Bunker Boats Off MI

[Billfish715]

There were two bunker reduction boats less than 1 mile off the Manasquan Inlet this morning. At first, I thought they might be clammers or scallopers coming back in. Then I was able to see their gear. I looked at my pictures when i got home and could see the big letter "B" on the side of the pilothouse which confirmed my suspicions that they were bunker boats. I haven't seen many of them this year, although I have seen lots of bunkers along the beaches. One of the boats was from Gloucester, Mass. I guess there is some sort of arrangement that allows those netters to get in close to the beach. While they appeared to be purse seining, you have to wonder what by-catch comes with it.

Shooting into the sun caused the less than perfect picture. Also, by the time I grabbed my camera and attached the long lens and walked out to the jetty, the smaller boat had lifted its nets and was headed south toward Bay Head. Did anyone else see what was happening?