Sunday, December 26, 2010

Washington State: Alderbrook, Bremerton, Puget Sound, Seattle, Pike Place Fish Market. Part II


By Jim Field

After departing the ferry (see post immediately below, Part I), I drove to Pike Place Market to eat lunch at a favorite place and walk through the long line of vendor/product stalls--which include the famous fish stalls. If you've never been to this market, you MUST go--it's one of the most remarkable places on earth, particularly if you like to look at and eat seafood. But first things first: I was famished and headed straight for the Market Grill, a hole-in-the-wall joint, right off the main walkway, where I visit/eat every time I travel to Seattle, no exceptions. What this place offers is uncomplicated: grilled wild salmon, halibut, shrimp, or chicken, presented as a platter or sandwich; clam chowder; and a beverage of choice. I typically order the chowder, a salmon platter, which comes with rice, diced tomatoes, and garlic bread, and then a side order of the grilled halibut. Given that the fish is fresh, one can imagine how good their food is--simply delicious. After eating a ton, I walked to the fish stalls and photographed the incredible variety of fish, shellfish, and other goodies from the sea that are offered--at prices about half of what we pay on the East Coast. Notably, other vendors sell exquisite fruits, vegetables, flowers, and then a vast assortment of other beautiful things, such as local honey, carved wooden objectives, jewelry, pottery, knitted clothing, etc. If only this place was right down my street...

One of my favorite places to eat, anywhere


The owner and chef (never seen anyone else grilling in 10+ years)


Part of my lunch order: the grilled wild salmon platter


Alaskan wild sockeye salmon and halibut fillets


Dungeness crabs lined up all in a row


Next up: king crab legs


Whole Alaskan halibut in ice chips


Wild salmon waiting patiently for a buyer


A view of the meat


Smoked salmon of every type, also jerky (I sampled a lot of this)


Fruit and vegetables...as far as one can see


Unbelievably beautiful (and edible) chili ornaments


You can't imagine the abundance of gorgeous flowers


Flowers, and more flowers...

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Washington State: Alderbrook, Bremerton, Puget Sound, Seattle, Pike Place Fish Market. Part I


By Jim Field

In early November (11-12 to be exact) I traveled to Washington State to work with the Providence Healthcare System and, specifically, give a presentation on health care reform to the boards of directors of a half-dozen of their hospitals located mostly in the southern half of the state. The retreat was held at the Alderbrook Resort and Spa--a beautiful and somewhat isolated place located on a southern branch of the Hood Canal, southwest of Seattle and across Puget Sound. My flight landed at SEATAC around 9:00 pm and I drove about 2 hours in the dark to reach Alderbrook. Once I had traveled to within one hour of the resort, I passed only two cars the rest of the way--so we're talking boonies. About 11:00 am the next day, having finished with my duties, I decided to take the scenic route back to Seattle, given that I was taking the Red Eye home, which didn't depart until 10:30 pm that evening.

My plan was to drive to Bremerton, WA and then board a ferry for Seattle for a ride across Puget Sound. I wanted to see Bremerton--having never been there before--because it is a major homeport for Pacific Coast submarines, and being a former boat sailor, I am always on the lookout to gaze at these machines and see what the various naval bases looks like. The surrounding country is spectacular: pine forests, blue water, and snow-topped mountains. (The photo at top shows a Trident-class nuclear fleet ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) transiting somewhere in Puget Sound.) Driving around the base on the way to the ferry, I was able to spot a few submarines along the pier, only their small black sails barely visible.


One section of Alderbrook Resort, with early morning rain and fog


Map showing Puget Sound's labyrinth of water, islands, channels


My timing was perfect: the ferry to Seattle loaded and departed only minutes after I had arrived and purchased my ticket. The sun appeared and burned the fog away, and a beautiful yet chilly day emerged. The ferry transit to Seattle took about an hour. The passage through a series of relatively narrow channels was absolutely beautiful--again, the 360 degree view of wilderness, water, mountains, etc.

