Volume XVII, Issue 2 April, 2008

"….to encourage the sport of surfcasting; to gather for entertainment and good fellowship; to promote and uphold sound conservation practices and laws, and to see that these laws are properly carried out by members; to further good sportsmanship; and to seek and protect public access to fishing areas on Martha’s Vineyard. " A. Spofford, 1989

Did someone say there is "nothing" to do on Martha’s Vineyard in the winter? I guess who ever said that is not a part of the fishing community. It has only been a few months since you voted me as your president and the M.V. Surfcasters are BUSY. I am impressed with the hours some of our members are volunteering and very excited to be working with all of you.

It is a critical time for all of us and time to step up and be heard as recreational fishermen. As I write this message there are issues coming to fruition that will affect not only the waters that surround our island, but also the right to fish for our children and our children’s children. Not long ago, before the Internet and before we formed the M.V. Surfcasters, many of us here on the Vineyard were clueless about how decisions were made that affected our fishing and the environment. Now, we have access to so much information and we can no longer use ignorance as an excuse. It is time to get informed and it is time to step up and be accountable.

On the home front we will be looking forward to another brown shark fishing tournament and our traditional July picnic. We are in the process of starting a monthly pin award for the In- House Derby. Last year we won three ribbons with our first ever display at the Aggie Fair. Let’s turn this community event into another tradition. June should be really exciting with the development of the Surfcaster/Nantucket Inter-Island tournament.

I can hardly breathe when I think that I will be wetting a line soon. I look forward to seeing you all at the movie on April 15th.

Waiting to exhale, Janet Messineo

Many thanks to David Nash for the following updates!

Surfcaster volunteers are needed for the annual Earth Day Beach Clean-up. The event takes place on Saturday April 19 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. As in past years we will focus our activities on South Beach. Jeff Sayre, past president, will coordinate at left fork and Janet Messineo, current president, will coordinate at right fork. Left fork volunteers will also go over sand assuming there is anything left to Norton Point Beach. This year we are also going to fill in at Edgartown Lighthouse beach since the regular sponsor , the Harborview, won’t be available due to their on-going renovations. Dave Nash will coordinate at that site. Please make an effort to join us at one of these beaches and help support the Earth Day effort. The event is rain or shine so dress accordingly.

As an extra incentive, the Vineyard Conservation Society has announced that the folks at SBS will provide a free barbeque for all those who participate in the beach clean-up at their store on State Rd. in Vineyard Haven. The barbeque starts right after the clean-up ends so head over and

Surfcaster members Paul Schultz and Dave Nash are on the Edgartown Dredge Committee and have reported a somewhat successful dredging effort in the Cape Pogue narrows. Mechanical problems caused the dredge to get not quite as far up the narrows as they had hoped but still, they were able to dredge enough material to now provide for at least a two and a half foot channel (low tide) up to Dyke Bridge. By all accounts this will improve shellfishing in this part of the pond. Dredging started about a quarter mile before the narrows into Cape Pogue pond by opening up an existing channel.

Next year, plans are still on track to dredge either a new channel in Sengekontacket or dredge in what is referred to as a "borrow area" from which sand can be used to nourish beaches. In this case the target beach is Bend in the Road which, as you may have noticed, took another beating from this winter’s storms and is in desperate need of sand. Two projects are anticipated for this area. One will generate about 20,000 cubic yards of sand for the beach and the second will place up to an additional 80,000 yards on adjacent beaches.

Other dredging activities scheduled on the island for the short term include the Tashmoo inlet and the area around the North groin in Vineyard Haven harbor.

The 2008 MVSA Science fair prize was awarded to Michaella Gaines and Genevieve Hammond for their project titled "Scallop Growth and Population in Edgartown". They concentrated their research on Katama Bay and included sample drags, eelgrass analysis and theories regarding increases in scallop predator populations due to the April 2007 breach. The award was judged by the Science fair specialty awards panel. Our award was in memory of past member Fred Stula. Surfcaster members Will Geresy, Jim Hendrickson and Dave Nash also participated in the Science fair as judges.

