Sunday, February 27, 2011
Yellow Perch Run Begins
Perryville, MD -- The recreational yellow perch fishing season for shoreline anglers should kick off all over the Maryland tidewater region this weekend as water temperatures in the tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake begin to warm.
“The abundance of yellow perch creates a fantastic, fun fishing opportunity,” said Tom O’Connell, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service Director. “It’s a chance for Marylanders and their families to get out and enjoy the outdoors, as well as reap the benefits of a fisheries management success story.”
The resurgence of Maryland's historically and culturally important yellow perch fishery is due in part to the effective management of DNR management decisions. DNR biologists worked in cooperation with stakeholder organizations such as the Coastal Conservation Association Maryland, and DNR's fishery advisory groups.
Yellow perch are found in 10- to 30-foot depths in many rivers of the bay in preparation for their spawning run. Water temperatures in the tributaries are now in the upper 30s and will soon hit the 40 degree threshold, which will trigger the start of yellow perch spawning. Anglers are enjoying spectacular fishing for yellow perch in several locations, including the Cedars in Allen's Fresh, the channel edge off the Logan's Wharf condominiums at Perryville on the Susquehanna River, Northeast River, Nanjemoy Creek, and the deep holes in the Chester River near Crumpton.
“This, by far, is the absolute best yellow perch fishing we’ve had out here in years,” said Captain Mike Benjamin from Herb’s Tackle Shop in Northeast. “The yellow perch fishing in The Susquehanna River is as good as I’ve ever seen it."
Yellow Perch will begin moving from the deeper, staging areas to the shallow waters as the weather warms this weekend. This will give recreational anglers the opportunity to fish from the shoreline. The first locations will likely be the southern hot spots then quickly move north. Anglers can find their local hotspot at these websites:
Eastern Shore Hotspots — http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishingreport/ypercheast.html
Western Shore Hot Spots — http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishingreport/yperchwest.html
Yellow perch fishing is open year round with a nine-inch minimum size and ten fish per day limits in tidal waters. Fishing for yellow perch is the perfect family activity. A minimal investment in gear, rod, reel, size 10 hooks, bobbers and a bucket of minnows will provide you with the essentials. On March 5, Yellow Perch Appreciation Day will be held at the North East Town Park, a state free-fishing area where fishing licenses are not required. Prizes will be awarded.
DNR welcomes yellow perch anglers to join the online volunteer angler survey— www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/survey/ to support the agency’s goal of sustainable fisheries management. Register your targeted yellow perch trip information to win a chance for an ultra light rod and reel outfit from Bass Pro Shops. Angler’s can also share their catch on DNR’s Angler’s Log www.dnr.Maryland.gov/fisheries/log.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Coastal Conservation Association Creates Endowment Fund
Annapolis, MD -- The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) today is announcing creation of an endowment fund that will support habitat and educational projects, among other activities. The CCA MD Habitat/Education Fund is being kicked off tonight at the Greater Washington Chapter Banquet and Auction in Bethesda, MD.
“Our goal is to improve habitat in the Chesapeake Bay and educate people about the value and importance of marine resources through this fund,” said CCA MD Executive Director Tony Friedrich. “It will allow recreational anglers, conservation-minded citizens, corporations, businesses, and others to make tax deductible contributions to protect and improve our valuable resource.”
Eric Whisenhunt, a member of the Greater Washington Chapter, will chair the fund, and a board will be appointed next month. The fund has a goal of $500,000 in its first three years.
The initial intent of the fund is to support such activities as habitat restoration, creation of oyster reefs, conservation projects, studies, and scholarships for students studying fields such as marine biology, according to Friedrich. However, he emphasized that plans are still evolving and decisions will be eventually made by the fund’s board. Projects are not likely to be funded until a significant portion of the $500,000 goal is in place, Friedrich said.
Donations may be sent to CCA MD Habitat/Education Fund, P.O. Box 513, Easton, MD 21601. More information can be obtained and pledges can be made by contacting the CCA MD state office, tony@ccamd.org.
The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) is one of 17 state chapters of the Coastal Conservation Association, which has 100,000 members nationally. CCA MD is an organization of recreational anglers fighting for Maryland’s marine resources and believing the sustainability of the resource must be the priority in any fishery management decision.
