked another former Pew staffer, Monica Medina, to lead the Catch Share Task Force in order to assist NOAA and the regional fishery management councils as they consider and implement catch-share management programs around the country.
    Medina after the appointment, explained, “This task force will engage stakeholders to help ensure that the regional fishery councils and NOAA implement catch shares wherever appropriate.” Catch shares have the very real potential of privatizing the entire harvest of fish stocks in America, putting recreational and commercial quotas into a single pool, and opening up “individual quotas” for purchase by the highest bidder. By taking the public resource away from the public, catch shares by design would constrict fishing participation overall, a primary anti-fishing goal. Before taking over the role of “Catch Share Czar” at NOAA, Medina was the director of the Pew Whale Conservation Project and was previously acting director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Medina, by the way, is also married to VP Joe Biden’s Chief of Staff Ron Klain, one of the more influential Democratic Party insiders in America today. I will discuss catch shares and their affect on recreational fishing in my July/August 2010 editorial.
    Recently, Dr. Lubchenco appointed Russell Dunn as our new National Policy Advisor for Recreational Fishermen. He is required to answer directly to Lubchenco. His previous employer was the National Audubon Society where he worked as their Director of Government Relations, Living Oceans Campaign. He also held the title of Assistant Director of the Ocean’s Wildlife Campaign which is a coalition of six conservation associations. He was on the political advisory committee of the League of Conservation Voters, a conservation organization that grades politicians on their environmental record. He has worked closely with the National Resources Defense Council, Oceana, the Ocean Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the World Wildlife Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Defense, National Parks and Conservation Association, KAHEA, Conservation Law Foundation, American Oceans Campaign, Sierra Club, Marine Conservation Biology Institute, and the Pew Oceans Commission. As you can see, Mr. Dunn’s resume is extensively environmental, but Lubchenco says he is an avid recreational fisherman so he must be perfect for the job. NOAA Fisheries is being infiltrated by the enviros and the “deck” is slowly being stacked against both the recreational and commercial fishermen.
    Another front on the environmental business communities’ infiltration into the fisheries management process can be found in a document entitled, “Recommendations For Adoption and Implementation of an Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes National Policy” submitted by a coalition of environmental groups to Obama’s Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force which, in the near future, will be making major decisions that will affect both commercial and recreational fishing. Here is a list of the coalition of environmental organizations steering the task force that signed on to the “Recommendations” document. They are the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Environmental Defense Fund, Greenpeace, Marine Conservation Biology Institute, Marine Fish Conservation Network, National Wildlife Foundation, National Resource Defense Council, Ocean Champions, Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, Sierra Club, Seaweb, World Wildlife Fund, and the Pew Environmental Group. Using the arguments that 25-percent of U.S. fisheries are overfished, 80-percent of the world’s fish stocks are depleted and the world’s highly migratory species including tuna, sharks and marlin have declined 90-percent, two of their many recommendations to the task force are the opposition to legislation to “weaken” the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and the need for marine spatial planning (MPAs and area closures). Are we getting the big picture here?
    Today, the recreational fisherman has a common plight with the commercial fisherman—The systematic removal from fishery after fishery at the hands of well-organized, and extremely well-funded environmental business organizations that are hell bent on forcing their preservationist ideology on everyone.
Every appointment, every decision being made by Dr.Lubchenco must be carefully scrutinized by recreational and commercial fishing watch dogs. This is becoming the greatest battle for our right to fish ever. Our adversaries have unlimited amounts of cash, and resources. It is no time to continue the petty bickering amongst recreational and commercial fishing interests and the lack of alignment between recreational fishing advocacy groups. In other words, it is time to “bury the hatchet” and join forces to fight this common enemy—There is strength in numbers."

 

Capt. Len Belcaro

 

 

 

 

 

NOAA Investigation

July 10 2010

 

Must-read article!

 

 

March 2010 Update
In recent developments, NOAA is being investigated by the North Carolina IG for its practices. The Committee of Natural Resources has held an oversight hearing in order to review those practices employed by NOAA and their agents. You can watch the video of the hearing HERE. Many of the names of Senators and Representatives will be recognized by those who attended the Fisherman's March in DC. We have momentum and now is the time to keep pressing for the changes we need. Send your letters to your state representatives NOW!

 

February 2010 Update
United We Fish Rally

The Viking Fleet is back from Washington DC, and the reported turnout of 4000-5000  men, women, and children for the Fisherman's Rally was unprecedented. There were people from as far as Alaska who made the trip, and we are proud that we could be a part of it. The sight of everyone standing united was inspiring and we would like to extend our gratitude to the Senators and Congressmen who spoke with passion to the crowd. Among them were Charles Schumer-NY who is the Sponsor of S. 1255- Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009, Kristen Gillibrand- NY (Co-Sponsor of S. 1255), Scott Brown- MA, Bruce E. Tarr- MA, Kay Hagen- NC, Barney Frank- MA, Walter Jones- NC, Ann Margaret Ferrante- MA, Frank LoBiondo- NJ, John Mica- FL, and last but not least, Frank Pallone-NJ who is the originator of Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act (H.R. 1584). The bill is currently in the Congress House Committee on Natural Resources which has a total of 49 members and you can visit the following website- GovTrack - to contact members of the committee from your state. The Senate version of the bill (S 1255) has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. You can find all members of the committee here- GovTrack

Our work however is not done. We all need to stay focused and increase the pressure on Washington if we want to keep our right to fish. Everyone must contact their respective state lawmakers and let them know just how important amending the Magnuson-Stevens Act is in order to preserve all aspects of the fishing industry and all peripheral industries as well. As you look though the photos of the rally, remember that every voice counts. If you missed the Fisherman's March on DC you can see photos HERE. The Viking Fleet would like to thank everyone that made the long trip on the 2 buses from Montauk to DC. Please remember that this is just the beginning- there's a lot more work to be done, and we all have to unite in order to do it. Many thanks to the RFA and Ray Bogan who did an incredible job with the event. The RFA was instrumental in organizing the rally. You can read more about the Recreational Fishing Alliance and the work that they do HERE.

We implore you to write to your representatives make it clear how important it is to preserve our right to fish, and our right to work!

Click HERE to watch Denny O'Hearn with the Fishing Rights Alliance interview Capt. Paul Forsberg. You can see more videos of the rally HERE as well.

Capt. Paul speaking to the crowd

 

Please remember we are much smaller than other sectors and us being under the radar makes it especially important to spread awareness. Each day that goes by your rights to fish are being taken away.

What you can do:
-Join the Recreational Fishing Alliance-http://www.joinrfa.org/

-Contact your respective lawmakers- click HERE for a state by state list
- Remind them that you FISH and you VOTE!

