CONSERVATION UPDATE—May, 2010
Behind the Scenes Support on several fronts—
It’s been a busy Spring for letter writing. This year our Federation has been called upon by various conservation groups. Some of the requests include have invited us to:
Contact our Pa. Senators in Washington requesting their support for the Chesapeake Clean Water and Ecosystem Restoration Act (S. 1816
Take charge of an environmental issue on the Susquehanna River
Contribute financially to a watershed association’s fund raising efforts
Document our support for a Pa. Sea Grant to educate tournament anglers about the dangers of AIS and remedial steps to curtail its spread
With all the noble efforts for improving our environment by various conservation measures, we must often remind ourselves of our own commitment to conservation.
Remember that B.A.S.S. was founded with the purpose of creating an honorable tournament trail and to improve our environment by unifying fishermen with youth, in an effort to promote and perpetuate recreational fishing as a pastime. There have been, and continues to be, many threats to the attainment of this simple mission. Invasive plant and fish species, pollution from industrial and commercial endeavors, access issues to public waters, misguided legislative, poor sportsmanship practices, are but a few of the concerns that we, as a society, continue to face.
Sometimes money and grandiose programs don’t equate to the simpler efforts each of us can do as anglers to make a greater positive impact on our aquatic environment. Let’s take a look at aquatic hitch hikers. Take a minute and check out these links:
http://www.protectyourwaters.net/
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/50121.html
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2696&Q=322690
The actions listed on these sites are aimed at preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. Taking these rather simple steps after we leave and before we enter each body of water can become routine. Just as the steps you follow when hitching or launching your boat, these steps can become part of the routine. It’s just that easy for each of us to play a part in protecting the waters we love to fish.
The next request for our Federation’s involvement is just an email or phone call away.
As we reach out to those whose request our support, it pleases me to know that we, as a Federation, practice what we and others preach.
As always thanks for your help. See you on the water.
Jim Cardillo, Pa. CD
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Potomac River News:
Concerned River users,
The river is dropping very quickly and allowing us access to many portions of the river/canal that we had not had eyes upon until today. We are in fact finding more areas of concern where significant breaching did occur and fish entrapment is likely. A suspect section above Dam 4, a small portion by Snyders and Taylors Landings, Lock 32,Mile Marker 60, just above Harpers Ferry downriver to the 340 bridge, Lander to below Point of Rocks, Nolands Ferry to White Ferry. These will be our main areas of focus going forward. The upper sections of the river ( Hancock, Paw Paw, etc) seemed to have avoided breaching and the lower portions of the canal generally retain water year round or have a discharge back out into the river.
Many of you have emailed asking when the recovery will take place. I am unable to answer this at this time. I am working very closely with the National Park Service an the Department of Natural resources in regards to this. There are many unknowns and variables still at play. The canal is extremely full in certain sections, making recovery near impossible at this point. There are many section where the canal has collapsed. Collapsed and blown out portions of the canal do not allow the Park Service to patrol the towpath any further to access potential holding areas. There are also many tress and log jambs that have settled in,around and upon the towpath as well. The Park Service is still clearing, repairing and surveying the damage to the park.
What I can tell you is that The National Park Service and The Department of Natural Resources are aware of the impacted/suspect areas. The Department of Natural Resources has already installed the holding tank back on their truck. ( Where shocked fish will go temporarily until they can be released at the nearest access spot). Right now it is simply a matter of monitoring areas and reacting as the water drains out of the canal. WE MUST MONITOR THE IDENTIFIED AREAS DAILY. It is simply impossible to cover all the flooded sections as they are today, we must wait for the water to drop to more manageable levels. If an area is becoming dry very quickly ( like Harpers Ferry seems to be), then this area will receive priority an our efforts will be focused upon it.
