C
cliffjumper
Guest
While this relates to the US and Bass fishing, it ought to be a point to remember for the Fisheries Regulators, Guides & all Anglers whether salt or fresh water.
I visit another very active US site which I contribute to perhaps too frequently and in perhaps dubious welcome, and noticed this post.
I post here to remind each of us about Rockfish mortality etc..., and highlight what one nation has done to try minimizing deleterious effects of C&R, which they had imposed on their anglers for some years... "nothing under XX cm's or under XX kg's"... That practise failed miserably.
In the interests of keeping guides and anglers on the water for their desired period, and enjoying our sport, it is important to keep C&R mortality near top of mind. (NEBass was told he was not welcome and to get off that site as a result of his post)
I pass these posts along...
"Author Topic: 1000 Bass Float Dead In The Potomac
northeastbass
Junior Member
Member # 18648
posted 10 July, 2009 07:10 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potomac River, tournament related bass kill: one hundred and fifty-eight boats (316 anglers), launching boats from Smallwood State Park on June 25 and 26 and left behind a conservatively estimated 1000 largemouth bass, floating in the river, a disgraceful and unforgivable result. Maryland Department of Natural Resources initially estimated the kill to be 100. I began to contact DNR on Tuesday, June 30 after receiving many telephone calls from concerned anglers. I asked for an immediate investigation and on Wednesday, July 1, a team of DNR employees searched the creek and by their count, some 600 dead bass were still in Mattawoman Creek. That's four days (about seven tidal flushes) after the last day of the tournament. There is no way to estimate accurately how many bass died due to this event-but I firmly believe that "600" is just the tip of the iceberg. I have reliable reports from as far downriver as Arkindale Flats of huge amounts of dead bass days after the event.
State fisheries biologists are trying to learn what killed hundreds of bass on the Potomac River, just days after two fishing tournaments.
The fish were discovered and reported Monday by a fishing guide and longtime opponent of the large number of tournaments held each year on the river near Smallwood State Park in Charles County.
Don Cosden, chief of Inland Fisheries for the Department of Natural Resources, said biologists on the water Tuesday estimated there were 600 dead bass along with several hundred catfish and other species over a six-mile stretch of the river.
"It's not unusual to see a number of dead catfish and gizzard shad this time of year, and all of the bass were legal size so we believe that this was related to tournament releases," Cosden said. "There were more than 3,200 fish weighed in over the three-day period, so this would be about an 18.5 percent total mortality, which is unacceptably high."
Cosden said his staff is in contact with officials of the tournaments to get details. Ironically, state biologists were at the smaller of the two events Saturday -- the one-day National Guard FLW College Fishing tournament, which involved 80 anglers -- to measure and tag about 100 fish for a mortality study. All of those fish appeared healthy as the scientists handled them.
The larger event -- the three-day FLW Stren Series -- attracted 158 anglers, but only the top 10 fished the final day.
Guide Ken Penrod, who reported the problem and wants a complete investigation, said he has no issue with well-run events, but is angry that "most of these 100- to 200-boat events are from out of state and they abuse our fishery -- and our rights."
Cosden said most of the data on fish kills involves immediate mortality, not two to three days after being released.
Some studies have linked poor water quality to a high degree of delayed mortality after tournaments. But water samples taken continuously at the docks by the Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment group indicate temperature and dissolved oxygen levels to be within acceptable ranges.
The state has sent tissue samples to a laboratory to be tested for Largemouth Bass Virus. A recent study suggested that bass heavily infected with this virus may suffer higher release mortalities after being confined in livewells, the aerated holding tanks on bass fishing boats.
"Right now," said Cosden, " we don't have an answer."
Hundreds of bass found dead on Potomac
State investigating after 600 discovered, along with hundreds of other dead fish, after recent fishing tournaments in Charles County By Candus Thomson- The Baltimore Sun
State fisheries biologists are trying to learn what killed hundreds of bass on the Potomac River, just days after two fishing tournaments.
The fish were discovered and reported Monday by a fishing guide and longtime opponent of the large number of tournaments held each year on the river near Smallwood State Park in Charles County.
Don Cosden, chief of Inland Fisheries for the Department of Natural Resources, said biologists on the water Tuesday estimated there were 600 dead bass along with several hundred catfish and other species over a six-mile stretch of the river.
