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Ocean's Dead Zones Expanding

With the New Year comes new challenges to fish in our world's oceans. One of the major concerns is the expansion of hypoxic zones -that's the scientific name recreational anglers are more familiar with as "dead zones."

They are areas in the oceans with low or non-existent oxygen levels which, according to a recently released research study by scientists and fish management experts, are increasing in size while decreasing the habitats of billfish and tuna. In scientific circles this phenomena is called "habitat compression."

Ellen Peel, President of The Billfish Foundation (TBF) said scientists outfitted 79 sailfish and blue marlin in two strategic areas of the Atlantic with pop-off archival satellite tags which monitored their horizontal and vertical movement patterns.

"Billfish favor abundant habitats of oxygen rich waters closer to the surface while avoiding waters low in oxygen," Peel said. The study, composed of scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, and TBF, found a massive expanding low oxygen zone in the Atlantic Ocean is encroaching upon the fish forcing them into shallower waters where they are more likely to be caught. The research waters included areas off south Florida and the Caribbean (western North Atlantic); and off the coast of West Africa (the eastern tropical Atlantic).

Hypoxic zones occur naturally in areas of the world's tropical and equatorial seas because of ongoing weather patterns, oceanographic and biological processes. In the current cycle of climate change and accelerated global warming, hypoxic areas are expanding and shoaling closer to the sea surface, and may continue to expand as sea temperatures rise.

"The zone off West Africa," said Dr. Eric D. Prince, NOAA Fisheries Service research biologist, "encompasses virtually all the equatorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean, is roughly the size of the continental United States and is growing. With the current cycle of climate change and accelerated global warming we expect the size of this zone to increase, further reducing the available habitat for these fishes."

Dr. Phillip Goodyear of TBF explained that fishery managers should start incorporating oxygen depleted zones into assessing population abundance and making management decisions. "As water temperatures increase, the amount of oxygen dissolved in water decreases, squeezing billfish into less available habitat and exposing them to even higher levels of overfishing."

Peel added, "While most recreational anglers are practicing catch and release, sailfish and marlin will become more vulnerable to commercial netters, purse seiners, and longliners that fish the oxygen rich zones. Reduced habitats can lead to higher catch rates of fish not because there are more fish in an area, which is the usual indication, but because the billfish are more densely concentrated near the surface where fishing gear is more likely to catch them.

"These higher catch rates from compacted habitat can skew estimates of population abundance, producing a false signal of stock size. This important issue is whether the change in habitat will cause a change in CPUE (catch per unit of effort) with no corresponding change in species abundance. This issue will be important for future stock assessments."

The findings were published in the November edition of Fisheries Oceanography, where a full discussion of this challenging phenomenon in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans is reviewed.

Abu Garcia Launches New Website

Abu Garcia has launched an updated www.abugarcia.com.   The revamped site contains extensive information for any level angler, which will enhance their online and angling experience. The site features an improved Flash home page that reinforce Abu Garcia precision engineering and cutting edge design.
 
�The launch of the Abu Garcia site is a big step to improve the online experience for all levels of angling experience,� said David Lund, Abu Garcia Vice President of Marketing � The Americas. �Abu Garcia strives to improve the angler�s online experience, and with that increase their success on the water.�
 
In addition to a new look, visitors to www.abugarcia.com will   

be able to interact with each other with an integrated link to our facebook and twitter pages. They will also have access to AbuGarciaTV � our YouTube channel, which features tips from
our pro staff and product information. �This is a great way to interact with other anglers,� said Lund. �A big part of angling is the interaction and shared ideas between anglers, and abugarcia.com is the perfect way to join others with a common interest. Plus, it is a great way to find out about all the products that Abu Garcia offers.�

Additionally, the Abu Garcia site highlights the many technological advantages that make their products stand out on tournament waters around the country as well as the small ponds.   Go to www.abugarcia.com  for the complete online experience.

Registration Open for 2011 Elk Camp
MISSOULA, Mont.�The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is bringing its annual convention, affectionately known as �Elk Camp,� back to the Reno/Sparks Convention Center, March 3-6, 2011.