Many of you are asking what you will need to bring, or what supplies to have. We will need the following items to be on hand and on your person when we arrive to engage in recovery efforts:
- Chest waders ( neoprene or breathable)
- Seine nets
- throw nets
- long handled nets
- 5 gal buckets ( working w/ Lowes and Home Depot to donate)
- change of clothes
- food and water for yourself.
- cell phone/camera ( for documentation and communication)
- plenty of sleep the night prior
- a positive attitude, regardless of how many fish are recovered per. portion of canal
I do hope that this answers some questions that many of you have had. I will continue to update as I get more specific information. I do suspect that recovery efforts will be made by Sunday of this weekend. I will confirm this and start organizing " go teams" over the next 24-48 hours.
Thank you for all of your interest in this very important matter,
Ben Hynes
301 748 2711
To learn more go to
http://www.penrodsguides.com/fishingreport.htm
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BIG PICTURE – BRIEF UPDATE
Head Lines:
Carp have breached the barriers…. The 9 million dollar electric barriers designed to prevent the prolific Asian carp from gaining access to the Great Lakes has not been successful. Poisoning the waters (3 million dollars worth) in a three mile stretch has been done as a last gasp effort to protecting the Great Lakes from the exotic invaders.
What’s the risk, you ask. These highly adaptable carp are fast growing and they eat 20% of their body weight every day. That means less food for our native species including the fry of many sport fish. “Disastrous” is the word used by the president of the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council.
EPA Findings… 1,028 bodies of water were sampled by EPA across the U.S. In 49% of the bodies, mercury found in game fish was higher than regulatory limits.
“Fair” ratings were issued to 21% and “poor” rating were issued to 22% of the total number of lakes tested.
Remote Waters Contain Trace Contaminants….110 bodies of water in the pristine remote regions of Minnesota were found to contain traces of such contaminants as household cleaners, endocrine disruptors, plastic bottle residue, pharmaceutical drugs, and bacterial soaps and detergents. Go figure.
Shenandoah Valley laced with mercury….
Savage River in Maryland Contains the Invasive Algae “Didymo”…
Red Swamp Crayfish Invade Waters in Wisconsin…..
The list goes on. Not to be the prognosticator of only gloom and doom, here is some good news:
Feds Govern Runoff from Construction Sites…this action is expected to reduce sediment flowing annually into America’s rivers by 4 billion pounds.
USDA Addresses Agriculture Runoff…$320 million is aimed at curbing the 436, 000 tons of agricultural sediment and nutrients that the Mississippi river carries each year to its basin.
Awards Issued for Access Improvements…Florida, Oregon and Ohio are recipients of assistance for improving access to waters in their State.
As remote as this news may seem, those adversely affected by it probably said “this is not going to happen here to us”. They were wrong. We cannot control the many outside factors which typically cause these catastrophic incidents.
Recognize that we all live downstream. Invasion of our waters comes from beyond the shoreline and from upstream or downstream.
What we can do is be vigilant and responsible. Vigilant- if we see a source of pollution, notify the proper agencies. It’s our sport that’s at risk, it’s our environment, and it’s our tax money.
Be responsible- don’t pollute. One drop of gasoline contaminates a minimum of 250 gallons of water. Gas up on shore. Maintain an on-board trash container. Bring your tournament trash to the shore dumpsters at the end of the day. Clean your boat between launchings. This removes aquatic hitch hikers.
These simple steps can pay great dividends and continue to make our sport enjoyable for us and those who follow.
Thanks. Jim Cardillo, Conservation Director
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2010 ANOTHER SEASON BEGINS
Best wishes to all Pa. BFN members for another year filled with memories of good friends and good fish.
As you thaw out your boats and gear in preparation for another season on the water, be sure to pay particular attention to your safety items. These include the condition of your PFD’s, fire extinguisher(s), first-aid kits, ignition kill switch, bilge pumps, anchor and navigation lights, batteries, etc. Of course, one of the more important pieces of equipment, as the bass would have it, is your aerators for the livewells. Be sure that they can run continuously when occupied.