Incredibly, we rounded one point of land, and there, off in the distance, appeared the Seattle skyline, looking every bit like the Emerald City. We tied up at the downtown piers, right next to the pier where we moored back in 1977, when I visited Seattle as a crew member on the USS Blueback (SS-581).

Departing the ferry, I drove up the hill to visit Pike Place Market, the subject of my next posting.


Onboard the ferry Kitsap


Bremerton US Naval Base and shipyard

Transiting down a channel in Puget Sound


Simply stunning scenery in every direction


A sister ferry headed to Bremerton


A first glimpse of downtown Seattle in the far distance


An impressive skyline perched right on the water

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Red Snapper Fishing Banned Off North Carolina--An Extention of Restrictions


By Jim Field

NOAA recently issued an extended ban on red snapper fishing off of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the Atlantic coast of Florida. Next time we bottom fish in Hatteras, we need to ensure we can identify reds from the other snapper species we routinely encounter. Don't want to get in trouble with The Law.

Here's the announcement:

Southeast--NOAA Extends Fishing Ban for South Atlantic Red Snapper; Area Closure to Prevent Snapper Bycatch Temporarily Delayed

In order to protect the red snapper population in the South Atlantic, NOAA Fisheries Service will extend the ban of commercial and recreational fishing for the red snapper in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the Atlantic coast of Florida. This prohibition takes effect December 3, replacing a temporary fishing prohibition due to expire December 5. The final rule authorizing the action recently filed in the Federal Register.

The final rule also includes an area closure off southern Georgia and northeastern Florida, which would prohibit commercial and recreational fishing for snappers, groupers, and some other bottomfish species to reduce bycatch of red snapper. However, this area closure will be delayed until June 1 to allow time to consider the results of a new scientific assessment that the red snapper population may be in better condition than was previously estimated. (The assessment was completed after the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council submitted its request for NOAA’s Fisheries Service to implement the final rule. By delaying the area closure, the agency is providing additional time for the council to review the new scientific assessment and reconsider the area closure.)

The final rule also requires fishermen to use non-stainless steel circle hooks, which can reduce hook-related injuries, when fishing for snapper-grouper species with natural bait in federal waters north of the 28 degrees north latitude. The circle hook requirement becomes effective March 3. For more information, please see Fishery Bulletin.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Striper Fact Sheet--Things We Should All Know


By Jim Field

I have been doing a bit of research on stripers for an ongoing project; thought I'd share the fact sheet I put together. What points of learning, you might ask, did I find particularly interesting? Well, the fact that the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are the primary spawning and nursery area for 70-90% of the Atlantic coast stocks. That the largest striped bass ever caught was a 125 pound female landed on the North Carolina coast in 1891. That the largest Maryland record fish was 67 pounds, 8 ounces. And the oldest fish ever caught was 31 years of age. Hope you benefit from reading the other bits of information.

Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
aka Rockfish, Rock, Striper


•Striped bass is a silvery fish that gets its name from the seven or eight dark, continuous stripes along the side of its body.
•Striped bass can grow as long as 60 inches.
•The largest recorded striped bass was a 125 pound female caught on the North Carolina coast in 1891.
•The current Maryland Chesapeake Bay record striped bass is 67 lbs., 8 oz.
•The oldest ever recorded was 31 years of age.

Distribution
•On the Atlantic coast, striped bass range from St. Lawrence River, Canada to St. Johns River, Florida, although they are most prevalent from Maine to North Carolina.
•Striped bass tend to move north to nearshore waters of the New England coast during the summer, and south to the North Carolina/Virginia Capes during the winter.
•The east coast migratory population is composed of three major stocks - Hudson, Chesapeake, and Roanoke.
•The Chesapeake stock:
o The striped bass stock within Chesapeake Bay is composed of pre-migratory fish, primarily ages 10 and younger, and coastal migratory striped bass range in age from age 2 to more than age 30.
o Mature resident and migratory striped bass move into tidal freshwater in early spring to spawn.
o After spawning, migratory fish return to the coast.
o Most spend the summer and early fall months in middle New England near-shore waters.
o During the late fall and early winter, coastal striped bass migrate south to winter off the North Carolina/Virginia Capes.

