Albie Management in Massachusetts
New England guides and anglers have experienced a fantastic Atlantic bonito run this season. On
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Feature Photo Credit: Capt. John Mauser
Our beloved little speedsters need your voice again.
False albacore management is back on the docket in North Carolina. The first time albies entered the conversation in February, we saw big wins for little tunny. You can learn more about that by clicking here. In that comment period, the North Carolina state agency let us know that it’s been years since they received this many comments on an issue. This influx of passionate digital comments was followed by more than 20 guides and anglers giving thoughtful in-person testimony over the course of two days. Every single voice made a difference. False albacore won because of your efforts.
We now enter Step 2 in the process.
The NC Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in- person Aug. 21-23 at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills, in Raleigh. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube. There will be public comment sessions at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and at 9 a.m. on Thursday. We know Raleigh is far away from the coast. Please submit online comments if you can’t make these times.
North Carolina is a difficult state when it comes to conservation. That being said, what they showed in the first Albie meeting is that they are aiming to operate a fair process, and that is all we need. We know our advocates are educated, passionate and relentless. This is another opportunity to display that spirit.
Here are some of the talking points to guide your comments:
You DO NOT need to be a North Carolina resident to submit a comment.
Here’s how to submit your comment:
Every single comment counts. Albies provide countless drag-screaming, smile-inducing memories along the entire coast. Now is our chance to be a voice for the voiceless: the fisheries we know and love. Have questions about this process? Reach out to us on social media or email us at info@saltwaterguidesassociation.org.
New England guides and anglers have experienced a fantastic Atlantic bonito run this season. On
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Feature Photo: Pat and Willem Berry releasing a pair of jacks off Florida’s Atlantic Coast.
As the albie management train storms down the tracks in North Carolina, we will step
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18 Responses
Please help support and protect albie (little tunny) populations by providing species management in North Carolina. As a fishing guide, roughly 25% of my seasonal income comes from catch and release fishing of albies. Over the last five years, I have noticed a decline in size and numbers in their populations. By implementing management guidelines on this species, you are setting the example that other states will follow.
Thank you for your time and efforts.
False albacore are one of the most exciting game fish to target. A vast and healthy population of these fish is critical to sport fishing and the local economy in the areas they frequent. They ARE WORTHY of management! Too many people are taking advantage of the lack of regulations and I believe it is hurting the fishery. Please consider abundant management tactics for this amazing fishery.
False Albacore need to be protected now because we can’t just afford to sit around and wait until it’s too late. We don’t need Albie fisheries going into demise in the same manner as the stripers. Albies need to be sustainable from a harvest perspective, but also in an ecosystem context. Since the unfortunate demise of the striper fishery, we rely on them more than ever now for saltwater game fishing and truly need to protect them.
Please put a limit on these awesome fish. They are in need of our help if we don’t help them out there not to be around for future generations to enjoy catching even watching these fish feed.
Please limit the commercial harvesting of Albies in some fashion so as to preserve them for sport anglers like myself. There is nothing like catching and releasing a tunny on a fly rod. It’s an important part of the angling community both for fun and sustenance of our saltwater guides. Thanks!
I feel that it is important to put guardrails in place for this important catch and release game fish species, the False Albacore, and encourage North Carolina to lead the way in this effort
Please do the right thing and support smart management of the false albacore. NC has a terrible reputation in overall fisheries management…..let’s don’t add albies to that list.
I’ve been an avid albie fisherman for the past twenty years. The popularity of these amazing fish continues to increase and their numbers appear to be decreasing. There is a need to better understand these fish and to put together a comprehensive management plan so that the population does not crash as we have seen with other species.
I support Albie management in North Carolina. Though my family called them “Bonita” growing up in Florida, Albies were some of the first saltwater fish that I caught and I hope I’ll be able to catch many more for a long time.
North Carolina, please follow through with this new rule and I hope other states like mine do the same after!
My name is Capt. Joe Gugino from Winthrop, Massachusetts, right on Boston Harbor. I am the conservation manager for Costa Sunglasses, a global brand that is deeply rooted in coastal and angling communities along the east coast. False albacore are a beloved species for many of our anglers and guides. I appreciate what NC is doing to take precautionary steps for guardrail management. I support this rule making effort, as well as thousands of other anglers and guides in New England who are eagerly awaiting these fish to arrive in waters for the fall. The latest research has shown that we share the same fishery and I hope NC efforts inspire other states to protect a great resource.
Although I have never fished for false albacore, I sure would like to someday. It is important to manage this species along with all the other coastal species not only for now, but for future generations as well.
The recreational False Albacore fishery in NC is a huge economic benefit. It brings in anglers from all across the eastern seaboard.
The recreational False Albacore fishery is a huge economic asset in NC. It brings anglers from all across the eastern seaboard.
My name is Brendan Curley, I am a conservation-minded angler and future new england guide who fishes coastwide from Connecticut to the coastline of mid-coast Maine. The False Albacore is a staple to our Recreational fishery and provides a huge eco-tourism population from August through October. They drive anglers from around the world to target them with the ability to have inshore and shorebound shots at the fast-moving species. These fish deserve to be studied and protected like our other gamefish. Recent studies show that we share a population with North Carolina. The need for guardrail management is crucial and I hope NC continues to take the preliminary caution and dive deeper into Managing such a sought-after species. All effort is greatly appreciated by not only me but the hundreds of thousands of anglers who travel to target such a unique fish.
I was fortunate to have fished for trout and salmon in many countries. Lots of travel expenses, lodging costs, guide fees, etc. were expended. No matter where I traveled to fish, I knew it could not compare to my experiences of catching and releasing false albacore. There is, or should be, great consideration to protecting “albies’ if not for the fish, for the revenue for North Carolina. My albie fishing experiences were shared with anglers from many different states meaning those folks were spending money in North Carolina.. Although I am fortunate to reach an age that restricts my abilities to fly fish, every August I dream of going to Cape Hatteras or Atlantic Beach or Holden Beach, to fish for this most exciting catch! My great hope is that the species will be around for my fly fishing grandkids so they can have the same opportunity..
Sending a comment is super easy with the guidance above that is supplied by SWE and the ASGA. If you love Albie fishing take a moment and let North Carolina know that what they do affects us up here in the NE and visa versa.
I am a full-time saltwater fishing guide, and a large portion of my family’s income comes from our Albacore season here in NC. False Albacore are too important to rec anglers, guides and commercial fishermen for them to go on without proper management. This is a species that will eventually be targeted on a large scale that will devastate the population if some management rules are not set into place. I believe that if we set the example in False Albacore management, other states will follow. Let’s take a pro-active role in the management of these fish and give them the protection they deserve, so that we can ALL continue to enjoy this amazing fishery for years to come. Thank you!
Mr mauser says it elaqintly, and to the point.to squander this bullet of perfection for industrial purpose would be another loss we could prevent and never recover from. other than admiration for the species ,the dynamics of migration not to mention rod and reel sport we on this planet need to understand the heart beat of the ocean ….