OVERVIEW

Striped Bass Health

By: John Jacobs, Mark Matsche, Steve Jordan, Cindy Driscoll, Harley Speir, Brenda Kibler, Tricia Litwiler and Susan Knowles

To ensure continued success of the population, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is working to monitor not only indicators of the overall abundance, but the physical and nutritional health of striped bass. More...

Unusual Striper Caught in the Potomac River

To learn more about this striper and other abnormalities click here.

FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) issued new advisories concerning the consumption of 13 recreationally caught fish species in 14 tidal waterbodies throughout the state. These new 'consumption advisories' supersede those previously issued by MDE in 1987 and 1999. (Those advisories applied to channel catfish, American eel, carp and black crappie recreationally caught in the Potomac, Back and Patapsco rivers as well as Lake Roland.) The fish advisories are geared to protect public health, particularly individuals and their families who regularly consume their catch from Maryland tidal waters where unhealthy levels of fish-borne contaminants have been found. Children, and women who are or may become pregnant, are most susceptible to health risks associated with fish-borne contaminants and should take special note of these advisories. Recent changes in the recommended daily consumption estimates used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), combined with new sampling data and improved analytical techniques have resulted in today's advisories. Click here to view the full MDE press release. To help fully understand the scope of the advisory, MDE has also posted an advisory summary page, and a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) dealing with these new advisories. You may also contact MDE directly @ 1-800-633-6101.

Biologists have summarized the results of the Volunteer anglers Survey for the year 2000. This survey was designed to supplement information from DNR fishery surveys on tidal largemouth and smallmouth bass populations. Anglers send results of their fishing trips to DNR and these are entered into a database of bass fishing trips in tidal fresh and brackish waters from around the state.

Twenty- two anglers reported on 2068 hours of fishing by themselves, their friends and clubs. The rate of catch for fishing trips ranged from 0 to 5.3 bass per hour. The average number of fish caught per hour for all trips was 0.93 and was 0.64 for bass 12 inches or larger. The Potomac River had the highest catch rate but the Upper Bay had larger fish on average. The Eastern Shore rivers (from the Chester River south) were in between in regards to both rate of catch and size. The majority of fish caught were between 11 and 15 inches with the 13 to 14 inch group the most frequently caught. The best catches occurred during early spring with May being the best month for numbers bass of all sizes and for bass greater than 12 inches. MORE...

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), state-wide 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: 410-974-3238 After hours: 1-888-584-3110 or 410-631-3937, or refer to:

MDE's Fish Kill Website.

The 1999 DNR Circle Hook Study

By DNR Fisheries Service Biologist
Rudy Lukacovic

In he summer and autumn of 1999, DNR's Fisheries Service conducted a detailed survey to compare mortality rates of striped bass caught on circle hooks vs. standard "J" bait hooks while chumming for striped bass. Led by principal investigator Rudy Lukacovic, the study sought to quantify the rate of deep hooking with each type of hook, and the corresponding mortality associated with their use. (MORE...)

The Wish-A-Fish Foundation was established back in 2000 to provide a day of fishing and boating relaxation for families with special needs children. This event originally started with 10 volunteered boats and captains and has since grown. The Foundation hopes to take 150 children (3 individual angler events and 4 charter boat events) fishing in 2002. The first event of 2002 was held last Saturday at Solomon's Island. Volunteer captains took out 27 families for a total of 61 children. Prior to leaving the dock each child was properly fitted for a life jacket and received a new rod and reel, T-shirt, and hat to commemorate this event. Eight-year-old Nick Cox of Temple Hills, MD caught the biggest fish of the event, a 29 inch striped bass. Pictured on the left is Christopher France (brother of angler), Dave Taylor, Nick Cox (age 8), his mother Kristina Cox and Diane Proulx. For more information on the Wish-A-Fish Foundation go to URL: www.wish-a-fish.org/index.html

Croaker fishing is wide open in the Potomac River and from Barren Island to Buoy 72. Pictured on the left are (left) Nicola Konigkramer, (center) Maggie Garvey, and (right) Patrick Garvey with an 18 inch croaker. This croaker was caught drifting in Eastern Bay, off Claiborne, with squid strips. They also caught and released several small summer flounder. Reports of breaking blues are beginning to filter in. Spot have also shown up in the lower Bay. Cownose rays have been reported from Love Point south to Point Lookout.

The 22nd Annual Ocean City Shark Tournament was held June 13 through 15 at Ocean City Fishing Center. Seventy boats participated in the event weighing in 21 mako sharks, 17 blue sharks, 2 thresher sharks, 36 bluefish, 8 flounder, and 3 tuna. In the release division, 127 makos, 113 blue sharks, 17 dusky or sandbars, and 1 hammerhead. In the Mako Division, Jeff Sansburry of Sunderland, Maryland was fishing aboard Out of Bounds and caught the heaviest mako shark, which weighed 189 pounds (pictured on the left). It was caught on a tuna fillet at the west wall of the Baltimore Canyon. In the Open Division, Geoff W. Hoffman of Middletown, Delaware caught a 485 pound thresher shark fishing aboard the Capt. Ike II. In the Release Division, Memory Maker took place with 75 points (17 Makos, 1 Blue shark, 1 Dusky) followed by Hookin' Wubbas with 41 Points (4 makos, 15 Blue Sharks). In the Bluefish Division, Joe Deinlein fishing aboard RodRunner, of Delmar, Delaware took first with one weighing 19.2 pounds. Joseph Hoover of York, Pennsylvania took first place in the Flounder Division with a 5.2 pounder fishing aboard Hookin Wubbas.

