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In the Arena: Capt. John McMurray
TRCP’s “In the Arena” series highlights the individual voices of hunters and anglers who, as Theodore Roosevelt so famously said, strive valiantly in the worthy cause of conservation.
John McMurray
Hometown: Oceanside, New York
Occupation: Fishing guide/charter boat captain
Conservation credentials: McMurray has been the executive director of the Coastal Conservation Association New York and director of grant programs at the Norcross Wildlife Foundation. He was also a legislative proxy for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and served for a decade as New York’s recreational representative on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
Capt. John McMurray hails as a renowned big tuna and striped bass charter captain based on Long Island, New York. The hard-charging captain has been the owner and primary operator of One More Cast Charters, Inc. for more than twenty years, where he charters trips far offshore on seaworthy Contenders and inshore on smaller skiffs. McMurray has been a leader with the New York arm of the Coastal Conservation Association and a long-time advocate for menhaden conservation. He’s also served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a coxswain and law enforcement officer, and for 16 years served as the director of grant programs at the Norcross Wildlife Foundation, which distributed over $20 million in grants that largely targeted the protection of marine fish and habitat. Driven to fish hard for his clients without respite during major runs, he’s out on the water almost every day of the season, rain or shine – including a running timeslot every other Sunday he sets aside to take his son and his friends fishing on what he refers to as “Bro-day.”
McMurray is an oft-published outdoor writer, who currently blogs for the Marine Fish Conservation Network and has had feature articles/photography published in On The Water, Saltwater Fly Fishing, and The New York Times. A decade ago he penned a weekly conservation blog for TRCP.
Here is his story.
No one ever really introduced me to the outdoors. I didn’t really come from an outdoorsy family. Just kinda got into it myself. There was a local pond we’d go to in northern Virginia. I started out with bluegills, graduated to catfish, then largemouths in the Potomac. I later enlisted in the Coast Guard, which brought me to New York, where I discovered striped bass and became a full-on addict. Eventually I got into tuna fishing. At that point fishing kinda became my life.
I guess my most memorable outdoor adventure was at that local pond, there was a “giant” catfish (I’m sure it was probably more than one) that would break people off, stole at least one “dead-sticked” rod. No one could ever land it. Eventually, one year (I think I was 9) I stuck it, did a lap around the pond while a small crowd gathered as I landed it. It was not “big” really, maybe 10 lbs., but back then? It was HUGE! I was an instant legend (in my own mind anyway).
If I could fish anywhere in the world, honestly, it would be Long Island, New York, man. Believe it or not, we’ve got one of THE best fisheries in the world. Incredibly abundant striped bass populations. The sight/flats fishing is GREAT in the spring and the fall blitz fishery is Nat Geo-type stuff. We’ve also got an extraordinary giant tuna fishery within sight of land. Mid-shore the recreational size bluefin fishery is awesome too. Fish in the 150, even 200 lb.-range can be caught on spin gear! Offshore? We’ve got an insane yellowfin tuna fishery. We get 100 lb. fish on poppers regularly.
Conservation enhances what I do because it creates abundance, and abundance equals opportunity. The main conservation challenge off of Long Island is that A LOT of our fisheries revolve around menhaden aggregations. We get the menhaden schools, we get predators. Every year though, the large-scale processors in Virginia sail purse-seine boats and fly spotter planes up here. They sit right off the 3-mile line and rake up hundreds of thousands of pounds of menhaden, effectively shutting down bluefin and striped bass runs. It REALLY sucks.
“If we deplete forage fish stocks, those predator fish ain’t coming around.“
I’m involved in conservation efforts out of enlightened self-interest. I need there to be an abundance of both predators and forage fish around to be successful at the catching part. My business emphasizes the experience fishing brings rather than just filling coolers. So a fish in the water is WAY more beneficial than a dead one on the dock. It’s not really how many I can kill that’s important, but how many we can catch.
It’s obvious to me why conservation should matter to our next generation of anglers. We kill too many predator fish now, there won’t be any left for my kids. If we deplete forage fish stocks, those predator fish ain’t coming around. For me, or for future generations.
All images credit John McMurray
Padilla, Zinke, and Sharkey Receive TRCP’s Conservation Awards
Gala event hosted by MeatEater’s Steven Rinella brought together D.C. luminaries, outdoor industry leaders, and TRCP supporters
At its 17th annual Capital Conservation Awards Dinner, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership proudly celebrated the conservation achievements of Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Representative Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), and long-time advocate for big game migration corridors, Steve Sharkey.
The gala event was hosted by Steven Rinella, founder of MeatEater, at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
“We are thrilled to be presenting our 2024 awards to three leaders who, in the spirit of Theodore Roosevelt, strive valiantly in the worthy cause of conservation: Senator Alex Padilla, Congressman Ryan Zinke, and Steve Sharkey,” said Joel Pedersen, TRCP president and CEO. “Senator Padilla and Congressman Zinke have been instrumental in clinching legislative victories for habitat, access, and conservation funding that will impact hunting and fishing opportunities for years to come. Our event is also a fitting way to celebrate a hunter and passionate advocate who helped create the model for big game migration conservation across the West, Steve Sharkey.”
