Hi All:
The good people at Stevens Institute are active members of IOOS and also Maracoos ( www.maracoos.org) , both ocean observing entities here in the US and participate in conferences around the world.
Stevens is located on the Jersey side of the Hudson with a beautiful urban campus and commanding view of the river and Manhattan.
It is no surprise that they have a strong Marine Sciences department and provide valuable observing data for the NY Bight, Long Island Sound and other important area waterways. (http://hudson.dl.stevens-tech.edu/maritimeforecast/)
They are seeking NOAA and public support, especially from anglers, in their effort to do research on how climate may impact our fisheries.
Below is a letter that I composed that I have sent to them.
Please take a minute to review and send them one as well. Feel free to use my template and edit and add your personal POV.
I just received this and they would appreciate a response by Monday Oct 1.

To: Nikitas Georgas
email: ngeorgas@stevens.edu

 

Nikitas:

Thank you for your efforts and plan to evaluate the impact of climate as a factor in the stress facing the fishing industry.

It would be very helpful if you could measure, in some way, the impact of "global warming" or climate change on the fish stocks in our area, notable the Long Island Sound and NY Bight.

We need to have better data to determine if "overfishing" as many proclaim, is a main factor or if Nature is more the culprit affecting the fishing stocks, migrations and bait dispersal.

 

Our  traditional fish stocks appear to be moving out of the area towards the Gulf of Maine, and the Long Island Sound lobsters molting during unseasonable times, and absence of traditionally located pelagic bait are impacted by undetermined conditions.

But data is too sparse to make a specific scientifically supported recommendation.

By using your  NYHOPS 3D model, I hope you would be able to, for example, calculate the actual volumes of good temperature habitat 
during the past 40 and next 100 years, connect it to known climate cycles, and see what we can do to address future situations that are out of the hands of fishermen to control.

  Thank you for your efforts and keeping an open scientific mind as to how various overarching natural conditions may be important in the way our fisheries exist and grow in the future for all to enjoy and prosper.

I, for one, would like to be involved in stakeholder meetings to help  provide input.

Yours truly,

 

 

 

 

Big Eye Quest at Hudson Canyon

Headed out to the Hudson on Laura G yesterday in search of bigfoot, I mean big eye.  Everyone on the boat (and elsewhere) was chomping at the bit to get out and bring home one even two of these recently appearing tuna.

In almost every offshore conversation we have been talking “epic” sick” “awesome” when describing last weeks big eye bite. So, needless to say everyone who had a boat from 26’ and up was planning a trip out.

Dreams of big eye fillets were in everyone’s heads.

We did not get out to our beginning spot, the East Elbow, until dark. We got on a drift East to West over the Canyon. We heard two guys on the radio saying they had barely dropped their lines when swordfish hit. That was encouraging news. So down our 6 lines went. Within 40 mins we had our first nice yellow fin (YF.) About 55lbs. We worked the area for a couple more hours then decided to head to Mecca, the 100Sq. We saw about a dozen boats there and we headed a bit south and deeper where we began the second drift of the night. Soon after another YF was brought on deck, this time about 70lbs which were the average size for the trip. Another hour passes by when one of the crew blindly jigged up another. Not bad. Steady pick one an hour. Regretfully we dropped two very feisty and larger fish. Damn. But soon had a huge run off and all our thought went to big eye! 15 minutes later a 9 foot hammerhead is thrashing by the boat. Oh well, nice and good-bye.

Lines back in, and nothing for a couple of hours. Not marking much of anything. But we made use of it by netting squid. Larry did a great job getting better with each swing. Live squid and whole herring were our offerings to the fish gods and tuna.

About 230am another very big run off. At first the big eye came to mind then we decided t was a nice sword. Got the biggest guy strapped in for the fight. Line was peeling off as we were backing down on the fish. Excitement was growing as he gained line back turn by turn. Then the fish dove, then flew up to the surface. Still Jimmy held tight. We had to strip off his shirt he was so hot from the fight. More and more he got the line in. Breathlessly we saw color. Then this massive shape. On, a huge manta! What a bummer.

We had him to the boat and I was about to take a photo when the line busted at the tuna door. Again, nice and good-bye. So now we are lines in and waiting for another strike but none came. The radio had been pretty quiet with scattered reports of a few YF taken from the Bombs to Sq. One green stick reported 10 fish, and another a few YF. But not raging reports and things were fairly quiet.

