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MARYLAND SPORT
FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMISSION
MEETING SUMMARY
April 19, 2004
Prepared by Wanda Rhodes
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Dr. James Gilford, Chair
Ms. Brenda Foster
Ms. Diane R. Baynard
Mr. David Dansberger
Mr. Mark Sampson
Mr. William Carrier, III
Mr. William Windley, Jr.
Chairman James Gilford brought the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. He called for any additions to the agenda, and any announcements. A six-minute slide video of youth fishing in Baltimore City was added by Brenda Foster.
Marty Gary , of the Fisheries Service, made the following announcements: 1) Appointments to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Advisory Panels have been made. He asked if any of the Commissioners were interested in filling any openings that might occur in the future. 2) Regulations were made to change Striped Bass demarcation lines for the timeframe of May 16 - May 31. The particular adjustments, including latitudes and longitudes, are available on the Fisheries website. 3) On May 5, 2004 there is a meeting with Dominion Energy, who manages Cove Point, to discuss a long-term agreement for alternatives due to the loss of access to the fishing pier. 4) Bruno Vasta was appointed by the Governor to represent Maryland on the ASMFC Policy Board. 5) Flounder regulations were submitted to the AELR that change the minimum size limit to 16" with a creel limit of 3 and no closure for recreational and hook and line fisheries. 6) There will be a press release forthcoming to announce the Conowingo Dam pipeline maintenance that begins 06/16/04 through 09/20/04. Fishing access will be impeded during this period. A handout of the details was included in the Commissioners' folders. 7) There has been a merge of the Natural Resources Police and the Park Rangers. A handout outlining the process was included in the folders. 8) Minutes from the April 1, 2004 Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission (TFAC) were included in the folders.
Chairman Gilford called for approval of the March meeting minutes; minutes were approved.
First on the agenda was an addition on northern Bay striped bass fishing. Denny Wolf, from the Northern Bay Chapter of the MSSA came to the Commission with two proposals. (Handouts were provided to the attendees.) As a representative of fishermen in the northern Bay area, he asked that 1) the May 16 - May 31 striped bass demarcation line be moved from the line from Tolchester to Hart-Miller Island, to Lego Point on the Busch River for the 2005 season. 2) The summer season be opened early for the entire Bay on May 16th with an 18"-24" slot and a 2 per day creel limit.
Bill Windley stated that he steadfastly wants to protect spawning stock, but agrees that spawning is over by May15th and is in favor of including areas in the upper Bay. He also was in favor of the 18"-24" slot to protect the big females.
Denny Wolf pointed out that many of his club members are disgruntled about proposed license fee increases; yet, they are unable to catch and keep fish.
Chairman Gilford reminded the group that the ASMFC will have to approve any change in striped bass regulations; the ASMFC Striped Bass Management Board will have the final say. Maryland's spring limit of big fish is less than 40,000 this year; from whom do they propose to take fish to open up the upper Bay?
Mr. Wolf stated that he didn't know which group to take an allocation of fish from, but is in favor of taking them from somewhere to give to the upper Bay.
Chairman Gilford indicated that the first step is to think about what happens if the ASMFC gives the okay. The ASMFC is talking seriously about fishing in spawning grounds and what is happening to the big fish. The increase in take will be the biggest problem.
Howard King, Director of the Fisheries Service, explained that there are valid reasons for the way fishing is constructed. He promised to look into ways to accommodate the upper Bay fishermen.
Mr. Windley asked that Phil Jones, Assistant Director of Marine and Estuarine Fisheries, look into Mr. Wolf's request and provide guidance in working up a proposal to the ASMFC technical committee.
Next on the agenda was Sgt. Dave Larsen, Natural Resources Police (NRP). Sgt. Larsen gave a handout of weekly activity reports and highlighted the ones that were pertinent to Fisheries and the SFAC. Along with the report, he gave a printout titled Sport Fishing in the Tidal Potomac River, Legal Sizes, Limits and Other Restrictions. A.C. Carpenter of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission will provide more of these if anyone would like. Sgt. Larsen also gave an overview of the change in NRP's mission since 9/11 and the creation of the Homeland Security Agency. When an orange security level is called for, the NRP is mandated to provide 24-hour protection to power plants and other secure areas. Before 9/11, 70% of law enforcement was conservation related; since 9/11, only 45% - 50% falls into that category. He also mentioned the merger between NRP and Parks. Under this merger, Park Rangers will do law enforcement. Any current vacancies will be filled with Park maintenance personnel. NRP Officers will share duties in patrolling the parks.
Mr. King asked if tidewater areas account for more of the Homeland Security mandates. Sgt. Larsen pointed out that dams, bridges and power plants are spread throughout the state.