Your check list for your pre-tournament departure should also include:
A bag of ice. Ice should be added to the livewell on hot days (generally above 75 degrees). The intent is to keep the water temperature in your livewell within five degrees cooler than the outside water temperature. Ice will not only cool the livewell water, but it will slow down the metabolism of the bass and reduces the amount of oxygen they would otherwise require in hot water. If the differential is greater than five degrees, it may have an adverse or shocking effect and create more harmful stress on your guests. A livewell thermometer is a great piece of equipment to have. It is standard on some newer boats. Bring temperature gauges and keep them in the livewells and check them every 30 minutes. Such a device will help insure that your lunkers will make it to the scales in good health. Even better, is that your day’s catch will make it back into the water in good shape after their release. If treated nicely, they may return another day.
Aerators. Keep your aerators on at all times when your guests have arrived. Most boats have 2 settings on their aerator system, a constant on and a timed system. If the water is constantly moving, it generally creates enough oxygen to keep the fish from dying.
Chemical additive. There has been much debate about the effectiveness of certain additives. But adding one-third cup of non-iodized salt per five gallons of water helps maintain electrolyte balance and reduces the effects of stress. Or use your favorite fish stabilizer products, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, to maintain metabolism.
Average Delayed Mortality of Bass Following Summer
Tournaments Using Different Aeration Methods
PERCENT MORTALITY:
32% Timed Aeration
22% Continuous Flow-Thru
18% Ice, Salt & Re-circulated
7% Oxygen Added
Here are a few more reminders as you hit the water in another month or so:
Land fish quickly and handle them as little as possible. Grasp fish by the lower jaw and hold them vertically. Bend the jaw as little as possible if at all. Wet your hands before touching fish. Support large fish with a wet hand under the belly. Use soft, knotless nylon or rubber landing nets. Don't ever allow fish to touch boat carpeting.
Hook Removal. When deep hooks cannot be removed, cut the line just above the hook. Don't keep fish out of water longer than you can hold your breath.
Culling. There are many anglers who hold all keeper size fish until its time to weigh in. While their rider is getting the weigh-in bags, the boater is culling the fish. As you would expect, several are dead before they get to the weigh in scales. This may be illegal and is certainly not healthy for the fish. You should cull your small fish immediately upon catching them. Stuffing the livewells is the worst thing you can do to keep fish alive in the heat.
Fresh Water. Drain half of the livewell water every three hours and refill with fresh water to remove waste byproducts like carbon dioxide and ammonia.
In the past few years there has been a great deal of negative press about the massive fish kills resulting from tournament fishing events. With today’s emphasis on caring for the environment and all its natural inhabitants, sportsmen events involving wildlife are scrutinized and justifiably so. As B.A.S.S. sportsmen, we are both participants as well as stewards of nature and expected to be knowledgeable as to the best methods of preserving the sport we love. This is the meaning of true sportsmanship. The fish we catch are our most important invited guests. Think about treating them with the best possible hospitality and accommodations. The farthest thing on your mind would be doing anything that would remotely harm their heal, especially while they are in your company.
With the onset of invasive species taking hold of our recreational waters, we must not add to the dilemmas that currently face us. Let’s all do the best job we can to promote the quantity and quality of the fish that make our sport possible.
Make a conscience effort to treat our capture fish with the respect they deserve and make their brief stay in our livewell such a pleasant experience that they will want to revisit you whenever you’re in the area.
Good luck in 2010; see you on the water.
Jim Cardillo, Pa. Conservation Director
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A TIME TO FISH OR CUT BAIT – To all Pa. B.A.S.S. Federation Nation members
As with any organization there are several activities that occur “in the bowels of the ship” that do not readily appear on the decks. As members of the Pa. B.A.S.S. Federation we all are vaguely aware of just a small portion of the work being done behind the scenes by the officers and a select few volunteers that make participation in this and any organization enjoyable. In assessing the bigger picture, anglers are easily lulled into a “take for granted” posture about the quality and quantity of venues we frequent to fish. There are two distinct issues that we currently facing. At times, each and every one of us must stop and take time to pitch in, give back, and do a small part to help keep the health of our organization and our national and local natural resources in the best possible condition. I need your help for now is such a time.