-Aks them to support the two proposed bills S. 1255- Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 sponsored by Charles Schumer-NY and Kristen Gillibrand- NY and H.R 1584 originated by Frank Pallone-NJ
-Get out and vote in November for candidates that support your right to fish
-Pass this onto your friends and family

You can do all of the above or you can sit back and do nothing in which case you might as well turn your fishing poles into golf clubs!

Remember that there is strength in numbers!

The above articles will be updated continuously.

Captain Paul G Forsberg

 

CONGRESSMAN JONES SLAMS NOAA CATCH SHARE POLICY- Click HERE to read the full article

Captain Paul G Forsberg at the United We Fish March in Washington DC earlier this year.

January 3rd 2010- Tuna Fishermen Take Action. Your right to catch Tuna is going to be taken away. 

http://www.savingseafood.org/conservation-environment/american-bluefin-tuna-association-urges-fishermen-to-attend-noaa-nmcs-listening-sessions-on-endangered-species-li-2.html 

Tuna Fishermen have one last opportunity to make their case before the Status Review Team (SRT), comprised solely of NOAA and NMFS employees, makes a determination on listing bluefin tuna under the Endangered Species Act. The initial petition was submitted by the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity, a group known for using the Endangered Species Act to achieve their goals. 


NOAA determined in September that listing bluefin tuna under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) might be warranted. As a result Atlantic bluefin tuna are now considered a candidate species and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) must make a final determination by May 2011 as to whether a listing is warranted. If bluefin tuna were to be listed as “endangered”, all commercial and recreational fishing for bluefin would be prohibited. This prohibition would only affect US fishermen and would have no impact on other countries fishing for bluefin. Even scientists are amazed with the biological futility of an action designed to only affect US fishermen given the low mortality they cause on the species (US fishermen caught less than 5% of the bluefin in the Atlantic in 2009) 

The petition was originally submitted by the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity, a group known for using ESA to achieve their goals. NOAA had the opportunity to dismiss this frivolous attack on US bluefin fishermen but, as is consistent with their recent policy decisions in other areas, they chose to support the petition. The positive finding by NOAA is without merit and NOAA should have dismissed the petition. This is another stunning example of NOAA’s intent to destroy the US bluefin industry and to damage the domestic market for bluefin. A listing under ESA only hurts US fishermen whose quota share would be distributed to other countries along with the US jobs that go with it. 

Currently the formal review process is underway. The Status Review Team (SRT), comprised solely of NOAA and NMFS employees, is tasked with compiling all available information on bluefin and conducting a threats assessment/extinction risk analysis. Their report will be handed over to NMFS for the final determination. Despite the overwhelming data to the contrary, there is great concern that Dr Lubchenco will once again try to forward her “preservation” agenda to destroy this fishery. 

Fishermen have one last opportunity to have input in this process before the SRT makes its report to NMFS. The American Bluefin Tuna Association (ABTA) insisted that fishermen be allowed the opportunity to be heard and NMFS agreed. There are 5 “Listening Sessions” scheduled in January 2011 that will allow fishermen to educate the SRT as to their observations of the fish and their habits, as well as give their opinions of why the current available science may be flawed and insufficient. 

It is important that fishermen attend at least one of the 5 listening sessions. It is critical that NMFS hears your comments and insights. The existing science is very weak and a thorough compilation of fishermen’s observations should be influential. ESA is the knock-out punch. Take it seriously and come speak your mind. Let Dr Lubchenco know your feelings about the health of your fishery. 

If you plan to attend any of the meetings please contact Kim Damon-Randall at kimberly.damon-randall@noaa.gov or call her at 978-282-8485 in advance. It is necessary to RSVP due to security and space concerns. 

Please visit the “Current Actions” section of the ABTA web site at http://www.theabta.com/CurrentActions.html to see “Listening Discussion Topics” and some other documents which will help fishermen understand the ESA process. 

The meeting schedule is as follows: (each meeting begins at 10am): 

Jan 5 - NMFS Lab in Sandy Hook, NJ 

Jan 6 - Mariner's House in Boston, MA 

Jan 7 - Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland, ME 

Jan 10- NMFS Lab in Pascagoula, MS 

Jan 11- NMFS Lab in Beaufort, NC 

NMFS has also arranged to have a Web Ex for each session. If you are interested in participating via Web Ex, please contact Kim with the date of the session you are interested in, and she will provide the Web Ex information. Finally, NMFS has reserved an operator assisted conference line for those wishing to call in. The number is 888-455-1634, and the operator will ask for a verbal pass code which is "bluefin tuna." The operator will ask for your name and affiliation and will help to facilitate those on the call to ensure that anyone wishing to ask a question or provide information has the opportunity to do so. 

Also written comments can be sent to Kim via email (or regular mail at NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930) no later than close of business on January 18th.

Update Nov 12 2010
CONGRESSMAN JONES SLAMS NOAA CATCH SHARE POLICY

Washington, Nov 8 -

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) sent a letter to Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), opposing NOAA’s recently announced National Catch Share Policy and demanding answers regarding its development.  Jones called the policy “totally unnecessary for species protection.”  He expressed outrage over NOAA’s announcement of a $2.2 million grant program to advance its catch shares agenda, which will put Americans out of work and is opposed by the vast majority of fishermen.  Jones believes that “to the extent that solid science demonstrates that reductions in catch in any given fishery are necessary, there are far better options than catch shares for achieving those reductions.” Jones has long opposed catch shares and is working in Congress to block funding for implementation of new catch share programs.

Click HERE to read the full article

Update November 11 2010

Bellow is a letter I have put together, which has been sent to our elected officials, newspapers, radio stations, and fishing organizations. I urge you to read it and to do the same. We need to spread awareness! 

Capt Paul G Forsberg

"Let us have our jobs back!"

My name is Paul G Forsberg and I am the owner of Viking Fleet which operates fishing party boats out of Montauk NY, New Bedford MA, Quincy MA, and formerly from Tarpon Springs FL. I would like to bring to your attention an issue which has not been in the media, and has garnered a lot less attention than it deserves. The issue is the unnecessarily harsh fishing regulations imposed on fishermen all along the Southeast and Northeast Atlantic coast line- impacting negatively the recreational sector of the industry as well as the commercial and party boat businesses. Millions of jobs have been lost unnecessarily. Read on to find out more!

The Magnuson- Stevens Fishery conservation and Management Act of 1976 and its two major amendments in 1996 and 2006 is the governing force behind the policies and regulations the fishing communities have been burdened with. The 2006 amendment of the act puts forth a timeline for rebuilding fish stocks which lacks flexibility, thus destroying the fishing industry. The act lays out a plan for rebuilding stocks along the Atlantic coast- many of which are on track, or have already been rebuilt by as much as 200% in the case of the porgy (scup) fisheries.

