Yellowfin

For the first time in at least a century, U.S. fishermen won't take too much of any species from the sea, according to one of the nation's top fishery scientists. Steve Murawski said that for the first time in written fishing history, which goes back to 1900, "as far as we know, we've hit the right levels, which is a milestone”. Murawski, who retired this month as chief scientist at NOAA's Fisheries Service, said it's more than a dramatic benchmark - it also signals the coming of increasingly healthy stocks and better days for fishermen. "When you compare the United States with the European Union, with Asian countries, et cetera, we are the only fishing nation who actually has succeeded in ending overfishing".

Although “overfishing” is now ending, many of our nation’s fisheries remain “overfished”. Last year regulators said 37 stocks in US waters were being overfished; New England had the most with 10. But the new catch shares management systems are making a difference. Our friends at FishChoice have released a list of fisheries that have been recently revised in status. There is real hope that with vigilance over time many fish populations will rebound. This progress is encouraging for fishermen and chefs alike.

From Montauk, NY we are now working with Captain Brian Rabe of the F/V Sequel who is deepwater gill-netting Monkfish with minimal by-catch. Gosman’s dock continues to land a weekly Golden Tilefish boat as well as dayboat Fluke and Scallops. From Homer, Alaska Pacific Cod are now landing steadily. Snow and blowing winds off Beaufort, NC have been challenging, but Captain Mark Lewis of the F/V Helen W. Smith should be landing tonight with Triggerfish and Southern Flounder, while Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo are expected later in the week.

Coastal Carolina is a special place and their traditional fishing communities are a national treasure. Beaufort’s Jack Cox and David Tucker appreciate living in one of those coastal gems. They love fishing the pristine waters off Cape Lookout, but last week took some time to attend the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

At the quarterly meeting in nearby New Bern, NC, the council agreed to drop a controversial plan that would have prohibited fishing more than 70 species of snapper and grouper in a 5,000-square-mile area of the Atlantic Ocean after seeing the latest red snapper population study showing that the fish is more abundant than originally thought.

“This is such good news. They're starting to listen and we're making progress” said Jimmy Hull, chairman of the East Coast Fisheries Section. A federal moratorium on fishing red snapper in the Atlantic from the Carolinas to Florida remains in effect but the latest fish study also found that fishing pressure on red snapper has been alleviated in recent years.

The boys from Beaufort are back on the water this weekend landing King Mackerel, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, Triggerfish and Sheepshead. And it looks like it might not be too long until they start landing Red Snapper again.

As September ends so does Alaska’s Summer Salmon Season. We have about one week remaining for Coho before the Alaska Dept of Fish & Game call it to an end. Halibut should continue until mid-November. Pacific Cod season is now rolling and will run through the winter months. The Winter Troll King Salmon season from Sitka and the Red King Crab season from Dutch Harbor will both begin in mid-October.

This week we will see some fantastic fish from our various fisheries. Coho Salmon have now started along with Sockeye from Alaska's Cook Inlet. Vermillion Snapper and Gag Grouper are being sustainably harvested in the Carolinas. Abundant line caught Striped Bass and Yellowfin Tuna are being landed off Montauk, NY. These are just some of the highlights of this wonderful season.

From Sitka Alaska, where Halibut season begins in only one week, Jon Hickman is landing the long-time favorite of the crabbing industry, Bairdi Snow Crab. Sweeter than Red King Crab with a lighter and more delicate texture the Bairdi is cooked fresh at the dock. This opening should last about a week, and we are shipping sections of almost one pound each in minimum 25 pound boxes at $10.90/lb.