New website will make fishing even safer
By Martin Armstrong
Special Correspondent
Posted: 05/23/2009 05:14:24 PM EDT
Updated: 05/23/2009 05:14:25 PM EDT
Last Tuesday the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service and the National Safe Boating Council launched a new Web site to help boaters stay safe this boating and fishing season. The mission statement for NOAA Fisheries as follows.
"NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the management, conservation, and protection of living marine resources within the United States Exclusive Economic Zone. We also play a support and advisory role in the management of living marine resources in coastal areas under state jurisdiction, provide scientific and policy leadership in the international arena, and implement internationally agreed conservation and management measures. We have defined our mission as follows: Stewardship of living marine resources for the benefit of the nation through their science-based conservation and management and promotion of the health of their environment."
"This statement expresses our commitment to taking a rational, scientific approach to the difficult, contentious issues of living marine resource management. NOAA Fisheries' aim is to maximize benefits to the Nation from living marine resources without compromising the long-term health of coastal and marine ecosystems. As stewards, we manage for the sustainable use of living marine resources, including both consumptive and nonconsumptive uses, such as fishing, aquaculture, photography and observation. We strive to balance competing public needs and
interests in the use and enjoyment of our living marine resources, while preserving their biological integrity."
Part of NOAA's mission is to keep the waterways and its users safe from harm. That's one of the reasons behind the development of its National Weather Service site. The site, http://safeboating.erh.noaa.gov/, is primarily designed to provide up to date weather conditions as well as a seven day forecast.
"Warm weather means more boats on the water, but it also brings the possibility of severe storms," said Jack Hayes, director of the National Weather Service in a recent press release. "Since weather can turn on a dime, boaters should monitor NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards before leaving the marina and continually while out on the water. Marine hazards can come in many forms, from thunderstorms to high winds, dangerous waves and swells to dense fog."
"The National Safe Boating Council is proud to be part of this new partnership with NOAA," notes Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. "There are varying factors that help boaters stay safe -- always wearing a life jacket and being aware of weather conditions are two very important aspects to safer boating."
NOAA provides a suite of products to help boaters get up-to-date weather information. In addition to point-and-click forecasts that are available to all boaters, the Web site links to the latest marine forecasting innovations and to regional marine forecast Web portals - a one stop shop for local forecasts, observations and hazards.
Visit http://safeboating.erh.noaa.gov to learn about weather terminology and new safety statistics on what causes the most boating fatalities and what actions to take for a safe 2009 boating season.
NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.
The National Safe Boating Council is a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education. The NSBC presently has a membership of over 350 U.S. and Canadian organizations, all with an interest in boating safety and education.
q
While on the subject of safety, the Connecticut Post reported on Thursday that a 31-year-old man was rescued from the water off Penfield Beach Tuesday afternoon after his kayak flipped over.
Police said a citizen who was walking on the beach heard the man, Rich Teitell, hollering for help around 3:30 p.m., and went and alerted the department's marine officers.
Officers Greg Carroll and James Wiltsie found Teitell in the water, clinging to the overturned kayak about a mile offshore. They were able to get both Teitell and the kayak into the police boat. Though tired, Teitell refused medical attention.
He told police he had been fishing by himself when he went to adjust his fishing rod and the kayak capsized. Teitell was not wearing a personal floatation device. Sgt. James Perez said boaters should always have a PFD, as well as some way to call for attention, such as a small flashing light or whistle.
Regular readers of this column know that I recommend taking a fully charged cell phone wrapped tightly in a plastic bag whenever you go fishing.
q
After a chilly start last week was a great one for local anglers. The warm days brought some terrific fishing opportunities to the area. Striped bass and bluefish action in Long Island Sound is improving daily and, on the freshwater scene, trout fishing is very good.
To demonstrate just how good fishing in the Sound is right now the folks at Rudy's Tackle Barn in Byram have been hearing complaints from one of their customers.
Sal Tardella, a die-hard striped bass fisherman, has been complaining that there are just too many bluefish around for him to enjoy his bass fishing. Not that Sal isn't catching any bass. He is. But he is catching and releasing too many bluefish. Life is full of problems.
The largest striped bass reported last week was a 38-pound, 2-ounce linesider weighed in at Pete's Bait and Tackle by Fred Bova. The fish measured 44-inches and was caught in Hempstead Harbor. Phil was using bunker chunks.
The folks at Fish Tales Bait and Tackle reported that for the second straight week Phil Vincoli boated some nice striped bass while fishing inside Hempstead Harbor. Like the week before, Phil's largest fish measured 42-inches in length and tipped the scales at 32-pounds. That's what I call consistency.
Jim Christianson also went to Hempstead Harbor where he caught a 29-pound 6-ounce striper. Jim was using bunker for bait.
Don Worthley, Sr. and Don Worthley Jr. did well fishing in 40 feet of water off Hempstead. They caught several stripers including a 20-pounder. They were also using fresh bunker.