We hit the troll about 6am. Absolutely flat seas, amazing red/magenta sunrise. Water was not typical blue, but a grayish blue about 74.3 degrees. We had experienced a big temp break from 73.5 to 69.5 around the Virginia area. (Sharks anyone?)

On the troll there were more porpoises in a large area than I have seen all summer. Many small ones as well. They looked like bunker schools out there. So many pods of porpoise hanging out. We thought they were mating or whatever. Many of the 20 or so boats working that area ( with more pulling in every 10 mins). We were trolling right through and along these schools but for the most part nothing. One guy stopped and jigged right in the middle and was rewarded with a nice YF.

A friend who had been in last week’s melee said to look out for whales. And they were there separate from the porpoises by a mile or so. Pods of what appeared to be Pilot whales were all over. We passed a bunch that were just lying motionless in the water together like a log jam. Strange sight. But then you and I know that is one reason we love being out there. Seeing nature at its best. So, we trolled around one of the whale pods and WHAM, triple knock-down. One off immediately but a few exciting minutes later we had 2 more nice YF in the boat. Hey, things kept getting better! We worked that area for a while longer talking to buddies on the radio, sharing info and listening for intel. As in the night there were picking from Tip all the way to Sq. I later talked with a buddy that had not been successful at the Hudson who headed for Toms. Unfortunately I heard they were the only boat there and trolled for 6 hours without a touch! Ouch.

Between whale pods I was marking good down about 110-150 feet. I was convinced these were nice larger fish. Unfortunately we were not able to bring them up. So, I hope that guys later in the afternoon saw some action on these fish. I am convinced they would come up later but were would be heading home by then.

We were working the whales when another buddy called and said he was on his third big eye. Did we want it? Hell yes. He was working totally alone away from the fleet in deeper water. We got there 15 minutes later to see him fighting the fish. We thought to ourselves that maybe we could catch one while waiting for him to finish the fight. We kept our distance trolling and circling back. 45 minutes later we see the guys poised with harpoon and gaff off his stern. End game. Fish on board.

We motored over and arranged for a line to be tossed over, strung through his mouth and gill. Then they struggled to get one of the 150 lb tuna slid into the water where we had the other end bringing it back to the boat. We watched carefully for Mr Mako to be sure he did not steal from our gift. No problem. Got the fish on board. Fintastic!

Took shots of my buddy and his crew as they barely help up their 200lb + big eye.

Man, those smiles were as wide as Beyonce’s butt.

So, we iced her up, waved goodbye to our fiends and trolled a bit more before heading home. Nothing more for us and very little radio chatter rest of the morning.

So tally for us was 5/8 on very nice yellow fin tuna and we did get  our big eye. Haha.

Great job to the Boss III. Not one, not two but three! Great example of camaraderie and sharing in this game which sometimes has become too competitive and single minded by some. But this was “ Nice”, as he says.

PS- Want to thank LG for great food and great crew as always. Fun, savvy guys to spend a day with. Thanks.

