Accomplishments

2004
CCA lobbies the Atlantic Menhaden Management Board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to recognize that Atlantic menhaden suffer localized depletion in the Chesapeake Bay and request action to protect the resource. CCA joins three other organizations in a cooperative effort called Menhaden Matter.

CCA Maryland hosts second annual Legislative Reception in Annapolis. Event attended by DNR Secretary Ron Franks, House Environmental Matters Committee Chairman Maggie McIntosh, and members of the legislature. The event provides an opportunity to educate officials about fisheries issues.

CCA Maryland Government Affairs Committee members help draft a Maryland Freedom to Fish bill which is passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Ehrlich.

CCA Maryland participates in drafting a bill to clarify and strengthen regulations pertaining to the suspension and revocation of fishing licenses for those who repeatedly violate fishing laws. The bill passes and is signed by the governor.

CCA Maryland successfully opposes a bill that would inequitably raise license fees for recreational anglers, charter boats, and commercial fishermen.

CCA Maryland actively supports and testifies in favor of the amended Flush Tax Bill; the bill passes and is signed by Governor Ehrlich.

CCA Maryland members man booths at the Fishing Expo and Boat Show in Timonium, the Fly Fishing Expo in College Park, and the Sportfishing and Outdoor Expo in Salisbury.

CCA Maryland volunteers survey yellow perch spawning success for a seventh year.

CCA Maryland holds successful Sponsors Reception in Annapolis.

CCA Maryland hosts second Leadership Conference for members. The event focuses on “Working with MD DNR to Manage Chesapeake Bay Fisheries.”

All seven active chapters hold banquet and auction events: Annapolis, Baltimore, Greater Washington, Kent Narrows, Mid-Shore, North Anne Arundel, and Southern Maryland.

Baltimore and Mid-Shore Chapters hold Fishing Super Seminars. Ruth Bragg of Annapolis wins the CCA MD Raffle Boat drawing at Mid-Shore Super Seminar.

Kent Narrows Chapter hosts the fifth annual Joe Judge Memorial Youth Fishing Derby on board Jim Brincefield’s boat, the Jil Carrie.

Kent Narrows Chapter sponsors its first Fly Fishing Tournament.

Mid-Shore Chapter sponsors the ninth annual Bill Perry Memorial Youth Fishing Derby for 49 young anglers on the Choptank River Fishing Pier. Mrs. Betty Perry awards prizes for the largest fish and most fish caught. Everyone receives a bag of goodies and a light lunch.

Mid-Shore Chapter enjoys the annual summer Pignic with members old and new “pigging out” on delicious food and friendly conversation.

Mid-Shore Chapter provides fishing opportunities for 97 youth at the two-day Kids Fishing Derby at the Waterfowl Festival in November.

Maryland Public Television features Southern Maryland Chapter’s Yellow Perch Restoration Project on Outdoors Maryland.

Southern Maryland Chapter collects eggs, raises larvae, stocks streams, and monitors growth in their annual Yellow Perch Project.

Southern Maryland Chapter sponsors a late summer Snakehead Roundup, but no snakehead fish were found.

2003
Gov. Ehrlich appoints CCA Maryland member Ron Franks Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources.

During our first Legislative Reception CCA Maryland members meet with Chairman Maggie McIntosh of the House Environmental Matters Committee, Chairman Paula Hollinger of the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, and other legislators on fisheries conservation issues.

CCA Maryland legislative successes include:
• Defeat of a bill holding the Secretary of DNR responsible for protecting the state’s natural resources while considering the economic impact. This would pose a conflict for DNR.
• Modifications to proposed 2003 crab regulations, ensuring that Maryland meets its commitment to reduce crab harvest by 15%.
• Defeat of a fleet of bills to bring back power dredging which had been deemed too efficient back in the nineteenth century.

Thirteen CCA Maryland members testify at the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers hearing against a MD DNR application to dredge ten million bushels of fossil oyster shell off Worton and Plum Points in critical striped bass spawning habitat.

CCA Maryland members serve on the CCA ASMFC Sub-committee, as CCA General Counsel, and on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).

CCA Maryland members survey Chesapeake Bay tributary streams for the presence of yellow perch eggs in our sixth annual assessment of spawning success. Data gathered is provided to MD DNR for management and restoration of yellow perch.

CCA Maryland hosts the first CCA national meeting ever held in Maryland.