ON THE STATE LEVEL
Our Federation is just one of a number of sportsman networks here in Pennsylvania. Several sport organizations, including the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Club, are continually involved in efforts to simply preserve the natural resources associated with angling and similar outdoor sports activities. A current hot topic is the Marcellus Shale drilling for natural gas. The need for additional energy opportunities is essential. A responsible approach must be legislated. There are major issues currently at the State and National level related to protecting the environment during this invasive activity. It is just a matter of time when, if left unchecked, that this process of extraction will adversely affect the quality of our natural resources as we currently know them. Roads, pipelines, deforestation, modification to underground and surface watersheds and air quality, will all negatively impact our environment and the activity we love. I have been familiar with the efforts by the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission in seeking legislation to insure that funds are allocated to implement on-the-ground projects to protect, restore, and enhance fish habitats and fish populations. A severance tax is proposed for funding such crucial activities.
I am asking each member of the Federation to simply contact your State representative and express your demand that the most pragmatic and stringent rules be enacted to insure the optimum protection to our natural environment. Also indicate your support of a severance tax imposed on this activity. This funding should not go into the State’s general fund but be specifically directed to programs by the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission and other wild life agencies that protect, restore, and enhance our State’s natural resources and fishing opportunities.
Find your local legislator: www.legis.state.pa.us
ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL
The National Fish Habitat Action Plan provides the framework for maintaining and restoring fish habitat. It is estimated that we loose 4% of all the fish species per decade due to poor water conditions. Nearly 40% of North American fishes, 700 species, are listed as imperiled. This Federal legislation would put into focus the scientific and conservation capabilities of stakeholders, including states, federal agencies, industry, conservation organizations, tribes, and local communities to improve the conditions of fish habitat nationwide through partnerships, science, and on-the-ground projects.
Provisions of the bill would:
• Authorize the National Fish Habitat Action Plan
• Establish the National Fish Habitat Board to provide oversight
• Establish Fish Habitat Conservation Partnerships as delivery mechanisms
• Establish a National Fish Habitat Conservation Partnership Office within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support the Board and administer grants
• Establish a $75 million grant program for aquatic habitat projects through the Dept. of the Interior.
Please contact Senators Casey and Specter and communicate your support for this legislation. Senator Specter’s office 717 782 3951
Senator Casey’s office 570 941 0930
Take time right now to call them. If you don’t express your concerns and support for these initiatives who will?
Thanks for your vision, and help in preserving the sport we love
for future generations.
Jim Cardillo, Conservation Director
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IN PLAIN ENGLISH
In reading conservation articles about issues which seriously affect the health of North American fisheries, I have come across the strangest words like: Naegleria Fowleri, Diporia depletion, Selenium discharge, Guagga and Didymo, and Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia… just to mention a few. It even hurts my mouth when pronouncing them.
We certainly don’t need more conservation problems around here, especially those with weird names. Suffice to say, these harmful agents are in various parts of our country and, like other prolific problems, they start out small and grow to be formidable adversaries.
Keep it simple.
Bass, like fishermen, need four essential elements to survive: water, oxygen, food and shelter. (with fishermen the water has to contain big fish) The degree of quantity and quality of these four elements determine the size and population of the fish we love to catch. What can we do to provide and maintain these four elements to make a meaningful improvement to our favorite fishing haunts?
Big Picture
1. Clean Water- Organize shoreline clean up projects in your community.
Observe and report pollution sources.
Take every precaution to prevent your own harmful spills.
2. Oxygen- Encourage the use of lawn fertilizers that do not contain oxygen reducing
chemicals. We all live down stream.
