ASMFC Board Expands Recreational Black Sea Bass Season

May 17th, 2010

The Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board has modified the 2010 season length for the black sea bass recreational fishery. The season will now run from May 22 to October 11, 2010 and from November 1 to December 31, 2010. The season represents an extension from what was originally planned. When [...]

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2010 Virginia Black Sea Bass Season Extension Likely

May 9th, 2010

In a vote supported by all member states of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board, states will now have the option to liberalize the 2010 black sea bass season in state waters by an additional 90 days. The proposed new season will run from May [...]

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Virginia Announces Free Fishing Days: June 4-6, 2010

April 29th, 2010

Steven G. Bowman, head of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, has declared that weekend of June 4-6, 2010 to be free saltwater fishing days, as permitted by state law. “This is a terrific chance to discover the joy of fishing and boating,” said Bowman. “Fishing produces memories that can last a lifetime and can foster [...]

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Virginia Saltwater Panfish

April 28th, 2010

The term panfish describes small fish, many of which are caught by recreational anglers for food. They are named because they are small enough to be cooked whole in a pan. Among the most popular saltwater panfish found in Virginia waters are croakers, spot, porgy, white perch and pigfish. Atlantic Croaker or “hardhead” are popular [...]

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2010 Flounder Bowl Tournament in Hampton Roads

April 22nd, 2010

The 2010 “Flounder Bowl” fishing tournament allows Virginia’s finest flounder anglers to gather together to compete for bragging rights for the year. This year’s tournament is scheduled for June 26, with a captains meeting June 25. The Flounder Bowl is hosted by the Peninsula Salt Water Sport Fisherman’s Association but it is the many businesses [...]

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NOAA Recreational Saltwater Fishing Summit

April 21st, 2010

NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, and NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator, Eric Schwaab hosted more than 100 recreational constituents in Alexandria, Virginia at 2010 Recreational Saltwater Fishing Summit on April 16 – 17. “Resolving issues facing our fisheries today will require partnerships between resource managers and users,” said Eric Schwaab, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “I [...]

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MAFMC Calls for Improved Recreational Limits on Black Sea Bass

April 19th, 2010

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and four of its Committees met in Duck, North Carolina from April 13 until April 15, 2010. The Council voted to send a letter to NMFS, upon receipt of NMFS’ black sea bass proposed rule, to support adoption of the ASMFC 2010 Black Sea Bass recreational measures of a [...]

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Virginia Speckled Trout Fishing Techniques

April 16th, 2010

Speckled trout are among the most popular saltwater fish of the Chesapeake Bay and coastal estuaries of Virginia. Also known as spotted seatrout or simply “specks”, these beautiful fish have a sleek body, silvery gray back and white belly. The flanks and backs of the fish have an iridescent sheen and black spots. The dorsal [...]

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Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel Meeting

April 14th, 2010

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is scheduled to hold a meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP) on May 11-13, 2010, in Silver Spring, Maryland. The purpose of the meeting is to consider alternatives for the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks. For more information, visit [...]

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Virginia Early Season Flounder Fishing Techniques

April 8th, 2010

For many anglers, Spring flounder fishing along the Eastern Shore of Virginia is an annual event that marks the beginning of the saltwater fishing year. As waters warm, flounder enter and begin to feed in the inlets, creeks and coastal bays of the region.  A few flounder sometimes arrive in March but the main thrust [...]

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