ORLEANS — In December, Orleans selectmen were cool to a request from their Chatham counterparts to revive a regional approach to managing piping plovers.

But after a rough summer for off-road vehicle access, Orleans selectmen voted Wednesday night to appoint Selectman John Hodgson to a fledgling regional coalition of towns to push for better beach access during the plover nesting season.

Click here to read the full article.

New Benchmark Striper Assessment Due Soon
Saltwater Sportsman, article Shelf Life
by Gary Caputi
August 9, 2013

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the interstate regulatory body that manages a variety of inshore fish species on a state by state basis, is holding a meeting of the Striped Bass Management Board this week. The purpose is to begin the dialog on potential changes to the Striped Bass Management Plan in anticipation of the release of a new benchmark stock assessment that is in the final stages of the peer review process. This is a big deal because ASMFC’s previous stock assessments already show a marked decline in total biomass from a high-water mark of approximately 68 million fish to about 40 million in 2010. 

Click here to read the full article.

The Trustees of Reservations have been working hard to open up some new areas for OSV use on Chappaquiddick. We really appreciate their open mindness to opening new areas when possible especially with all the recent erosion that has closed off other areas/trails. Get out there and enjoy this beautiful property!

Here is the list of the recent updates provided by The Trustees of Reservations.

(1) Re-opened the beach from opposite the Narrows north. Thus, one will be able to drive from the South end of the Cedars to the Elbow on the outside beach.

(2) From the front beach you can ride all the way to the Gut which was also re-opened today.

(3) There is also a stretch of beach open to OSV travel on the Chappy side of the breach going toward Wasque.

(4) Lelands was also re-opened as far south as you can safely travel toward Wasque. All of east Beach from the Dike Bridge south is open as is the back trail to the small parking lot created at the end.

(5) Vehicles can drive to the end of the inside trail at Leland but aren't able to go out onto the outside beach due to the outside beach erosion.  Folks can still park and walk to fish Wasque Point (or what's left of it)

(6) The Elbow is now open for Over-Sand Vehicles! You can get out pretty far, and the Gut is within easy walking distance. We do still have some tern chick activity at the Gut itself, so walkers, please stay along the shoreline and no dogs allowed.

BEACH ACCESS UPDATE: Currently, the first 1.25 miles of Norton Point (maybe a little more) are open to Over-sand Vehicles. If you haven't been out here recently, there is significantly more beach open than there was last year. The beach is closed beyond that point because we still have a significantly colony of protected birds hatching out and rearing chicks, including Common Terns, Least Terns, Roseate Terns, and Black Skimmers.

On Cape Poge, the Gut and the Elbow are currently closed to Over-Sand Vehicles due to Least Tern chicks in those locations...however, the rest of the property and Wasque Reservation are OPEN. The extreme southern end of Leland Beach is roped off due to severe erosion, but permitholders are welcome to drive down as far as they can to the roped area. Just a warning: there is a limited number of parking spaces at the end of the inside trail to Wasque.

Remember: you can always call our 24-Hour Hotline at 508.627.8390 to hear about current Beach Access. If you have a question about tours or purchasing a permit, please call the Mytoi Gatehouse at 508.627.3599.

Thanks!

OB Fishing Pier Update
By Dave Nash

As reported in the MV Times recently, work on the OB fishing pier was essentially suspended at the end of June.  Nelson Sigelman called this one right when he suggested that nothing comes in on schedule on Martha’s Vineyard.  I checked in with Doug Cameron this week and he updated me on their revised construction timetable.  The OB selectmen were unwilling to allow additional time beyond 6/30 for completion of land-based activities so work on the handicap access and the main stairway was suspended.  They were also prohibited from driving any additional pilings until after Labor Day so the only activity we are likely to see this summer is continuing work on the pier itself but essentially limited to framing and decking.  The contractor has been waiting for the delivery of timber materials.  Some additional pile driving for construction of the “L” at the end of the pier will take place in the fall but the pier is pretty much at its’ finished length. The contract completion date for the OB fishing pier is now October 30, 2013 so it looks like there will be no battle for the coveted “end of the pier” seat for this years derby.

How they moved the Schifter house, step by astonishing step
MV Times
Michelle Gross
July 24, 2013

When Rick and Jennifer Schifter realized it was only a matter of time before the ocean that had drawn them to the remote southeast corner of Chappaquiddick would claim their treasured 8,300-square-foot summer house, they had a tough decision to make.

Built as a vacation retreat for them and their four daughters, changing currents and battered bluffs had left the Schifters with two choices. Demolish it, or move it.

Click here to read the full article.

Gone Fishin' : Behind The Scenes, State Agency Provides Fishing Access.
MV Times.com
Nelson Sigelman
July 2, 2013

The ability to access a fishing spot, or launch a boat, canoe or kayak is pretty important to many residents and visitors on Martha's Vineyard. Measured against our miles of shoreline, there are not as many opportunities as one might hope to find.

And from season to season there is no assurance that a familiar access will remain. Particularly, if it is dependent on the willingness of private property owners to share.

About three years ago in Tisbury, the Mink Meadows Association decided to lock the gate to its private beach 24/7 year-round. Prior to that, the gate was only locked in the summer to discourage late-night drinking parties. It was disheartening to lose convenient access to that stretch of beach even in the off-season.

Click here to read the full article.

Fellow Surfcasters

 

We need your input and ideas.  Sometime during the 1’st half of July – final details are still being worked – the officers of the MVSA will meet with TTOR regional and senior management to discuss fishing and ORV access issues for the properties TTOR manages on MV.   Please provide us with any and all ideas you have on this subject.   We’re at the height of the ‘bird closure’ season and I’m sure that’s on the minds of many members.  If you have some ideas about long term projects that we could work on jointly we’d love to hear your ideas.

 

Please reply back to the e-mail sent to members or send a note using the CONTACT US link on the top header of the MVSA web site.

Click here to be linked directly to the CONTACT US page on the MVSA website to provide input.

 

Thanks

MV Times Article: Gone Fishin': Martha's Vineyard fishermen claim Island Cup
By: Nelson Sigelman
June 26, 2013

Members of the Martha's Vineyard Surfcasters Association traveled to Nantucket last weekend and beat their sandbar counterparts on their own turf, to take the 6th annual "Island Cup" catch-and-release surfcasting tournament.

Click here to read the full story.

Great progress continues on the Oak Bluffs Fishing Pier. Thanks to Wally White who is continuing to send in updated photos of this history making project. We will continue to update the photo album as we receive more updates. This is a great way to see how things are coming along week to week.

Click here to view all the latest photos.