The agency behind the scientific research conducted in an effort to estimate the fish populations and their health is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its Fisheries Service. In a report to the US Congress, the agency itself has declared 85% of fisheries examined in 2009 to be rebuilt. Somehow, the numbers are being ignored and the strict regulations implemented are in direct conflict of what we know about the fish stocks. Almost all fisheries are at healthy levels, yet us fishermen are being denied access to those fisheries and our livelihoods and means of supporting our families and communities are being destroyed.

The recent appointment of Jane Lubchenco by President Obama as a head to NOAA's Fisheries Service is another development that has gone under the radar. Dr Lubchenco's past career appointments include serving on the Pew Ocean Commission. She has also received a Pew Fellowship in the amount of $150,000. Pew as an organization pumps some 5 billion dollars into research aimed at promoting extreme environmental ideology and bad science. The fishing industry has no chance of survival- we cannot fight a 5 billion dollar behemoth whose protege currently holds one of the most powerful positions in fisheries management. We need a non-bias, moderate appointee in that position. Her appointment was protested in New England, and her resignation has been asked for by many, including Senator Barney Frank.

One of the proposed policies put forth by Dr Lubchenco's team is that of "Catch Shares". Catch Shares basically convert our oceans and the fish stocks into commodities that will be doled out by the government to fishermen in the form of permits which will allow a preset catch. Fishermen will then be allowed to sell or rent their shares to others in the industry, and the catch shares will be a percent of the so called "Total Allowable Catch" or TAC. The TAC will be mandated by the government. To put it in Dr. Lubchenco's own words, Catch Shares are: "A negotiable stock that fishermen can sell as they go out of business, allowing them to exit with some cash." Catch Shares are a politically correct way of saying fishermen will be forced to take a pitiful severance package as they are made to exit the industry without a chance of survival.

My business employs 50 employees in our Northeast locations during the height of the season. At one point that number was in the 60's. Business has been going downhill and we have lost a number of our employees. We were forced to close our Tarpon Springs, Florida port completely due to the unnecessary and harsh fishing regulations, which has cost the local economy millions of dollars. In addition we were forced to lay off 12 of my employees in Florida, and the situation is looking grimmer every day. This is not isolated to just the fishing industry. It is a catastrophic chain reaction which has hurt tackle shops, restaurants, the hospitality industry and the entire tourism industry as well. These industries employ millions of people. Why can't we put people back to work? If you want to create jobs and get us back on the right track- let us fish! The fish stocks are healthy, but we are told to sit back and watch as we lose our freedom, our right to fish, and our right to support our families and communities.

We need room to breathe. We need to go back to work. We need to preserve our right to fish. We need to pass S. 1255- Flexibility in Rebuilding Fisheries Act of 2009 sponsored by Senator Chuck Schumer-NY and cosponsored by Kristen Gillibrand-NY, and H. R. 1584 originated by Frank Pallone. The two bills aim to introduce flexibility to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which in its current format is used as a tool to destroy the fishing industry. That will be the first step in reviving our coastal industries and returning some much needed jobs as well as creating new ones!

I was at a meeting in Tampa, FL on Monday Nov 8th, organized by the Gulf Council. The issue discussed was Sector Separation in the Recreational Fishery. It was brought to my attention during that meeting that as far as the government is concerned in the Gulf of Mexico, fishing is no longer a right. It is now a privilege. No one seems to know when our fishing rights were stolen from us by the government and when it became a privilege in the Gulf of Mexico. I have a section of my website dedicated to articles and news pertinent to the plight of our industry. You can visit www.vikingfleet.com to read more about what has been taking place under the radar for over a decade of struggle to preserve our right to fish.

Sincerely,


Capt. Paul G Forsberg

UPDATE NOVEMBER 10:

ASMFC REJECTS COMMERCIAL STRIPER QUOTA INCREASE
RFA Says It's Time To Address Illegal and Un-Reported Harvest
 
(11/9/2010) - The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASFMC) today rejected a proposed increase in commercial striped bass quota.  According to FishingUnited.com, the final vote of 10-4-1 in favor of status quo was supported by Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Sources indicated that states supporting measures to increase the commercial harvest of striped bass included North Carolina, Delaware, Rhode Island and New York.  The ASMFC representative from the District of Columbia was absent for the vote and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission voted to abstain.
 
"We're pleased that there's no commercial increase, but as we've said all along there was no need for any increase in either the commercial or recreational sector, not when there are so many questions with regard to the illegal and unreported harvest we know to be taking place in federal waters," said Jim Donofrio Executive Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA).  Donofrio cited evidence from federal enforcement authorities over the past two seasons of a number of striped bass harvest violations in federal waters off North Carolina in January and February when big breeding size fish are staging several miles off Carolina's Outer Banks.  Donofrio notes that it's illegal for any striped bass to be harvested outside of 3 miles from shore, whether commercial or recreational.
 
"Now that we're done with this debate over increasing commercial harvest of striped bass, it's time for the ASMFC and the federal government to figure out what's going on with the illegal fishery as documented by the U.S. Coast Guard and several Mid-Atlantic state agencies," Donofrio added. 
 
Last month, RFA submitted official comments to the ASMFC on behalf of their national membership as well as the New York Sportfishing Federation, opposing efforts to increase the commercial striped bass harvest based on several issues including the illegal harvest in federal waters while also citing recent stock assessments showing that the 2007 and 2008 striped bass population abundance estimates (in numbers of fish) are the lowest in the past 15 years.  The RFA noted that at a time when recreational anglers are asking ASMFC to look at efforts to reduce the number of bigger breeding striped bass harvested, the proposal to kill more fish in the commercial sector was ill-timed.
 
"There is growing consensus within the recreational sector that our coastal regulations should be modified to minimize harvest on bigger, older fish in the population," said RFA Managing Director and New York Sportfishing Federation president, Jim Hutchinson, Jr.  "I'm rather disappointed to learn that our New York delegates failed to listen to the overwhelming opposition to increased striper harvest within our recreational fishing community, but thankfully there's proper reasoning coming from our neighboring ASMFC states."
 
Hutchinson noted that a series of hearings were held to gauge public comment on the proposal, which he said was overwhelming in New York as being opposed to the increase.  "The anglers made it clear that it's time to talk about renewed conservation efforts to protect breeding stock fish, and I don't know if there's anyone I've spoken to in the recreational sector who believed that a quota increase was appropriate at this time, certainly not in New York or New Jersey," Hutchinson said. 
 

Fight for Your Right to Fish- News, Views, and Updates

What can you do? Contact your State Legislators NOW. Let them know how you feel about the issues. We have compiled a list of senators on a state by state basis HERE.

The Viking Fleet would like to extend our gratitude to Senator Chuck Schumer of NY for his continued efforts in supporting the fishing community. 


The Viking Fleet supports the Boy Scouts of America. Earn your merit badges fishing on the Viking Fleet. All boy scouts fish half price on any of our trips. Please contact your local representatives and voice your support against a movement to prevent Boy Scouts of America earning their merit badges fishing. 