Our award reads as follows:

Since our last newsletter, the Oak Bluffs selectmen have signed a "Land Management agreement" (LMA) with the state DEP’s Office of Fishing and Boating Access (OFBA). The LMA allows the state to use that portion of the Oak Bluffs waterfront to construct a fishing pier. The agreement includes provisions for state-funded.shoreline improvements including improvements for the restroom facility and handicapped parking. An Advisory Committee (Walter Lison, Wally White, Coop Gilkes, Steve Morris, Dave Nash) meeting took place with Doug Cameron who is the Asst. Director of the Fishing Access office along with Michael Dutton, Oak Bluffs town manager and various town department heads (shellfish, conservation committee, etc.). We discussed design criteria for the pier which the state will incorporate into a design which will be submitted to the town for a preliminary review. Following the design approval, final design will be completed and permit applications will be filed with the vario

us permit-giving authorities at the state and local level. Once approved, the project will be funded as part of the OFBA’s annual allocation for project activities.

A recent update from Cameron confirmed that his supervisors have approved the preliminary concept for the project allowing for the selection of the next available contract engineer to begin the design. With any luck we will see the design plans this summer.

Another project involving Surfcaster members is the improvement of Eastville Point Beach. The Surfcasters are on a loosely formed committee which will try to cause some improvements to take place. This month the Community Services division of the Sheriff’s Department began some clean-up activities and brush removal. Phil Upham recently volunteered to help out with this project by supervising activities at the site making sure the work done is limited to what the Committee is permitted to clean up. Although real progress most likely is a year or two away, it is hoped that we can help make the beach a little more presentable to beach goers and a little more enjoyable for fishermen. The hope for this beach presently lies with that same state office who is working on the fishing pier. These guys are real advocates for fishing access across Massachusetts and are looking to turn Eastville Point Beach into a much more user friendly fishing and public access destination.

Meanwhile, the state’s Highway people are having quite an impact on the area as they begin construction of the new temporary drawbridge over Lagoon pond. Let’s hope all that pounding from the bridge supports and construction work won’t impact the fishing in that area.

Need an easy way to track news about the environment? What about fish stock sustainability? Local farming initiatives? Water quality studies? The Vineyard Conservation Society maintains a weekly almanac that searches out relevant stories and provides links to these and many other topics. Frequently included are interviews with local people involved with these issues. The Almanac is provided as a weekly email to you; it’s free and VCS does not share your email address. All you need to do is go to www.vcsmv.org, click on "Almanac" (where you will see the most recent edition) and then click on "Subscribe" to sign up. You can unsubscribe with the click of your mouse but chances are you will look at this as an important part of your efforts to stay tuned in to environmental issues that impact your daily life as well as learning what you might be able to do about it.

Bring a sandwich and come enjoy a special screening of National Geographic’s highly acclaimed film "The Lives of The Dorymen". This will be the highlight of our April meeting. The show starts at 6:00 pm at the Chilmark Library . Don’t be late!

The rules are easy and the challenge among members is a lot of fun whether you’re fishing from shore or boat for blues, bass, bonito, or albies.

HOW TO ENTER -----

You must be a paid in full member before catching and weighing in any fish.

1. Use the enclosed weigh-in slip as a master and make as many copies as you need.

Internet surfers you can download a weigh-in slip at our website.

Download one at: http://www.mvsurfcasters.org/mvsa_in-house_derby.htm

2. When you catch a fish you want to enter, bring the fish to any island tackle shop and have the weigher sign and date the slip.

3. To be eligible for consideration fish must conform to the minimum sizes below:

Striped bass 32"

Bluefish 22"

Bonito 21"

False Albacore 25"

4. Boundaries: To be eligible, a fish must be caught in or around the waters of Martha’s Vineyard. MVSB & BF Derby Boundaries will prevail.