Personal 911 Remembrance

Short remembrance-Sitting in front of my computer when there was a noise outside our office on 29 St off First Avenue in NYC Sept 11th:
The noise became louder and I went outside to see what was happening. People were starting to come out of neighboring apartment buildings and saying something about bombs and airplanes. I ran back inside and the office staff was listening to the radio that was describing the second plane hitting the WTC. Like the day of the Kennedy assassination, we were all disbelieving what was happening. Unlike that day I was much older and the consequences appeared much more ominous.
We did not have a TV in the office so all the destruction and confusion happening only a couple of miles away downtown could not be seen but mostly heard.
I can’t exactly remember if is was later that day or the next day that thousands of people were frantically gathered by Bellevue Hospital (the city’s largest public hospital) looking for missing family or friends. This facility was literally 500 feet from our office so we had an immediate emotional relationship to the events quickly unfolding.
Almost immediately hundreds then thousands of missing persons flyers were posted on any available wall, pole or bust stop surrounding the hospital in hopes of others recognized and reuniting dazed or wounded WTC workers with loved ones.
It was surreal seeing this outpouring of distraught people desperately seeking their friends, siblings, parents or co-workers. Unfortunately the City Morgue, which was just down the street, was also gearing up for the worst. We here we were caught in the center of the storm watching thousands of worried sick people waiting for days outside of the Hospital as ambulances and emergency vehicles screamed up First Avenue with remains of unfortunate WTC workers.
The immediate discovery of the attack, visual impact of flyers typed or scrawled with old or new photos of the missing that were taped or hammered onto whatever remaining blank space, emergency vehicle sirens screaming up and down the streets, vacant looks on faces of all nations, and the sight of large tents being assembled to hold bodies and parts behind the morgue today remain in my mind as we reach yet another sad anniversary of destruction.
During the first or second day I literally bumped into one of my former Kodak reps. I asked what he was doing here but really knew the answer. He told me he was missing his wife of only a few months. Did I see her as he showed me his flyer. I said no. What else could I say? Trying my best to be optimistic I suggested that he head inside the Hospital and look for the list of casualties being posted. Silently he turned and walked away in a daze. I heard that she was never found.
My heart goes out to all the people that unexpectedly had their loved brother and sisters brutally taken from their lives. May they have come to terms with this savage expression of religion by a few deranged individuals and found peace and renewed happiness.
Peace be with them.

Tuna Roll Recipe

Tuna Roll

(One of many ways to do it)

-As a lover of food and a bit out there I do not really measure. I am not a trained chef. I do by eye so bear with me and feel free to add your own personal twist. Each time it comes out a bit differently since I improvise with ingredients.

Makes 3 long rolls that you will need to cut up to the length you like. Cut at an angle for

better presentation. Makes about 20 pieces.

Need:

-Bamboo roller-Many supermarkets have in specialty food section. (Sushi Chef makes the one I know)

-Tuna-1 large steak or about ½ lb ( yellowfin, bluefin or bigeye preferred. Albacore ok as well.) Cut pieces into 1 ½”x 1”.

-Pint of white rice from Chinese restaurant unless you make yours sticky!

-Couple of scallion long leaves

-Pickled ginger (the pink stuff you get in the restaurant).

-Surprise ingredient-bunch of crispy fried Chinese noodles (in cello bag from restaurant)

-Creamy green wasabi sauce

-Soy sauce

-Sesame seeds-white or black (black is more dramatic)

-Sesame oil (optional)

Ok, now we have all the ingredients. Prep the ingredients:

-Take the scallions and ginger and dice up into very small pieces. Crush up the Chinese fried noodles. Add them all together in a small bowl. Add  1/1/2-2  tablespoons of green wasabi sauce, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and mix all together with your hand. Feels good to get fingers doused in this stuff. Remember to lick you fingers to adjust ingredients to taste. Put aside.

-Lets do the seaweed wrapper next. Take your bamboo roller. I would dampen it so the wrapper does not stick to it. Put it on wax paper or cutting board. Take a sheet of seaweed and lay out. Take the rice bit by bit and spread it out all over the wrapper like cream cheese on a bagel. (I’m from Long Island!) Not too thick and not too much since it will be too thick when wrapping. I would do one sheet at a time filling it and roll just to save space.

-Next add the tuna mix:

Take the tuna chunks and lay them across the sheet of seaweed/rice overlapping them a bit. Begin about 1 ½ inch from edge of the end of the bamboo roller where the rolling will begin. Then take and lay a thin layer of the extras ingredients on top of the tuna. Pat down with your hand so bond with each other. Set each roll aside for cutting afterward.

Now the fun part-rolling.

-I really can’t explain adequately here how to do this. But if you have rolled anything you can figure it our. But for starters, begin by a partial roll and bring the edge of the seaweed closest to the edge of the bamboo roller. Tuck the tuna mix into the beginning part. Continue to roll keeping a tight and firm pressure as you roll the mat along.

When done you should moisten the end edge of seaweed and press against the roll to keep it together. You can also roll it again after taking it from the bamboo roller to keep tight. You will find that the ends may squish out so just push back into the roll.

Cut:

-Make sure your knife is sharp or otherwise you will tear the wrapper as you cut it. Estimate how thick you like it. Me, I like about 1 ½ inch thick. Whatever you  prefer. Finish by sprinkling sesame seeds on the exposed ends of each piece.