The Recreational Fishing Alliance
The RFA Mission

	Safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers
	Protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs
	Ensure the long-term sustainability of our nation’s fisheries.

I think it's safe to say that this November's mid-term elections may be the most important in our lifetimes.  Over the past few years, our nation's hardcore saltwater sportsmen have watched as radical preservationist ideology - an agenda which has led to a broken and fatally flawed fisheries management system, most of which is not perpetuated by science - has been continually supported by partisan imbalance in the U.S. Senate.    During the course of our nation's history, whenever one party gains too much control over the will of the people, the truth of 'right and wrong' will be lost in a cloud of ideological agenda.  It doesn't matter if it's the right or the left, something's got to give - and on November 2, 2010, you can help chart the course for the direction our nation takes for the next six years!    Make a difference - make sure you vote on November 2!    The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit political action organization that represents recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues.  As a 501c4 organization, the RFA is legally allowed to provide candidate-related information to members, endorse specific candidates, urge the election or defeat of a particular candidate, and encourage contributions to a candidate.  That's what makes the RFA unique as an organization, with the stated mission since 1996 "to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries."   On behalf of our national membership, the RFA has compiled the following list of Senate recommendations for the upcoming election.  True to our mission, RFA is openly supporting both Republican and Democratic candidates in this cycle based on their support of our specific issues within the recreational fishing community.   It should be noted that there are some incumbents who've had the chance to work with us in the past, but due to their lack of caring and/or involvement in fisheries issues when they could've helped us most, the RFA has decided to seek out new voices as representatives within those particular states.    When you're weighing the U.S. Senate options in the voting booth this November 2, here's where the RFA stands in terms of the coastal candidates, and where they stand on issues regarding your right to fish!    Jim Donofrio - RFA Executive Director

ALABAMA The RFA supports incumbent Republican Senator Richard Shelby over his Democratic challenger William Barnes.   ALASKA As ranking Republican on the House Energy Committee and a friend to the fishing and boating industry, Lisa Murkowski has shown strong leadership worthy of RFA endorsement.  Her race as an Independent against Republican Joe Miller and Democrat Scott McAdams will be one to watch.      CALIFORNIA The U.S. Senate race between Republican challenger Carly Fiorina and incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer has been heating up, and the RFA believes Fiorina has a good chance to win, particularly if the sportfishing community can respond! Boxer has been completely missing on fishing issues and has wholeheartedly embraced the radical green agenda.  Sen. Boxer fails to recognize the significance of California's sportfishing industry, and for that reason RFA supports  Republican challenger, Carly Fiorina, in this important race.    CONNECTICUT RFA supports the Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon over the Democrat Richard Blumenthal.  Our fishing community has had less-than-stellar experience with Senate Democrats from Connecticut in recent years, and for that reason we're supporting businesswoman Linda McMahon.    DELAWARE It's time for a fresh face in the First State, and we believe that Republican Christine O'Donnell is the choice over Democrat Chris Coons.  Recent senators from Delaware have done little or next to nothing to help our coastal fishermen along. FLORIDA The three-way U.S. Senate race in Florida is key to helping fix the problems in our federal fisheries law.  The RFA is endorsing Republican candidate Marco Rubio over Democrat Kendrick Meek and the Independent challenger, former governor Charlie Crist.  Marco Rubio started engaging the fishing industry during the oil crisis and he's very interested in working with our community.    GEORGIA The RFA endorses Republican Johnny Isakson in the race against Democrat Michael Thurmond.     LOUISIANA Incumbent Republican Senator David Vitter has been a friend to Louisiana Sportsmen since he was in the House of Representatives; the RFA is endorsing David Vitter in the race against Democrat Charlie Melancon the democrat.  MARYLAND RFA endorses Dr. Eric Wargotz over incumbent Senator Barbara Mikulski who has ignored frequent pleas from the recreational fishing community.  Barbara Mikulski has been in DC for too long; let's hope Maryland sportsmen turn out in droves in November for the Republican challenger, Dr. Wargotz. NEW HAMPSHIRE Senator Paul Hodes has been MIA on fisheries issues; RFA has been to Mr. Hodes' office on several occasions with no response - except when it comes time to raising funds for the election cycle!  It's time for Mr. Hodes to re-enter the private sector!  In New Hampshire, the RFA is wholeheartedly supporting Republican Kelly Ayotte in the New Hampshire Senate race.  NEW YORK  Our good friend Senator Charles Schumer has been a friend of the fishing community for a very long time; the junior Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has also been a vocal supporter of our fishing interests.  Both Democrats were in attendance at our February 24th rally and are key signers of the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act.   NORTH CAROLINA RFA is endorsing our good friend Senator Richard Burr the Republican candidate over Democrat Elaine Marshall.  Senator Burr has been a friend to fishermen for a long time and is one of the co-sponsors of the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act. PENNSYLVANIA While the RFA appreciates Democrat Joe Sestak's willingness to go against pure party lines as a PA Congressman, it's time for a change in the Keystone State - as such, the RFA is endorsing the Republican Pat Toomey in this particular Senate race.  Since Pennsylvania holds seats on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council, RFA hopes to finally see a legislative voice for fishermen coming from the Keystone State in the future.  SOUTH CAROLINA RFA endorses incumbent Republican Jim DeMint over challenger, Alvin Greene, Democrat.  This is a no-brainer, particularly since the Senate opponent was a felon before he ever got involved in politics.  WASHINGTON RFA strongly endorses Republican Dino Rossi in the race against Democratic incumbent Senator Patty Murray.   The race is a toss-up; sportsmen need to get out and vote and support Rossi in this race.  Sen. Murray has been MIA on fishing issues.   The RFA will release their list of Congressional endorsements on Wednesday, October 13th.

Captain Paul Forsberg

June 2010 Update

Capt. Len Belcaro Editorials

 

Below you can read Capt Len Belcaro's spot on commentary about the difficulties recreational fishermen are faced with today. You can find this and other pertinent articles in Capt. Belcaro's Big Game Fishing Journal. Many thanks to Capt Belcaro for writing this insightful and must-read piece, as well as allowing us to publish it.