Fishing in the mid-Sound is pretty good. Last week Mike Noyes boated a 30-pound linesider while drifting a live bunker. He also caught and released lots of bluefish.
Hank Weis of Skippy Charters has been catching lots of bluefish while trolling the mid-Sound off Greenwich. Hank was trolling an umbrella rig.
Gary Feighery caught and released 22 stripers while fishing off Darien. His largest linesider measured 38-inches and was taken on a 10-inch Finesse lure.
Striped bass were close to shore in Norwalk also. David Smith caught a 17-pounder from shore using a chunk of bunker.
Chris Miller did well fishing from the shore at the end of Shippan Point. He caught a 30 and a 41-inch striper. The larger fish weighed 22 pounds and was taken on a mackerel chunk.
Pete Miller fished from West Beach in Stamford and he caught a 37 pound striped bass and a 5-pound bluefish. Both fish were taken on fresh bunker.
Wayne Sorbo and Frank Wasco fished from Belle Haven in Greenwich last week. They caught several stripers and bluefish. Their largest bass measured 32-inches and was taken on a bunker chunk.
Zolton Horvath tried his luck off Rye last week and was rewarded with a 22-pound striped bass. He caught the fish using a bunker chunk.
Also doing well off Rye was John Rossi and his son, Adam. John caught a 30.6-pound bass and Adam caught a 32.6-pounder. Both fish were taken on bunker chunks.
Mark Hiller and Kevin Bova fished off Rye Beach last week. Together they caught three stripers including a hefty 30-pounder. The fish were taken using bunker for bait.
John Chan and Romeo Wang bottom fished in the Cummings Channel last week. They caught a pair of keeper winter flounder. The flatties were taken using clams.
Jason Vilicki caught a 13-pound fluke while fishing off Eaton's Neck. As fluke season is closed the fish was released.
Three anglers, who wished that their last names not be used, did well fishing the Norwalk River last week. Ernie, Pete and Kevin caught 25 rainbow trout measuring 12 to 14-inches. Ernie returned to the same spot the next day and caught a 5-pound, 2-ounch rainbow trout. All of the fish were taken on nightcrawlers.
Tim Mira, 10, and his brother, Dylan, 7 each caught a trout while fishing the Mianus River Trout Management Area. They were using mealworms and spinner baits.
Rusty Morales did well fishing at Kensico Reservoir last week. He caught a 7-pound, 4-ounce brown trout using a live shiner.
Martin Armstrong is a member of the Fisheries Advisory Council, a lifetime member in Trout Unlimited and a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America.
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By Martin Armstrong
Special Correspondent
Posted: 05/23/2009 05:14:24 PM EDT
Updated: 05/23/2009 05:14:25 PM EDT
Last Tuesday the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service and the National Safe Boating Council launched a new Web site to help boaters stay safe this boating and fishing season. The mission statement for NOAA Fisheries as follows.
"NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the management, conservation, and protection of living marine resources within the United States Exclusive Economic Zone. We also play a support and advisory role in the management of living marine resources in coastal areas under state jurisdiction, provide scientific and policy leadership in the international arena, and implement internationally agreed conservation and management measures. We have defined our mission as follows: Stewardship of living marine resources for the benefit of the nation through their science-based conservation and management and promotion of the health of their environment."
"This statement expresses our commitment to taking a rational, scientific approach to the difficult, contentious issues of living marine resource management. NOAA Fisheries' aim is to maximize benefits to the Nation from living marine resources without compromising the long-term health of coastal and marine ecosystems. As stewards, we manage for the sustainable use of living marine resources, including both consumptive and nonconsumptive uses, such as fishing, aquaculture, photography and observation. We strive to balance competing public needs and
interests in the use and enjoyment of our living marine resources, while preserving their biological integrity."
Part of NOAA's mission is to keep the waterways and its users safe from harm. That's one of the reasons behind the development of its National Weather Service site. The site, http://safeboating.erh.noaa.gov/, is primarily designed to provide up to date weather conditions as well as a seven day forecast.
"Warm weather means more boats on the water, but it also brings the possibility of severe storms," said Jack Hayes, director of the National Weather Service in a recent press release. "Since weather can turn on a dime, boaters should monitor NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards before leaving the marina and continually while out on the water. Marine hazards can come in many forms, from thunderstorms to high winds, dangerous waves and swells to dense fog."
"The National Safe Boating Council is proud to be part of this new partnership with NOAA," notes Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. "There are varying factors that help boaters stay safe -- always wearing a life jacket and being aware of weather conditions are two very important aspects to safer boating."
NOAA provides a suite of products to help boaters get up-to-date weather information. In addition to point-and-click forecasts that are available to all boaters, the Web site links to the latest marine forecasting innovations and to regional marine forecast Web portals - a one stop shop for local forecasts, observations and hazards.
Visit http://safeboating.erh.noaa.gov to learn about weather terminology and new safety statistics on what causes the most boating fatalities and what actions to take for a safe 2009 boating season.
NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.
