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It only makes sense to protect the resource

April 9, 2013 By

 

 

While there’s nothing wrong with taking home the evening’s meal when fishing, there’s always times when anglers put fish back in the water. That may occur when you’re fishing in a catch and release area such as the Susquehanna Flats now, when the fish is undersized, or when you simply have caught more fish that you’ll eat. In those circumstances, it’s essential to release the fish appropriately so that it has the best chance to survive, grow, and reproduce.

Did you know that research shows when using conventional hooks and releasing fish, 9.1 percent of them die? But when using circle hooks, only 0.8 percent of released fish die. Employing that simple strategy will result in many more fish becoming part of the stock that reproduces and assures the fishing future for recreational anglers.

This information and much more can be found on the Careful Catch website, which was developed by CCA Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). Kent Narrows Chapter President Shawn Kimbro is a leader in designing and maintaining the website.

The website includes “best practices” tips for releasing fish, science that shows the importance of catch and release, videos that demonstrate techniques, and more. Go to “media” to download the Careful Catch brochure developed by CBF.

This is a great resource to review at the start of the 2013 fishing season. Check out Careful Catch at www.carefulcatch.com, and urge your friends to take a look.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Striped Bass

Bill introduced in Assembly to create equity in management costs

February 13, 2012 By


In keeping with its commitments to recover the additional costs to manage the commercial fishery due to illegal activity and to bring equity in management costs between the commercial and recreational fisheries, the Government Relations Committee, under Trent Zivkovich’s leadership, worked for several weeks with Maryland Delegate Jim Gilchrist to develop a bill dealing with those issues. Delegates Gilchrist and Marvin Holmes have just introduced HB 1173, and CCA Maryland issued the following news release. Now that a bill has been introduced, we’ll be calling on all of our members and friends to help support this legislation and to call for its passage. Watch for future alerts where we hope you join us in spreading the message that recreational anglers and Maryland’s citizens are sick of subsidizing an industry that refuses to change.
Gilchrist introduces bill calling for cost equity
Delegate James W. Gilchrist (D-17th) has introduced HB 1173, supported by the Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD), which would mandate that commercial fishermen pay at least 90 percent of the management costs of their fishery or face repercussions.
“For too long recreational anglers have supported the management of their fishery while the majority of the cost of managing commercial fisheries has been borne by Maryland taxpayers,” explained Tony Friedrich, CCA MD executive director. “It’s time to stop asking the general public to accept this financial burden.
“During the past several weeks CCA Maryland has worked with Delegate Gilchrist discussing this inequity and possible solutions to protect Maryland tax dollars and recreational user fees. We believe the bill introduced will go a long way in correcting the inequity. We commend him and Co-sponsor Delegate Marvin Holmes and encourage his colleagues to support this bill to be fair to all Maryland citizens.”
All fishing in Maryland—both commercial and recreational—is supported by a combination of license and permit fees, federal angler taxes and direct grants, and state revenue. Preliminary estimates by the Maryland Department of Natural Resource (DNR) has found that 93 percent of management costs for recreational fishing comes from license fees and federal angling taxes; while only 20 percent of the management of commercial fisheries comes from license and permit fees, with an additional 23 percent covered by direct federal grants.
If enacted, the bill would mandate that DNR modify commercial fishing seasons or close commercial fisheries for striped bass, clam, oysters, or crab if projected revenues would not cover at least 90 percent of management cost for that fishery.
“Last winter management costs for striped bass skyrocketed when DNR discovered more than 13 tons of striped bass captured in illegally-placed nets,” Friedrich said. “DNR initially closed the gill net season, and had to increase staffing on the water and at reporting stations to assure additional infractions would not occur when it was re-opened. In developing better ways to monitor and enforce the commercial striped bass fishery, DNR identified the massive shortfall and inequity in the amount of money contributed by commercial fisherman in all fisheries as compared to recreational anglers.
“Unfortunately, many in the commercial industry continue to disregard our natural resources law as evidenced by recent illegal activity involving the oyster fishery. Nineteen separate commercial fishermen have been cited in the last two months for oyster violations, including poaching in sanctuaries, again adding costs to the management of the commercial industry. It’s time for this illegal activity to stop.”