This year marks the 27th annual RMEF Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo�the organization�s largest annual fundraiser for its conservation programs.  �We count on our annual convention to rally and energize our members and supporters, and to charge our battery for another year of wildlife habitat conservation projects across elk country,� said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

In 2010, RMEF passed the 5.9 million acre mark for habitat conserved and enhanced nationwide, and helped launched elk restoration initiatives in Missouri and Virginia.  As always, Elk Camp 2011 will feature the RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships. Preliminary rounds begin March 4 at 9:00 a.m. Championship rounds begin March 5 at 9:00 a.m.

Elk Camp also includes Cabela�s-sponsored seminars led by authorities on bowhunting and other hunting skills, horse packing, marksmanship, wild game cooking, game calling strategies and more. Also included are displays of record elk, attractions and activities for the whole family, plus a 450-booth expo hall filled with outfitted hunting and fishing opportunities, art, gear, firearms and everything elk. For agendas and details, visit www.rmef.org.

For day traffic to the expo and events above, daily admission is $12 per person or $25 per family, and free for kids 5 and under.
Show hours: Thurs., March 3, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Fri., March 4, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sat., March 5, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sun., March 6, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Registered attendees can also enjoy banquets, auctions, entertainment, awards and more. Full registration is $335 for individuals or $650 for couples. Specific meals and auctions may be added. For more attendee registration info, visit www.rmef.org.

ODNR offers deep discounts at Grand Lake St. Marys during 2011

COLUMBUS, OH�Camping, getaways, shelter house rentals and state dock fees will be discounted at 50 percent during the 2011 season at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

�ODNR will continue its unprecedented move to offer its visitors deep discounts for overnight and facility fees at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park this season,� said Ohio State Parks Chief David Payne. �State park visitors bring critical tourism dollars to local businesses and communities across Ohio; it is vital that we remain innovative in our ways to attract more visitors to Grand Lake St. Marys.�

The discounts, which begin immediately include:

●50 percent off camping;

●50 percent off shelter house rentals;

●50 percent off Getaway rentals (rent-a-camp, cabins, etc.); and

●50 percent off seasonal state dock fees.

Camping, shelter house and Getaway rental fee discounts apply from February 1 to September 1, 2011; existing reservations will have the discount applied at check-in. The camping and Getaway rental discounts do not apply on Memorial Day (May 27-29) or July 4^th (July 1-4) holiday weekends.

Reservations may be made by calling toll-free (866) OHIOPARKS (644-6727) or on-line at www.ohiostateparks.org. When making a reservation, please select the �Grand Lake Special� from the drop-down menu for discounts. No other discounts will apply to this special discount, which is being offered exclusively at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park.

Grand Lake St. Marys State Park offers a variety of overnight and day-use activities including: 176 electric campsites and 28 non-electric sites; full service camp store; bike rentals; miniature golf; basketball and volleyball courts; playground equipment; dog park; and free WiFi.

Ice Covered Trees Pose Safety Risks

Caution urged in dealing with unsafe conditions
COLUMBUS, OH� Ice and wind are not only hazardous for walking and driving, but the recent build up of ice on trees is adding to the challenging weather conditions. These winter storm conditions can impact Ohio�s tremendous tree resources, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Forestry.

�Ice can increase the weight of branches by 10 to 100 times, and coupled with windy conditions, can present added dangers,� cautioned Robert Boyles, Division of Forestry�s acting state forester and chief. �Homeowners and woodland owners should be very careful around their properties, not only during the current winter storm, but when later dealing with damaged trees.�

ODNR�s Division of Forestry suggests waiting until ice has melted off trees, whenever possible, before addressing tree damage. The stress of leaning trees and bent or broken

branches can present unsafe conditions. Trees overhanging

homes or around utility lines may cause problems as well.

�In addition to weathering storms better, well-maintained residential, city or woodland tree resources provide Ohioans with numerous environmental, social and economic benefits,� said Boyles.   Trees with pre-existing conditions, such as weak branches and shallow roots, are the most prone to ice failure. A certified arborist can provide guidelines for dealing with damaged residential trees, and insured and bonded tree care companies have experience and proper equipment for cutting and disposing of hazard trees and branches.

Woodland owners can check with a certified forester or their Division of Forestry service forester for advice on dealing with heavily impacted areas. The Ohio Forestry Association maintains a list of Ohio Master Logging companies who may be able to assist woodland owners with damaged woodlands. Visit the association�s Web site at www.ohioforest.org or call the office at (614) 497-9580.