Chairman Gilford applauded the NRP and expressed the SFAC's support. He believes the merger can be a good thing, but believes the State should provide more funding for NRP to encompass the Homeland Security mandates.
Bill Carrier expressed concern about a limited ability to contact enforcement personnel to report poachers. Sgt. Larsen explained the Catch-a-Poacher program and toll free number. Mr. Carrier asked that signs be posted and maintained for the public.
Howard King spoke of changes in Fisheries needs and his reasons for organizational changes. (An organizational chart will be included with the minutes.) He felt he should take into account recent reductions in Fisheries Service. Currently, the unit has a large number of senior staff members; the new organization was set up to allow for the process of natural selection within the programs as these members retire. He wanted to create opportunities for younger staff members within the unit to utilize their talents. He also better defined some of the programs (i.e., Coastal Bays, Stakeholders interests, ecosytem, Oxford Laboratory and estuarine interests), and addressed the concern of program efficiency.
Chairman Gilford asked who is involved with license holders and angler participation. Mr. King told him that Marty Gary is targeting these issues.
Brenda Foster offered the help of Trout Unlimited, which has 800 members in Maryland. Mr. King suggested they participate in aftercare for youth. There is a need for follow up after youth oriented events are held.
Gina Hunt, Assistant Director of Policy and Regulation, briefed the Commission on regulatory and legislative changes. (Included in the Commissioner's packet was a Legislative summary.) Senate Bill 841 was one of the bills that passed; it addressed selling licenses electronically, both online and by telephone. She told the commissioners that the phone sales would probably be implemented before online sales. When asked by Chairman Gilford about how regulation books will be distributed for these sales, she pointed out that all of our information is online already and can be easily accessed, or the information can be mailed.
Ms. Foster inquired about Senate Bill 554 (Coastal Bays Guides' License) and the reasons it failed. The Fisheries staff did not know what happened and why, but promised to check the voting record and send that information with the minutes.
Mr. King went over the SFAC Guidelines that were distributed to the Commissioners. The suggestions were: 1) Set meetings for seven months of the year, several meetings to have a non-cancellation policy, 2) Two joint meetings a year with the TFAC, 3) Subgroup meetings during the summer months, 4) Each Commissioners having an alternate, 5) A discussion of the quorum rules, 6) The establishment of workgroups, 7) Assignment of Fisheries staff resources and 8) Agenda proposal.
Bill Carrier asked if the minutes could be put on the website; Chairman Gilford asked that draft minutes not be posted; the Commission should approve the minutes first.
The proposal for alternate members was discussed. Bill Carrier suggested that it may not be legal, but was assured by Howard King that advisory boards are allowed to have alternates. Chairman Gilford was not in favor of the proposal, stating that institutional memory is important and alternates may not be aware of issues that were discussed in previous meetings.
The Commission ruled as follows on the suggestions:
• Annual Regularly Scheduled Meetings for January, February, March, April, October and November, with workgroups meeting May through September, and no meeting for December unless called was accepted
• Meeting time remains on Monday evening
• Alternates were rejected
• The quorum rules were accepted as written
• The establishment of workgroups was accepted as written
• Assignment of staff resources was accepted as written
• Proposal of agendas was accepted as written
Chairman Gilford asked that Howard King bring the amended guidelines to the next SFAC meeting. Mr. King said they would be mailed to the Commissioners since the next scheduled meeting is in October.
Marty Gary gave a list of needed summer workgroups:
• Strategic planning for expenditures and revenues
• Point system regulations; Gina Hunt will bring draft regulations for the workgroup's review and will implement any suggestions from the group
Legislative Mandates:
• Susquehanna Flats bait restriction
• Feasibility of a Recreational Tidal Fishing Guide's License
• Future management of a shad fishery if the moratorium is lifted (tentative)
The Commissioners chose the following workgroups to be on:
Strategic planning for expenditures and revenues - James Gilford, Brenda Foster, Bill Windley, Bill Carrier, Michael Critzer
Point system regulations - (Carry over previous legislative issue workgroup) Richard Gaines, Diane Baynard, Bill Windley
Susquehanna Flats bait restrictions - Jim Gilford, Bill Windley, Bill Carrier
Feasibility of Recreational Tidal Fishing Guide's License- Mark Sampson, Diane Baynard, Ed O'Brien, David Dansberger (tentative)
Future Management and Allocation of the American Shad Fishery - James Gilford, Dave Dansberger (tentative)
Brenda Foster showed a six-minute video of a Trout Unlimited event. Ninety volunteers took 209 Baltimore City children fishing for stocked trout; Trout Unlimited provided fishing gear that they were allowed to take home.
Chairman Gilford called for any further business.
Diane Baynard moved to adjourn; was seconded by Bill Carrier.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.