Manasquan Ridge?

[Anthony]

Is the Manasquan Ridge still there?

[RBC67]

yes

[Blind Squirrel]

Is the Manasquan Ridge still there?
Captain Charlie Eble told me back in the '90s that commercial draggers had damaged the habitat on Barnegat Ridge so badly that it wasn't holding fish the way it had for decades, and 'squan Ridge probably went the same way. The East Coast lost three of its best PB skippers 5+ years ago... https://www.app.com/story/sports/outdoors/fishing/hook-line-and-sinker/2015/01/02/barnegat-light-fishing-family/21198327/

[Pauls1976]

Trolled thru there Sunday from one side to the other. Had life but only got some small blues and Chub Mackeral.

[dakota560]

C'mon thats just not possible. Commercial concerns are more environmentally conscious and concerned about the future of every fishery than recreational anglers ever will be. They make sure habitat isn't destroyed, they go out of their way to harvest only the species they're targeting, they report every pound of fish caught on vessel trip reports, the dead discard numbers they report are always spot on and they don't routinely kill juvenile fish in the pursuit of larger and more valuable market price fish. Sum it up they are the true custodians and guardians of the ocean. So the fact that the Manasquan Ridge, Barnegat Ridge and any other ridge disappeared and is void of marine life compared to what it was 30 or 40 years ago has to be the result of something else, either global warming, density differential or ocean acidification. Fisheries Management tells us those are the causes so that has to be the truth. And if you believe all that, there's this really nice bridge in Brooklyn I'd like you to take a look at if you're interested.

[Jigman13]

C'mon thats just not possible. Commercial concerns are more environmentally conscious and concerned about the future of every fishery than recreational anglers ever will be. They make sure habitat isn't destroyed, they go out of their way to harvest only the species they're targeting, they report every pound of fish caught on vessel trip reports, the dead discard numbers they report are always spot on and they don't routinely kill juvenile fish in the pursuit of larger and more valuable market price fish. Sum it up they are the true custodians and guardians of the ocean. So the fact that the Manasquan Ridge, Barnegat Ridge and any other ridge disappeared and is void of marine life compared to what it was 30 or 40 years ago has to be the result of something else, either global warming, density differential or ocean acidification. Fisheries Management tells us those are the causes so that has to be the truth. And if you believe all that, there's this really nice bridge in Brooklyn I'd like you to take a look at if you're interested.

Ha!

[Brewlugger]

Let's not forget our friends that want that type of sand for beach replenishment.

[Capt Sal]

The only reason 17 Fathoms still exists is because it is too rocky to drag a net over it. The Farms has been flattened,and forget about the Klondike!

[Gumada]

I believe we are seeing a resurgence of some of the life that was once abundant on these ridges, lumps and banks. The sand eels are coming back and fishing is improving. The challenge is to keep the renewed destruction of these key pieces of marine life. As soon as there is a commercially viable abundance it will once again be destroyed......I hold out hope that the lack of demand during the shutdowns gives the stocks a much needed break to rebuild. Foolish right ?

[dakota560]

The only reason 17 Fathoms still exists is because it is too rocky to drag a net over it. The Farms has been flattened,and forget about the Klondike!

Capt. Sal....couldn't agree more. A short term focus with no regard for the habitat will almost always result in a short term fishery.

Brew sand for beach replenishment definitely takes it's toll but constant dragging on productive structure and destroying bottom will do more damage than beach replenishment and storms like Sandy combined in the long run in my opinion. All three together and these productive areas turn into barren wastelands.

[shrimpman steve]

C'mon thats just not possible. Commercial concerns are more environmentally conscious and concerned about the future of every fishery than recreational anglers ever will be. They make sure habitat isn't destroyed, they go out of their way to harvest only the species they're targeting, they report every pound of fish caught on vessel trip reports, the dead discard numbers they report are always spot on and they don't routinely kill juvenile fish in the pursuit of larger and more valuable market price fish. Sum it up they are the true custodians and guardians of the ocean. So the fact that the Manasquan Ridge, Barnegat Ridge and any other ridge disappeared and is void of marine life compared to what it was 30 or 40 years ago has to be the result of something else, either global warming, density differential or ocean acidification. Fisheries Management tells us those are the causes so that has to be the truth. And if you believe all that, there's this really nice bridge in Brooklyn I'd like you to take a look at if you're interested.

I started reading this and thought that Tom has gone off the deep end. Then I realized the satire:)

[dakota560]

:)I started reading this and thought that Tom has gone off the deep end. Then I realized the satire:)

Steve like many I think I may have gone off the deep end this year with everything that's gone on but just trying to have a little fun with the thread. No doubt these areas that had produced year-in year-out for decades because of structure have been destroyed to a large degree because of commercial dragging. Beach replenishment as Brew mentioned has taken its toll, weather has certainly played a factor but you cannot continually drag and destroy bottom structure and expect that you're not going to ultimately kill the habitat that puts everything in motion. It's a shame that fishery management, federal and state governments, commercial fisherman and interested parties haven't learned from the mistakes we've made in past.

Hope all is well with you my friend and you and your family are safe especially in Florida which seems to be having its share of problems. You're in many people's prayers!

[shrimpman steve]

Thanks for the kind words Tom!

We are hangin in there. So far so good! And you point about habitat is spot on.

Be well my friend