Filed Under: Advocacy, Featured, Striped Bass

Striped Bass ASMFC 2.10.12

February 10, 2012 By

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
PRESS CONTACT, TINA BERGER, 703.842.0740

ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board Initiates Addendum to Address Illegal Striped Bass Harvest

Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board initiated an addendum to address illegal striped bass harvest. The Board’s action is in response to recommendations of the Interstate Watershed Task Force (IWTF). The IWTF conducted a multi-year, multi-jurisdictional investigation on illegal striped bass harvest within Chesapeake Bay which resulted in over $1.6 million dollars in fines levied against 19 individuals and three corporations for more than one million pounds of illegal striped bass harvested estimated to be worth up to seven million dollars.

The covert investigation determined that some Virginia commercial fishermen were illegally harvesting fish during the Potomac River Fisheries Commission’s closed season, as well as illegally harvesting oversized fish from Virginia waters during the spawning season. Additionally, some Maryland commercial fishermen were taking advantage of loopholes in the state tagging system to falsely report large numbers of smaller, legal-sized fish, allowing them to obtain more tags and exceed quota limits. The investigation also found some wholesale dealers were complicit through false record-keeping, false check-in, and knowingly buying illegal or untagged fish.

The investigation revealed that the current control measures for regulating striped bass harvest could be improved. The IWTF and the Commission’s Law Enforcement Committee (LEC) recommended increasing penalties for illegally harvested fish and implementing a uniform commercial tagging system among all states with commercial striped bass fisheries.

The IWTF and LEC acknowledge the efforts of Maryland, Virginia and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission in initiating measures to deter the activities detected by the Task Force. Maryland has reformed its commercial fishing management rules, including the suspension or revocation of commercial licenses from violators and increasing the penalty for commercially fishing without a license. The Potomac River Fish Commission has permanently revoked the commercial licenses of the violators identified from the investigation, while Virginia suspended the commercial licenses of identified violators for two years, the maximum amount allowed by Virginia law.

The Board will consider potential management options for inclusion in the Draft Addendum for public comment at the Commission’s Spring Meeting in May. For more information, please contact Kate Taylor, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at ktaylor@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

###

PR12-05

*************************
Tina Berger
Public Affairs Specialist
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N
Arlington, VA 22201-2196
(p) 703.842.0740
(f) 703.842.0741
tberger@asmfc.org
www.asmfc.org

ASMFC Vision: Healthy, self-sustaining populations for all Atlantic coast fish species or successful restoration well in progress by the year 2015.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Featured, Striped Bass

Tight Lines 11.28.11

December 7, 2011 By

CCA MD watches for action on ‘cost recovery’

The Government Relations Committee recently affirmed its position calling for those who benefit from a fishery having to pay the costs of management of that fishery.  CCA Maryland anticipates the Department of Natural Resources to announce before early January what, if any, legislation it will seek to mandate what costs of the commercial striped bass fishery are borne by those in that commercial industry.

The position states, “CCA Maryland strongly believes the user and financial beneficiary of the fishery should bear the responsibility for its management costs. If that can’t be done and taxpayers or recreational anglers are asked to continue covering that shortfall, then we believe the gill net fishery must be ended in favor of other fishing methods that can be shown to be manageable, accountable and enforceable.”

“This is not new thinking for CCA Maryland,” said Trent Zivkovich, chair, Government Relations Committee. “Rather, it’s clear indication of how important this issue is to us. This year members of the commercial gill net industry demonstrated that they do not care to obey Maryland’s laws benefitting all of it’s citizens, including other commercial fishermen. That raises the cost of managing that fishery, and it’s blatantly inappropriate for recreational anglers and taxpayers to bear those costs.”

Commercial fishing license and permit fees have not changed since the early 1990’s.  Since fishing license and permit fees must be set by the General Assembly, legislation will be necessary to make any changes.  In 2007, recreational license fees were raised with the resulting revenue used to increase the Department’s management capabilities and to improve recreational fisheries.  In 2010, recreational anglers contributed approximately $4.4 million dollars to the Department just through license fees for tidal fisheries.
“Frankly, we are not asking for anything that has not already been put on the table,” said Zivkovich. “When the Department closed the commercial gill net season earlier this year, Secretary Griffin stated that if it could not be demonstrated that the commercial gill net fishery is viable, the Department would have to consider closing the fishery.  Without cost recovery we don’t see the fishery as viable, and we plan on holding the Department to its word.”