BLUEFIN TUNA
Effective June 15 through October 31, 2002, NMFS adjusts the bluefin tuna (BFT) angling category daily retention limits in all areas to 4 fish per vessel, measuring 27 to less than 73 inches curved fork length. The Angling category trophy fishery for large medium and giant BFT (measuring 73 inches or greater) remains open, with a retention limit of one fish per vessel per year. Anglers may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at (888) 872-8862 or 9978) 281-9305 for updates on quota monitoring and retention limit adjustments. Anglers landing in Maryland are reminded that they MUST report all bluefin tuna catches to a reporting station PRIOR to offloading. Additional information is available by calling (410) 213-1531. Maryland approved reporting stations:

• Ake Marine: Ocean City, MD; (410) 213-0421
• Bahia Marina: Ocean City, MD; (410) 289-7438
• Fisherman's Marina: Ocean City, MD; (410) 213-2478
• Ocean Pines Marina: Berlin, MD; (410) 641-7447
• Captain Mac's South at O.C. Fishing Center: Ocean City, MD; (410) 213-0090
• Talbot Street Pier: 311 Talbot St; Ocean City, MD; (410) 289-9125
• White Marlin Marina: Ocean City, MD; (410) 289-6470
• Sunset Marina: 12911 Sunset Ave; Ocean City, Maryland; (410) 213-9600

NOAA FISHERIES SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON ATLANTIC WHITE MARLIN STATUS
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) is conducting a status review of Atlantic white marlin. Eleven public meetings have been scheduled on the East Coast, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to determine whether this species should be protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA ) is an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department . NOAA Fisheries conducts such status reviews when it receives a petition that includes substantial information that indicates an ESA listing may be warranted. The Biodiversity Legal Foundation and James R. Chambers petitioned NOAA Fisheries in September 2001 to list Atlantic white marlin as threatened or endangered throughout its known range, and to designate critical habitat under the ESA. In December 2001, NOAA Fisheries found that the petition presented substantial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. NOAA Fisheries then solicited information and comments about Atlantic white marlin during a 60-day period. This public hearing stage is the next step before NOAA Fisheries is required in September to make a finding about the petition. According to ESA listing criteria, a species can be determined to be threatened or endangered for any one of the following reasons: - Present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of habitat or range; - over-utilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; - disease or predation; - inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; - other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. In Maryland, public comment will be accepted at the following scoping meetings: June 11, 7-9 p.m., Hilton Silver Spring, 8727 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, Md. June 28, 7-9 p.m., Ocean Pines Library, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, Md. To learn more about white marlin management refer to Atlantic White Marlin Management: Working Internationally to Protect a Stock Important to Marylanders written by Deputy Fisheries Director, Jill Stevenson.

The Army Corps of Engineers (www.nab.usace.army.mil) announces Notice of Public Scoping Meetings - Dredge Material Management Plan. The Corps will conduct a series of three public meetings for the initiation of a dredged material management plan (DMMP) study to evaluate the dredges material placement needs and opportunities for the Port of Baltimore.

• The first meeting was Wednesday, June 12, 2002.
• Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. The Community College of Baltimore County Dundalk Campus Dining Area, College Community Center. 7200 Sollers Point Road; Baltimore, MD.
• Thursday, June 20, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. Anne Arundel Community College Lecture Hall 101 Florestano Building (West Arnold Campus). 101 College Parkway;Arnold, MD.

Freshwater fishing is holding steady at the reservoirs and lakes. Anglers continue to catch trout at many streams throughout the State. Andrew Clothier sent the photo on the left of his 3-year old daughter's first trout. It was a 14 inch rainbow caught on the last cast of the day at Deer Creek Father's Day afternoon. Andrew commented, It was only our second fishing trip together, but if you look at her smile, I think she's the one who's hooked. Thanks to all who worked hard through a difficult spring stocking period to make our day.

There have been a few boating accidents in the past few weeks with fatal consequences. In each situation life jackets could have prevented these tragic deaths. I would like to remind everyone that an accident can happen at anytime to anyone. Please be careful, listen to weather advisories, and a life jacket works best when it's worn, and worn properly. All children under the age of 7 must WEAR a United States Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (Life Jacket - Type I, II, III or V) while underway on a recreational vessel under 21 feet in length on Maryland waters. For more information view the press release at www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/lifejacket.html

A COUPLE OF CLOSING NOTES...

Until next week,

Tight Lines,

Angel Bolinger
Fisheries Biologist
MD DNR Fisheries Service

This Page Created and Maintained for the Fisheries Service by
Angel L. Bolinger

For Further Information, Contact pgenovese@dnr.state.md.us