CCA Maryland leaders attend first Leadership Day to share tips and techniques for a variety of CCA activities, network with CCA members across the state, and enjoy surveying crab quality.

CCA Maryland joins with other commercial and recreational fishing groups in signing a letter decrying poor water quality of the Bay. The letter is presented to the Chesapeake Executive Council after a boat parade to the annual Council meeting.

CCA Maryland updates website with more current design and format.

CCA Maryland provides unbudgeted equipment to the MD DNR Marine Police, such as grappling hooks to locate illegal nets.

CCA Maryland presents Delegate Dan Morhaim with the “2003 Maryland House of Delegates Fisheries Conservationist of the Year” award for his assistance in preserving strong regulations to protect the declining blue crab populations.

CCA Maryland awards Senator Paul Pinsky the “2003 Maryland Senate Fisheries Conservationist of the Year” award for his efforts on behalf of the blue crab and oyster fisheries of the Chesapeake Bay.

Baltimore, Kent Narrows, Mid-Shore, North Anne Arundel, and Southern Maryland chapters hold dinner and auction events to raise funds, increase membership, and enjoy an evening together.

Both Baltimore and Mid-Shore chapters host fishing super seminars with many expert speakers. Ed O’Neill of Easton wins the CCA MD Raffle Boat at the Baltimore Super Seminar.

Greater Washington Chapter Banquet and Auction was postponed until spring after an extended local power outage prevented dinner preparations.

Kent Narrows Chapter supports the return of nine kids to fishing at the Fourth Annual Joe Judge Memorial Youth Fishing Derby. Local businesses supply docking, lunch, and prizes to all young anglers. Capt. Jim Brinsfield provides his charter boat and Capt. Mark Galasso contributes local fishing expertise.

At the Kent Narrows Chapter banquet and auction, CCA MD President Markman and Chapter President Mike Hill present fishing legend Lefty Kreh with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mid-Shore Chapter teaches 256 kids to fish during the sixth annual two-day Kids Fishing Derby at the Waterfowl Festival in Easton.

Mid-Shore Chapter encourages 41 kids to improve their fishing skills at the Eighth Annual Bill Perry Memorial Youth Fishing Derby. Betty Perry presents prizes for biggest, smallest, most, and most unusual catch after a light lunch.

Mid-Shore Chapter invites President Larry Simns of the Maryland Watermen’s Association to speak at the February meeting.

North Anne Arundel Chapter takes nine special needs kids out for a half-day of fishing fun on member’s boats, followed by lunch and prizes for all.

North Anne Arundel Chapter enjoys annual crab feast.

Southern Maryland Chapter collects yellow perch eggs, raises and releases larvae, and monitors growth while MPT films.

Southern Maryland Chapter chows down at annual family picnic.

Southern Maryland Chapter cleans five miles of Potomac River shoreline.

2002
President George W. Bush appoints CCA Maryland member (and CCA general Counsel) Bob Hayes as a commissioner to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

CCA Maryland partners with CBF, MSSA, Solomons Charterboat Captains Association, and MD DES as the Chesapeake Bay Artificial Reef Coalition (CBARC) to establish artificial fishing reefs in the Chesapeake Bay.

After two years of lobbying efforts by CCA Maryland, by regulation DNR bans the use of crab scrapes to harvest blue crabs in the northern portion of the Chesapeake Bay, thereby protecting the northern bay grass nursery habitat.

CCA Maryland Action Alerts expand and improve our ability to notify members of legislative or regulatory issues needing prompt response.

CCA Maryland members assist DNR with a study to compare the effectiveness of circle hooks (both flat and offset) with traditional J-hooks, and the effect these hooks have on catch and release fishing for striped bass.

CCA Maryland conducts fifth yellow perch spawning survey.

Under pressure from CCA Maryland and the recreational fishing community, DNR adjusts striped bass regulations by expanding the recreational season and restoring the recreational/commercial allocation of striped bass catch to its targeted, historical ratio.

DNR Secretary Chuck Fox presents a certificate of appreciation to CCA Maryland for our contribution to marine conservation.

CCA Maryland member Michael Thomas of York, Pennsylvania, wins the second CCA Maryland Raffle Boat.

Annapolis, Baltimore, Greater Washington, Kent Narrows, Mid-Shore, North Anne Arundel, and Southern Maryland chapters hold successful banquets.