CCA Maryland will alert members of legislative action as soon as it is announced.

Recreational anglers, menhaden gain victory
As has been reported in the news media, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) acted this month to reduce the harvest of menhaden by approximately 37 percent, but other actions impacting striped bass also occurred at that meeting.
After overwhelming support by CCA and other recreational anglers to curtail the harvest, ASMFC voted to raise the threshold figure for menhaden’s Maximum Spawning Potential (MSP) to 15 percent and the target for MSP to 30 percent. Currently it is believe that the menhaden stock is at approximately eight percent. These requirements will be in place in 2013.
“This action is a bonanza for recreational anglers since menhaden is a prime food source for striped bass and other game fish that we target,” said Tony Friedrich, CCA MD executive director. “It has taken years to achieve such a significant management measure as this; and while it will take additional years for the menhaden stock to recover, we can all be proud of this major step forward. CCA National Staffer Dick Brame, who represents our association at the ASFMC meetings, has been a leader in this achievement.
In other actions at the ASFMC meeting (as summarized in a report by Brame) the commission:
•    Heard a report on the illegal commercial harvesting of striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River since 2003. More than $1.6 million in fines have been levied against 19 individuals and three corporations for illegally taking more than one million pounds of striped bass.
•    Heard a report from the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board indicating that “overall the resource is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring with the female spawning stock biomass (SSB) estimate at 109 percent of the SSB target and 137 percent of the SSB threshold.”

Revitalized Annapolis chapter holds meeting Dec. 6
The first meeting of a newly revitalized Annapolis chapter is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Boatyard Bar & Grill.
Shawn Kimbro, veteran angler and author of the upcoming book Chesapeake Light Tackle – An introduction to light tackle fishing on the Chesapeake Bay, will speak on “Tips for Cold Weather Jigging.” He will also discuss Careful Catch Maryland, a project developed by CCA MD and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to create understanding of the best ways to release fish.
“There’s no need to put away your fishing gear when the temperature drops,” said Kimbro. “If you know the best ways to stimulate striped bass to eat in colder water, you can still catch the resident fish that remain in the Bay throughout the winter and those giant migrating bass that come into the Bay this time of the year.”
“CCA is extremely excited to have a chapter starting again in Annapolis,” said Friedrich. “Not only is Annapolis the state capital, it is also the boating center of Maryland. We anticipate having frequent meetings that will appeal to recreational anglers and encourage anyone in the Annapolis area interested in fishing to join us Dec. 6.”
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. when attendees can purchase food and drinks from the menu. Election of officers for the new chapter and the presentation will start at 7 p.m. The Boatyard Bar & Grill is at 400 Fourth St., Annapolis, and anyone is invited to attend.

TieFest set for Saturday, Feb. 25
The 10th annual TieFest, the Atlantic coast’s premier fly fishing event, is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 25.

“Once again, we will have some of the best known fly anglers at TieFest demonstrating patterns that work in our area, casting skills that will make you a better fly fisherman, and answering questions,” said Friedrich. “This is probably the only place where recreational anglers can come to a show that doesn’t have an admission cost, walk up to some of the true celebrities in our sport, ask a question, and expect an answer.”
Among the those expected to attend TieFest are Bob Clouser, Bob Popovics, Steve Farrar, Steve Silverio and Brad Buzzi.