"It's not unusual to see a number of dead catfish and gizzard shad this time of year, and all of the bass were legal size so we believe that this was related to tournament releases," Cosden said. "There were more than 3,200 fish weighed in over the three-day period, so this would be about an 18.5 percent total mortality, which is unacceptably high."
Cosden said his staff is in contact with officials of the tournaments to get details. Ironically, state biologists were at the smaller of the two events Saturday -- the one-day National Guard FLW College Fishing tournament, which involved 80 anglers -- to measure and tag about 100 fish for a mortality study. All of those fish appeared healthy as the scientists handled them.
The larger event -- the three-day FLW Stren Series -- attracted 158 anglers, but only the top 10 fished the final day.
Guide Ken Penrod, who reported the problem and wants a complete investigation, said he has no issue with well-run events, but is angry that "most of these 100- to 200-boat events are from out of state and they abuse our fishery -- and our rights."
Cosden said most of the data on fish kills involves immediate mortality, not two to three days after being released.
Some studies have linked poor water quality to a high degree of delayed mortality after tournaments. But water samples taken continuously at the docks by the Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment group indicate temperature and dissolved oxygen levels to be within acceptable ranges.
The state has sent tissue samples to a laboratory to be tested for Largemouth Bass Virus. A recent study suggested that bass heavily infected with this virus may suffer higher release mortalities after being confined in livewells, the aerated holding tanks on bass fishing boats.
"Right now," said Cosden, " we don't have an answer."
Dead Potomac Bass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 10 | From: Delaware | IP: Logged
cliffjumper
Active Member
Member # 15107
posted 10 July, 2009 07:06 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Too bad NE, this is the kind of story that could lead to imposing Swiss-type regs.
Like it or not, the story is important for us all, not least the sponsors & manufacturers.
Maybe offering the biggest prize for first in with legal-size limits, rather than heaviest bag..?
Groans aside, we have to pay attention to these things for the sake of a sport that ought to bring families & friends closer together, and instill stronger appreciation for the wonder of the outdoors.
Cheers and thanks for the story.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 923 | From: Vancouver Island BC | IP: Logged
I visit another very active US site which I contribute to perhaps too frequently and in perhaps dubious welcome, and noticed this post.
I post here to remind each of us about Rockfish mortality etc..., and highlight what one nation has done to try minimizing deleterious effects of C&R, which they had imposed on their anglers for some years... "nothing under XX cm's or under XX kg's"... That practise failed miserably.
In the interests of keeping guides and anglers on the water for their desired period, and enjoying our sport, it is important to keep C&R mortality near top of mind. (NEBass was told he was not welcome and to get off that site as a result of his post)
I pass these posts along...
"Author Topic: 1000 Bass Float Dead In The Potomac
northeastbass
Junior Member
Member # 18648
posted 10 July, 2009 07:10 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potomac River, tournament related bass kill: one hundred and fifty-eight boats (316 anglers), launching boats from Smallwood State Park on June 25 and 26 and left behind a conservatively estimated 1000 largemouth bass, floating in the river, a disgraceful and unforgivable result. Maryland Department of Natural Resources initially estimated the kill to be 100. I began to contact DNR on Tuesday, June 30 after receiving many telephone calls from concerned anglers. I asked for an immediate investigation and on Wednesday, July 1, a team of DNR employees searched the creek and by their count, some 600 dead bass were still in Mattawoman Creek. That's four days (about seven tidal flushes) after the last day of the tournament. There is no way to estimate accurately how many bass died due to this event-but I firmly believe that "600" is just the tip of the iceberg. I have reliable reports from as far downriver as Arkindale Flats of huge amounts of dead bass days after the event.
State fisheries biologists are trying to learn what killed hundreds of bass on the Potomac River, just days after two fishing tournaments.
The fish were discovered and reported Monday by a fishing guide and longtime opponent of the large number of tournaments held each year on the river near Smallwood State Park in Charles County.
Don Cosden, chief of Inland Fisheries for the Department of Natural Resources, said biologists on the water Tuesday estimated there were 600 dead bass along with several hundred catfish and other species over a six-mile stretch of the river.