Senator Alex Padilla, the first Latino in the U.S. Senate, is a proven collaborator and dedicated conservation advocate. He leads the bipartisan Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act to secure permanent funding for big game migration corridors and long-term habitat protection. Padilla introduced legislation to boost funding for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, restoring river habitats for fish and wildlife. Additionally, he co-leads the “Fix our Forests Act” to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health. A champion for water conservation, Padilla is committed to protecting the Colorado River and conserving habitats for wildlife and recreation.
Congressman Ryan Zinke, a fifth-generation Montanan and former U.S. Navy SEAL, has a strong record in conservation and public lands policy throughout his career in government. Serving as U.S. Representative for Montana’s First District and previously as U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Zinke championed expanding public land access, protecting wildlife migration corridors, and preventing federal land selloffs. In Congress, he co-leads the “Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act,” to establish dedicated funding for wildlife migration and the “Public Lands in Public Hands Act,” to require congressional approval for the sale and transfer of public lands. A strong advocate for Montana’s natural heritage, Zinke supports policies balancing conservation with responsible resource management.
Steve Sharkey, a Director of the Knobloch Family Foundation, the Emily J. Knobloch Foundation, and the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust, has long championed the research- and conservation-based approach to migration corridor conservation in Wyoming. His efforts laid important groundwork that helped make possible the state and national programs that prioritize the conservation of big game migration corridors and winter range across the West. Thanks to Steve’s unwavering commitment, migratory herds now benefit from greater safeguards, and millions of Americans continue to enjoy the wildlife resources they represent.
The 17th Annual Capital Conservation Awards Dinner was made possible with the support of the following generous sponsors:
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
Montana Highway Wildlife Crossings Account to be Established
House Bill 855 heads to the governor’s desk for signature
Today, House Bill 855—Establish FWP Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account, passed out of the Montana Senate with a 38-12 vote. HB 855 now awaits Governor Gianforte’s signature to be signed into law.
After advancing through committees and passing the House of Representatives with enormous support, this legislation is an important step toward reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions in Montana. On top of establishing an account, this legislation will result in a new state license plate that could generate $160k annually. The account could also receive funds from other sources to increase the amount available annually.
Throughout the West, wildlife accommodation infrastructure—including fencing, overpasses, and underpasses—has supported wildlife movement across highways while making our roads safer for motorists. Montana’s high rate of wildlife-vehicle collisions poses a significant threat to public safety and the conservation of big game.
Sponsored by Representative Katie Zolnikov (R-Billings), this legislation will establish the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account, which will house funding to be used on wildlife accommodation infrastructure in Montana.
“By establishing the Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account, Montana is making a commitment to increasing public safety on Montana’s roadways while conserving wildlife,” said Ryan Chapin, Montana field manager at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “We join the Treasure State’s motorists and hunters and anglers in thanking Representative Zolnikov for her leadership on this bill and the legislature for swiftly advancing this life-saving legislation.”
Learn more about TRCP’s commitment to wildlife migration conservation HERE.
TRCP Applauds Senate Introduction of Bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act
New legislation seeks to accelerate forest management and restoration, improve wildfire resilience, and enhance collaboration and innovative management strategies.
Today, the bipartisan Fix our Forests Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Sheehy (R-Mont.), Curtis (R-Utah), Padilla (D-Calif.) and Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). A similar version of the bill passed through the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year with broad bipartisan support. The legislation introduced in the Senate would direct federal agencies to develop new and innovative technologies to address forest health threats, suppress and manage fire more efficiently, and increase the pace and scale of restoration across our forests and watersheds. In addition, the bill would make communities more resilient to wildfire by establishing a Community Risk Reduction Program and improving existing grant programs while also furthering new research.
“The declining health of our National Forests and the fish and wildlife habitat that they provide is a concern for America’s hunters and anglers,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “TRCP applauds the leadership of Senators Curtis, Sheehy, Hickenlooper, and Padilla for introducing the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act in the Senate and urges Congress to advance these important forest management provisions and to accompany them with adequate resources and capacity to carry out on-the-ground work.”
In 2024 alone, wildlifes caused more than 8.9 million acres to be burned across the country. The Fix Our Forests Act seeks to provide more arrows in the quiver to help take aim at this challenge through a multitude of solutions. One such policy solution, included in the bill and led by TRCP, would formally recognize the wildfire risk reduction benefits associated with restoration of riparian and wetland habitat, the first such recognition in federal statute. Other provisions of the Fix Our Forests Act will help TRCP partners and other land managers increase forest health and resilience to benefit water resources, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation and the local communities that depend on them.
“The Fix Our Forests Act streamlines collaboration between the National Wild Turkey Federation, the USDA Forest Service, and other partners, cutting red tape to accelerate urgent forest restoration and management on federal lands,” said Matt Lindler, NWTF Director of Government Affairs. “This bill ensures we can better manage and conserve vital natural resources for wildlife, hunters and anglers. We are grateful to see the Senate introduce this critical piece of legislation and await the signature from the president.”
“The health of our nation’s forests is dependent on the rivers, streams, and wetlands that sustain them. Actively conserving and restoring these critical aquatic resources is an important tool that can be used to mitigate the impacts of wildfire and drought, among other threats,” said Alicia Marrs, director of western water for the National Wildlife Federation. “We’re encouraged to see language in the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act that recognizes the wildfire benefits of aquatic restoration. We look forward to continuing to work with leaders from both sides of the aisle to elevate these common sense and cost-effective approaches to forest and water management for all Americans.”
Top photo credit: Dr. Emily Fairfax
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
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