Board acts on variety of issues
At its meeting last week, the Board of Directors took a number of actions, including:
•    Voting to establish a virtual state office and close the current physical office space, a decision that will save more than $8,000 annually. Storage space will be rented for banquet and other items, and meeting rooms will be rented when necessary.
•    Combined the state Executive Board and Board of Directors into one body that will be called the Board of Directors of CCA Maryland.
•    Move Chesapeake Tide to a once- a-year publication with an annual report format. The first will be received around December 2012.
•    Elected officers for the coming year—Ed Liccione, chairman; Lew Armistead, vice chairman; Larry Jennings, secretary; Erica Kirby, treasurer; Trent Zivkovich, chair, Government Relations Committee; and Shawn Kimbro, vice chair, Government Relations Committee.
•    Elected 44 members to the Board of Directors with staggered terms ranging from one to three years. Once an individual’s term is ended, he or she will be eligible to be re-elected.
“As a Board, we have a responsibility to be stewards of the association’s finances,” said Liccione. “After studying usage of our office space for more than a year, the Management Committee determined that there’s little use of the office other than for storage space and a few meetings. We can meet those needs without our current office and save a considerable amount of money.
“While the elimination of one issue of Chesapeake Tide will also result in a cost savings (approximately $3,000 annually), the decision was primarily made because our electronic communications have expanded and are providing information in a timelier manner.”
With the greater reliance on Tightlines members receiving this issue are asked to urge other members to make sure their email address is current to assure they also get the newsletter. To do this, please email info@ccamd.org with the subject line “add me to email list”.
Give the gift of conservation
Give CCA for the holidays
Stumped on what gifts to give during the upcoming holiday season? Consider a membership in the Coastal Conservation Association for recreational anglers or those concerned about the Chesapeake Bay. CCA National will send an electronic holiday card informing the recipient of your gift. For more information, see https://www.ccamembership.org/holiday-gifts/.

Receive updates of advocacy issues on the CCA MD website, www.ccamd.org

You have received this message because you have subscribed to a mailing list of CCA Maryland. If you do not wish to receive periodic emails from this source, please click below to unsubscribe.

Filed Under: Gill Nets, Striped Bass Tagged With: , , , ,

CCA Position on Cost Recovery and Gill Nets

November 28, 2011 By

 

The Government Relations Committee recently affirmed its position calling for those who benefit from a fishery having to pay the costs of management of that fishery.  CCA Maryland anticipates the Department of Natural Resources to announce before early January what, if any, legislation it will seek to mandate what costs of the commercial striped bass fishery are borne by those in that commercial industry.

The position states, “CCA Maryland strongly believes the user and financial beneficiary of the fishery should bear the responsibility for its management costs. If that can’t be done and taxpayers or recreational anglers are asked to continue covering that shortfall, then we believe the gill net fishery must be ended in favor of other fishing methods that can be shown to be manageable, accountable and enforceable.”

“This is not new thinking for CCA Maryland,” said Trent Zivkovich, chair, Government Relations Committee. “Rather, it’s clear indication of how important this issue is to us. This year members of the commercial gill net industry demonstrated that they do not care to obey Maryland’s laws benefitting all of it’s citizens, including other commercial fishermen. That raises the cost of managing that fishery, and it’s blatantly inappropriate for recreational anglers and taxpayers to bear those costs.”

Commercial fishing license and permit fees have not changed since the early 1990’s.  Since fishing license and permit fees must be set by the General Assembly, legislation will be necessary to make any changes.  In 2007, recreational license fees were raised with the resulting revenue used to increase the Department’s management capabilities and to improve recreational fisheries.  In 2010, recreational anglers contributed approximately $4.4 million dollars to the Department just through license fees for tidal fisheries.

“Frankly, we are not asking for anything that has not already been put on the table,” said Zivkovich. “When the Department closed the commercial gill net season earlier this year, Secretary Griffin stated that if it could not be demonstrated that the commercial gill net fishery is viable, the Department would have to consider closing the fishery.  Without cost recovery we don’t see the fishery as viable, and we plan on holding the Department to its word.”

CCA Maryland will alert members of legislative action as soon as it is announced.


Filed Under: Featured, Gill Nets, Striped Bass Tagged With: , , ,

Does the MSC Process Really Work?

August 24, 2011 By

It seems that there are some questions regarding sustainability certification and the ability to follow fish from net to plate if you will. Tracking the fish from the boat to the consumer is one of the prime directives of MSC and it seems the parties responsible are not doing a great job.

