As I mentioned in my last post, it is very difficult to predict what the NMFS or the courts would do with the Framework 42 suspension that opened cod fishing in the closed area north of the 42.  Yesterday "my prediction" or lack thereof came true and the Federal District court judge released the majority of F42 from his suspension order.  What this means is that cod season in the Gulf of Maine north of the 42 line is now closed until April 1, 2009 at which time the minimum size will again be 24".  Barring any other developments,the regulations are that  no boat is allowed to have cod on board while fishing in federal waters north of the 42 line until April 1.  If the CG boards you,  you will be fined/ticketed.

Personally, I have no problem with this action and in some ways I think it may help us in the future.  There are a lot of cod in this area right now  and they will be protected until the season opener on April 1st. If the season had remained opened, I believe the NMFS, in the near future, would have pushed through even greater restrictions on access, bag limits and size restrictions due to the fish that were taken. 

I also was concerned for the safety of people who might have been eager to get in on the fishing and go out without the necessary survival gear on board.  It is always dangerous when you go offshore and with water temps  currently in the 30s it is even more so. Go in the water at this time of year without a survival suit on and you will be dead in a matter of minutes. There are very few boats out there as well,  so your chances of getting help from a fellow boater are slim.  As much as I love fishing...I tell my friends, NO FISH is worth your life.

On a lighter note I took my annual trek to the Boston Boat Show on Monday and was amazed at the prices manufacturers are asking in light of the current economy.  If I loved to fish, didn't own a boat and was thinking about purchasing one,  I would have to consider how much boat ownership actually costs (the purchase price is just the first expense) as compared with the cost of taking charters during the course of a year.  A fellow charter boat operator once told me," a person could charter 10 trips with me each year and still be ahead of the game".  This was true then and even more so now in light of these economic times.  When you come aboard my boat I want you to feel as though you are on your on boat..this is my goal and I do everything possible to see that realized on every charter I take out.

Tight Lines

Capt. George