The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted last week to keep the status quo for striped bass. The interstate regulatory board was considering a 12 per cent reduction in striper harvest to protect the species.

Sport fishing has long been a male-dominated activity, but on the Vineyard the participation of skilled female anglers has continued to grow and form tight bonds over the decades.

JR Thomas pumped his fists in the air Sunday morning after he weighed in his 3.87-pound bonito as the first fish in the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.

Island fishermen are hoping that regulators will take steps to protect the fragile striped bass population after several proposals were aired for public comment last month. 

The Vineyard’s commercial scallopers celebrated a banner year this winter, with some fishermen reporting they harvested the meatiest bay scallops they have seen in decades.