 

Viking Fleet

 

"OUR GREATEST ADVERSARY THE ENVIRONMENTAL "BUSINESS" COMMUNITY"

    "I have been fighting the good fight on the recreational fishing front for many a year. In the past, one of our battles was against corporate ocean dumping. The battle plan was to attack the big corporations’ environmental image which quickly and easily brought the dumping of carcinogens along our continental shelf to an end.
    During the same period, an assault on our highly migratory species (hms) was being perpetrated by commercial fishermen using unselective gear types such as longlining, pair-trawling and purse-seining operations—All with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) blessings. The blatant commercial bias of NMFS and its old Bureau of Commercial Fisheries mentality along with the politics that surround that agency were apparent with every proposed rule issued. NMFS was forcing the recreational fisherman to pay the price through excessive regulations while the cause of the problem was allowed to continue mostly unrestricted. Through many lawsuits filed against NMFS, the massive hue and cry of recreational fishermen everywhere, and the hard work of many individuals and organizations, NMFS was forced to do their job and adopt longline time and area closures in spawning areas, eliminate pair-trawling completely, and greatly curtail purse-seine operations.
    Today, we as recreational fishermen face a new adversary that is slowly, methodically and legally removing us from fishery after fishery—the environmental business community and their ideology. I use the term “business” because it is one of the most lucrative in the United States today. Their tool is the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), their methods are infiltration in the fisheries management process, the swaying of public opinion to their cause using bad science, the demand for Marine Protection Areas (MPA), and area closures to both recreational and commercial fishing.
    Recreational Fishing Alliance’s (RFA) Jim Hutchinson’s article “Pew This Stinks” in the March/April 2010 issue of The Big Game Fishing Journal clearly explains the modus-operandi of the Pew Charitable Trusts. It is a must read for every fisherman nationwide. The entire article can be found on our website at www.biggamefishingjournal.com.
The MSA’s stock rebuilding policy states, if NOAA Fisheries (NF) deems a fishery overfished, it is required to rebuild the stocks of that fishery to 100-percent sustainable within a 10 year period. In 2000 the summer flounder fishery was deemed overfished by NF. Remarkably today, ten years into the stock rebuilding plan, NF continues to list the fishery as overfished. However, many anglers, both commercial and recreational who are actually in the “trenches,” along with several fishery managers and scientists dispute this assessment. In fact, they contend that the summer flounder stock today is in the healthiest condition it has ever been. The NF decision to continue listing summer flounder stocks as overfished even though many feel they are in great shape is simply due to the bad science being used by NF to determine the health and sustainability of this fishery and many others. The lack of “flexibility” in the MSA’s rebuilding regulations is legally requiring NF to close fishery after fishery in the name of conservation. The environmental community just waits in the background ready to pounce with their team of attorneys if NMFS does not comply with the letter of the law.
    In 2006, the MSA was reauthorized with some of the strictest mandates ever seen in fisheries management. At that time, NF added an additional three years into the summer flounder rebuilding process. Prior to reaching the end of the 13 year rebuilding period in 2012, and without flexibility in the MSA, NF is required by law to shutdown the fishery if the exact summer flounder stock numbers deemed by NF to represent a healthy, 100-percent sustainable fishery are not achieved—and this means the exact numbers and not a pound under.
To the delight of the anti-fishing environmental business organizations, this lack of flexibility in the MSA rebuilding policy is a blessing and has already been instrumental in closing the recreational and commercial fishing door to sea bass, red snapper, amberjack and several species of grouper. The environmental business community, with Pew leading the charge is vehemently fighting against Congressman Frank Pallone’s bill HR 1584 and Senator Chuck Schumer’s S1255, which would provide this much-needed flexibility in the rebuilding process. If the bipartisan HR 1584 and S 1255 are adopted, the anti-fishing groups will lose a powerful tool to continue their assault on recreational and commercial fishing.
    Let’s take a look at one of the driving forces and decision makers at NOAA Fisheries today. Dr. Jane Lubchenco, current NOAA Administrator has served on the Pew Ocean Commission and received a Pew Fellowship along with an award of $150,000 from the environmental group. As a Pew Fellow, it is my belief that the recipient of the fellowship and monetary award must continue to promote Pew ideology. One of her first appointments made as NOAA Administrator was Justin Kenney as NOAA Director of Communication and External Affairs. While Kenney was a former communications director for NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program in the 90’s, he was most recently the Public Affairs Senior Officer at Pew Charitable Trusts. After switching PR digs from Pew to NOAA, Kenney was soon appointed by Lubchenco to act as an ex-officio member of the federal Catch Share Task Force. Dr. Lubchenco asked another former Pew staffer, Monica Medina, to lead the Catch Share Task Force in order to assist NOAA and the regional fishery management councils as they consider and implement catch-share management programs around the country.
    Medina after the appointment, explained, “This task force will engage stakeholders to help ensure that the regional fishery councils and NOAA implement catch shares wherever appropriate.” Catch shares have the very real potential of privatizing the entire harvest of fish stocks in America, putting recreational and commercial quotas into a single pool, and opening up “individual quotas” for purchase by the highest bidder. By taking the public resource away from the public, catch shares by design would constrict fishing participation overall, a primary anti-fishing goal. Before taking over the role of “Catch Share Czar” at NOAA, Medina was the director of the Pew Whale Conservation Project and was previously acting director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Medina, by the way, is also married to VP Joe Biden’s Chief of Staff Ron Klain, one of the more influential Democratic Party insiders in America today. I will discuss catch shares and their affect on recreational fishing in my July/August 2010 editorial.
    Recently, Dr. Lubchenco appointed Russell Dunn as our new National Policy Advisor for Recreational Fishermen. He is required to answer directly to Lubchenco. His previous employer was the National Audubon Society where he worked as their Director of Government Relations, Living Oceans Campaign. He also held the title of Assistant Director of the Ocean’s Wildlife Campaign which is a coalition of six conservation associations. He was on the political advisory committee of the League of Conservation Voters, a conservation organization that grades politicians on their environmental record. He has worked closely with the National Resources Defense Council, Oceana, the Ocean Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the World Wildlife Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Defense, National Parks and Conservation Association, KAHEA, Conservation Law Foundation, American Oceans Campaign, Sierra Club, Marine Conservation Biology Institute, and the Pew Oceans Commission. As you can see, Mr. Dunn’s resume is extensively environmental, but Lubchenco says he is an avid recreational fisherman so he must be perfect for the job. NOAA Fisheries is being infiltrated by the enviros and the “deck” is slowly being stacked against both the recreational and commercial fishermen.
    Another front on the environmental business communities’ infiltration into the fisheries management process can be found in a document entitled, “Recommendations For Adoption and Implementation of an Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes National Policy” submitted by a coalition of environmental groups to Obama’s Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force which, in the near future, will be making major decisions that will affect both commercial and recreational fishing. Here is a list of the coalition of environmental organizations steering the task force that signed on to the “Recommendations” document. They are the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Environmental Defense Fund, Greenpeace, Marine Conservation Biology Institute, Marine Fish Conservation Network, National Wildlife Foundation, National Resource Defense Council, Ocean Champions, Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, Sierra Club, Seaweb, World Wildlife Fund, and the Pew Environmental Group. Using the arguments that 25-percent of U.S. fisheries are overfished, 80-percent of the world’s fish stocks are depleted and the world’s highly migratory species including tuna, sharks and marlin have declined 90-percent, two of their many recommendations to the task force are the opposition to legislation to “weaken” the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and the need for marine spatial planning (MPAs and area closures). Are we getting the big picture here?
    Today, the recreational fisherman has a common plight with the commercial fisherman—The systematic removal from fishery after fishery at the hands of well-organized, and extremely well-funded environmental business organizations that are hell bent on forcing their preservationist ideology on everyone.
Every appointment, every decision being made by Dr.Lubchenco must be carefully scrutinized by recreational and commercial fishing watch dogs. This is becoming the greatest battle for our right to fish ever. Our adversaries have unlimited amounts of cash, and resources. It is no time to continue the petty bickering amongst recreational and commercial fishing interests and the lack of alignment between recreational fishing advocacy groups. In other words, it is time to “bury the hatchet” and join forces to fight this common enemy—There is strength in numbers."