3. Vegetation (Food) – Vegetation sustains bait fish. Bait fish feed bigger fish. Spray
wash your boat and trailer before and after fishing on different
bodies of water. This eliminates harmful parasitical hitchhikers.
4. Shelter- Create a habitat-building project with your club, and community groups.
Consult with the Pa. F&BC. They can provide technical assistance with
permits, types and quantity of structure and construction design help.
Individually
We all have the ability to control and provide the best possible water for the bass we catch. Yep! Our live wells are our own micro environments. If we re-circulate our water and add ice to keep it within five degrees cooler than the water we are fishing in, and we keep the aerators running and add a calming agent that replenishes slime coat, and helps to heal wounds, we can convert our live wells into a delightful respite for our captured fish. One more thought, consider adding a foam pad inside the lid of your live wells. The compression foam will act as an insulator to keep the water cool. Cooler water holds more oxygen. This padding will also soften the blows as fish jump and get pushed around during travel on rough water. Wash live wells thoroughly after each use. These steps will keep me from having to pronounce those weird sounding names of water problems in our part of the country. Thanks. Jim Cardillo, CD
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All About “FIZZING” Jim Cardillo
This has nothing to do about a leak in your favorite carbonated drink container. It does however, have plenty to do with treating your captured bass with the optimum care after it has been brought up quickly from deeper water.
At our recent State meeting in Milesburg on the Ides of March, the issue of “fizzing” was discussed. Most bass anglers have never fizzed a fish; some have expressed hesitation when it comes to visibly sticking a needle in a fish. Fizzing a fish has proven to be more of a life saving procedure than a death sentence.
So what is fizzing? It’s a procedure aimed at releasing built-up air from the swim bladder of a bass. Why fizz? This build up of air pressure puts undo strain on internal organs and impairs a fish’s ability to swim and maneuver properly. When a bass swims in deep water, the water pressure reduces air in the fish’s air bladder. This reduction in buoyancy allows the fish to stay in the deeper water as they wish. As the fish is retrieved from deep water during capture, the quickly reduced pressure of the water is replaced with air. This air inflates the bladder and results in an unhealthy and abnormal condition. Bass boats are not currently offering a fish decompression chamber option yet so we have to take matters in our own hands.
There are two easily observable indicators that alert you to perform the fizzing procedure:
1) The bass will float upside down
2) The bass will be in a tail up position rather than horizontal
Fizzing should occur as soon as you notice the signs that a bass is having these difficulties. If you are fishing in deep water, you should be aware that this situation may occur. Check your live well as frequently as you change rods or lures.
This is a site with one of the better videos showing the procedure.
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/how-to-fizz-a-bass.html
The tool for fizzing can be purchased from: BASS Pro-Fizz FZ-1 Part # 3100-A
For $26.95 UPC 094922186706 go to: http://www.teammarineusa.us/html/bassprofizz.html
If you don’t think twice about setting a barbed hook and later yanking it out, then please learn how and when to fizz a fish in trouble. It’ll help them live to maybe see you again.
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CONSERVATION REPORT FROM THE 2009 CLASSIC
I spent three days at the Classic in Shreveport, La. with the other Conservation Directors from the Federation Nation. First and foremost, I don’t have to tell you how proud I was to have one of our own there among the top 51 B.A.S.S. anglers in the country! Ken represented us well! He has reached a level that all of us only dream about, but few will ever reach. This was certainly one of the highlights of my trip. Congratulations Ken Baumgardner and thank you for your great efforts!
During my three days of meetings about the Conservation aspects of our National and State wide organizations, here’s a brief synopsis of what I leaned:
1. The level of dedication and work performed by the Conservation Directors thus far is
astounding. The work yet to be done is even greater. It was inspiring to witness the
creative activities underway by other State Federations aimed at fundraising, getting
represented in the legislative arenas, increasing youth involvement, and addressing the
many issues that all of us anglers face.