"It's not unusual to see a number of dead catfish and gizzard shad this time of year, and all of the bass were legal size so we believe that this was related to tournament releases," Cosden said. "There were more than 3,200 fish weighed in over the three-day period, so this would be about an 18.5 percent total mortality, which is unacceptably high."
Cosden said his staff is in contact with officials of the tournaments to get details. Ironically, state biologists were at the smaller of the two events Saturday -- the one-day National Guard FLW College Fishing tournament, which involved 80 anglers -- to measure and tag about 100 fish for a mortality study. All of those fish appeared healthy as the scientists handled them.
The larger event -- the three-day FLW Stren Series -- attracted 158 anglers, but only the top 10 fished the final day.
Guide Ken Penrod, who reported the problem and wants a complete investigation, said he has no issue with well-run events, but is angry that "most of these 100- to 200-boat events are from out of state and they abuse our fishery -- and our rights."
Cosden said most of the data on fish kills involves immediate mortality, not two to three days after being released.
Some studies have linked poor water quality to a high degree of delayed mortality after tournaments. But water samples taken continuously at the docks by the Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment group indicate temperature and dissolved oxygen levels to be within acceptable ranges.
The state has sent tissue samples to a laboratory to be tested for Largemouth Bass Virus. A recent study suggested that bass heavily infected with this virus may suffer higher release mortalities after being confined in livewells, the aerated holding tanks on bass fishing boats.
"Right now," said Cosden, " we don't have an answer."
Hundreds of bass found dead on Potomac
State investigating after 600 discovered, along with hundreds of other dead fish, after recent fishing tournaments in Charles County By Candus Thomson- The Baltimore Sun
State fisheries biologists are trying to learn what killed hundreds of bass on the Potomac River, just days after two fishing tournaments.
The fish were discovered and reported Monday by a fishing guide and longtime opponent of the large number of tournaments held each year on the river near Smallwood State Park in Charles County.
Don Cosden, chief of Inland Fisheries for the Department of Natural Resources, said biologists on the water Tuesday estimated there were 600 dead bass along with several hundred catfish and other species over a six-mile stretch of the river.
"It's not unusual to see a number of dead catfish and gizzard shad this time of year, and all of the bass were legal size so we believe that this was related to tournament releases," Cosden said. "There were more than 3,200 fish weighed in over the three-day period, so this would be about an 18.5 percent total mortality, which is unacceptably high."
Cosden said his staff is in contact with officials of the tournaments to get details. Ironically, state biologists were at the smaller of the two events Saturday -- the one-day National Guard FLW College Fishing tournament, which involved 80 anglers -- to measure and tag about 100 fish for a mortality study. All of those fish appeared healthy as the scientists handled them.
The larger event -- the three-day FLW Stren Series -- attracted 158 anglers, but only the top 10 fished the final day.
Guide Ken Penrod, who reported the problem and wants a complete investigation, said he has no issue with well-run events, but is angry that "most of these 100- to 200-boat events are from out of state and they abuse our fishery -- and our rights."
Cosden said most of the data on fish kills involves immediate mortality, not two to three days after being released.
Some studies have linked poor water quality to a high degree of delayed mortality after tournaments. But water samples taken continuously at the docks by the Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment group indicate temperature and dissolved oxygen levels to be within acceptable ranges.
The state has sent tissue samples to a laboratory to be tested for Largemouth Bass Virus. A recent study suggested that bass heavily infected with this virus may suffer higher release mortalities after being confined in livewells, the aerated holding tanks on bass fishing boats.
"Right now," said Cosden, " we don't have an answer."
Dead Potomac Bass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 10 | From: Delaware | IP: Logged
cliffjumper
Active Member
Member # 15107
posted 10 July, 2009 07:06 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Too bad NE, this is the kind of story that could lead to imposing Swiss-type regs.
Like it or not, the story is important for us all, not least the sponsors & manufacturers.
Maybe offering the biggest prize for first in with legal-size limits, rather than heaviest bag..?
Groans aside, we have to pay attention to these things for the sake of a sport that ought to bring families & friends closer together, and instill stronger appreciation for the wonder of the outdoors.
Cheers and thanks for the story.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 923 | From: Vancouver Island BC | IP: Logged