 

Capt. Len Belcaro

 

 

 

 

 

NOAA Investigation

July 10 2010

 

Must-read article!

 

 

March 2010 Update
In recent developments, NOAA is being investigated by the North Carolina IG for its practices. The Committee of Natural Resources has held an oversight hearing in order to review those practices employed by NOAA and their agents. You can watch the video of the hearing HERE. Many of the names of Senators and Representatives will be recognized by those who attended the Fisherman's March in DC. We have momentum and now is the time to keep pressing for the changes we need. Send your letters to your state representatives NOW!

 

February 2010 Update
United We Fish Rally

The Viking Fleet is back from Washington DC, and the reported turnout of 4000-5000  men, women, and children for the Fisherman's Rally was unprecedented. There were people from as far as Alaska who made the trip, and we are proud that we could be a part of it. The sight of everyone standing united was inspiring and we would like to extend our gratitude to the Senators and Congressmen who spoke with passion to the crowd. Among them were Charles Schumer-NY who is the Sponsor of S. 1255- Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009, Kristen Gillibrand- NY (Co-Sponsor of S. 1255), Scott Brown- MA, Bruce E. Tarr- MA, Kay Hagen- NC, Barney Frank- MA, Walter Jones- NC, Ann Margaret Ferrante- MA, Frank LoBiondo- NJ, John Mica- FL, and last but not least, Frank Pallone-NJ who is the originator of Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act (H.R. 1584). The bill is currently in the Congress House Committee on Natural Resources which has a total of 49 members and you can visit the following website- GovTrack - to contact members of the committee from your state. The Senate version of the bill (S 1255) has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. You can find all members of the committee here- GovTrack

Our work however is not done. We all need to stay focused and increase the pressure on Washington if we want to keep our right to fish. Everyone must contact their respective state lawmakers and let them know just how important amending the Magnuson-Stevens Act is in order to preserve all aspects of the fishing industry and all peripheral industries as well. As you look though the photos of the rally, remember that every voice counts. If you missed the Fisherman's March on DC you can see photos HERE. The Viking Fleet would like to thank everyone that made the long trip on the 2 buses from Montauk to DC. Please remember that this is just the beginning- there's a lot more work to be done, and we all have to unite in order to do it. Many thanks to the RFA and Ray Bogan who did an incredible job with the event. The RFA was instrumental in organizing the rally. You can read more about the Recreational Fishing Alliance and the work that they do HERE.

We implore you to write to your representatives make it clear how important it is to preserve our right to fish, and our right to work!

Click HERE to watch Denny O'Hearn with the Fishing Rights Alliance interview Capt. Paul Forsberg. You can see more videos of the rally HERE as well.

Capt. Paul speaking to the crowd

 

Please remember we are much smaller than other sectors and us being under the radar makes it especially important to spread awareness. Each day that goes by your rights to fish are being taken away.

What you can do:
-Join the Recreational Fishing Alliance-http://www.joinrfa.org/

-Contact your respective lawmakers- click HERE for a state by state list
- Remind them that you FISH and you VOTE!

-Aks them to support the two proposed bills S. 1255- Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 sponsored by Charles Schumer-NY and Kristen Gillibrand- NY and H.R 1584 originated by Frank Pallone-NJ
-Get out and vote in November for candidates that support your right to fish
-Pass this onto your friends and family

You can do all of the above or you can sit back and do nothing in which case you might as well turn your fishing poles into golf clubs!

Remember that there is strength in numbers!

The above articles will be updated continuously.

Captain Paul G Forsberg

 

Fight for Your Rights to Fish- News and Update

The Gulfstar is fishing out of our dock in Tarpon Springs Florida. Click below for more information!

http://gulfstarfishing.com/

2012 Viking Fleet Whale Watching Trips

Sailing in July and August, every Wednesday and Sunday only. Reservations strongly recommended.

Departure:  9:30am (please check in at the office 1 hour prior to departure)
Return: 3:30pm

Fares for 2012 (may be subject to a fuel surcharge)
Adults: $75
Children: (5 - 12 years): $49 Children aged 4 and under are FREE!

Group discounts available.

This trip will sail aboard the Viking Starship. The Viking Starship is 140' long, she is licensed for 300 passengers. She features a climate controlled cabin, indoor and outdoor seating, a full galley for your comfort and clean restrooms (ladies and gents). Parking at the dock is FREE of charge. The trips are narrated by a professional biologist, available to answer any questions your family may have onboard.

2012 Great South Channel trip

August 12-14, 2012

2012 Offshore Whale and Pelagic Bird Trip Reservations

100% success on our Offshore Whale and Pelagic Bird trips

We have now encountered 643 humpbacks in our 11 trips to the Great South Channel.  With the assistance of the Whale Center of New England, we have photo-identified 256 different whales during these trips.

Expectations:

Cetaceans: Humpback, Fin, Minke, Right; Sei, and Pilot whales; Common, Bottlenose, Atlantic White Sided and Risso’s Dolphins; Leatherback, Green and Loggerhead Turtles; Basking, Great White, Hammerhead, and Blue Sharks; Bluefin, Yellowfin, and Bigeye Tuna; White Marlin; Ocean Sunfish; Portuguese Man-of-War; and other marine life.

Birds: Cory’s, Greater, Sooty, Manx, and Audubon’s Shearwaters; Wilson’s and Leach’s Storm-Petrels; Northern Fulmar; Northern Gannet; Red-necked and Red Phalaropes; Pomarine, and Parasitic Jaegers; South Polar Skua; Greater Black-backed, Herring, Bonaparte’s Gulls.

2011 offshore trip to STELLWAGEN

August 14-16, 2011,  Another Extraordinary trip

73 individual humpback whales were sighted; 9 are unknown and 64 were identified inclusing 38 new ones for our trips.  This bring the total of identified whales to 254; and the total # of sightings over 11 trips to 643.