2. The diversity of issues that directly or indirectly affect each and every angler is almost
unfathomable. The issues range from the question of fizzing fish caught from deeper
water to the right of marina operators prohibiting fishermen from fishing the water
around docks. Some of the in-between issues are, invasive species of vegetation and
detrimental organisms, angler access, navigable water definition, aquatic ecosystem
restoration, and the list go on. It would have helped if I had a scientific and biological
background. Also a law degree would have put icing on the cake!
3. There is a complex web of bureaucracy involved in presenting and making the rules
that affect what we do as anglers. There are numerous local, State, and Federal
agencies that have a direct affect on the rules regulating our sport. What’s even more
staggering is the seemingly endless number of advocacy groups whose sole purpose is
influencing legislation aimed at satisfying their myopic agendas which can sometimes
be detrimental to our rights as anglers.
4. The need for vigilance is crucial. We must all know what’s on the floor of the
legislature before it’s voted into law.
5. Lastly, I know that I need each one of you to help me with this job of improving
the many conservation issues that affect our Pa. Federation and our national sport of
bass fishing. The task of rebuilding and maintaining will require patience, tenacity,
and commitment.
I would like to organize my assets and improve communications by asking each of the Pa. Federation clubs to email me directly with contact information for the person who handles your club’s conservation issues. I hope to provide suggestions and help for projects as well as receive information from you about projects you may have underway. I believe that good communication is essential for a unified front to advance the issues of conserving the precious resource we enjoy.
Each of us can help improve the public perception of our activities. Our aim is to not kill fish. Even greater is our goal of improving this renewable resource for generations to come. So I ask each of you to continue your diligence in conducting your selves as ambassadors of our organization. Our language, our consideration of others on the water, our willingness to share and help others to learn more about this great sport, our handling of and concern for the fish, all these aspects are witnessed by more people than we may know. These are traits that many observers will associate with our clubs and the B.A.S.S. organization. This conscientious conduct will increase our ranks and provide the solid foundation for us to build upon.
Thanks and start sharpening your hooks for the coming season.
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12/8/2008
from your Conservation Director
December, 2008
CONSERVATION
As 2008 becomes history, it causes us to reflect on where we’ve been and where we are headed. Our thoughts include our relationships with family and friends, our career, financial disposition, and similar introspections. As bass anglers, we may be considering some new equipment or an exotic trip or two to a big bass destination. Certainly we eagerly anticipate another fun-filled year on tournament waters. I wish each and every one of you the best of luck in the new year with the realization of all your goals.
As spokesman for the bass that we all hunt, I’ve reviewed their wish list for the new year. It contains these few reminders that deal with a fair fight, nice accommodations, and happy departure, until you meet again:
1. It’s better to minimize the fight.
2. It’s better to lip the fish than to grab or net them.
3. Never land them on the carpeted deck of your boat, or step on them.
4. Learn how and when to properly "fizz" fish brought up from deep water.
5. Learn how to carefully and effectively remove deeply set hooks.
6. Keep live wells filled with cool, oxygenated water treated with a calming agent that helps to replenish slim coat, and heals wounds.
7. Keep the health of your catch in mind during all phases of the catch, containment, weigh-in, and release procedures.
8. Copy, paste, and take a look at these links to reacquaint your selves with these issues and methods:
http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/columns/story?page=b_col_bt_1106_fizzi ng_procedure
http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/news/story?page=b_cons_bass_alive_hooking_handling
http://www.a-guide-to-florida-bass-fishing.com/gut-hook.html
http://www.bassdozer.com/articles/manns/hook_in_out.shtml
http://www.iovino.com/fizzkit.htm
http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/news/story?page=b_fea_bm_short_casts_0309_bends
Our conscientious sportsmanship will continue to result in a winning situation for all of us and for the fish we catch. This will might our new year much brighter.
From me, and the fish I represent, we wish you all the very best for the holidays and the coming year.
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