Food Preference
•Larvae feed on zooplankton.
•Juveniles take in small shrimps and other crustaceans, annelid worms, and insects.
•Adults feed on a wide variety of fishes, crustaceans, squids, mussels, and worms.
•Feeding ceases shortly before spawning.

Spawning
•Female striped bass can mature as early as age 4; however, it takes several years (age 8 or older) for spawning females to reach full productivity.
•Males can mature as early as age 2.
•Once a mature female deposits her eggs, they are fertilized by milt ejected from a mature male.
•Spawning is triggered by an increase in water temperature and generally occurs in April, May and early June in Chesapeake Bay.
•The fertilized eggs drift downstream with currents and eventually hatch into larvae within 2 to 3 days.
•The larvae begin feeding on microscopic animals during their downstream journey.
•After their arrival in the nursery areas, located in tidal reaches of the spawning rivers, they mature into juveniles.
•They usually remain in Chesapeake Bay for two to five years, and then migrate to the Atlantic Ocean.
•With warming water temperatures in the spring, mature fish start their spawning runs in freshwater rivers and streams to complete their life cycle.
•Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are the primary spawning and nursery area for 70-90% of the Atlantic coast stocks of striped bass.
•Other important spawning areas include the Hudson River in New York and rivers along the North Carolina coast.

Other Facts
•Striped bass (Rock Fish) is Maryland's official state fish.
•This is Maryland's most important commercial and recreational fish species.
•The Atlantic striped bass management program has enjoyed successes like no other. In a little more than 15 years, the resource has rebuilt from a historic low of about 20 million pounds to an historic high of 160 million pounds.
•Striped bass were so plentiful at one time, they were used to fertilize fields.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Bluefin Tuna Retention Limits--Updated Regulations for 2011


By Jim Field

NOAA has issued catch quotas for bluefin tuna going into 2011. I've reproduced the official news release below, but the two key point of learning are as follows:

1) For commercial fishermen, using the General or Charter/Headboat category licenses, from January 1 to January 31, 2011, the allowable limit is 2 large medium or giant tuna per vessel, per day trip. This is reduced from the current number of 3 through January 31, 2010.

2) For recreational fishermen, using the Angling category license, the current limit of 1 fish, measuring 27 to less than 73 inches, remains in effect.


Here's the notice:

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) adjusts the General category daily Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit to two large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip effective January 1 through January 31, 2011. The default daily retention limit that otherwise would take effect for this category on January 1, 2011 is one BFT.

NMFS takes this action after consideration ofthe regulatory determination criteria at § 63S.27(a)(8) regarding inseason adjustments. Through December 31, 2010, the current retention limit of three large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip remains in effect.

The General category daily retention limit applies to vessels permitted in the Atlantic tunas General category and the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Head boat category while fishing commercially. This limit is effective for all areas except for the Gulf of Mexico, which is designated spawning grounds for BFT and where NMFS does not allow targeted BFT fishing.

Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip, the daily retention limit applies upon landing. For example, whether a vessel fishing under the General category limit takes a two-day trip or makes two trips in one day, the daily limit of two fish may not be exceeded upon landing.

NMFS reminds BFT anglers that the default Angling category retention limit of one school, large school, or small medium BFT (measuring 27 to less than 73 inches) will apply effective January 1,2011, and remain in effect, unless and until changed. The Angling category daily retention limit applies to vessels permitted in the HMS Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category while fishing recreational.

