Looking to air your grievances on gray seals eating your stripers? Here’s your chance.
(Featured photo by John Doble)
Researchers out of Dr. Andy Danylchuk’s lab at UMass Amherst, are launching a survey for anglers from North Carolina to Maine focused on depredation – that is, losing a hooked fish to a larger predator. Spearheaded by Evan Prasky, PhD student, this survey seeks information on how frequently, if at all, recreational anglers encounter sharks, seals, birds, or other gamefish taking their catch.
Depredation seems to be a growing problem in the mid-Atlantic and south, as shark populations increase following protective measures taken more than a decade ago. Meanwhile, fishermen from Montauk to Maine are no strangers from having gray seals latch on to hooked fish. This survey looks to quantify the breadth of this issue, it’s impact on recreational anglers, and to determine whether regulatory action might be helpful. It’s worth taking a few minutes to complete.
Take the Survey
From the UMASS Team:
Calling all saltwater anglers along the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Maine. A team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst is conducting a survey on depredation – when a predator partially or wholly consumes an angler’s catch before it is landed. What species are taking your fish? Is it on the rise? How do you feel about the encounter? Sharing your views will provide important insights for this emerging issue for recreational anglers. By participating, you can help shape future education and advocacy campaigns focused on depredation. As a token of our appreciation, you could win a Patagonia Guidewater backpack (retail value $299). Please use the link to take the survey today. Your participation matters. Thanks!
I just took the depredation survey.
Not good. It asked if I experienced depredation in NY. No.
It did not ask about other states. Yes.
Cape Cod. Seals.
Time to thin the herd!
Stopped fishing Cape Cod 9years ago, surf fishing tanked because of over populated seals.
I’ve been fishing RI CT and Mass waters for 40 years never lost a striper to a shark. Have lost many fish to seals. Stopped fishing Nantucket because of seals taking my fish and tackle
Took the survey and it did ask me about Mass. even though I live even though I live out of state. It’s a good survey. I commented that there will be a great out-cry for “something to be done about the seals” when they catch some disease that will cause them to die in droves and get washed up on the beaches and all the quaint little sea towns will be unapproachable because of the nauseating stench it will cause (did you ever smell dead seal? They are mammals and it smells like dead human). So when that happens people will be giving away their $30M homes for free!
I’ve lost 5 30+ lbs striper at Block Island to sharks in one trip. There’s a lot of sharks out this season!
I’ve had seals chase my fish down in Cape Cod but managed to retreat fast enough to catch and release it. I’ve also witnessed a seal grabbing my nephews fish about 5 yards from him. Both were awesome experiences! Most of us are out there for recreation, not to feed our families. (If we are trying to feed our families, we are wasting a lot money that could be used to simply purchase food.) sorry but calls to cull or eliminate other species to increase my recreational catch are kind of ridiculous and contrary to the spirit of what brings us out there. We lose way more fish to bad knots, nicks in the line, etc.