Re: Comments on Herring Amendment 5 NOA and Proposed Rule

Please read the below sample letter that needs to be submitted by 5:00 pm tomorrow (Friday June 21st, 2013).

You can download the Word file at Offshore Pursuits below the sample letter (change the signature before you post it). There is also a link below that with instructions on how to submit the letter.

This matter is very important to all of us. It affects the commercial fisheries and the recreational fisheries, as well as all the support industries that rely on the above for the very existence. Please read and respond. Thanks. Dave

June 17^th, 2013

John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator

NMFS Northeast Regional Office

55 Great Republic Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930

Re: Comments on Herring Amendment 5 NOA and Proposed Rule

Dear John,

I am writing today to urge you to fully approve Herring Amendment 5 and then implement these regulations as outlined in the Proposed Rule (PR). I would put specific emphasis on the need to move forward with the preferred alternatives chosen by the Council that would put in place 100% observer coverage and a cap on slippage (dumping).

As a fisherman, I rely heavily on the health of the herring resource. Proper management of the Atlantic herring fishery is therefore essential to me. For too many years, the herring fleet—in particular the midwater trawl portion of it—has been managed poorly.

Amendment 5 was developed in order to address the problems in the herring plan. While there are many important components to the amendment, the cap on slippage and 100% observer coverage are the two pieces that make everything else possible. These two measures, voted in by a large margin by the Council, are absolutely essential in order to get a handle on what is happening in this fishery.

As you know, herring is the cornerstone of the ecosystem off our coast, and it drives all of the other fisheries in the region, from striped bass, to the giant bluefin tuna. It is essential that NMFS fully approves Amendment 5 and then implements the new regulations as set forth in the PR. This resource is far too important and the resulting economic impact far too valuable to the region to be managed inadequately.

Thanks for your time,

David Dodsworth

Offshore Pursuits

dave@offshorepursuits.com

June 15, 2013

The bite is on! Capt Brett Wilson of Hindsight Sportfishing landed 9 commercial fish in 5 days off Stellwagen. The largest measured at 90". The bite off Chatham is hit or miss, but with the amount of bait, whales, etc that is present, it is expected to go off at any time!

The weather this weekend is questionable at best. Time will tell.

Preliminary 2013 BFT Commercial Landings

As of June 14, 2013, preliminary commercial landings for the 2013 fishing year are as follows: The General category has landed 8.5 mt since June 1 and 40.9 mt overall for 2013; The Harpoon category has landed 0.2 mt; Longline South has landed 31.2 mt and Longline North has landed 19.2 mt. Landing updates will be made as necessary.

Check back often, as we are ramping up to make daily changes. Thanks! Dave

The fish are here....! Stick boats from the Gulf of Maine  and south to Chatham are chomping at the bit. Thr rod and real guys will be scouting next week. It should be an interesting year! NOAA say 3 fish a day!

Offshore Pursuits, Offshore Pursuits Premium Tackle, and the newly formed East of Chatham Lures are proud to announce that Capt. Brett Wilson of Hindsight Sportfishing is an intregal part of our Pro Staff. 

Through his knowledge of many fisheries, in many locations, he will test, tweak and make or break the number of new products we have ready to build.


His vast knowledge of the bluefin tuna, their habits, and what it takes to tail rope them will certainly influence the direction and make-up of Offshore Pursuits. Through Capt. Brett we intend to put together a core group of the best of the best with the end goal of having Offshore Pursuits be the best of the best.


Pay close attention as to how Offshore Pursuits evolves over this coming season. No drama, no BS, and as you will soon see, near realtime fishing reports, as they are happening.


To do this right we are going to give Offshore Pursuits a "working makeover"...meaning there will be changes that you may or may not see right away, but by the end of the season, a new Offshore Pursuits will have emerged. Look for a lot of technology to be interspersed throughout Offshore Pursuits making things happen for the visitor that will be unique for sure. Lots of changes, access to a ton of information, and answers to any question you could imagine.


The best I can tell you right now is that it will all be good. Watch it happen, and as always, your comments, good, bad, or otherwise, are always welcomed and encouraged.


Capt. Brett's full bio will be up on Pro Staff page early next week.


In the meantime you can check out Captain Brett Wilson at Hindsight Sportfishing.

Just to keep you all informed about the progress of East of Chatham Lures LLC...