“Our goal is to improve habitat in the Chesapeake Bay and educate people about the value and importance of marine resources through this fund,” said CCA MD Executive Director Tony Friedrich. “It will allow recreational anglers, conservation-minded citizens, corporations, businesses, and others to make tax deductible contributions to protect and improve our valuable resource.”
Eric Whisenhunt, a member of the Greater Washington Chapter, will chair the fund, and a board will be appointed next month. The fund has a goal of $500,000 in its first three years.
The initial intent of the fund is to support such activities as habitat restoration, creation of oyster reefs, conservation projects, studies, and scholarships for students studying fields such as marine biology, according to Friedrich. However, he emphasized that plans are still evolving and decisions will be eventually made by the fund’s board. Projects are not likely to be funded until a significant portion of the $500,000 goal is in place, Friedrich said.
Donations may be sent to CCA MD Habitat/Education Fund, P.O. Box 513, Easton, MD 21601. More information can be obtained and pledges can be made by contacting the CCA MD state office, tony@ccamd.org.
The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) is one of 17 state chapters of the Coastal Conservation Association, which has 100,000 members nationally. CCA MD is an organization of recreational anglers fighting for Maryland’s marine resources and believing the sustainability of the resource must be the priority in any fishery management decision.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
DNR Reopens Gill Net Season for 2 Days
Annapolis, MD -- Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that the 2011 commercial gill net season will be re-opened for two days, Friday, Feb. 25, and Monday, Feb. 28. The Department indicated opening the season for only two days would not threaten the fishing mortality rate nor would it risk the harvest going over the quota.
DNR had closed the season early in February after illegal nets were found in several locations resulting in the harvest of more than 10 tons of striped bass. Additional illegal nets and striped bass have been discovered since that announcement with the latest being Wednesday.
The Natural Resources Police will saturate waters on that Friday and Monday to check on compliance with the law, and DNR staff will monitor check-in stations where the striped bass are brought to the commercial market.
The Department also stated that recent events have shown there are issues that must be resolved in the gill net fishery and invited stakeholder groups, including the commercial industry, to develop reforms that would improve accountability.
“Naturally with the recent record of illegal activities in the gill net fishery we would have preferred that the season remained closed,” said CCA Maryland Executive Director Tony Friedrich. “However, the steps that both DNR and NRP are taking to enforce the law, reform the practice and protect the resource are positive. CCA MD looks forward to the process of reform, and will be watching closely to see whether future gill net fishing can be conducted in accordance with the law.”
Earlier this month CCA MD put forth a motion at the Sport Fish Advisory Commission meeting which was approved unanimously by the commissioners. The motion stated that the season should remain closed until the Department is able to conclusively demonstrate that illegal gill net fishing is under control,that illegal gill net fishing is under control.
Members respond to Talbot County court case
Approximately 75 CCA MD members contacted Talbot County State’s Attorney Richard Patterson calling for aggressive prosecution on a case against a waterman charged with repeated violations of oyster laws. The waterman was found guilty but given a reduced penalty. Richard Fluharty was charged with oystering with a suspended license and possessing unculled/undersized oysters. He was given a $1,000 fine and a 60-day jail sentence, 50 days of which were suspended.
Friedrich was quoted in the Baltimore Sun this morning saying, "CCA Maryland is floored that this habitual offender got nothing more than a slap on the wrist."
DNR had closed the season early in February after illegal nets were found in several locations resulting in the harvest of more than 10 tons of striped bass. Additional illegal nets and striped bass have been discovered since that announcement with the latest being Wednesday.
The Natural Resources Police will saturate waters on that Friday and Monday to check on compliance with the law, and DNR staff will monitor check-in stations where the striped bass are brought to the commercial market.
The Department also stated that recent events have shown there are issues that must be resolved in the gill net fishery and invited stakeholder groups, including the commercial industry, to develop reforms that would improve accountability.
“Naturally with the recent record of illegal activities in the gill net fishery we would have preferred that the season remained closed,” said CCA Maryland Executive Director Tony Friedrich. “However, the steps that both DNR and NRP are taking to enforce the law, reform the practice and protect the resource are positive. CCA MD looks forward to the process of reform, and will be watching closely to see whether future gill net fishing can be conducted in accordance with the law.”
Earlier this month CCA MD put forth a motion at the Sport Fish Advisory Commission meeting which was approved unanimously by the commissioners. The motion stated that the season should remain closed until the Department is able to conclusively demonstrate that illegal gill net fishing is under control,that illegal gill net fishing is under control.