Link to story: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2011/08/22/eco-labelled-fish-may-be-unsustainably-fished-or-the-wrong-species/
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Eco-labelled fish may be unsustainably fished, or the wrong species
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The Chilean seabass is no stranger to being mislabelled. It bears little relation to the various fish that are also known as basses, and it’s more properly referred to as the Patagonian toothfish (a name that is presumably more difficult to market). But the confusion doesn’t end there. While the toothfish is the target for illegal and unsustainable fishing operations, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has certified one fishery as being sustainable. It’s found around the island of South Georgia near the tip of South America.

But some products marked as certified toothfish don’t come from this fishery. Some aren’t even toothfish at all.

Peter Marko from Clemson University, South Carolina bought 36 samples of MSC-certified toothfish from 10 American supermarkets, and analysed the DNA within their mitochondria – small battery-like structures in their cells with their own genes. He compared this DNA to fish from the protected South Georgia stock. He found that 14 percent of them came from unsustainable fisheries in other parts of the world. Eight percent of them aren’t even the right species. When people eat “certified Chilean seabass”, there’s a one in twelve chance that they’re eating something like tuna, greenling or mackerel instead.

Marko’s study will add controversy to the fishing of an already controversial fish. It’s a slow-growing, long-lived Antarctic species that is reeling from overfishing. In the 1990s, a boom of demand from American diners slashed the Southern Ocean’s toothfish stock by around 60 percent. Today, illegal fishing is still rampant. Several high-profile arrests and lengthy chases have cornered ships carrying many tonnes of toothfish, but poachers continue to find ways of outfoxing the authorities.

Partly, the responsibility for the toothfish’s decline falls upon the diners who crave its flesh. Their appetites drive the fish’s high market value, giving it yet another name: “white gold”. Various organisations, from Monterey Bay Aquarium to Greenpeace, have warned people to avoid eating the toothfish, and the MSC’s certification scheme has gone some way towards labelling the one stock that might be considered sustainable. Now, even the integrity of that scheme is in doubt.

Marko was surprised. “We had no reason to believe that there was any product mislabelling,” he says. “Given the controversies surrounding the sale of Chilean sea bass from any source, the high price of MSC-certified Chilean sea bass, and the extensive marketing of this particular product to environmentally-conscious consumers, I was expecting no substitutions of any kind.”

Some might argue that toothfish might have migrated to South Georgia from other places but Marko thinks that this is unlikely. The South Georgia stock is very genetically distinct and probably isolated from toothfish anywhere else in the world. Even if there had been some recent migrations, the species has such large gaps between generations that it’s unlikely any newcomers would have greatly affected the frequency of genetic markers in the South Georgia contingent.

Consumers are now in a tricky position. Marko says that they can ask about the origins of the fish they’re planning to buy, or even ask to see the paperwork that accompanied a shipment (MSC-certified toothfish had an extensive paper trail precisely for this purpose). “However, for consumers that do not want to inadvertently support any uncertified Chilean sea bass fisheries, the best thing to do is not buy these fish until more studies of the supply chain integrity can be conducted by independent groups,” says Marko. The risk is too high.

This problem is not confined to the Patagonian toothfish, and genetic studies have started to show how widespread dodgy labels can be. In 2004, Marko showed that three quarters of fish sold in the US as “red snapper” are nothing of the sort. Other researchers have found that over half of tuna samples from US sushi restaurants came from unrelated species or the endangered southern bluefin tuna. Altogether, throughout North American and Europe, an estimated 20 to 25 percent of seafood products are fraudulently labelled.

This isn’t just an issue of conscientious people getting duped. Consumers vote with their purchases, and Marko points out that by buying “sustainable” fish that isn’t, we create misplaced demand for uncertified fisheries. And that undermines one of the basic principles of certification.

Reference: Marko, Nance & Guynn. 2011. Genetic detection of mislabeled fish from a certified sustainable fishery. Current Biology citation tbc.

Image from mccunn934

Filed Under: Featured, Striped Bass

CCA MD Comments on Gill Net Proposal

August 10, 2011 By

DNR has come out with a set of options to better manage the gill net fishery.  I’m sure you recall the tons of dead stripers in February and again in the spring.  The coverage of these events made the general public aware of the problems abounding in this activity.  In response, DNR has asked for comments on their proposed changes to the management of gill nets in Maryland.

