The Fishermen's Information and News Service
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LAST UPDATED November 15, 2005 NEXT SCHEDULED UPDATE November 22, 2005
THIS WEEKS HEADLINES
" INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS - STATUS OF WHITE PERCH AND YELLOW PERCH "
October 31, 2005- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service will hold informational meetings on the status of yellow perch and white perch in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Biologists will report on their findings from long-term studies of river specific stocks and discuss the effects of habitat and commercial and recreational fisheries on the stocks. Overall, the stocks of both species are relatively abundant, with some river specific issues that can influence fishery regulations. Question and answer sessions will follow the presentations. This is not a regulatory hearing although there will be a discussion of possible management options.
The informational hearings will be held 6:00 p.m., Monday, November 28, 2005, in the C-1 conference room at the Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD and at 6:00 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at the Dorchester County Commissioners Office, 501 Court Lane, Cambridge, MD. All interested parties are invited to attend and give their views.
Comments may be sent to Dale Weinrich, Fisheries Service, Matapeake Work Center, 301 Marine Academy Drive, Stevensville, MD 21666, telephone 410-643-6801 x126 - Fax 410-643-4136, or email dweinrich@dnr.state.md.us. Comments must be received by Friday, December 9, 2005.
Striped Bass Stock Assessment
Indicates Healthy StockOctober 31, 2005- The Scientific advice presented to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board today indicates that striped bass management under Amendment 6 to the Interstate Plan continues to be a success. The resource remains at a high level of abundance at 65.3 million pounds, 10 percent higher than the average stock size for the previous five years. Female spawning stock biomass (SSB) is estimated at 54.8 million pounds and is well above the SSB target and threshold levels of 38.6 and 30.9 million pounds, respectively. Recruitment of young fish (age 1) at 12.7 million is close to the average recruitment observed since the stock was first declared recovered in 1995. The stock is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring, with 2004 fishing mortality estimated at 0.40, below the Amendment 6 threshold of 0.41. Total catch has risen to 5.2 million fish, a 33 percent increase since implementation of Amendment 6 in 2003. Recreational harvest and discards accounted for 72.5 percent of the total mortality, with the majority of fish harvested by anglers in Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland and North Carolina. Commercial catch has risen slightly to 1.42 million fish, with Maryland commercial fisheries accounting for half of the harvest.
Based on the advice of the Technical Committee, the Board maintained the states' management programs at status quo. The Technical Committee will continue to monitor the status of the stock and refine stock assessment methodology as necessary. The next peer reviewed stock assessment is scheduled for 2007.
Copies of the stock assessment will be available on the Commission website ( www.asmfc.org under Breaking News) by mid-November. For more information, please contact Lydia Munger, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at (202)289-6400 or lmunger@asmfc.org.
SHELLFISH NEWS
October 12, 2005- The following is a listing of public notices regarding the proposed establishment of oyster sanctuaries and harvest reserves in Chesapeake Bay.
The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to Natural Resources Article 4-1103 of Maryland’s Annotated Code, proposes that the following area of the Choptank River, Dorchester County, be closed to shellfish harvest for the purpose of creating the States Bank Oyster Sanctuary in the vicinity of the States Bank oyster bar.
All of the Dorchester County waters of the Choptank River enclosed by a line beginning at a point at or near the shore, defined by Latitude 38º 33.82' N and Longitude 76º 02.15' W; then running approximately 5º (true) to a point, defined by Latitude 38º 34.11' N and Longitude 76º 02.12' W; then running approximately 307º (true) to a point, defined by Latitude 38º 34.20' N and Longitude 76º 02.27' W; then running approximately 72º (true) to a point, defined by Latitude 38º 34.29' N and Longitude 76º 01.94' W; then running approximately 156º (true) to a point at or near the shore, defined by Latitude 38º 33.96' N and Longitude 76º 01.75' W.