Greater Washington Chapter holds their first Fishing Super Seminar.

Kent Narrows Chapter sponsors the third annual Joe Judge Memorial Youth Fishing Derby, helping nine young anglers to catch and release most of the 167 striped bass landed.

Mid-Shore Chapter holds Fishing Super Seminar with talks by seven fishing experts. Del. Ken Schisler draws the winning CCA MD Raffle Boat ticket.

Mid-Shore Chapter hosts the seventh annual Bill Perry Memorial Youth Fishing Derby. Eighteen volunteers help forty kids catch fish from the Choptank River Fishing Pier.

Mid-Shore Chapter sponsors the fifth annual Kids Fishing Derby at the Waterfowl Festival. Twenty-two volunteers assist 217 kids to catch 170 first fish.

Southern Maryland Chapter cleans miles of shoreline in the Potomac River Cleanup.

Southern Maryland Chapter again raises yellow perch to be stocked in local river.

2001
CCA Maryland began the legislative session with a new “Grass Roots” email alert system in place to alert members to contact their legislators on important bills.

Legislative “wins” for CCA Maryland include:
• A bill which would have doubled the recreational daily creel limit for croaker was defeated.
• The Bait Harvester Exemption bill received a “sunset” clause and a requirement that DNR measure the fishery.
• A bill allowing use of Crab Scrapes was amended to ban their use north of the Little Choptank River, but expired without action.
• A bill creating a Recreational Crab License was passed with amendments.

CCA Maryland teams up with CCA Virginia at the Potomac River Fisheries Commission to halt a plan to open a small mesh summer gill net fishery for spot and croaker on the tidal Potomac.

Yielding to pressure by CCA Maryland volunteers, the Bi-State Blue Crab Advisory Commission recommends cutting crab harvest by 15% to help restore stocks.

CCA Maryland provides eight private channel radios for NRP use in undercover operations.

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) names CCA Maryland member Michael Nussman, as president and CEO.

CCA Maryland conducts fourth yellow perch spawning survey.

CCA Maryland volunteers assist in monitoring the fish passage system at Chino Farms by identifying and counting fish during the spawning run.

After touring the state for a year the first CCA Maryland Raffle Boat is won by CCA Maryland member Ken Sheppard of Shiloh, New Jersey.

Annapolis, Greater Washington, and Mid-Shore chapters hold successful banquets.

Annapolis Chapter members enjoy a picnic at Mears Marina in Annapolis.

Baltimore, North Anne Arundel and Southern Maryland chapters hold their first banquets.

Greater Washington Chapter co-sponsors a Kid’s Fishing and River Awareness Day on the Potomac River for over 20 kids.

Kent Narrows Chapter Banquet at the Chester River Inn raises funds for fisheries conservation and honors Delegate Wheeler Baker for his work on behalf of the Bay.

Kent Narrows Chapter hosts the second annual Joe Judge Memorial Youth Fishing Derby. Nine kids who lost a loved one during the year catch fish with their CCA fishing buddies on Jim Brinsfield’s boat, the Jil Carrie. Harris Crab House provided lunch.

Mid-Shore Chapter holds a Fishing Super Seminar with talks by eight fishing experts. State Senator Rich Colburn draws the winning ticket for the CCA MD Raffle Boat.

Mid-Shore Chapter hosts the sixth annual Bill Perry Memorial Youth Fishing Derby. Thirty anglers compete for fish and prizes.

Mid-Shore Chapter enjoys first member Fishing Funament and Pig Roast.

Mid-Shore Chapter sponsors the fourth Kids Fishing Derby at the Waterfowl Festival. Over two days nineteen volunteers coach 154 kids who catch 93+ fish that are carefully released.

North Anne Arundel Chapter members enjoy a picnic in July.

Southern Maryland Chapter develops a yellow perch program in cooperation with DNR. Volunteers collect egg masses which are hatched at a state facility. The fry grow in a pond leased by CCA, and then 2,000 fingerlings are released into St. Clements Creek in June.

2000
CCA Maryland conducts third yellow perch spawning survey and implements a volunteer survey to assess fishing pressure during the spawning run.

CCA Maryland successfully partners with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maryland DNR, and Chino Farms in requesting a grant from Fish America Foundation to assist in the construction of a fish passage system.

CCA Maryland purchases first raffle boat (1765 Carolina Skiff, 50hp Mercury outboard, and E-Z Load trailer) and members begin selling tickets to raise funds.

