Baker-Polito Administration Honors Commonwealth’s Top Saltwater Anglers

Baker-Polito Administration Honors Commonwealth’s Top Saltwater Anglers

BOSTON – February 21, 2017 – State fisheries officials presented 34 trophies to winners of the 2016 Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Derby at a ceremony Saturday at the New England Boat Show at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center. Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Commissioner George Peterson, Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) Director David Pierce and DMF Assistant Director for Recreational Fisheries Mike Armstrong presented the awards.

“Recreational saltwater anglers support Massachusetts’ valuable tourism economy and, through saltwater fishing permits, the management and conservation of our marine resources,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration is proud to honor these anglers, and we encourage residents of all ages to get out on the open water and participate in this year’s Saltwater Fishing Derby.”

“This year’s competition showcased the best of the Commonwealth’s fishing community, and I commend all the skilled anglers who received awards,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “As the weather gets warmer, we encourage all Massachusetts residents and visitors to take advantage of the many activities our coastal towns offer.”

“With over 1,200 miles of beautiful seashore, Massachusetts offers exceptional opportunities for saltwater fishing and other outdoor recreation on its coast,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “As a lifelong fisherman myself, I’m pleased to recognize these exceptional anglers for their fishing skills and outstanding catches.”

“The Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Derby is a great way to encourage people to enjoy the tremendous fishing that Massachusetts marine environment provides,” said DFG Commissioner George Peterson. “Congratulations to all the skilled anglers for their dedication to fishing and their accomplishment in making these remarkable catches.”

DMF’s Saltwater Fishing Derby awards pins to all qualifying entries in 21 species categories and presents trophies to anglers who landed the heaviest fish in each species category. Winners are chosen in three divisions: men, women and juniors (age 15 and younger). There were a total of 78 entries from anglers living in eight states in 2016. A new state record wahoo was also landed last year at 182 lbs., 12 oz. See chart below for the full list of winners:

Weigh-In Derby
Name	Town of Residence		Division		Species		Heaviest Fish (lb.  oz.)
Frank Mazzulli	Quincy		Men's		Black Sea Bass		5 lbs. 12 oz.
Crystle Calvin	Dartmouth		Women's		Black Sea Bass		4 lbs. 12 oz.
Jack Gulachenski	Southboro		Junior's		Black Sea Bass		6 lbs. 5 oz.
Tavin Beagle	Los Altos, CA		Men's		Bluefish		18 lbs. 10 oz.
Brenna McCoubrey	Marstons Mills		Women’s		Bluefish		15 lbs. 12 oz.
John Clark	Marion		Junior’s		Bluefish		12 lbs. 4 oz.
Brian Nunes-Vais	Morris Plains, NJ		Men's		Bonito		9 lbs. 12 oz.
Tammy King	Nantucket		Women's		Bonito		10 lbs. 2 oz.
Alex Avila	Sandwich		Men’s		Dolphin		24 lbs. 5 oz.
Joanne Cameron	Mattapoisett		Women’s		Dolphin		17 lbs.
Frances Clay	Osterville		Women's		False Albacore		10 lbs. 6 oz.
Dylan Kadison	Tisbury		Junior’s		False Albacore		11 lbs. 13 oz.
Emilson Kruger Leite	Gatiterburg, MD		Men's		Fluke		15 lbs. 6 oz.
Keely Ahlstrom	Orleans		Women’s		Fluke		13 lbs. 13 oz.
William Seaberg	Sudbury		Junior’s		Fluke		11 lbs. 15 oz.
Jeff Lema	Nantucket		Men’s		Halibut		89 lbs.
Kay Starzynski	Wheatfield, IN		Women’s		Halibut		102 lbs.
Bill Potter	Vineyard Haven		Men’s		King Mackerel		6 lbs. 14 oz.
Matt Kelly	Boxford		Men's		Scup		2 lbs. 8 oz.
Beverly Bergeron	West Tisbury		Women's		Scup		2 lbs. 13 oz.
Joseph Pearle	Wareham		Junior's		Scup		2 lbs. 9 oz.
Michael Jones	Carver		Men's		Striped Bass		53 lbs. 14 oz.
Amy Burrell	Mashpee		Women’s		Striped Bass		51 lbs. 10 oz.
Michael Bridges	Barnstable		Junior’s		Striped Bass		49 lbs. 6 oz.
John Pettersen	Old Lyme, CT		Men’s		Tautog		9 lbs. 14 oz.
Ashley Brown	Wareham		Women’s		Tautog		10 lbs. 13 oz.
Sam Jaxtimer	Osterville		Men’s		Thresher Shark		405 lbs. 5 oz.
Derek Wittkamper	Rowley		Men’s		Wahoo		182 lbs. 12 oz.
Rob Thompson	Marshfield		Men’s		Winter Flounder		4 lbs. 13 oz.
Steve Dowler	Vineyard Haven		Men’s		Yellowfin Tuna		91 lbs. 13 oz.
Jack Willis	Barnstable		Men’s		Yellowfin Tuna		92 lbs.
Catch and Release Derby
Name		Town of Residence		Species		Length (inches)
Ray Jarvis		Berkley		False Albacore		28 inches
Frank Mazzulli		Quincy		Striped Bass		47 inches
Mark Forrester		Quincy		Winter Flounder		20 inches

The annual Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Derby runs from January 1 through November 30 and is free to enter. Each Derby has its own set of rules and target species. To qualify for the weigh-in category of the Saltwater Fishing Derby, entries must be caught by hook and line and weighed in at DMF-certified weigh stations. Anglers participating in the catch and release category of the derby are required to submit a picture of their fish on a measuring device. Click here to learn more about the Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Derby.

DFG officials ask anglers to practice responsible fishing. DMF’s Responsible Angler Practices Brochure instructs anglers in how to properly handle and release fish, how to use tackle that minimizes unintended harm to fish, and reminds anglers to minimize fight time, properly dispose of trash and unwanted tackle, to use circle hooks, wide gap hooks, and barbless hooks, and to take steps to protect habitat while fishing.

DFG is responsible for promoting the conservation and enjoyment of the Commonwealth's natural resources. DFG carries out this mission through land protection and wildlife habitat management, management of inland and marine fish and wildlife species, and ecological restoration of fresh water, salt water, and terrestrial habitats. DFG promotes enjoyment of the Massachusetts environment through outdoor skills workshops, fishing festivals and other educational programs, and by enhancing access to the Commonwealth's rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.