Captain Paul G Forsberg / Owner Operator of the Viking Fleet
A brief history of the story so far.....
My father, Captain Carl Forsberg founded the Viking Fleet in 1936 in Freeport, New York. I was a mate on my father's Freeport Viking boats until 1951. In 1951, when I was 12 years old, my father relocated the business and our family to Montauk, New York.

At 12 years of age I owned my own 24 ft. boat in Montauk.  I worked in various commercial fisheries from 1951 to 1957. In 1957, at the age of 18, I received my 100-Ton Captains License.  From 1957 to 1959 I ran my own charter fishing boat. From 1959 to 1991, I was involved in the party boat fishing business in Montauk during the summers. During the winters I worked on commercial draggers.
The Viking Fleet, which is a year-round operation, consists of three party fishing boats, one highspeed ferry, 1 commercial fishing vessel, 1 cruise vessel and one new vessel (The Viking Fivestar) under construction at this present time.

We are the largest, privately owned fishing fleet on the northeast coast. The fleet is owned and operated by myself and my son, Steven Sr. Two of my grandsons (Carl and Steven Jr) have both earned their 100-ton captains licenses, and operate the Viking boats.

Currently Viking Fleet operates fishing boats out of Montauk NY, Tarpon Springs FL and New Bedford MA.

I am proudly holding issue 11 (55 years plus!) of my 100 ton Captains license and continue to run the boats in New York and Florida.  Fishing is in my blood, it is how my family have provided for ourselves and our many full time employees. Fishing and operating our ferry boats is not a part time or second career for any us - it is what we do. For this reason I continue to fight tirelessly on my own time and at my own expense for the rights of recreational fishermen everywhere.

Captain Paul G Forsberg

Captain Paul is currently based in Tarpon Springs Florida where he lives with his lady, Patricia. For the 2008 season Captain Paul will sail his own boat, the Viking Freedom up to Montauk where he will run the Viking operation. On the way up Captain Paul will commercial fish enroute. The Viking Freedom is a sail assisted commercial research vessel, that Captain Paul uses to research virgin grounds. In 1996 Captain Paul found some fantastic new porgy grounds in New Bedford MA and since then we have been fishing every year out of New Bedford MA.

Captain Paul will go commercial fishing offshore for the summer months from our dock in Montauk when his schedule allows. Captain Paul will also supervise the construction of the Viking Fivestar when he is not out fishing. Captain Paul has seven grandchildren and one supercute great granddaughter. In fact the fourth generation are now Captaining the boats! Captain Paul lives a very active life! Along with running one of the largest year round businesses in Montauk, he enjoys lots of dancing, motorcycling, excercising, skiing, sailing and of course fishing.  

Captain Steven D. Forsberg

 Captain Steven Forsberg Sr (on the left)

Captain Richard Castellano

I hold my fourth issue USCG 100 Ton Master License. I grew up fishing the Long Island Sound, which led me to own my own charter boat in Freeport, NY where I serviced mostly corporate clients. I then relocated out to Montauk, NY where I began working for the Viking Fishing Fleet.  As a captain with the Viking Fleet I became very familiar with the Canyons of the North East as well as Georges Banks.  Fishing these waters I pursued many different species, Tuna, Swordfish, Shark, Mahi, Cod, Pollack and Tile, to name a few.  The Viking Fleet then led me down to fish the Caribbean waters.

My interest in boat maintenance and repair took me to Tarpon Springs, Fl, where I spent a winter completing a new 160' Viking boat. Several winters following saw me refurbishing three of the other Viking boats. I quickly made friends with some commercial captains and began fishing with them as often as possible, gleaning knowledge of the waters of the Gulf of Mexico from captains with years of experience.

Along with Captain Paul Forsberg we launched the Viking Fleet of Tarpon Springs in 2003.
From 2003 to June 2005 I ran the 140' Viking Starship taking passengers fishing to the Florida Middle Grounds.  I was fortunate enough to bring aboard two local Captains, George Lontakos and Jerry Rathey, making for an unbeatable team.  In fall of 2005 I debuted the 120' Viking Superstar and have been fishing the Gulf of Mexico ever since. Along with  Captain Paul Forsberg I purchased the Gulfstar in 2006 and have since updated / remodeled her into what she is today.  The Gulfstar is geared for nearshore and offshore charters and anchors me in Tarpon Springs FL most of the year.

Captain Rich Castellano

Captain Joseph DiLiberto
I was born and raised in New York City. I grew up fishing Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Inlet with my dad, mom and brother in the late 40’s and 50’s. When I got married in 1967 I moved to West Islip and started fishing the Great South Bay. I graduated Brooklyn College in 1972. I’m proud to say that I was a NY City Police officer from 1962-67 after which I entered the NYC Fire Department. My first Captain’s license was issued in 1976, after which I operated a 31’ six pack boat from West Lake Lodge. I retired from the Fire Department in 1980 and bought Prime Time in 1982. I sailed her out of Captree State Park until 1988. In 1990 I moved to the Florida Keys but returned to NY in 1991 and worked for Captain Jim Gillen at Captree. 1995 was the year I joined the Viking Fleet in Montauk and ran the Block Island ferry for 10 year- from 1996 until 2006. Since then I have been running half day fluke trips on the Viking Starship, and enjoying being back on the fishing side of things.

Capt. Joe DiLiberto

Captain Steven N. Forsberg
I was born and raised in Montauk, growing up on the Viking dock. In fact I sailed on my first two day Tuna Trip at age five.  By age eight I was working as a mate on a charter boat and by age eleven or twelve I was a regular mate on the Viking Fleet party boats. At age eighteen I earned my Captains License and by age nineteen I had upgraded to my 100 Ton License. That Fall I began running the two day Tuna Trips and have never looked back.  I love all kinds of fishing but offshore fishing is my passion.  My family has been involved in the Party Boat fishing Industry for Four generations. I currently work in our family business with my Grandfather Paul, my father Steven and my cousin Carl. The Industry is changing and we here at the Viking Fleet intend to change with it. In fact we are currently constructing a new vessel, the Viking Fivestar in Alabama. During this past winter I made two trips to Alabama to oversee the construction.

During my limited time off I enjoy visiting my sisters and my niece in Florida. I am also doing some remodeling at my house in Montauk.

Captain Steven N Forsberg 

Captain Carl Forsberg
I grew up in Montauk, NY.  My father took myself and my brother out fishing on an overnight cod trips since we were very young. From that time on I would go with him every chance I got. As soon as I was old enough, I would work deck whenever I was not in School. When ever I could I would. After I graduated high school, I took college classes in California for business during the winters and would come back to work in the summers. After college, I got my Captains license at age 20 and start running the boats. I would run the all day Fluke and Sea Bass boats, as well as the Night Striped Bass. I was also 2^nd Captain on the overnight Tuna and Cod Trips. I then went to Florida and started running the Viking Superstar out of Tarpon Springs doing overnight Offshore trips Fishing for Grouper, Amberjacks, Snapper, King  Mackerel and everything else during the Winter and Summertime.  I am currently living in Montauk where I am running the Viking Fleet boats. I love fishing for both bottom fish as well as the Pelagic, and there is no place I would rather be than on the water.