CCA Maryland assists DNR with monitoring of a new fish ladder at the Wilson Dam on Deer Creek for passage of spawning shad.

CCA Maryland chapters organize local chapter boards.

Annapolis and North Anne Arundel Chapters hold a joint banquet.

Baltimore Chapter holds Auction Fund Raiser at the Bass Expo in Timonium.

Baltimore Chapter organizes a Fishing Super Seminar.

Greater Washington Chapter honors Gene Mueller of The Washington Times at the Second Annual Pigs on the Potomac Banquet.

At the Kent Narrows Chapter Banquet at Pintail Point the Jerry Collins Conservation Award is presented to Representative Wayne Gilchrest for his commitment to improving fisheries and environmental conditions important to the citizens of Maryland.

Kent Narrows Chapter sponsors the first annual Joe Judge Memorial Youth Fishing Derby. Sanctioned by Hospice of Queen Anne’s County, the twelve children participating in the event had recently lost a loved one.

Mid-Shore Chapter hosts fifth annual Bill Perry Memorial Youth Fishing Derby, where 56 young anglers catch and release 110 fish.

Mid-Shore Chapter sponsors the third annual Kids Fishing Derby at Waterfowl Festival.

Mid-Shore Chapter organizes fifth successful Banquet and Auction.

1999
Yielding to pressure of the CCA ASMFC Committee and others, the ASMFC Atlantic Menhaden Management Board (composed primarily of commercial industry representatives) votes itself out of existence. Atlantic menhaden now managed like all other species.

CCA Maryland conducts second annual yellow perch spawning survey and urges DNR to establish a fishery management plan for Maryland yellow perch.

CCA Maryland member Bill Goldsborough of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation begins serving as one of three voting representatives for Maryland on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

CCA Maryland presents the Jerry Collins Conservation Award to James E. Price, founder of the Chesapeake Bay Acid Rain Foundation.

CCA Maryland passes the 1,000 member mark just before the year ends.

CCA Maryland hires Robert Glenn as Executive Director and opens Annapolis office.

Annapolis Chapter hosts CCA Maryland Banquet.

Greater Washington Chapter hosts their first Fundraiser and Auction at the Potomac Rowing Club in Georgetown. The Fisheries Conservation Award is presented to Angus Phillips, outdoor writer for the Washington Post.

Kent Narrows Chapter holds First Annual Banquet and Auction at Pintail Point.

Mid-Shore Chapter presents Choptank Fishing College in Cambridge.

Mid-Shore Chapter hosts the fourth annual Bill Perry Memorial Youth Fishing Derby.

Mid-Shore Chapter puts on a Kids Fishing Derby for 42 anglers as part of Fall Fest ’99 at Martinak State Park.

Mid-Shore Chapter organizes a Banquet and Auction at Tred Avon Yacht Club.

Mid-Shore Chapter sponsors the second Kids Fishing Derby at Waterfowl Festival, helping 104 young anglers aged 18 months to 14 years old to catch and release fish.

North Anne Arundel Chapter joins the Pasadena Sport Fishing Club in Help Kids Fish day at Lake Waterford.

North Anne Arundel Chapter enjoys their annual summer picnic.

Southern Maryland Chapter holds their Second Annual Big Chili Cook-off and Raffle.

1998
CCA forms an Atlantic Coast States Fisheries Committee to assist Maryland and other CCA states deal with the complex management process.

CCA’s Atlantic Coast states hire Dick Brame (for a new staff position) to monitor the activities of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council and the numerous management boards responsible for individual species management.

CCA Maryland achieves implementation of no-sale for black drum in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

CCA Maryland supported legislative bills pass with amendments. Specifically:
• The hydraulic clam dredging bill to prohibit dredging in beds of submerged aquatic vegetation passes with elimination of the buffer zone provision.
• The bank trap bill for St. Mary’s County passes with a delay until October 2000 and a study by DNR.
• The limited entry bill passes with amendments to limit the number of commercial licenses available and to establish an apprenticeship program for entry into the commercial fishing industry.
• The bill directing DNR to allocate the commercial stripped bass harvest quota by area and time for the Bay passes without amendments.

CCA Maryland initiates a statewide yellow perch spawning survey during February and March to update DNR spawning data.

CCA Maryland adds Southern Maryland and Lower Shore chapters.