Members respond to Talbot County court case
Approximately 75 CCA MD members contacted Talbot County State’s Attorney Richard Patterson calling for aggressive prosecution on a case against a waterman charged with repeated violations of oyster laws. The waterman was found guilty but given a reduced penalty. Richard Fluharty was charged with oystering with a suspended license and possessing unculled/undersized oysters. He was given a $1,000 fine and a 60-day jail sentence, 50 days of which were suspended.
Friedrich was quoted in the Baltimore Sun this morning saying, "CCA Maryland is floored that this habitual offender got nothing more than a slap on the wrist."
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Virginia Saltwater License Good for 365 Days
Saltwater Licenses now Valid for 365 Days
Newport News, VA -- The 54th annual Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, which opened January 1, 2011 and runs throughout the year, will see no modifications in its popular Citation program. “The Tournament Committee felt the current Citation standards were at appropriate levels, but did discuss lowering the Citation weight minimum for spadefish. After a careful discussion, the Committee requested a more detailed review of spadefish be provided for their next annual meeting when they will again consider lowering the minimum weight for spadefish,” stated Tournament Director Lewis Gillingham.
The Tournament Committee made major changes to the Program in 2004, instituting release Citations for all species and increasing the qualifying minimums for more than a dozen species. In recent years, the Committee has attempted to fine tune individual minimum qualifying weights and lengths to coincide with historical trophy-fish standards.
Other popular programs administered by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, such as the Junior Angler Program, and the Expert and Master Angler programs, will return unchanged in 2011. The Junior Angler Program challenges children less than 16 years of age to catch and release six species of saltwater fish. To qualify as an Expert Angler a fisherman must register fish in at least six different species for Citation awards during the year. Master Angler requirements are 25 Citations (with a maximum of one per species per year) in at least five different species over an unlimited period of time starting in 1996.
On another note, anglers should check their current saltwater fishing license for its expiration date before heading out on the water in 2011, as saltwater fishing licenses are now valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. Anglers must have a valid Virginia saltwater fishing license.
New for 2011, those anglers 16 years of age and older but not required to purchase a saltwater fishing license (such as over 65 or fishing on another angler’s licensed vessel) must register with the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (it is free and can be done online at www.mrc.virginia.gov/FIP ).
Anglers are also advised to pay attention to all 2011 fishery regulations as they are announced. All applicable fisheries regulations must be adhered to and a saltwater fishing license is required for Tournament participation. In addition, anglers fishing the territorial sea south of the Virginia border for striped bass are reminded these are North Carolina waters and anglers must have a valid North Carolina saltwater fishing license. Virginia does not have a reciprocity agreement with North Carolina and the Virginia saltwater license will not be accepted in North Carolina waters.
The Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament is a program of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission funded with revenues from Virginia's saltwater fishing license. The Tournament offers handsome wooden wall Citation plaques or album sized certificates for 35 species of saltwater fish which meet minimum criteria. The Tournament operates all year. For more information, contact Lewis S. Gillingham, Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2600 Washington Avenue, Third Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, (757) 491-5160, (757)247-8014 (fax), or vswft@mrc.virginia.gov.
Newport News, VA -- The 54th annual Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, which opened January 1, 2011 and runs throughout the year, will see no modifications in its popular Citation program. “The Tournament Committee felt the current Citation standards were at appropriate levels, but did discuss lowering the Citation weight minimum for spadefish. After a careful discussion, the Committee requested a more detailed review of spadefish be provided for their next annual meeting when they will again consider lowering the minimum weight for spadefish,” stated Tournament Director Lewis Gillingham.
The Tournament Committee made major changes to the Program in 2004, instituting release Citations for all species and increasing the qualifying minimums for more than a dozen species. In recent years, the Committee has attempted to fine tune individual minimum qualifying weights and lengths to coincide with historical trophy-fish standards.
Other popular programs administered by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, such as the Junior Angler Program, and the Expert and Master Angler programs, will return unchanged in 2011. The Junior Angler Program challenges children less than 16 years of age to catch and release six species of saltwater fish. To qualify as an Expert Angler a fisherman must register fish in at least six different species for Citation awards during the year. Master Angler requirements are 25 Citations (with a maximum of one per species per year) in at least five different species over an unlimited period of time starting in 1996.
On another note, anglers should check their current saltwater fishing license for its expiration date before heading out on the water in 2011, as saltwater fishing licenses are now valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. Anglers must have a valid Virginia saltwater fishing license.