CCA MD submitted this letter to the department.  We will keep you apprized of the situation as it develops.

Filed Under: Featured, Gill Nets, Striped Bass

CCA Md Comments on MSC Cert for Striped Bass 8.9.11

August 10, 2011 By

As many of you already know, the MSC is currently well into the process for certifying striped bass as a sustainable fishery.  CCA Maryland attended a private hearing today and a public hearing tonight.  We presented our comments on the process for review.  Click the link to view the letter.  We will do our best to keep the membership informed over the next few weeks and months.

As with many of these issues, there is misinformation.  Please take a few moments and read the letter here

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Striped Bass

Proposed Changes to Gill Net Fishery

July 14, 2011 By

Several CCA members attended the Striped Bass Workgroup public meeting last night (7/13/11) at the Tawes building in Annapolis. The reason for the meeting was to discuss changes in the gill net fishery based on the rampant illegal activity that has been occurring for years. CCA was proud to be there because we played such a crucial role in the discovery and publicity of these crimes. You can click the link below to read DNR’s proposed changes. As always, we are going to attend the meetings, do out homework, and ensure our rights as recreational fishermen in Maryland.
Tom O’Connell stated that decisions must be made by mid August. While there won’t be a public hearing, there will be a period in which comments can be submitted. All options presented are a menu. Not all will be required to meet the departments goals. DNR will review all comments prior to making any decisions.

Striped Bass Workgroup

Filed Under: Featured, Gill Nets, Striped Bass Tagged With: , ,

Fisheries Update and Tournament Details

June 1, 2011 By


Still time to sign up for Kent Narrows tourney

The annual CCA MD-Kent Narrows Light Tackle-Fly Striper Tournament is set for this Saturday, and sign-ups are still available on the CCA MD website at http://www.ccamd.org/?page_id=54. The tourney will operate under a catch and release format this year with winners being determine by length as evidenced by a photo and CCA approved ruler. Tournament rules are also available on the website.

A captain’s meeting is set for 5 p.m. at Shore Tackle and Custom Rods, , 3100 Main St., Grasonville, 3100 Main St., Grasonville.  If you are unable to attend the captain’s meeting, please send an email to tony@ccamd.org and we will make sure you can still fish the tournament.

Fisheries Updates

In the first part of 2011 the CCA Maryland Government Relations Committee (“GRC”) has been quite busy representing our organization’s membership before the General Assembly and the Department of Natural Resources.  These are some of the most important fisheries issues in Maryland at this time.  We will continue to represent you in the legislature and DNR.

Illegal Gill Nets

The discovery of numerous illegal gill nets off Kent Island beginning on February 1st has led to some significant developments.  In summary:
1. CCA Maryland was able to use social media and the internet to quickly inform members and others throughout our area and the nation about the scope of the illegal netting;
2. We were engaged with the Department and Legislators immediately following the discovery of the first nets; culminating with the announcement of the gill net season’s closure on February 4th and the drafting of several bills targeting significant poaching activities;
3. We were the first private group to pledge funds to the Department’s reward fund;
4. On February 10th, we publicly requested Secretary Griffin keep the gill net season closed until the Department could demonstrate that illegal gill netting was under control, that the fishery could be effectively managed and that the catch could be fully accounted for;
5. While Secretary Griffin announced the re-opening of the gill net season on February 22nd, we believe our efforts were key factors in his privately and then publicly announcing that the Department would evaluate the gill net fishery and that if the commercial watermen could not reform their industry, that the State would consider whether or not there was a place for gill nets in the Bay;
6. On March 10th, CCA Maryland asked Secretary Griffin in a public letter whether or not it believes a gill net fishery that requires extreme levels of management and law enforcement is truly sustainable from both a financial and manpower standpoint. We continue to advocate and push this question;
7. In this same letter, we also requested that the Department extend its analysis of the gill net fishery to the pound net fishery and to make any management changes there as well; and
8. CCA Maryland has had repeated and regular contacts with Secretary Griffin and DNR staff to ensure the promises made on February 22nd to evaluate and assess the gill net fishery are completed in a timely manner.