Dipping sauce:

-Take 2 tablespoons of wasabi sauce, 8 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon lemon or better yet, freshly squeezed lime juice. Mix together. Dip rolls and enjoy.

Note:

-Wish I took a video of this. Was a lot of fun and took a little practice to roll it all in the bamboo roller. (Remember Bamboo rolling papers. Similar, LOL)

-Spring rolls use similar ingredients. Just leave out rice, seaweed but need to buy Spring roil pre-cut sheets at local Asian market if you have one. Dollop a couple of large spoonfuls onto the sheet, and make a mini-burrito like shape. Brown quickly by turning

the rolls in a lightly oiled pan. Less is more since tuna cooks very quickly under a minute)

-If buying tuna, you don’t need the Toro or best loins since this will be mixed with other ingredients. They may even give you a better price is you take smaller steaks. If you find some muscle in these pieces simple cut out.

-Remember this is fun. If you want to add other ingredients, experiment and enjoy your creativity.

Enjoy

Jeff, bigmahi

PS-If you want to see where we fish go to my Facebook page and see the page header artwork. You will see a distinctive line which is the continental shelf. The finger to the left is where many Mid-Atlantic anglers go for tuna, swordfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo and summer pelagics.

Hello anglers!

The 2012 Tuna season is well upon us in the Northeast.
If you are like us, guessing weight of tuna is just that,  a guess.
How many times do we think the fish is bigger on the rod and once landed in the boat?
The fish is always smaller! I know, a bummer, but fun just the same!
Bragging rights aside, I have put together a simple chart based on a much more complicated MidAtlantic Fisheries chart.
I offer it to you as a way to quickly estimate the weight with a bit more basis than just a hunch.
One of the humorous aspects of the chart is the reference to the length of human arm and leg.
I hope you find this useful.
As I say on the chart-these are estimates!
Don't come back to me with lots of scientific data to argue.
Use it for fun and hopefully help in better estimating fish for that one of a lifetime!
Tight Lines Jeff, Twitter @bigmahi

Redemption at the Dip-Tuna!

 Who likes to get skunked? You do all the right stuff-watch the SST, follow the water, and get all the gear ready then with a wake and a prayer head out to the shelf break in search of tuna. That was the case two weeks ago with Ed Beren’s boat Boss III and his crew of Stan, Jitu, Kevin and yours truly. We had been following the latest body of warming water moving from the East which was 68 degrees. Yes, a bit cool, but it was the only game in town given that it was a much longer trip to the Southern Jersey Canyon where the action was hot and heavy. Who also doesn’t relish being the first to discover, work and succeed at catching a virgin body of water?

Well it did not happen.

Despite all, we were the only boat there, the water did not exceed 68 degrees and there was virtually no life for the entire trip.

Bummer, and then some.

So, fast forward to two weeks later, yesterday, and we decide to look at the lay of the sea again-SST, shots, weather window, water flow, and reports.

The water temps had climbed a few degrees, there appeared to be some circular motion,

weather forecast was good, and we had heard a report or two of fish taken at the Tails/Block Canyon a week or so earlier.

With renewed energy we left the dock at 3:30am Sunday headed 162 degrees for the Dip area where the SST showed a 72 degree break against 66 water. Good place to target. Aboard were Bossman Ed, Stan, John, Matt, Nat and YT .

After a relatively short ride of 2 hrs, at 32 knots, we began to look for life following the deploying of Ed’s spread which he lovingly configures, nutures and we credit to our success for today's catch.

Shortly afterward we begin to see puffs of mist. Pilot whales were in the vicinity and we could see them here and there all around us in the distance. Occasional pods of dolphin were also cavorting the area, and there were small bait balls on the screen. OK, now this was very encouraging. As we all discussed the conditions, thwack, thwack and thwack, three rods go off! Yeah baby. Clearing lines and fighting adrenaline we are all smiles working our fish to the boat. Minutes later we have three our season’s yellowfin at the boat. I had the gaff ready, but it turns out I did not need it. We had stumbled upon a class of 5th graders, that is, juvies. These aggressive fish collectively did not tip the scale over 25lbs!  Ok, whatever, we slipped the hooks out of their mouths and slid them back into the blue. Giving hi-fives all around and happy to begin the count for the season. We continued working the area and 20 mins later, same thing. Thwack, thwack, thwack. By noon we had over 30 juvies in the boat with the largest just over 27”.

