According to recent statistics from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NC DMF), recreational saltwater catches increased in 2015.
Anglers in North Carolina brought an estimated 10.2 million fish to the docks in 2015, an increase of 6.8 percent over 2014. The estimated weight of these landings rose by 32 percent to 11.6 million pounds. Anglers released 6 percent more fish, compared to 2014.
In terms of pounds landed dockside, the top five recreational species for 2015 were dolphin, bluefish, yellowfin tuna, cobia and wahoo.
The number of dolphin taken increased by 132 percent over the previous year to 430,296 fish (3.2 million pounds), the highest since 2011.
Anglers landed 19,284 wahoo weighing 534,787 pounds, a 66 percent increase.
Cobia harvests totaled 15,875 fish weighing 675,859 pounds, the highest since 2013. The average weight of the cobia nearly doubled from 2014.
Anglers brought 10.7 percent fewer yellowfin tuna to the docks; 24,205 fish weighing approximately 723,127 pounds.
NC DMF speculates that dolphin, wahoo and cobia harvests may have increased as a result of an absence of yellowfin tuna.
Recreational harvests of bluefish decreased by 16 percent to 911,983 fish (769,262 pounds).
Spotted seatrout harvests for 2015 were estimated to be the lowest on record. The low catches follow back to back cold stuns in 2013 and 2014.
NC DMF closed spotted seatrout harvest Feb. 5 to June 15 in 2014 to allow the fish that survive the cold stun event the maximum chance to spawn in the spring.
Another possible factor may have been the abnormal amount of rainfall in eastern North Carolina in the fall and winter of 2015 that flushed the creeks with freshwater, causing fish to move to higher salinities.
Despite low spotted seatrout harvests in 2015, estimates of recreational released catch (undersized) were at near record levels.
For a full landings report, visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/marine-fisheries-catch-statistics.
source: North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
Showing posts with label fish kills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fish kills. Show all posts
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
North Carolina Spotted Seatrout Winter Fish Kills
Recent "cold stun" events in North Carolina could affect spotted seatrout populations as well as other species of saltwater fish.
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries biologists discovered numerous cold stun events on Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1.
Cold stun events were confirmed in the Pamlico, Alligator, Pungo, Scuppernong, Trent, Neuse and Cape Fear rivers; Chocowinity, Blounts and Chadwick bays; and Slades, Bath, Cahooque, Hancock and Spooners creeks.
source: North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries biologists discovered numerous cold stun events on Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1.
Cold stun events were confirmed in the Pamlico, Alligator, Pungo, Scuppernong, Trent, Neuse and Cape Fear rivers; Chocowinity, Blounts and Chadwick bays; and Slades, Bath, Cahooque, Hancock and Spooners creeks.
source: North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sardine Fish Kill in Redondo Beach California
In California, State biologists are running tests on a dozen dead fish from the Redondo Beach Harbor to determine the cause of a massive fish kill.
Approximately one million dead sardines were discovered in the Redondo Beach harbor on Tuesday morning, March 8, 2011. The event raised concerns about possible water contamination, which prompted officials to test local waters. Water samples tested on-site Tuesday were clear of contamination.
California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens also sent about a dozen dead fish to the DFG laboratory in Rancho Cordova, where biologists will run tests to confirm that the die-off was not due to toxins in the water.
Because all the dead fish were contained in one area of the harbor, officials believe that the most likely culprit was oxygen deprivation. Recent storms could have caused the school of sardines to swim around the breakwater and into the enclosed harbor, where they were trapped and unable to get out before depleting the water of oxygen. According to biologists, oxygen-related fish kills can happen under these conditions.
The city of Redondo Beach activated its crisis response team Tuesday and by noon, more than 50 volunteers were assisting with the clean up. Dead fish were transported to a collection center, where they will be recycled into fertilizer. The harbor remains open.
Biologists at the northern California laboratory expect to complete their testing by mid-March, and DFG plans on continued monitoring of the harbor.
Approximately one million dead sardines were discovered in the Redondo Beach harbor on Tuesday morning, March 8, 2011. The event raised concerns about possible water contamination, which prompted officials to test local waters. Water samples tested on-site Tuesday were clear of contamination.
California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens also sent about a dozen dead fish to the DFG laboratory in Rancho Cordova, where biologists will run tests to confirm that the die-off was not due to toxins in the water.
Because all the dead fish were contained in one area of the harbor, officials believe that the most likely culprit was oxygen deprivation. Recent storms could have caused the school of sardines to swim around the breakwater and into the enclosed harbor, where they were trapped and unable to get out before depleting the water of oxygen. According to biologists, oxygen-related fish kills can happen under these conditions.
The city of Redondo Beach activated its crisis response team Tuesday and by noon, more than 50 volunteers were assisting with the clean up. Dead fish were transported to a collection center, where they will be recycled into fertilizer. The harbor remains open.
Biologists at the northern California laboratory expect to complete their testing by mid-March, and DFG plans on continued monitoring of the harbor.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Delaware Bay Menhaden Die Off
The NJ Department of Environmental Protection is investigating the massive die-off of menhaden in the Delaware Bay. In addition, fish tissue samples are being collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
According to Bob Van Fossen, the DEP's Manager for Emergency Management. "Low dissolved oxygen levels in the water may be a factor, but this may be difficult to confirm."
The wash-up of menhaden in the Delaware Bay appears to encompass about seven to eight miles of shoreline stretching from Kimbles Beach in Middle Township south to the Villas in Lower Township. Additional shoreline assessments are being done today.
The heaviest concentration of dead fish appears to be at High's Beach in Middle Township, about halfway between the northern and southern extents of the washed up fish. The fish appear to be exclusively small menhaden, also known as peanut bunker. Most are about 3.5 to 4 inches in The DEP will continue to provide the public and media with updates as they become available.
source: NJ DEP
According to Bob Van Fossen, the DEP's Manager for Emergency Management. "Low dissolved oxygen levels in the water may be a factor, but this may be difficult to confirm."
The wash-up of menhaden in the Delaware Bay appears to encompass about seven to eight miles of shoreline stretching from Kimbles Beach in Middle Township south to the Villas in Lower Township. Additional shoreline assessments are being done today.
The heaviest concentration of dead fish appears to be at High's Beach in Middle Township, about halfway between the northern and southern extents of the washed up fish. The fish appear to be exclusively small menhaden, also known as peanut bunker. Most are about 3.5 to 4 inches in The DEP will continue to provide the public and media with updates as they become available.
source: NJ DEP
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