A public hearing will be held at 7:00pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at the County Commissioners Office, 501 Court Lane, Cambridge, MD. All interested parties are invited to attend and express their views. Sign language interpreters and other appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request. Further information may be obtained by calling DNR Shellfish Program, Eric Campbell at (410) 260-8322.
It is the Department’s intent to consider closing this area permanently by adoption of a regulation at a later date.
The Department’s goal is to restore oyster population in these areas and to designate these grounds closed to harvest in order to contribute to the ecology of the bay. Seed oysters will be planted on the site to rebuild populations, if needed.
Written comments may be sent to Eric Campbell, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Service, Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or FAX (410) 260-8279. Comments must be received by Tuesday November 8, 2005.
The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to Natural Resources Article 4-1009.1 of Maryland's Annotated Code, proposes closing the following area of the Choptank River, Talbot County to oyster harvest for the purpose of creating the Black Buoy Oyster Harvest Reserve in the vicinity of the Black Buoy oyster bar.
The oyster harvest reserve area consists of all that portion of Natural Oyster Bars 16-3 and 16-4 enclosed by a line beginning at: A point at Latitude 38º34.353' N, Longitude 76º02.530' W; then running approximately 23º (true) to a point at Latitude 38º34.782' N, Longitude 76º02.293' W; then running approximately 114º (true) to a point at Latitude 38º34.567' N, Longitude 76º01.689' W; then running approximately 225º (true) to a point at Latitude 38º34.410' N, Longitude 76º01.887' W; then running approximately 256º (true) to a point at Latitude 38º34.355' N, Longitude 76º 12.175' W; then running approximately 270º (true) to the point of beginning
A public hearing will be held at 7:00pm on Thursday, October 27, 2005 at the Talbot County Public Free Library, 100 West Dover Street, Easton, MD. All interested parties are invited to attend and express their views. Sign language interpreters and other appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request. Further information may be obtained by calling DNR Shellfish Program, Eric Campbell at (410) 260-8322.
The Department's goal is to contribute to the ecology and oyster industry of the bay. This area will be planted with oyster seed and occasionally opened for harvest when the criteria set by the State has been met.
Written comments may be sent to Eric Campbell, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Service, Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or FAX (410) 260-8279. Comments must be received by Thursday November 10, 2005.The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to Natural Resources Articles §4-1103 and §4-1009.1 of Maryland's Annotated Code, proposes that the following areas of the Chester River and Prospect Bay, Queen Anne County, be closed to shellfish harvest for the purpose of establishing two oyster sanctuaries and an oyster harvest reserve.
Chester River – Strong Bay Oyster Sanctuary
All of the area enclosed by a line (including all of Natural Oyster Bar 5-13), beginning at a point at or near corner 1 of Natural Oyster Bar 5-13, defined by Lat 39º 00.87' N and Long 76º 16.64' W; then running approximately 270º True to a point at or near corner 2 of Natural Oyster Bar 5-13, defined by Lat 39º 00.87' N and Long 76º 17.13' W; then running approximately 342º True to a point, defined by Lat 39º 01.20' N and Long 76º 17.27' W; then running approximately 321º True to a point, defined by Lat 39º 01.90' N and Long 76º 180.0' W; then running approximately 60º True to a point, defined by Lat 39º 020.0' N and Long 76º 17.78' W; then running approximately 142º True to a point, defined by Lat 39º 01.47' N and Long 76º 17.25' W; then running approximately 88º True to a point at or near corner 4 of Natural Oyster Bar 5-13, defined by Lat 39º 01.48' N and Long 76º 16.84' W; then running approximately 166º True to the point of beginning.
Chester River – Emory Hollow Oyster Harvest Reserve
All of the waters of the Chester River enclosed by a line beginning at a point, defined by Latitude 39º 05.99' N and Longitude 76º 07.75' W; then running approximately 342º (true) to a point, defined by Latitude 39º 06.16' N and Longitude 76º 07.82' W; then running approximately 68º (true) to a point, defined by Latitude 39º 06.42' N and Longitude 76º 07.02' W; then running approximately 205º (true) to a point, defined by Latitude 39º 06.31' N and Longitude 76º 07.09' W; then running approximately 228º (true) to a point, defined by Latitude 39º 06.10' N and Longitude 76º 07.38' W; then running approximately 249º (true) to the point of beginning.
