The “most important fish in the sea” just exposed one of the biggest management failures in decades. A new assessment shows Atlantic menhaden quotas were set 300 million pounds too high. The fallout could reshape both the Atlantic and Gulf fisheries — and what happens next is up to us. Our Association stands firm on three statements: (1) The Atlantic fishery needs to "take the cut", and the industrial reduction fleet needs to front a majority of that reduction. We can no longer accept half the coastwide TAC being taken from the Chesapeake Bay. (2) The Gulf fishery lacks a TAC/Quota. It is shocking that an industrial operation of this scale has no upper limit in 2025. This can no longer be true. (3) Buffer zones should not be repealed in any capacity.
What’s going on? The “most important fish in the sea” just exposed one of the biggest management failures in decades. A new assessment shows Atlantic menhaden natural mortality was inaccurately estimated for years, causing quotas set 300 million pounds too high. A significant, immediate reduction is necessary to align with science-driven management and right the course of a critical forage fish. The Atlantic fishery needs to “take the cut”, and the industrial reduction fleet needs to front a majority of that reduction. We can no longer accept half the coastwide catch being taken from the Chesapeake Bay. The Gulf fishery lacks a quota. It is shocking that an industrial operation of this scale has no upper limit in 2025. This can no longer be true, and buffer zones should not be repealed in any capacity. The fallout of upcoming meetings could reshape both the Atlantic and Gulf fisheries — and what happens next is up to us.
A recap of the ASMFC Summer Meeting 2025.
Alan Batista—a well-known striped bass angler, fishing author, and advocate from Maryland—joins the Guide Post to break down a recent run-in with enforcement that sparked serious questions about current fisheries policy. Alan was issued a ticket for allegedly targeting striped bass during a closed season despite doing nothing wrong. This episode dives deep into the reality of so-called “no-targeting” regulations: what they actually mean, how they’re enforced (or not), and why they represent a dangerous precedent for recreational anglers and the future of striper conservation. With firsthand experience, Alan sheds light on the confusion and contradictions in enforcement, and ASGA breaks down why these policies fail both fish and fishermen.
A must-listen for anyone who fishes for striped bass—or cares about common sense in conservation.
The legend "Capt. Jack" stops by to share tales from global experiences and discuss his involvement in The Jack Project in domestic waters.
ASGA's Tony Friedrich and Cody Rubner hop on The Guide Post to toss around a couple of thoughts about protecting spawning fishing before the holiday.
It's been too long! Tony and Cody rekindle the Guide Post flame after a hectic spring season on the policy and community fronts. This episode includes an update on Redfish, Stripers, Jack Crevalle, Tie Fest and more...
In this guest lecture, Dr. Walt Golet from the University of Maine provided an in-depth exploration of the remarkable physiology and global movements of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Dr. Golet highlighted the species’ exceptional adaptations, such as their ability to regulate body temperature and sustain high-speed, long-distance migrations, which contribute to their status as apex ocean predators. The seminar discussed extensive lab research efforts, including the collection and analysis of over 12,000 bluefin tuna samples since 2011, focusing on biological data like age, growth, and stock origin to enhance stock assessments and inform management strategies. Dr. Golet also emphasized the importance of understanding the mixing between eastern and western Atlantic stocks, a factor critical to sustainable fisheries management. As an active contributor to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), Dr. Golet integrates his scientific findings into international policy discussions, aiming to ensure the long-term sustainability of bluefin tuna populations through informed, science-based management practices.
Throughout the history of time, there have been few other animals that evoke such a strong emotional response from the general public as the great white shark. From Hollywood-driven fear to sublime fascination, the great white shark has captivated the imaginations of hundreds of millions of people. Few know this species better than Dr Greg Skomal, of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Since 1987, he has served as the senior fisheries biologist at MA DMF and has become one of the world’s leading authorities on Great Whites. In this riveting presentation, Dr. Skomal highlights his research on these apex predators, which includes some amazing video and visuals that help dispel a lot of myths surrounding great whites. Dr. Skomal gives us an insider’s look into the lives of the most notorious fish in the ocean!
How much is a fish worth? Most anglers would immediately default to answering that question based on what the cost of that fish sells at market. The real answer, however, is much more complex! In this engaging and informative seminar, Dr Ben Meadows of the University of Alabama at Birmingham provides viewers an in-depth look into the economics of catch & release fishing. Using striped bass as a case study, Meadows engages listeners with relatable prose that helps dispel many of the myths of fisheries economics and provides a better understanding of how we should value the fish we all love.
After years of data pouring in from The Albie Project, advocacy, persistence, and support from our dedicated community, we’re excited to share a major win for false albacore management. Today, the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (NCMFC) narrowly passed a proposed rule that establishes much-needed safeguards for this critical species. The vote was close, but ultimately, the Commission recognized the need for responsible management. Get the full scoop in this Rapid Reaction podcast!
