The history of the SBCBA goes back quite a few years when the National Marine Fisheries Service wanted to put stricter regulations on recreational ground fishermen. At the beginning of the decade, a group of charter boat captains started the organization.
As the voice of the recreational angler, we are dedicated to opposing any proposals that could harm our business and the recreational angler.
Our proactive approach is evident in our monthly meetings, held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM, eight months out of the year. Each month, we invite excellent speakers, from fishery managers, scientists to expert charter captains, who generously share their knowledge and insights.
The members of the association have done some great work over the years, and some of the highlights include:
- Attend hearings and meetings at both the state and federal levels which affect recreational anglers and/or the for hire fleet supporting the interest of recreational anglers as well as those Captains that fish commercially
- Have members serving and representing recreational anglers and for hire fleet on the International Commission of the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel, New England Fisheries Management Council (NEFMC), NEFMC Recreational Advisory Panel, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Panel and the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission
- Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association has developed a reputation with fisheries managers at all levels as a leader and is well respected as a voice for the charter boat industry and recreational angler
- Actively participate in meetings associated with the permitting, construction and ongoing operation of floating and stationary wind turbines dating back to Block Island
- Successfully led the fight to prevent the prohibition of recreational bottom fishing in a 55 square mile area on Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and continue to ensure such is not implemented at the proposed Cashes Ledge Sanctuary Petition and the Hudson Canyon Marine Sanctuary with continued management via the Councils,,
- Actively participated in the increase in the Western Atlantic and subsequent increase in the United States Bluefin tuna quota
- Led the way and promoted the use of non-offset non stainless steel circle hooks to reduce mako mortality
- Led the way in the coalition of multiple recreational anglers and for-hire fleet ensuring the continued use of tube and worm to catch and/or release striped bass
- Continue to participate in ongoing research to advance the science and fishery management via the collection of otoliths and DNA samples for Bluefin tuna, cod and winter flounder as well as the tagging and release of a variety of pelagics
- Ongoing participation in the Recreational Bio project that includes the collection of cod and winter flounder length data of fish caught and released as well as DNA sampling
- There is much more and the fight is ongoing!