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.

State Leaders Release Report on Criminal Justice Reform Measures

State Leaders Release Report on Criminal Justice Reform Measures

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker, Senate President Stan Rosenberg, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants, along with The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center released a report today which, along with related legislation, outlines ways in which Massachusetts can enhance public safety, avoid nearly $10 million in projected corrections costs by 2023 and accelerate further reduction of its incarcerated population.

Compared to other states Ma​ssachusetts has a relatively low overall incarceration rate.  However, there remains room for improvement. Two-thirds of those released from Houses of Correction and more than half of those released from the Department of Correction recidivate within three years. With corrections spending over a billion dollars per year the Governor, the Speaker, the Senate President, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court requested that the Council of State Governments Justice Center conduct a data driven analysis to assist in the development of recommendations to reduce recidivism, improve public safety and generate savings.

A bipartisan, inter-branch steering committee and working group were established to support this work. Between January 2016 and January 2017, the 25-member working group met six times, and its five-member steering committee met seven times to review analyses conducted by the CSG Justice Center and discuss policy options. In assisting the working group and steering committee, CSG Justice Center staff analyzed more than 13 million state records, conducted more than 300 in-person meetings, and helped craft research-backed policy options to address the state’s criminal justice system challenges.

To that end, policy options outlined in the CSG Justice Center’s report reflect a three-pronged strategy including legislative, administrative and budgetary actions that each branch of government will take to help reduce recidivism within the Commonwealth.  These actions will incentivize participation and expand access to pre- and post-release programming, strengthen post-release supervision, streamline the parole release process and improve and standardize data collection and performance monitoring across the criminal justice system. Actions include a commitment to increased funding for substance use and work training programming, enhancing post-release supervision, and expanding access to earned good time credits for completing recidivism-reduction programs during incarceration.

“Massachusetts should be proud that our prison population has declined by 1,300 inmates over the last two years, leaving us with one of the lowest incarceration rates in the country,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “However, we must focus on addressing recidivism by providing opportunities for certain prisoners who are willing to help themselves and participate in programs like workforce skills training opportunities that put them on the path to being productive members of society once their sentence is served.”

“The steering committee, co-chairs, and working group used their deep experience and unique perspectives to work with the CSG Justice Center to produce this informative report,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We look forward to continuing our exchange of ideas with all stakeholders and implementing important reforms on criminal justice.”

“Thank you to the CSG Justice Center and everyone who put so much time and effort into this report,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst).   “It will help inform our work on Criminal Justice Reform this session. We will incorporate its findings into what I hope will be real substantive changes to the entire range of issues facing our criminal justice system that will reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and generate savings.”

“I thank the CSG Justice Center and the Working Group for their detailed analysis and thoughtful recommendations,” said Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop.) “By taking an encompassing approach that includes legislative, administrative and funding components, I believe that we can make lasting change. I am particularly invested in ensuring that support programming – for example job training, substance addiction programs, and help securing housing - is of the highest quality.”

"I am grateful for the hard work and perseverance of the CSG and the Working Group, as well as the leadership and teamwork of my steering committee colleagues--Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor Polito, President Rosenberg and Speaker DeLeo," said Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants. "The resulting report and legislative and policy proposals highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to reducing recidivism that combines an individualized focus on a defendant's risk, needs, and responsivity to programs; increased access to and incentives for education, job training, and treatment programs for defendants both in prison and during post-release supervision; and a recognition of the importance of facilitating a defendant’s reintegration into society. By examining these issues, the CSG project has enabled us to take a step forward in reforming our criminal justice system and created a springboard for further reforms."

The justice reinvestment process began in August 2015 when leaders from all three branches of government officially requested intensive technical assistance from the CSG Justice Center with the support from The Pew Charitable Trusts and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. Twenty-six states have successfully used the justice reinvestment approach to date, including Idaho, North Carolina and West Virginia.

AARP is Grand Sponsor of San Francisco Bay Area’s CAAMFest

AARP is Grand Sponsor of

San Francisco Bay Area’s CAAMFest

AARP Members Receive Special Discount Ticket Prices 

At CAAMFest 2017, AARP presents Caregiving: The Circle of Love follows three family caregivers including NBC and MSNBC News Anchor and AARP Caregiving Champion Richard Lui. 

Download photo here.

SAN FRANCISCO, February 21, 2017 – AARP is proud to be a Grand Sponsor of upcoming 35th Annual CAAMFest from Thursday, March 9 to Sunday, March 19 in San Francisco and Oakland. The film festival, presented by the Center for Asian America Media (CAAM), is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian movies. AARP members will receive a special discount on tickets to all CAAMFest programs using promotion code AARP17 online or showing their membership card at the box office. Learn more, watch trailers, and buy tickets at CAAMFest.com.  

On Sunday, March 12 at 3:00pm at the Great Star Theater in San Francisco’s Chinatown, AARP will present Caregiving: The Circle of Love, a short film that tells the stories of three caregivers, including NBC and MSNBC News Anchor Richard Lui. Produced and directed by Toan Lam, the 14-minute documentary also follows former educator Elizabeth Chun and AARP Historian Emerita Lily Liu as they care for their families. The film will precede the premiere of The People’s Hospital, a documentary by Jim Choi and Chihiro Wimbush that tells the endearing story of the Chinese Hospital, the last independent hospital in San Francisco.

“We’re honored to be part of CAAMFest which will screen our film, Caregiving: The Circle of Love,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “Families tend to avoid or tiptoe around uncomfortable issues like caregiving needs and long-term health needs. We produced this film to help start the difficult but vital conversation about caregiving now before an emergency happens.  With CAAMFest’s multigenerational audience, and as each one of us will either be or will need a caregiver, we hope people will be empowered to take a step toward caring for their loved ones.”

“We are thrilled to have AARP as a partner for the past three years and for their ongoing commitment to supporting stories about Asian American history and diversity,” said CAAM Executive Director Stephen Gong. “Together, we hope to continue to showcase films that inform and engage audiences on important topics like caregiving.”

CAAMFest is an 11-day celebration of film, music, food and digital media from the world’s most innovative Asian American artists. For 35 years, the festival has been an important launching point for Asian American independent filmmakers as well as a vital source for new Asian cinema.