 Captain Carl Forsberg

Captain Eric Desbonnet

 I was born and raised on Long Island, more specifically Shelter Island. I began working as a deckhand for the North Ferry at sixteen. On and off I have worked on the North Ferry for over 38 years. I also worked for the South Ferry during this period. I got my first 100 Ton license when I was 18 and I am currently operating on my 7^th issue. I graduated with a degree in Fisheries and Marine Technology from the University of Rhode Island. After that I moved to Louisiana and worked on the oil patch, captaining crew and supply boats to the oil rigs. I came to work for the Viking Fleet in 2000 as a Captain on the Block Island Ferry. During then 2005 season, I ran a harbor tour business from the Viking dock during the day and ran the Viking ferry to New London at night. I live in Southold NY with my wife Kathy and our two sons Adam and Conor. When not working at Viking and during the off season, I am a nursing supervisor at ELI Hospital in Greenport, NY.

Captain Anthony Darrigo
It’s exactly 20 year’s since I was first introduced to the Viking Fleet when a friend recommended taking a Valley of the Giants trip….let’s just say I’ve been hooked with the Viking Fleet and the Viking way of fishing ever since. Growing up in Deer Park I spent most of my time on the Great South Bay mostly fluke fishing with my father every chance we got. Most of my Viking trips were to Georges Banks with Captain Steven Sr. the fishing was unbelievable but the passion displayed and the knowledge of the species and banks by Captain Steven was what inspired me to want to someday join the team. I have been working deck since 2003, mostly Striped Bass and winter offshore, but the words of Captain Steven Jr left me no choice but to get my license and begin working as his 2nd Captain on weekend Tuna and Steelwagen trips. Currently I am running Full Day Block Island Fluke on Sundays under the tutelage of Captain Carl. During the week I work in Manhattan but come Thursday night I am Montauk bound. Together with my wife Heather and our three children we divide our time between our homes in Deer Park and in Springs.

First Mate: Eric Hannan

Eric is celebrating 12 seasons with the Viking Fleet this year, most of which was spend on Long Island fishing both inshore and offshore. Eric was also one of the crew members that helped start off Viking Fleet Florida and Viking Fleet New Bedford. He has been going on Viking boats since he was 5 years old- fishing both the north and south shore of LI. Eric currently resides with his wife Kelly and their family in the Hamptons for the past 14 years.

You can view all the NEW PHOTOS of the Viking Fivestar Launch!

New photos of The Viking Fivestar- July 28, 2011

3 Generations of Forsbergs customizing their Ultimate Fishing Vessel.

Captain Paul with the Newest member of the Viking Fleet

,

Three generations of Forsbergs.

(From left Captain Paul ,Captain Steven Sr, Captain Steven Jr and Captain Carl.)

Valid for all Viking Fleet trips out of Montauk and New Bedford, including fishing, ferries and whale watching.

10-19 Passengers- 10% Discount
20-29 Passengers- 15% Discount
30+ Passengers- 20% Discount

In order to receive a group discount we require $1000 (or payment in full if the total is less than $1000) non-refundable deposit. Payment must be made by a single payment method- either a credit card, a check or a money order. The remaining balance is due on the day of your trip if paying by cash or a credit card. If paying by a check or money order please make sure to get the payment to us a week before your trip.

Custom Private VIKING Charters from Montauk, NY

Viking Starship

The Viking Starship is 140' long, she is licensed for 300 passengers. The Viking Starship is equipped with 70 navy style bunks below deck, reclining cushioned chairs at cabin level . The boat has a very large heated cabin that is 80 foot long. There are 150 rod holders. There is a full restaurant in the cabin and all tackle is available onboard. 

Charter Rates and Information for Viking Starship

----Sunset Cruises (2 hours) $1500.00

Enjoy a scenic cruise of the Montauk shoreline and the Montauk Lighthouse while watching the sun set over Gardiner’s Island.

----Introduction to fishing (3 hours) $2250 plus 20% Gratuity

A perfect learning experience for kids and family groups!

----Half Day (4 hours) $3000 plus 20% Gratuity

*up to 40 passengers… additional passengers are $75 per person*

Perfect for fluke and/or porgies and sea bass

----3/4 Day (6 hours) $4500 plus 20% Gratuity

*up to 40 passengers… additional passengers are $110 per person*

Perfect for Striped Bass and Blues

----Full day (8 hours) $6000 plus 20% Gratuity

*up to 40 passengers… additional passengers are $150 per person*

            Get a full day of fishing for whatever you want to target.

----Extended Full Day (12 hours) $9000 plus 20% Gratuity

*up to 40 passengers… additional passengers are $225 per person*

            Go further out for more!

----Night Striped Bass (6 hours) $4500 plus 20% Gratuity

*up to 40 passengers… additional passengers are $110 per person*

            Fish with live bait for the big ones!

The Viking Star is 104' long, she is licensed to carry 149 passengers. She was designed and built by Captain Paul Forsberg to navigate and fish the waters of Montauk in comfort. We have 110 rod holders at the rail, the rails are heated for your comfort in the winter time. She is equipped with a full galley and tackle store. Hot meals and hot beverages are available for purchase during your trip. Indoors in our heated and spacious 65 foot cabin we have seating for 72 passengers. Outdoors we have seating for 75 people on the top observation deck and 76 people on the main fishing deck

Charter Rates and Information for Viking Star

----Sunset Cruises (2 hours) $1000

Enjoy a scenic cruise of the Montauk shoreline and the Montauk Lighthouse while watching the sun set over Gardiner’s Island.

----Introduction to fishing (3 hours) $1500 plus 20% Gratuity

A perfect learning experience for kids and family groups!

----Half Day (4 hours) $2000 plus 20% Gratuity

*up to 30 passengers… additional passengers are $65 per person*

Perfect for fluke and/or porgies and sea bass

----3/4 Day (6 hours) $3000 plus 20% Gratuity

*up to 30 passengers… additional passengers are $100 per person*

Perfect for Striped Bass and Blues

----Full day (8 hours) $4000 plus 20% Gratuity

*up to 30 passengers… additional passengers are $130 per person*

            Get a full day of fishing for whatever you want to target.

----Extended Full Day (12 hours) $6000 plus 20% Gratuity

*up to 30 passengers… additional passengers are $200 per person*

            Go further out for more!

----Night Striped Bass (6 hours) $3000 plus 20% Gratuity

*up to 30 passengers… additional passengers are $100 per person*

            Fish with live bait for the big ones!

 Viking Stariper