As you can see, the logo is complete! East of Chatham Lures will have it's own storefront, and will supply lures to Offshore Pursuits and others.

ALL of East of Chatham Lures will be made in America. The components are being made here, and all the workmanship is being done here. That is a promise, and will never change. Offshore Pursuits Premium Tackle will sell East of Chatham lures, but East of Chatham lures can't sell Offshore Pursuits lures because many of the components are imported. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is not where East of Chatham lures plans to be.


Before anyone starts crying foul, the rigged lures will have the best line and hooks available. So yes, that part will be imported!


The Bluefin Tuna Rigs, Yellowfin Tuna Rigs, and Frenzy Shower Teasers are all in full production. I don't even have them up at Offshore Pursuits yet because all my time has been spent either building rigs or flat on my back, sick. I have not been able to build up any inventory yet because they go as fast as I build them.


I will have help soon so we should have enough inventory to start selling to dealers very shortly.


There will be full descriptions, photos and pricing up at Offshore Pursuits next week. I know I said that before, but I surely didn't intend to get sick. The East of Chatham storefront should be operational shortly also.


You won't be dissapointed when you see the products we have on the line.






Just to keep you all informed about the progress of East of Chatham Lures LLC...


As you can see, the logo is complete! East of Chatham Lures will have it's own storefront, and will supply lures to Offshore Pursuits and others.


ALL of East of Chatham Lures will be made in America. The components are being made here, and all the workmanship id being done here. That is a promise, and will never change. Offshore Pursuits Premium Tackle will sell East of Chatham lures, but East of Chatham lures can't sell Offshore Pursuits lures because many of the components are imported. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is not where East of Chatham lures plans to be.


Before anyone starts crying foul, the rigged lures will have the best line and hooks available. So yes, that part will be imported!




The Bluefin Tuna Rigs, Yellowfin Tuna Rigs, and Frenzy Shower Teasers are all in full production. I don't even have them up at Offshore Pursuits yet because all my time has been spent either building rigs or flat on my back, sick. I have not been able to build up any inventory yet because they go as fast as I build them.


I will have help soon so we should have enough inventory to start selling to dealers very shortly.


There will be full descriptions, photos and pricing up at Offshore Pursuits next week. I know I said that before, but I surely didn't intend to get sick. The East of Chatham storefront should be operational shortly also.


You won't be disappointed when you see the products we have on the line.

The fish are early...I am not!

My weekly fishing reports are starting a little late this year, and not for lack of fish! The fish have showed up early this year around the Cape, while Ii have been fighting health problems for two months.


I am not whining, nor am I making excuses...I just want to let you all know we are on track and will have the most up to date, real time fishing reports available anywhere!


Watch for our reports to begin next week, and don't forget to enter into the free Charter Give Away, as listed below. It will be a trip for you to remember!

Win a free charter aboard the Hindsight!

Win a 4 hour charter with Capt. Brett Wilson aboard the Hindsight!

Win a 4 hour charter with Captain Brett Wilson and crew aboard the Hindsight, fishing out of Rock Harbor, Orleans, MA on Monday, June 25th, at 1:45 p.m. You will be fishing for striped bass and bluefish in Cape Cod Bay with one of the best crews on one of the best boats fishing the Bay. You have seen my rants on the caliber of the Hindsight and Capt Brett Wilson, along with his longtime mate Patrick "Woody" Wood.
This charter is for the winner and 5 guests, for a total of 6 anglers maximum, as dictated by the U.S.C.G. regulations.
All tackle is furnished, and is all top of the line. The charter is paid for by Offshore Pursuits, but tipping the mate is the responsibility of charter.


The contest is simple, and is the first of of two being given away by Offshore Pursuits this season. The date and boat of the next one will be announced after this one. To enter the charter, simply send a picture along with a short essay on why you want to fish on Cape Cod Bay with Capt. Brett Wilson aboard the Hindsight. All pictures will be added to the gallery of Offshore Pursuits and the winning entry will be posted on the home page of Offshore Pursuits along with the essay. All entries will be accepted no later than Monday, June 18th, 2012. Capt. Brett Wilson will pick the winning entry based on the essay. The winner will be notified on Tuesday, June 19th, 2012.


All entries will be read, and the picture posted in the gallery.


Good luck to all, and we look forward to seeing all your pictures and reading your stories. Send all entries to dave@offshorepursuits.com with "Charter Contest" in the subject line.

Good luck! Dave