Prospect Bay – Cabin Creek Oyster Sanctuary
All of the waters of Cabin Creek upstream of a line beginning at a point at or near the southeast tip of Piney Point, defined by Latitude 38º 56.51' N and Longitude 76º 13.61' W; then running approximately 114º (true) to a point at or near the shore, north of Brian Point, defined by Latitude 38º 56.23' N and Longitude 76º 12.84' W.
A public hearing will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday, October 24, 2005 at the Queen Anne County Library at 200 Library Circle, Stevensville, MD. All interested parties are invited to attend and express their views. Sign language interpreters and other appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request. Further information and a map of the area may be obtained by calling DNR Shellfish Program, Eric Campbell at (410) 260-8322.
The Department's goal for the sanctuaries is to restore oyster populations in these areas and to designate these grounds closed to harvest in order to contribute to the ecology of the bay. Seed oysters will be planted on the site to rebuild populations, if needed. It is the Department's intent to consider closing the sanctuary areas permanently by adoption of a regulation at a later date.
The Department's goal for the harvest reserve is to contribute to the ecology and oyster industry of the bay. This area will be planted with oyster seed and occasionally opened for harvest when the criteria set by the State has been met.
Written comments may be sent to Eric Campbell, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Service, Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or FAX (410) 260-8279. Comments must be received by, Monday, November 7, 2005.
COMMERCIAL OYSTER POWER DREDGE SEASON
September 29, 2005- The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pursuant to Natural Resources Article §4-1008 (d), Annotated Code of Maryland, announces the commercial oyster power dredge season will open sunrise Tuesday, October 18, 2005. A licensee possessing an oyster power dredge permit is allowed to use a power dredge bar with a maximum size of 42 inches that does not exceed 200 pounds in weight. There is no minimum size of dredge bar. All other current laws and regulations apply during the season.
The availability of oysters from the Gulf coast to Maryland processors has diminished due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. This action to begin the commercial oyster power dredge season two weeks early will provide oysters to Maryland processors in October while supplies from the Gulf coast are low.
DNR ENCOURAGES ANGLERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MARYLAND STRIPED BASS COOPERATIVE ANGLER SURVEY
May 6 , 2005- This year marks the 10th anniversary of volunteer anglers working with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service staff to manage the striped bass fishery through participation in the Maryland Cooperative Angler Striped Bass Survey. Since its inception, 20,606 striped bass have been reported in the survey.
“This survey is absolutely crucial to the continued management of our striped bass fishery,” said Howard King, Director of DNR's Fisheries Service. “Participation in the survey has been waning in recent years and we want to remind anglers of the vital role they play in the management and sustainability of this thriving fishery. We thank all anglers, past, present and future, who have taken or will take the time to complete the survey.”
The Maryland Cooperative Angler Striped Bass Survey collects length and fish health data on harvested and released recreationally caught striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coast . These data augments existing state and federal monitoring programs (such as Marine Recreational Fisheries and provides data on short term fishing trends. As an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) member, Maryland is required to participate in a monitoring program that will provide information on the size composition of the harvest in the striped bass recreational fishery. The survey data is the only source of information on recreationally caught and released undersized fish available to Maryland and Virginia fisheries managers.
To participate in this important survey, visit URL http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/survey/sbsurveyintro.shtml or contact DNR at 1-877-620-8DNR. A packet with forms and postage paid envelopes is available to anglers that do not wish to participate through the Internet.
NORTHERN SNAKEHEAD HOTLINE
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS FISH?
