A Multitude Of Fins: The Most Important Fish In The Sea

Once again, the quartet of seasons, remembered fondly of their respective months, and the three hundred and sixty-five individual risings of sun that seamlessly united each have all but fully-ebbed of our yearlong seaside pursuits and experiences, leaving much to be thankful for in the faraway footprints of sand we amassed in 2016 as surfcasters.

All-in-all, it was a great year. One whisked of finned-abundance adorned by various surf-sought species, both inshore and pelagic. One tempered of routine clockwork in having timed tides with rod-bending hook-sets. For me, it was especially highlighted by the predominant appearance of a high-quality, keeper-sized Striper stock, and with that, even a (released) personal-best of 40.5" and a haunting (barbless) hook-spit of a powerfully-running Striper of equal or better stature. A season spent from bulkheads, rocks, and sand that I can only credit with such teeming predatory opportunities due to my observance of those very nervous schools of fish we so affectionately welcome upon our sight when scouting and casting from the wash of waves that distinguish the crashing bounds of another world. Of theirs. The mighty little Brevoortia Tyrannus. Our Atlantic Menhaden, “the most important fish in the sea.”

And with the Bunker’s bounty, it wasn’t just surfcasters, Stripers, and Bluefish savoring at their presence in respectably-sized pods. I witnessed diving Ospreys and Gulls, harassing hunts by Dolphins, and full-on buffets breached of open-mouthed Humpback and Fin Whales. What’s more, schools of juvenile Peanuts found summer-residence in our tidal rivers that rivaled the size of football fields. All showcased an ecosystem of sea life, that when left unaltered by the economic and egregious consumptions spearheaded of mankind, appeared almost natural again.

The Menhaden will certainly always fall victim as a pawn to man’s endeavors, be it for livestock and aquaculture feed, pet food meal, or industries such as linoleum production and cosmetics, but I whole-heartedly credit those who fight incessantly, tooth-and-nail, for legalized harvest reductions of the biomass. For sanity. Voices like those heard from MenhadenDefenders.org who, collectively, as fishermen and biologists, advocate for causes beset of the fellow recreational angler by empowering delegation before various advisory committees seen before the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).

Someone has to have the back of the moss-back. Just like the 2016 season saw and the few years before, it’ll bring back finned-life to the surf that depends on this crucial ingredient to the ocean’s inshore food-pyramid and dramatic displays of predation. Marine life, as it should be. Without them, we’ll just be holding expensive sticks on the beach. Save today’s Bunker, beach tomorrow’s lunker.