Hmm, sharing one fish with 6 guys was only a mouthful or two for each guy.

By 2pm we had another dozen of these fish. Small yes, but aggressive as hell ripping off the riggers with the strength of a much larger fish. We were having lots of good action, everyone having multiple turns on the rods, strong sunshine on our bodies and great seas.

Would have made a charter captain happy!

But, here it comes; we figured there had to be bigger fish. The hungry juvies were probably getting to the spread faster than the larger fish but what to do? Nothing, just keep going.

Typical of most fishing trips you save the best for last. We were now calculating the time when we would have to head for the barn and that put pressure on us. Were we going to get a bigger one or not? Watching, discussing our options suddenly the long rigger goes off. Not a thwack, but a whack! Only one rod is hooked up.

John is closest and takes it on. Lines cleared and it is also clear this is a much bigger fish. Not quite the bigeye we were hoping for but bigger. It took a long run then began the fight to move it to the boat. 10 minutes later we have two gaffs ready. We see color and see a much larger size. Yes! I grab the bar and steady the fish and slowly bring it up to gaffing range. Nat is ready as well. In goes my gaff, and takes hold. Nat takes his shot and scores as well. Two minutes later we have a beautiful adult yellowfin! Size estimates ran from 65-80lbs. Nice round, big fish. Once aboard you could have heard congratulatory whoops all the way to the Middle Grounds. It was the cap off of a great day on the water. Now we all had a lot more than one mouthful of tuna to taste.

Ah, yes redemption. Love it when all goes to plan.

Thanks to Ed for his gracious hospitality, and Stan who took the wheel the entire trip.

Rest of crew was excellent. Running 9 lines and lots of crazy multiples we did not tangle nor have mishaps. All fish were in 600 foot of water just off the slope of the Dip in 72 degree water. Color of water was a blue, bluish green. Wanted that Gulf blue but did not find. We were running several bars in many colors. Green was best color. But have to give shout out to Bigfoot bars with birds. They did best, Jamie. Had large green jet, and squid chain and untouched bally. Most BUT the bally got hit at least once. Gotta wonder sometimes whether it is the collective action of all different lures, individual preference or just happenstance which gets hit. More to ponder.

But the key take-away from this trip is Redemption. We got our mojo back. Got to keep the faith, have a plan A&B, and stay with the fish. We kept on saying; don’t leave fish to find fish. In this case it was true indeed.

That water should be in the Hudson area next week. So, good luck to all heading out for their own redemption.

Not me in photo! Me taking it.

 

My Dad-He's Just Human

My Dad was center of my life growing up. I needed him to teach me, spend time with me, and support me. Looking back I can see how disappointed I had been at times. When I needed him to be there for MY purposes I did not think he was. It always seemed he was more interested in his own life than mine. I had a lot of issues with that and think I spend a lot of time trying to meet his expectations even though it did not seem he met mine. But, we did spend a lot of time together as a family. Many of my current passions of photography, fishing and love of life were inspired by him. Unfortunately we did not spend enough time together actually doing these activities. He would often go off and do his thing much to the disdain of my mom who had the 5 kids and home to handle.
Like the Harry Chapin song, I am now a father. I believe I am a good dad. I love my kids and often seek their companionship in doing what I want to do. Many times it is not what they want to do so we do have conflicts. I offer advice but will not do the task for them. I tell them to try first then I will help. This is often not appreciated. But I see it one way and they another.
I now understand more of what my dad probably experienced. it is easy to remember from one's own perspective and attribute
shortcomings to others. Now I look back and see that he was a human like myself who had his own dreams, desires and path. He took me along on his path, did try to teach, and loved me, but ultimately he had his ways. My son, now 26, regularly argues with me about things that happen with adults and does not yet see, as I  did not, that we change as we grow older. Our experiences shape us and the more we have the more distorted that shape can be from our childhood. I too now have my ways and path to follow and not always the same as my children.
As Father's Day is upon us, I plan to visit my dad with my kids, spend time with him and share a better understanding of
how we both as humans have come closer to each other and love each other for who we are.