The Beaver River in Richmond, Rhode Island has new state regulations to help protect native brook trout populations. No more hatchery raised trout will be allowed in the river system and hopefully native brookies will thrive, reminding anglers just how magical it can be to hike in deep for fish in shallow streams. Then we’ll visit Randy Degrace to hear about his almost state record black sea bass.
Rhode Island’s Trout Unlimited chapter has partnered with RIDEM, EA Engineering and other environmental agencies to investigate the Big River Management Area to see if it’s dark, shrouded reaches might support populations of wild, native brook trout, the state’s only native charr. Biologist Corey Pelletier electrofishing small winding streams and rivers to discover and catalog life, because, in a world of questions, answers all begin with data.
When government doesn’t engage the very people who might be impacted by their tax funded actions, there will be opposition and just maybe, anarchy. Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Management Council has invited even more scrutiny by softballing aquaculture applications literally under people’s noses, without ever letting them know of the impacts. That’s pure bull and the curtain has been called.
Stripers Forever has worked for years to protect the striped bass fishery and the species itself. Given revelations of population decline and overfishing, coupled with regulators reacting at a snails pace to real time observations, the conservation groups wants action now. Read more in-depth coverage in this week’s Fish Wrap.
Dennis Tabella is a turkey if he thinks hunting should be banned and that solid groups such as the Light Foundation need scolding. Hunting is part of our heritage, perhaps not his, but one person’s personal feelings should not trump other people’s right to be free. And that should extend to a lot in our society these days. Read on!