CCA Maryland members man booths for the Maryland Bass Expo and Fly Fishing Show in Timonium, Fly Fishing Show in College Park,

CCA Maryland, CCA Virginia, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation host a symposium on striped bass health issues and the continuing decline in forage fish stocks.

CCA Maryland State Banquet held in Annapolis.

Baltimore Chapter sponsors a Spring Seminar and membership event.

Mid-Shore Chapter hosts a Fishing Festival Fundraiser in Cambridge with food, fishing demos, auctions, and flea market.

Mid-Shore Chapter participates in Youth Fishing Derbies and Casting Clinics at the Martinak Spring Fest ’98 and Fall Fest ‘98.

Mid-Shore Chapter cleans up during the Trashmasters Tournament Boat Ramp Cleanup.

Mid-Shore Chapter holds the third annual Bill Perry Memorial Youth Fishing Derby.

Mid-Shore Chapter sponsors the first Kids Fishing Derby and Casting Clinic at the Waterfowl Festival with about 80 kids participating in this new two-day event.

1997
CCA Maryland promotes quality fishing for striped bass at the ASMFC Management Board.

CCA Maryland helps DNR overhaul an inadequate recreational fisheries survey.

CCA Maryland assists Natural Resources Police reform the agenting of commercial fishing licenses.

CCA Maryland adds Kent Narrows chapter.

CCA Maryland website goes online.

CCA Maryland volunteers man booths at Chesapeake Sport Fishing Show in Annapolis, Fly Fishing Show in College Park, Bass Expo, Sportfishing and Fly Fishing Show in Timonium, Pasadena Sportfishing Flea Market, AMSA’s Outdoor Expo in Salisbury, and Val Eisherman Fishing Tournament on Kent Narrows.

CCA Maryland holds a Sponsor’s Reception with special guests Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser, Joe Bruce, and Bill Burton.

Baltimore Chapter holds first Banquet and Auction. Byrd Quimby receives CCA’s 1996 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Mid-Shore Chapter holds a “Fun-Raiser” bull roast, casting clinic, flea market, and auction in Cambridge.

Mid-Shore Chapter sponsors the second annual Bill Perry Memorial Youth Fishing Derby where 30 young anglers practiced casting, caught fish, received prizes, and enjoyed a light lunch.

Mid-Shore Chapter hosts the Youth Fishing Derby and Casting Contest at Fall Fest ’97 at Martinak State Park for 67 young anglers.

1995-96
CCA Maryland joins the American Sportfishing Association in a successful challenge to the proposed opening of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to commercial harvest of striped bass.

CCA Maryland successfully lobbies with other CCA Atlantic Coast chapters and recreational anglers to prevent the ASMFC from increasing the allocation for Maryland commercial netters from 2.1 million pounds to 3.4 million pounds annually.

Governor appoints CCA Maryland representative to the Maryland Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission.

CCA Maryland representative placed on the Maryland Striped Bass Ad Hoc Advisory Group.

CCA Maryland forms the Mid-Shore, North Anne Arundel, Annapolis, Greater Washington, and Baltimore chapters.

CCA Maryland hires a full-time executive director and opens an office in Towson.

CCA Maryland supports legislative bills:
• To ban multi-ply monofilament gill nets; defeated.
• To ban use of haul seines on the Susquehanna Flats; referred to summer study.

CCA Maryland joins Chesapeake Bay Foundation to jointly support CBF’s Careful Catch program which encourages the use of non-offset circle hooks.

CCA Maryland volunteers participate in National Hunting & Fishing Day at Pintail Point Farm near Queenstown, Martinak State Park Fall Festival in Denton, and Annapolis In-Water Power Boat Show in Annapolis.

Annapolis Chapter joins Save Our Streams for the Severn Run clean-up.

Mid-Shore Chapter holds first Banquet and Auction at Tred Avon Yacht Club in Oxford.

Mid-Shore Chapter hosts the first annual Bill Perry Memorial Youth Fishing Derby for 36 youngsters. Prizes awarded by Bill Perry’s widow, Betty, after a light lunch.

Mid-Shore Chapter picks up and bags trash at several Talbot County ramps in the first Trashmasters Tournament. Prizes were awarded for most, most unusual, and most disgusting trash after the cookout at the Bellevue Ramp.

CCA Maryland is voted into existence on September 19, 1995.