Oceanic Glossary: Dolphin


Dolphin: marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin, varying in size from 4 ft/90 lb (Maui's Dolphin) up to 30 ft/10 tons (the Orca or Killer Whale). They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. The family Delphinidae is the largest in the Cetacean order. Dolphins are among the most intelligent animals and their often friendly appearance and seemingly playful attitude have made them popular in human culture. The word dolphin is used in a few different ways. It can mean:

- Any member of the family Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins)
- Any member of the families Delphinidae and Platanistoidea (oceanic and river dolphins)
- Any member of the suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales; these include the above families and some others)
- Used casually as a synonym for Bottlenose Dolphin, the most common and familiar species of dolphin.

Orcas and some closely related species belong to the Delphinidae family and therefore qualify as dolphins, even though they are called whales in common language. A group of dolphins is called a "school" or a "pod". Male dolphins are called "bulls", females "cows" and young dolphins are called "calves"

The following creatures comprise the Family Delphinidae, or oceanic dolphins:

(Note: genus is defined as (1) a category of related organisms usually including several species (2) a class or kind with common attributes.)

- Genus Delphinus
Long-Beaked Common Dolphin
Short-Beaked Common Dolphin

- Genus Tursiops
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

- Genus Lissodelphis
Northern Rightwhale Dolphin
Southern Rightwhale Dolphin

- Genus Sotalia Tucuxi
Costero

- Genus Sousa
Indo-Pacific Hump-backed Dolphin
Chinese White Dolphin (the Chinese variant)
Atlantic Humpbacked Dolphin

- Genus Stenella
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin
Clymene Dolphin
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
Spinner Dolphin
Striped Dolphin

- Genus Steno
Rough-Toothed Dolphin

- Genus Cephalorhynchus
Chilean Dolphin
Commerson's Dolphin
Heaviside's Dolphin
Hector's Dolphin

- Genus Grampus
Risso's Dolphin

- Genus Lagenodelphis
Fraser's Dolphin

- Genus Lagenorhynchus
Atlantic White-Sided Dolphin
Dusky Dolphin
Hourglass Dolphin
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
Peale's Dolphin
White-Beaked Dolphin

- Genus Orcaella
Australian Snubfin Dolphin
Irrawaddy Dolphin

- Genus Peponocephala
Melon-headed Whale

- Genus Orcinus
Killer Whale (Orca)

- Genus Feresa
Pygmy Killer Whale

- Genus Pseudorca
False Killer Whale

- Genus Globicephala
Long-finned Pilot Whale
Short-finned Pilot Whale


Common dolphin


Spotted dolphin


Bottlenose dolphin


Killer whales (Orcas)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Blackfin Tuna--The Way It's Meant to be Served


By Jim Field

My good friend and work colleague, Paul Matsui, is a specialist in tuna consumption and sushi/sashimi in general. When I bring home tuna I routinely send some Paul's way, and I know he has enjoyed eating his way through the species--big eye, yellowfin, bluefin, and now blackfin. (Note: big eye was definitely his favorite.) Here's the picture Paul sent me of his table presentation with our latest blackfin catch front-and-center.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Epic Tuna Trip: Jigging for Blackfins on the 230 Rocks. Only Possible in Hatteras


By Jim Field

This past Friday, December 10, we had one of those rare days fishing that is guaranteed to remain vivid in each of our memories for the remainder of our (cognitive) lives. Setting out from home for the long road trip to Hatteras Village; casting off lines at the pier; transiting to the chosen fishing grounds; putting first baits in the water--one has no idea what's going to happen on that particular day. The way it works is that you place a bet to get in the game--carve out time and devote some money to the venture--but with no idea of the expected payout or the odds for or against. Some days the fishing God has no mercy, and relegates the crew to the skunk or slim pickings. On other days--oh thank his Esteemed Holiness!--the fishing God looks kindly on a select group of lowly subjects and grands them a day of unlimited happiness and glory. Importantly, the fishing God requires all subjects (except really, really good charter Captains) to put in many, many days of unrewarded fishing in return for a single day in the sunshine. And let me tell you--on days when you've been handed the "black spot," it's a bleak, miserable, dreary existence. (Note: even a bad day of fishing, of course, is better than a good day in the office, but you get the point.) Conversely, when you're finally handed a "golden pass" on an outing, it's absolutely grand, and fishing becomes elevated to an unmatchable experience to cherish and take with you forever. And we had just this kind of special day on the water, as shown by the photos below.