In this episode of The Guide Post, we dive into the world of custom rod building with Zack Richardson, the entrepreneur behind Zack’s Custom Rods. From humble beginnings crafting rods in his childhood home to building a thriving business in Westport, Massachusetts, Zach shares his journey of passion, persistence, and problem-solving. He talks about the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of customer service, and how he navigated the fishing industry to establish a fast-growing business. If you love a good success story, this episode is packed with insights on pursuing your passion, business growth, and resilience. You can learn more about ZCR by heading to their website - click here.
In this special episode of The Guidepost, guest host Nick Jones welcomes a true titan of the fly fishing world, Keith Rose-Innes. As the Managing Director and co-founder of one of the most renowned fishing outfits on the planet, Keith shares his extraordinary journey—from pioneering remote fisheries to championing conservation efforts in the pristine atolls of the Seychelles. Dive into Keith's decades of experience as he reveals the secrets behind targeting iconic species like Giant Trevally, milkfish, and Indo-Pacific permit. Keith discusses groundbreaking scientific projects like the Giant Trevally acoustic telemetry study and the challenges and triumphs of creating sustainable, world-class fisheries. Discover how Keith and his team have balanced adventure tourism with rigorous conservation, leaving a legacy of thriving ecosystems and unparalleled fishing opportunities...
In this episode of The Guide Post, we’re joined by Captain Daniel Andrews, co-founder of Captains for Clean Water. Daniel shares his story and role in the organization’s mission to fight for sound water management in Florida and restore the iconic Everglades. We dive into how Captains for Clean Water is uniting communities to protect Florida's coastal ecosystems and what it takes to be an impactful advocate.
ASGA brings you part two of a new series, diving into the fascinating world of fisheries and natural resource economics. Economist Dr. Ben Meadows breaks down the concept of market failures, the different types of goods (private, public, common resources, and club goods), and their relevance to fisheries management. In this episode, we dive into the challenges of balancing resource use with conservation, the role of norms in managing common resources, and why simple solutions like negotiation often fall short. Whether you're an angler or a policy enthusiast, this episode lays the groundwork for understanding complex economic frameworks and their application to fisheries.
The ASGA team provides a striped bass recap before the holidays and sets the scene for what lies ahead in 2025.
In this inaugural episode of The Angling Economy series, host Tony Friedrich introduces Dr. Ben Meadows, an environmental and natural resource economist with a passion for fishing and conservation. Together, they dive into the intersection of economics and fisheries, explaining foundational concepts like scarcity, trade-offs, opportunity costs, and supply and demand. Using relatable analogies and real-world examples, Dr. Meadows sheds light on how these economic principles influence fisheries management and conservation strategies.
Listeners will gain insight into the critical role economics plays in valuing catch-and-release fisheries, balancing policy decisions, and advocating for sustainable practices. This episode sets the stage for future discussions on how economic tools can address non-monetary benefits and ensure the longevity of beloved fisheries. Stay tuned as this series continues to explore the value of our natural resources and the critical importance of protecting them for generations to come.
The ASMFC Striped Bass Management Board must take action to fulfill their obligation to rebuild our striped bass fishery. We believe the Board needs to prioritize the long-term health of this shared resource and equitable contributions to conservation by all sectors. Reductions should balance impacts across jurisdictions. Law enforcement has deemed no-targeting closures unenforceable. Despite the fact that they are a large portion of the proposed management options, ASGA remains adamant that no-targeting should not be considered. “No action” is no longer an option.
ASGA submitted a full scope of management requests in an Official Letter at the Fall meeting. The Board voted to reconvene in December to consider new actions for 2025. Now that new management options have been proposed, the following letter represents our management goals for the meeting on December 16, 2024. Please complete the form to sign the letter by clicking here.
In this episode, the ASGA team dives into the latest developments from the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board's Technical Committee Presentation Webinar. Hosts Cody and Tony recap the complex two-and-a-half-hour meeting, including a detailed Q&A session. Key topics include the challenges of implementing equitable seasonal closures, the controversy surrounding "no-targeting" regulations, and the role of flawed data in shaping management decisions. Tune in to hear critical questions from the community and ASGA's candid responses.
In this episode, hosts Tony Friedrich, Kyle Schaefer, and Cody Rubner deliver a rapid reaction to the latest developments in striped bass management. They dissect the Technical Committee's report and highlight concerns about proposals such as no-targeting closures, which are inequitable and unenforceable. The team unpacks flawed assumptions driving management decisions, including projections based on data that fail to reflect the current state of the fishery. Kyle offers a guide’s perspective on the impact of closures, emphasizing their potential to harm both the resource and local economies. The discussion also critiques the lack of fairness in management measures between states and the disproportionate burden placed on different areas and groups. As they rally listeners to take action, the team underscores the importance of advocating for balanced, science-based decisions to ensure a thriving future for striped bass.