The National Safe Boating Council is a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education. The NSBC presently has a membership of over 350 U.S. and Canadian organizations, all with an interest in boating safety and education.
q
While on the subject of safety, the Connecticut Post reported on Thursday that a 31-year-old man was rescued from the water off Penfield Beach Tuesday afternoon after his kayak flipped over.
Police said a citizen who was walking on the beach heard the man, Rich Teitell, hollering for help around 3:30 p.m., and went and alerted the department's marine officers.
Officers Greg Carroll and James Wiltsie found Teitell in the water, clinging to the overturned kayak about a mile offshore. They were able to get both Teitell and the kayak into the police boat. Though tired, Teitell refused medical attention.
He told police he had been fishing by himself when he went to adjust his fishing rod and the kayak capsized. Teitell was not wearing a personal floatation device. Sgt. James Perez said boaters should always have a PFD, as well as some way to call for attention, such as a small flashing light or whistle.
Regular readers of this column know that I recommend taking a fully charged cell phone wrapped tightly in a plastic bag whenever you go fishing.
q
After a chilly start last week was a great one for local anglers. The warm days brought some terrific fishing opportunities to the area. Striped bass and bluefish action in Long Island Sound is improving daily and, on the freshwater scene, trout fishing is very good.
To demonstrate just how good fishing in the Sound is right now the folks at Rudy's Tackle Barn in Byram have been hearing complaints from one of their customers.
Sal Tardella, a die-hard striped bass fisherman, has been complaining that there are just too many bluefish around for him to enjoy his bass fishing. Not that Sal isn't catching any bass. He is. But he is catching and releasing too many bluefish. Life is full of problems.
The largest striped bass reported last week was a 38-pound, 2-ounce linesider weighed in at Pete's Bait and Tackle by Fred Bova. The fish measured 44-inches and was caught in Hempstead Harbor. Phil was using bunker chunks.
The folks at Fish Tales Bait and Tackle reported that for the second straight week Phil Vincoli boated some nice striped bass while fishing inside Hempstead Harbor. Like the week before, Phil's largest fish measured 42-inches in length and tipped the scales at 32-pounds. That's what I call consistency.
Jim Christianson also went to Hempstead Harbor where he caught a 29-pound 6-ounce striper. Jim was using bunker for bait.
Don Worthley, Sr. and Don Worthley Jr. did well fishing in 40 feet of water off Hempstead. They caught several stripers including a 20-pounder. They were also using fresh bunker.
Fishing in the mid-Sound is pretty good. Last week Mike Noyes boated a 30-pound linesider while drifting a live bunker. He also caught and released lots of bluefish.
Hank Weis of Skippy Charters has been catching lots of bluefish while trolling the mid-Sound off Greenwich. Hank was trolling an umbrella rig.
Gary Feighery caught and released 22 stripers while fishing off Darien. His largest linesider measured 38-inches and was taken on a 10-inch Finesse lure.
Striped bass were close to shore in Norwalk also. David Smith caught a 17-pounder from shore using a chunk of bunker.
Chris Miller did well fishing from the shore at the end of Shippan Point. He caught a 30 and a 41-inch striper. The larger fish weighed 22 pounds and was taken on a mackerel chunk.
Pete Miller fished from West Beach in Stamford and he caught a 37 pound striped bass and a 5-pound bluefish. Both fish were taken on fresh bunker.
Wayne Sorbo and Frank Wasco fished from Belle Haven in Greenwich last week. They caught several stripers and bluefish. Their largest bass measured 32-inches and was taken on a bunker chunk.
Zolton Horvath tried his luck off Rye last week and was rewarded with a 22-pound striped bass. He caught the fish using a bunker chunk.
Also doing well off Rye was John Rossi and his son, Adam. John caught a 30.6-pound bass and Adam caught a 32.6-pounder. Both fish were taken on bunker chunks.
Mark Hiller and Kevin Bova fished off Rye Beach last week. Together they caught three stripers including a hefty 30-pounder. The fish were taken using bunker for bait.
John Chan and Romeo Wang bottom fished in the Cummings Channel last week. They caught a pair of keeper winter flounder. The flatties were taken using clams.
Jason Vilicki caught a 13-pound fluke while fishing off Eaton's Neck. As fluke season is closed the fish was released.
Three anglers, who wished that their last names not be used, did well fishing the Norwalk River last week. Ernie, Pete and Kevin caught 25 rainbow trout measuring 12 to 14-inches. Ernie returned to the same spot the next day and caught a 5-pound, 2-ounch rainbow trout. All of the fish were taken on nightcrawlers.
Tim Mira, 10, and his brother, Dylan, 7 each caught a trout while fishing the Mianus River Trout Management Area. They were using mealworms and spinner baits.
Rusty Morales did well fishing at Kensico Reservoir last week. He caught a 7-pound, 4-ounce brown trout using a live shiner.
Martin Armstrong is a member of the Fisheries Advisory Council, a lifetime member in Trout Unlimited and a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America.
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