Anglers who think they may have caught a snakehead fish are asked NOT to release it, but to contact DNR's 24-hour Dispatch at 888-584-3110 for a positive identification of the fish. Please use this snakehead fact sheet to help determine how to identify a snakehead fish and how to distinguish one from the native species of bowfin and American eel.
FISH KILL & FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (MDE) FISH KILL INFORMATION
Our sister agency, The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE), is mandated by Environmental Article Section 4-405C to oversee the investigation of fish kill incidents throughout the state. The Fish Kill Response Section manages and coordinates a multi-agency (including DNR), statewide fish kill response program. Staff are on call during the regular workweek and on weekends, holidays and after normal working hours to ensure that all fish kill reports are promptly addressed. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REPORT FISH KILLS CONTACT: Maryland Department of the Environment Technical and Regulatory Services Administration Field Operations Office Fish Kill Response Section 416 Chinquapin Round Road, Annapolis, MD 21401 Normal work hours: 443-482-2700 After hours: 1-877-224-7229 or 410-631-3937, or refer to: MDE's Fish Kill Website.
FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES
Analysis of tissue samples in Maryland fish, crab and shellfish data have identified four major water bodies in Maryland where contaminants in certain fish species pose a health concern to humans consuming them. Three advisories are due to harmful levels of the insecticide, chlordane: 1)American Eel and Channel Catfish from Baltimore Harbor, 2) American Eel & Channel Catfish from Back River, and 3) Carp and Black Crappie from Lake Roland. These fish consumption advisories recommend that the public: Limit or avoid consumption of these species. Do not eat these fish as a substantial part of the daily diet. Women of child bearing age, infants, and children should avoid consumption of these fish. There is also a PCB advisory for fish taken from the Potomac River between the Wilson Bridge and Smith Point, MD. Limit consumption of channel catfish larger than 18 inches to one 8-ounce meal per month. Do not eat carp or American eel as a substantial part of your daily diet. Women of childbearing age and children should avoid eating these three species of fish. For more information on these fish consumption advisories, please visit the MDE website.
Maryland State & Federal
Requirements for Recreational Vessels
For a listing of links for information on Federal and state boating regulations, please visit our boating regulations link page.
NMFS HMS,TUNA, and CHARTER/HEADBOAT Angling Permits
Three new regulations for anglers targeting Highly Migratory Species (HMS) will take effect in early March. The new regulations require recreational fisherman to obtain a permit if fishing for Atlantic swordfish, blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish, report catches of highly migratory fish within 24 hours by calling in landings to a toll-free number, and implement recreational retention limits for swordfish.
The first rule, effective March 1, extends the current recreational tuna permit requirement to all highly migratory fish in the Atlantic. The second rule, effective March 2nd, limits the swordfish recreational catch to 1 fish per person, up to 3 per vessel per trip and implements a mandatory reporting program for recreational landings of highly migratory fish in the Atlantic.
For more information about the recreational swordfish catch limit and highly migratory catch reporting, go to: For more information on the new HMS recreational permit program, go to: Anglers can apply for the permit online beginning March 1, and will be able to print their permit and go fishing the same day. For more information on the permit application process, go to: www.nmfspermits.com.
IN CONCLUSION.......
A public hearing on weakfish will be held Thursday, September 29th in the C-1 conference room of the Tawes Building in Annapolis from 6-8 PM. The Tidal Fish Advisory Commission will meet on Thursday, October 6th at 7 PM in the Tawes State Office Building's C-1 conference room in Annapolis. Crabs are plentiful and inexpensive now. Cool weather has arrived and hopefully with it, great fishing. If you are interested in receiving "breaking news" via e mail, please contact me. We will have separate breaking news notifications for Freshwater News, Chesapeake Bay Fisheries News, and Oceanside Fisheries News. Let me know which list you would like to added to. The breaking news e mails will be sent whenever relevant news and meeting announcements occur.
Sincerely,
Fisheries Ecologist/ MD DNR Fisheries Service
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