New for 2011, those anglers 16 years of age and older but not required to purchase a saltwater fishing license (such as over 65 or fishing on another angler’s licensed vessel) must register with the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (it is free and can be done online at www.mrc.virginia.gov/FIP ).
Anglers are also advised to pay attention to all 2011 fishery regulations as they are announced. All applicable fisheries regulations must be adhered to and a saltwater fishing license is required for Tournament participation. In addition, anglers fishing the territorial sea south of the Virginia border for striped bass are reminded these are North Carolina waters and anglers must have a valid North Carolina saltwater fishing license. Virginia does not have a reciprocity agreement with North Carolina and the Virginia saltwater license will not be accepted in North Carolina waters.
The Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament is a program of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission funded with revenues from Virginia's saltwater fishing license. The Tournament offers handsome wooden wall Citation plaques or album sized certificates for 35 species of saltwater fish which meet minimum criteria. The Tournament operates all year. For more information, contact Lewis S. Gillingham, Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2600 Washington Avenue, Third Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, (757) 491-5160, (757)247-8014 (fax), or vswft@mrc.virginia.gov.
Monday, February 21, 2011
MSSA to Have Weigh Station at Bay Bridge Boat Show
Stevensville, MD -- United States Yacht Shows has announced an agreement with the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association to include a fishing tournament weigh station at the 2011 Bay Bridge Boat Show, April 28-May 1.
The MSSA annually produces the largest rockfish tournament in the nation. The weigh station will be located on a floating dock off the promenade in the center of the show area, and will be sponsored by AllTackle. AllTackle will operate the station as well as hosting casting challenges for all ages, and “guess the fish’s weight” competitions. A full schedule of entertaining events will be produced for anglers of all ages.
Information on the boat show is available at usboat.com. Find out more about MSSA at mssa.net.
The MSSA annually produces the largest rockfish tournament in the nation. The weigh station will be located on a floating dock off the promenade in the center of the show area, and will be sponsored by AllTackle. AllTackle will operate the station as well as hosting casting challenges for all ages, and “guess the fish’s weight” competitions. A full schedule of entertaining events will be produced for anglers of all ages.
Information on the boat show is available at usboat.com. Find out more about MSSA at mssa.net.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Anglers Asked to Report Tagged Fish in Middle River
Annapolis, Md. -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service has partnered with the Maryland Bass Federation Nation and Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc. to hatch, raise, tag and release fish into the Middle River, near Baltimore. DNR biologists are monitoring and compiling information on these tagged fish in response to angler reports of disappointing largemouth bass fishing in the river.
DNR is asking anglers to report any tagged fish caught and report the date, tag number, length of the fish and catch location. This tag-based study will hopefully provide answers about fish behavior and the movement of fish out of Middle River.
“This is an excellent example of how anglers, industry and scientists can work together to develop good data and improve fishing. And we can do it while adding even more inspiration to go out and enjoy some bass fishing,” said Joe Love, DNR’s Tidal Bass Manager.
Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc., a solid waste to energy conversion company with operations in 17 cities, has maintained aquaculture at its facility near M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore since 1986. Since 2006, DNR has provided about 5,000 juvenile bass a year to raise in the Wheelabrator fish tanks. When the fish grow large enough, DNR staff release them into Middle River. In October 2010, a little over 1,000 juveniles were released into the Middle River.
In 2009 and 2010, Domino Foods, the operator of the Domino sugar plant in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, paid to purchase mature largemouth bass through the Maryland Bass Federation Nation Conservation Program for release into Middle River. In October 2010, Maryland Bass Federation Nation members worked with DNR to release 165 mature fish into the river. The mature largemouth bass were tagged by DNR technicians prior to releasing. Once released, largemouth bass adults tend to remain on site for a few days before exploring other parts of the river. As winter approaches, the fish are likely to enter deeper water around docks and harbors. While catch-and-release angling improves the chances of a sustainable fishery in the Middle River, environmental conditions can affect whether largemouth bass ultimately stay in the Middle River or not.
Please report tagged fish to DNR Tidal Bass Manager, Joe Love at jlove@dnr.state.md.us, (410) 260-8257 or Southern Regional Manager, Mary Groves at mgroves@dnr.state.md.us, (410) 260-8320. Other questions regarding this initiative should come to Joe Love or the Maryland Bass Federation Nation Conservation Director, Scott Sewell at nitro1707@verizon.net.