2011 Legislative Wrap Up

During the 2011 Legislative session, your CCA Maryland:

1. Provided testimony on 19 different bills in Committees during the session, privately lobbying Senators and Delegates on 12 of the 19 bills outside of the committee hearings to educate them and their staff on the underlying issues and importance of the matters under consideration;
2. Of those 19 bills, CCA Maryland presented oral testimony on 18 of them and submitted written testimony 28 separate times (some bills were heard in both the Senate’s Education, Health and Environment Committee and the House’s Environmental Matters Committee);
3. Issued two ‘Action Alert for legislation pending before the General Assembly this session, resulting in more than 2200 emails being sent to 130 different elected officials; and
4. Was one of only three organizations publicly identified and thanked by Governor O’Malley for helping to support key legislation in this year’s session.

Other State Issues

Man O’ War Shoal- Your GRC has been and continues to be engaged with DNR to determine if and when they intend to move forward with their joint federal/State permit application to dredge Man O’ War shoal.

ASMFC Actions

Striped bass- The ASMFC’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board has initiated development of Draft Addendum III with the goals of reducing striped bass fishing mortality (F) up to 40 percent and further protecting spawning stock when it is concentrated and vulnerable. The addendum was initiated in order to allow managers to promptly respond to the results of the stock assessment update in the fall if necessary. Provisions of the addendum, if passed, could be implemented prior to the start of the 2012 fishing year. Draft Addendum III will propose a range of fishing management measures including, but not limited to, adjustments to commercial and recreational minimum size (for jurisdictions outside Chesapeake Bay), reductions in annual coastal commercial allocation, reductions in recreational bag limits, revisions to the target mortality rate for Chesapeake Bay and reductions on fishing for striped bass in Chesapeake Bay during the spawning season by at least 50 percent.

Menhaden- The ASFMC’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board initiated a draft addendum proposing an interim biological reference point of 15 percent maximum spawning potential (MSP) with the goal of increasing abundance, spawning stock biomass, and menhaden availability as a forage species. The current MSP level is nine percent. The draft addendum will also include a suite of management measures to achieve 15 percent MSP.

Blue Crab Management

This spring the Department issued the results of its annual winter dredge survey that showed despite nearly one-third of the population was lost due to extreme cold, the overall stock remained healthy.  This announcement clearly showed that science-based decision making and sensible harvest controls taken by Maryland and Virginia three years ago are paying now dividends.  The results of the winter dredge survey allowed the Department to slightly loosen the crab harvest controls, allowing more crabs to be caught while protecting the health of the overall population.  In evaluating options, the Department published a summary report presenting the results of the recent surveys and the role the commercial and recreational sectors have on the crab population.  The Department then sought public feedback on what specific ways the commercial harvest of crabs could be amended to allow that slightly increased catch.

CCA Maryland strongly supports science-based decision making and sensible fisheries management actions that allow a healthy and sustainable population.  The Department’s data, validated by many years of analysis, indicates it is safe and reasonable to expand the catch while maintaining the stock’s health.  Therefore, CCA Maryland supports the Department’s action that will increase the harvest within safe and reasonable limits.  However, CCA Maryland has voiced its real and sincere concern to the Department that the proposed changes to the harvest of blue crabs only affected the commercial sector.  While the recreational sector is a major and growing part of the overall harvest, the Department’s evaluation of options to amend the harvest discussed the recreational impact but didn’t consider what, if any, changes to the recreational harvest may be possible.  Given the size and scope of the recreational harvest it is difficult to clearly account for its overall harvest and because of this, difficult to safely ‘tweak’ the overall harvest by changing recreational regulations.  However, CCA Maryland has and will continue to press the Department to privately and publicly consider and evaluate all options when considering Maryland’s blue crab fishery.  After all, the resource belongs to all of our state’s citizens and not just the commercial watermen.

Catch Shares – The Department of Natural Resources has contracted with the Environmental Defense Fund to inform and discuss with commercial fishermen the possibility of applying catch shares to the state’s commercial blue crab fishery. The GRC has been engaged in ongoing discussions with both DNR and EDF on this issue closely because the implementation of catch shares has the potential to cause serious problems in mixed use fisheries common in the Bay.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Crabs, Legislation, Menhaden, Striped Bass
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