We departed Teach's marina, after fueling the boat, at around 7:00 am, and set course, once clear of the inlet, for the 200 (Loran) line. The plan was to troll for tuna--blackfin and/or yellowfin and/or bluefin--heading NE up the 50-100 fathom lines. The forecast called for 2-4 foot seas and we encountered every bit of this. On the transit out (about 17 miles), we heard/monitored radio traffic from two boats already fishing in the same location: the Big Tahuna (Captain Scott)and Native Son (Captain DM). We learned that they were on the tuna and up around the 230 Rocks. Upon arrival at the 200 line, we shut down and trolled North without any bites. Closing the other two boats, we observed that they were vertical jigging--and in fact had not even deployed their outriggers. We shifted strategies, came off the troll, and committed to the vertical jig. Within an hour we landed 4 nice blackfins. So a good day already without too much work.

Credit here goes to Dan, once again, for finding the fish--his particular specialty. He figured out how to locate pods of tuna on the fishfinder, and drove the boat on top of them, backing the boat down while we plunged our lures into the water, placing them at various depths where we identified the fish to be on the scanner.

In this Phase 1 of fishing this day on the 230 Rocks, the seas were a page from National Geographic--birds working everywhere, porpoises circling, tunas shoaling, mackeral doing 360 degree flips out of the water. The water depth was between 280-295feet; the water color went from deep blue to green; and incredibly, the water temperature was 63 degrees--by our experience, what we presumed was far too cold to find tuna in. (Big point of learning for us.) After some time, a large rain front blew through after we had the 4 tuna onboard and, with its passage, the sea became a virtual desert--nothing around. Literally, everything disappeared. Being the persistent lads that we are, we kept searching a 2x2 mile area, and by 12:00 pm we had located the blackfins again.

In Phase II, gray clouds gave way to sun, the air warmed up so that we stripped down to shirts alone, and the water was covered with fish oil slicks in every direction. We then proceeded to catch another 12 tuna, bringing our total to 16. Had we more time, we could have caught double the number--it was limitless fishing: no restrictions on blackfins, lots of them, and perfect fishing conditions.

We picked up around 2:45 pm and motored home, pulling into the slip with a comfortable cushion on dusk. As the sun worked its way closer to the horizon, the air temperature dropped steadily. Nothing like cleaning boats in cold weather! We then packed the vehicles and drove home, arriving safely around 1:00 am.

The general consensus--at least between Dan and I--is that this was perhaps one of the best tuna trips we've taken together, vertical jigging being a fantastic fishing method and experience, far superior to trolling and chunking, given that its all up to the fisherman in question in bringing the fish onboard: dropping the lure, one's jigging technique to attract the fish, and then ability to bring it alongside.

We may never duplicate the day that we had. Then again, we've lived it and put it in the bank. So we now get to formally "check off" on our list of fishing to-do's jigging for blackfins on the 230 Rocks. Notably, we had first learned about the Big Tahuna doing this 3 winters ago--and we were energized and mesmerized by the idea of doing it and mastering it ourselves. Well, consider it done.

Sunrise, Friday morning, Teach's Lair Marina

Fueling up the Sea Ya Bea, breaking out the gear


Dan on the hunt--locating pods of blackfin tuna


Bob works on a rig, framed by Mother Nature

Bob and a beautiful blackfin

Captain Jim contributes to the cause


Results of large shark eating blackfin we were reeling alongside the boat. Chomp!

Dan hoists one of his many catches

Jon takes a breather from the action

Dan shows off the packed coffin cooler

The results of the day displayed on the pier


Jim and Dan and a beautiful setting

Doing surgery on a blackfin

Divide the lot by four, please