The workshop will focus on charter business management with sessions on fisheries management, legal issues, insurance needs, marketing and finance tips and lessons learned from current charter operators. The workshop is open to all charter and head boat operators and marina professionals.

The registration form can be found online at: http://www.vims.edu/research/units/centerspartners/map/_docs/charterboat2012.pdf

Registration cost for the workshop is $15 and will cover lunch and resource materials. The pre-registration deadline is Friday, March 2, 2012. On-site
registration will be limited and will increase to $30 the day of the workshop.

source: Virginia Institute of Marine Science

                          

The Making a Difference Awards program will honor five individuals from among the public nominations.

According to the magazine, the program seeks to recognize individuals who have made a positive difference to saltwater recreational fishing.

Several saltwater anglers from Virginia have been nominated for the 2011 awards. Voters may cast one ballot a day until voting closes on June 1.

Two finalists will be “people’s choice” selections by popular vote, and three finalists will be selected by a panel of respected judges.

For more information, see: http://www.sportfishingmag.com/makingadifference/

                          

George Povermo, Editor at Large for Salt Water Sportsman Magazine will headline the program, along with Ric Burnley, Regional Editor for SWS .

Local speakers are to include:

Captain Jorj Head ,  local cobia flounder specialist

John Oughton—Mid Atlantic tuna and marlin expert

Chris Newsome local light tackle guide

Blake Hayden—Capt Hayden has a long list of favorites

Chandler Hogg  and Dr. Ken Neill III  both authorities on local game fish in and around  Va coastal waters

Harry Vernon III  – swordfish expert

The National Seminar Series has become the Nation’s longest –running and most popular educational course on
recreational marine sportfishing.  This is the 24th year for the series.

A Ticket to the seminar costs $55. And includes a comprehensive textbook and one year subscription or extension to Salt Water Sportsman magazine, plus many prizes.

for more information, visit www.nationalseminarseries.com

                          

The Flounder Bowl is hosted by the Peninsula Salt Water Sport Fisherman’s Association but it is the many businesses who sponsor this event which make it such a great time. These businesses are providing a guaranteed First Prize award of $5,000.

They also make it possible to provide free food, drink and music for participants at both the captains meeting and at the weigh-in. The sponsors provide for team buckets given out at the captains meeting and they are also providing various prizes which will be given away at the weigh-in. Each team will find door-prize tickets in their team buckets which will give them chances to win these prizes.

The Flounder Bowl will be held out of Dare Marina and Yacht Sales (www.daremarina.com). Boats will be allowed to fish from any port but the fish must be brought to Dare Marina for weigh-in.

This is a team tournament with an entry fee of $100 per boat with up to 4 anglers. Additional anglers will cost $25 each. Winners will be determined by the combined weight of the team’s top three fish. Cash prizes will be paid through six places.

To give everyone a chance to win, teams not placing in the top six will be entered in a “Lucky Dog” drawing. The team drawn will win an additional cash prize. There will be a prize for the heaviest flounder caught by a child and a prize for the heaviest flounder caught by a woman in the tournament.

Teams will be given the option of entering a “Big Fish Calcutta” for an additional $100 entry fee. This is a 100% payout to the team, that has entered the Calcutta, which weighs in the single heaviest fish. There is a special Sponsors’ Challenge Division where teams entered by the tournament sponsors will compete with each other for the special Sponsors’ Trophy. The winning sponsor will get to keep this trophy until next year’s tournament.

Currently, the Sponsors’ Trophy is in the possession of Paige II Charters. The 2009 Flounder Bowl had a total cash payout of $10,900 plus donated merchandise prizes. The winnings are expected to be larger this year. This is your chance to fish with and against some of the best flounder anglers in the state. There will be food, drink, music, and multiple chances to win. Come on out and join the fun!

                          

The event will be held April 16th, 17th & 18th 10AM to 4PM.

Boats for sale may also be displayed by private owners and brokers. Spaces are available for $50 (three-day event).

The show is free and open to the public and includes fun for the entire family.

Events will include great food, face painting and a variety of demonstrations & displays.

Demonstrations & Displays:

US Coast Guard
HRSD (free boat pump out demo)
Interstate Batteries
Tim Pugh/Intercoastal Financial Group
Boaters CO-OP
Tow Boat US Virginia Beach
The Yacht Club at Marina Shores/Weddings & Special Events

For more information and to reserve your space call 757.496.7000 or e-mail marinashores[AT]aol.com

Contact Information:

The Marina at Marina Shores
2100 Marina Shores Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
www.marinashores.com
757.496.7000

                          

The event will provide an opportunity for mariners to meet some of their local enforcement officers, ask questions and learn about new and existing regulations.

Regardless of whether mariners operate a commercial, charter, or recreational vessel; subject matter experts will be on hand to answer questions about recreational and commercial fishing, or questions about laws pertaining to safety gear.

Boaters without specific questions are invited to come and listen to the discussion or pick up information on Boating Safety, Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety, Fishing Regulations, or to come and schedule a Courtesy Marine Examination.

The following are participating agencies and agency departments:

* U.S. Coast Guard Station Chincoteague

* U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

* U.S. Park Service (NWR)

* Virginia Marine Resources Commission

* National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

* U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Safety Instructors and Courtesy Marine Examiners

* U.S. Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads Commercial Fishing Safety Examiners

The session will be held at Tarr Hall, in the Galley Facility, located on the base.

source: USCG press release

                          

The Virginia Beach Fishing Center is sponsoring a bus to go to Washington DC on February 24th. The bus will leave the Fishing Center at 7:00am Wednesday morning and will return some time that evening. The bus is limited to 50 people. If you would like to go, there is a sign up sheet at the Fishing Center.

As per the US Capitol police, “there is no parking available for private automobiles, buses, or other vehicles on Capitol Grounds. Buses may utilize Garfield Circle, at the intersection of First Street and Maryland Avenue, S.W., and Union Station, at 50 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., to drop off passengers.” Bus companies and bus drivers can contact Union Station authorities for drop-off and parking information at 202-898-1950.

If you or your group is organizing one of these bus trips to Washington, please let your bus company know that all buses entering DC are subject to a $50 permit fee.

Visit http://dmv.dc.gov/info/trippermit.shtm for all required bus permit information.