DNR is asking anglers to report any tagged fish caught and report the date, tag number, length of the fish and catch location. This tag-based study will hopefully provide answers about fish behavior and the movement of fish out of Middle River.
“This is an excellent example of how anglers, industry and scientists can work together to develop good data and improve fishing. And we can do it while adding even more inspiration to go out and enjoy some bass fishing,” said Joe Love, DNR’s Tidal Bass Manager.
Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc., a solid waste to energy conversion company with operations in 17 cities, has maintained aquaculture at its facility near M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore since 1986. Since 2006, DNR has provided about 5,000 juvenile bass a year to raise in the Wheelabrator fish tanks. When the fish grow large enough, DNR staff release them into Middle River. In October 2010, a little over 1,000 juveniles were released into the Middle River.
In 2009 and 2010, Domino Foods, the operator of the Domino sugar plant in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, paid to purchase mature largemouth bass through the Maryland Bass Federation Nation Conservation Program for release into Middle River. In October 2010, Maryland Bass Federation Nation members worked with DNR to release 165 mature fish into the river. The mature largemouth bass were tagged by DNR technicians prior to releasing. Once released, largemouth bass adults tend to remain on site for a few days before exploring other parts of the river. As winter approaches, the fish are likely to enter deeper water around docks and harbors. While catch-and-release angling improves the chances of a sustainable fishery in the Middle River, environmental conditions can affect whether largemouth bass ultimately stay in the Middle River or not.
Please report tagged fish to DNR Tidal Bass Manager, Joe Love at jlove@dnr.state.md.us, (410) 260-8257 or Southern Regional Manager, Mary Groves at mgroves@dnr.state.md.us, (410) 260-8320. Other questions regarding this initiative should come to Joe Love or the Maryland Bass Federation Nation Conservation Director, Scott Sewell at nitro1707@verizon.net.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Funding Initiative Started for Diseased Stripers
South Portland, Maine -- Stripers Forever, the conservation organization advocating for responsible stewardship of wild striped bass along the Atlantic Coast, has announced an outreach initiative to raise money for research on mycobacteriosis, a deadly fish disease that is increasingly prevalent in the Chesapeake Bay where the bulk of stripers that migrate up and down the Atlantic Coast are spawned.
“Myco” is believed to be nearly always fatal to infected striped bass and can create serious health problems for anglers and anyone else handling those fish before they are cooked. Fishery scientists estimate that more than 75 percent of all striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay system are infected with myco. There is at present no known cure for this insidious disease which represents a major threat to the well-being of stripers and thus the future of recreational and commercial striped bass fishing from Maine to North Carolina.
The fund raising appeal being administered by Stripers Forever is called The Mycobacteriosis Research Initiative (MRI). Donations to MRI will benefit Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), the leading authority on myco. Checks should be made payable to “VIMS Foundation” (write “For Myco Research” on the memo line) and mailed to VIMS Foundation, P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8779.
A link to a secure site for credit card donations appears along with more information about myco under featured links on the left side of the Stripers Forever home page (www.stripersforever.org). All contributions are tax deductible and will go into a dedicated myco research account.
Visitors to the site can sign up for membership in Stripers Forever at no charge.
For more information contact:
Ed Mitchell e-mail e.mitchell6@yahoo.com Tel. 860-529-0685
“Myco” is believed to be nearly always fatal to infected striped bass and can create serious health problems for anglers and anyone else handling those fish before they are cooked. Fishery scientists estimate that more than 75 percent of all striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay system are infected with myco. There is at present no known cure for this insidious disease which represents a major threat to the well-being of stripers and thus the future of recreational and commercial striped bass fishing from Maine to North Carolina.
The fund raising appeal being administered by Stripers Forever is called The Mycobacteriosis Research Initiative (MRI). Donations to MRI will benefit Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), the leading authority on myco. Checks should be made payable to “VIMS Foundation” (write “For Myco Research” on the memo line) and mailed to VIMS Foundation, P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8779.
A link to a secure site for credit card donations appears along with more information about myco under featured links on the left side of the Stripers Forever home page (www.stripersforever.org). All contributions are tax deductible and will go into a dedicated myco research account.
Visitors to the site can sign up for membership in Stripers Forever at no charge.
For more information contact:
Ed Mitchell e-mail e.mitchell6@yahoo.com Tel. 860-529-0685
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