5. Mail the slip to:

Paul Schultz

PO Box 1245

Edgartown, MA 02539

Entry forms must be received before the fifth of the following month.

During the fall MV Bass & Bluefish Derby, there is no need to fill out our weigh-in slip; simply mail in the official MV Derby weigh-in slip or a copy of it to Paul.

DIVISIONS AND AWARDS

Divisions are the following: Junior (under 16), Adult (16 through 64), Senior (65 & up). The categories for the four species are as follows: All Tackle Shore, All Tackle Boat, Fly Rod Shore, Fly Rod Boat, and our special Release Award for both All Tackle and Fly Rod. Awards are made for the heaviest fish in each of the four categories. In addition, awards are also given for the longest fish in each of the four categories that was caught and then released. Record the overall length of your released fish, not the weight, in the weight section of the slip and be sure to mark it clearly: ‘RELEASE’

Finally don’t forget the Grand Slam category that was added a couple of years back. Plaques will be awarded to the boat & shore anglers who, over the course of the season, weigh in the heaviest aggregate (total weight) of all four eligible species. Anglers must catch all of their fish in the division entered. (i.e. all boat or all shore)

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!

April 15, MVSA Monthly Meeting

6:00 pm at Chilmark Library. Bring a sandwich, we’ll supply the chips & soda!

April 19 10am - 12 noon. Annual Beach Cleanup. Left & Right Forks, and Edgartown Light Beach.

April 23 Safe Haven Camp Fishing Excursion, 10am @ Duarte's Pond, WT

Fishing Advisors needed to help kids from the Safe Haven Camp bait hooks and catch fish.

MAY 3 6-9AM MVR&G Club Annual Trout Derby @ Duarte's Pond, WT

Fishing Advisors needed to help local kids bait hooks and catch fish.

June 6-7 MV R&G Club Flyrod Release Tourney

June 20 -22 1st Annual MV/Nantucket Bass Tournament

Contact Charlie Barr @ 508-696-6957 or at: littlebigbarr@aol.com

July 12, Annual MVSA Summer Picnic

5:00PM, Bend In The Road Beach, Edgartown

Sixth Annual Members Only Chappaquiddick Shark Tournament

July 26-August 9

September 14-October 18, 63rd Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby

November 12, MVSA Monthly Meeting

7:00PM, Martha’s Vineyard Rod & Gun Club

December 9, MVSA Monthly Meeting (pizza night)

7:00PM, Martha’s Vineyard Rod & Gun Club

January 24, 2009, Annual MVSA Awards Ceremony, Banquet and Awesome Raffle

12:00PM, Old Whaling Church, Edgartown

APRIL MEETING MOVED: Our April meeting has been moved to April 15, 6pm at Chilmark library for viewing of Nat Geo movie "The Lonely Dorymen" which documents a typical six month fishing voyage in 1966 of Portugese fishermen as they travel from Portugal to Greenland and back in search of cod and other species. And you thought the Derby was a marathon? Wait 'til you see this one!

Bring a sandwich of your choice and we'll supply the soda and chips. Short business meeting to follow.

EARTH DAY BEACH CLEANUP: Earth Day beach cleanup will be Sat April 19 from 10 - 12 noon at either Left or Right Forks, or at Edgartown Lighthouse Beach. Bring gloves and have fun! BBQ at SBS to follow!

SAFE HAVEN FISHING EXCURSION: Wed April 23 (Rain date April 24) 10 am @ Duarte's Pond, WT.

Fishing Advisors needed to help kids from the Safe Haven Camp bait hooks and catch fish.

1ST ANNUAL INTER ISLAND TOURNAMENT:

June 20 -22 1st Annual MV/Nantucket Bass Tournament Contact Charlie Barr @ 508-696-6957 or at: littlebigbarr@aol.com