Chesapeake Bay News Freshwater Fishing NewsIn February, VMRC voted to implement new flounder regulations for 2011. The minimum size for summer flounder will be 17.5 inches, with a 4 fish creel limit, and no seasonal closures. The new regulations decrease the minimum size from the 2010 level which was previously 18.5 inches.
NOAA Fisheries will hold a meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel on April 5-7, 2011, in Silver Spring, Maryland. The intent of this meeting is to consider alternatives for the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks. As of March 1, the agenda and venue had not been set. [...]
Virginia has scheduled its hearing to gather public comment on Draft Addendum XXI to the Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. The date, time, and location of the scheduled Virginia meeting follows: Virginia Marine Resources Commission March 7, 2011; 6 PM 2600 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor Newport News, Virginia Contact: Jack Travelstead at (757) 247-2247 [...]
Several members of the shad and herring family make seasonal appearances along the Virginia Coast, the Chesapeake Bay, and its many tributaries. Each of these fish are anadromous; they spend most of their life at sea, before migrating through the bay and into rivers or shallow areas to spawn. The American shad is the most [...]
Atlantic coastal states from Rhode Island through North Carolina have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum III to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Dogfish. The date, time, and location of the scheduled VMRC meeting follows: Virginia Marine Resources Commission February 15, 2011; 6:00 PM 2600 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor [...]
On February 22, 2011, the VMRC Commission will hold a public hearing on the 3 options that establish management measures for the 2011 recreational summer flounder fishery. The options to be considered are: A) 18-inch minimum size limit; 4 fish possession limit; and, no closed season B) 17 1/2-inch minimum size limit; 4 fish possession [...]
Sport Fishing Magazine is sponsoring a new award called “Making A Difference”. The awards will be presented to individuals who are making a positive difference in recreational saltwater fishing. 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 [...]
The ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board will meet via a web-based conference call on February 3, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting will be for the Board to consider approval of the 2011 state conservation equivalency proposals for summer flounder, as well as review possible options for recreational [...]
Atlantic coastal states from Massachusetts through Virginia have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum VI to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog. The date, time, and location of the scheduled meeting for Virginia follows: Virginia Marine Resources Commission February 15, 2011; 6:00 PM 2600 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor Newport News, [...]
NOAA Fisheries Service has developed a brochure that offers guidelines on how to increase the survival of hook-and-line caught, large pelagic species. The objectives of careful catch and release include reducing stress and minimizing injury to a fish caught on hook-and-line, and assisting in its recovery prior to release. These objectives are especially challenging for [...]
