June 29th, 2011
Posted in regulations
Virginia Marine Police will begin enforcing the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program registration requirement after the Fourth of July weekend. The new registration program went into effect on Jan. 1, and requires adults who fishes in Virginia’s saltwaters, or for saltwater species in tidal freshwater, to register with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission if they are [...]
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June 15th, 2011
Posted in recreational fishing
The Atlantic croaker, sometimes known as hardhead, is one of the most popular saltwater fish caught in Virginia. These hard fighters are sometimes caught in great numbers by anglers fishing in the Chesapeake Bay and along the Virginia coast. Croakers range from about 10 inches up to monster fish of several pounds. In most [...]
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May 27th, 2011
Posted in science - research
After an extensive scientific review, NOAA recently announced that Atlantic bluefin tuna currently do not warrant species protection under the Endangered Species Act. NOAA is formally designating both the western Atlantic and eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stocks of bluefin tuna as “species of concern” under the Endangered Species Act. This places the species on a [...]
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May 25th, 2011
Posted in science - research
NOAA’s Fisheries Service has launched a voluntary program to encourage commercial and recreational fishermen to safely release Atlantic shortfin mako sharks alive and report the releases to NOAA for posting on an online map. The new program is designed to encourage the conservation of North Atlantic shortfin mako sharks. Scientific research shows many of these [...]
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May 11th, 2011
Posted in recreational fishing
Saltwater anglers may fish in Virginia without a license during the first weekend in June. Virginia Marine Resources Commissioner Steven G. Bowman endorsed the free saltwater fishing days, as permitted by state law. The state’s free fishing days, June 3-5, 2011, will allow families and friends to enjoy saltwater fishing without having to buy a [...]
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April 6th, 2011
Posted in regulations
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s South Atlantic State/Federal Fisheries Management Board recently approved Addendum I to Amendment I to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Croaker. The Addendum changes the management unit to one region (New Jersey through the east coast of Florida) and modifies the biological reference points used to assess stock [...]
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March 31st, 2011
Posted in regulations
The ASMFC Tautog Management Board recently approved Addendum VI to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog. With the latest assessment indicating that the stock continues to be overfished with overfishing occurring, the plan is expected to mean cuts in fishing along Virginia’s coast and waters of the Chesapeake Bay. According to the 2011 stock [...]
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March 17th, 2011
Posted in recreational fishing
A Virginia man set a new North Carolina state record for bluefin when he reeled in an 805-pound, 8-ounce fish off Oregon Inlet. Corey Schultz, of Waverly, Va., caught the fish on March 12, 2011 aboard the Sea Breeze out of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. The fish measured 112 inches curved fork length with a [...]
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March 14th, 2011
Posted in regulations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment from boaters and other stakeholders to help develop proposed regulations, as required by the 2008 Clean Boating Act, to reduce water pollution and the spread of invasive species in the nation’s rivers, lakes and other water bodies. As an alternative to permits required for commercial [...]
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March 9th, 2011
Posted in recreational fishing
In Virginia, anglers have several choices of bait, tackle and equipment for catching flounder. Flounder Baits Mummichogs, known locally as “bull minnows” are by far the most popular bait for catching flounder in Virginia. These hardy baits are inexpensive, readily available and catch fish in a wide range of environments. Silversides are another popular bait. [...]
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