Virginia Saltwater Fishing

The 2012 Virginia Charter Boat Workshop will be held at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

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

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. For more information, visit the Federal Register page:

http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/02/10/2011-2987/atlantic-highly-migratory-species-meeting-of-the-atlantic-highly-migratory-species-advisory-panel

source: NOAA Fish News?

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, Virginia
Contact: Jack Travelstead at (757) 247-2247

The Draft Addendum proposes two changes to the tautog management program:

(1) address the illegal trade of live tautog

(2) prevent increases in fishing mortality (F) prior to the completion of the next assessment.

The Draft Addendum was initiated in response to concern regarding the condition of the tautog stock and possible increased pressure on the stock due to illegal fishing activities and continued overfishing. Over the past couple of years, the Board has received reports from its Advisory Panel, Technical Committee, and the fishing public expressing concern about the illegal trade of live tautog and increased poaching. Options to address illegal live harvest include prohibiting recreational anglers from possessing live tautog and requiring recreational anglers to mark any live tautog.

Given that coastwide F continues to exceed the target established in Addendum IV, the Draft Addendum also proposes measures to prevent increases in F prior to the completion of the next assessment (spring/summer 2011).  Specific options include requiring states to implement additional restrictions to meet the F target, a reduction of the F target, a requirement that state regulations prohibit possession in excess of existing bag/possession limits, and recommendations for tautog management in federal waters. The Draft Addendum also contains several other management issues for public comment that may be developed and considered in a future addendum.

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum, either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. The Draft Addendum can be obtained via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at (703) 842-0740. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on March 4, 2011 and should be forwarded to Chris Vonderweidt, FMP Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; (703) 842-0741 (FAX) or at cvonderweidt@asmfc.org (Subject line: Tautog Addendum VI). For more information, please contact Chris Vonderweidt at (703) 842-0740 or cvonderweidt@asmfc.org

source: ASFMC

The Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series will bring its DelMarVa edition to Va Beach on Saturday, January 22.   The VA Beach Convention Center will host the 9 to 4, all– day  presentation inside Ballroom One.

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 Marina at Marina Shores will host its Spring Fling 2010 Land & Water Boat Show.

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 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) will host an educational workshop March 16-18, 2010 on “catch shares.” The workshop will be conducted in cooperation with the Fisheries Leadership and Sustainability Forum, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Participants will include MAFMC members, MAFMC staff, MAFMC Advisory Panel representatives, ASMFC representatives, MAFMC Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) representatives, as well as leadership from the New England Fishery Management Council, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and NMFS. As with all MAFMC meetings, the workshop will be open to the public and there will be several opportunities for public comment.

The term “catch share” encompasses a broad spectrum of fishery management systems that share a common approach: allocating a portion of a scientifically determined catch limit to a discrete set of users (i.e. individuals, groups, or communities). The MAFMC adopted the first catch share programs in the United States when it implemented an ITQ (individual transferable quota) program for the surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries in 1990. The MAFMC also recently (2009) implemented a catch share system for tilefish (IFQ – individual fishing quota).

Given the high levels of interest regarding catch share programs, the MAFMC concluded that an educational workshop dedicated to catch share issues would be beneficial for its members and partners. As the workshop is educational in nature, no management decisions will be made at the workshop to initiate catch shares in any particular fishery managed by the MAFMC.

As more information becomes available, including agenda details and background briefing documents, the Council will post these materials on its website: www.mafmc.org. Please contact the Council at 302-674-2331 or by e-mail to info@mafmc.org to clarify any details or to address any questions.

Location details: Kingsmill Conference Center, 1010 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185; 800-832-5665. Kingsmill is 20 minutes from the Newport News/Williamsburg Airport (PHF) and 45 minutes from either the Norfolk, VA or Richmond, VA airports.

source MAFMC press release

In a historic show of solidarity, recreational and commercial fishermen will gather together on the steps of the Capitol on February 24, 2010 from noon until 3 p.m. in an organized demonstration against the unintended negative impacts of the Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the federal fisheries law which was revised in January of 2007.  Coordinating the march under the flag of United We Fish, rally organizers are hoping to see a large show of force in defense of coastal communities.

“The closures keep coming and it’s good to see the collective fishing communities and industries, both recreational and commercial, calling for scientific based Magnuson reform,” said Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA).  “We are all in this together.”  Donofrio cited recent closures of amberjack, black sea bass and red snapper fisheries as examples of what he calls a “broken” federal fisheries law.

The groups organized through United We Fish are hoping to prove to legislators just how many American anglers and business owners are truly being impacted by the overly restrictive management requirements created by MSA based on non scientific arbitrary deadlines.  According to Bob Zales of the Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen (CCGF), the time-specific deadlines mandated by MSA coupled with flawed data collection methods are forcing anglers off the water.  “We fully support real science based management and the conservation of our marine resources while also being able to sustain recreational and commercial fishing activities, providing locally caught seafood, sustaining small family businesses, and supporting our coastal communities.”

This effort is being coordinated by many organizations and individuals including but not limited to the RFA, CCGF, United Boatmen of New York, United Boatmen of New Jersey, New York Sportfishing Federation, Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association and the Fishing Rights Alliance.  “Some people have asked ‘why, it’s winter’,” said Donofrio who said he’s gotten the required permits and expects a large crowd in DC on February 24th, regardless of weather. “We can’t let seasons stop the momentum, and if we wait any longer none of us will be fishing.  Many members of Congress will be standing shoulder to shoulder with us,” Donofrio said.

Nils Stolpe, a consultant to the commercial fishing industry and columnist for SavingSeafood.org said that over the past three decades since the original Magnuson Act was established, fishermen have been gradually phased out of the fisheries management process, regardless of sector.  “The scientists have been put in charge, and as the list of closures and restrictions up above painfully demonstrates, the Act has been turned into a weapon that is now being used against fishermen and fishing communities.”

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) first introduced the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2008 in the 110th Congress to incorporate “limited flexibility” into federal fisheries management.  More than 100 fishing groups and industry members from around the country pledged their support for the legislation and the bill’s 19 bipartisan coastal cosponsors, but the bill languished during the volatile economic climate in advance of the presidential elections in November of 2008.

Realizing that fisheries closures would continue without congressional intervention, in March of this year, Rep. Pallone and fellow Representatives John Adler (D-NJ), Henry Brown, Jr. (R-SC), Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), Barney Frank (D-MA), Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-NC), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Frank LoBiondo (D-NJ), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Michael Michaud (D-ME), Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) and John Tierney (D-MA), reintroduced the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 (HR 1584).  Twenty-five total co-sponsors have since pledged support to date including Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Timothy Bishop (D-NY), Allen Boyd (D-FL), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Peter King (R-NY), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Jo Bonner (R-AL), John Mica (R-FL), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Clifford Stearns (R-FL), Donna Christensen (D-VI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Ander Crenshaw (R-FL).

Following a letter-writing campaign by the RFA-NY and members of the New York Sportfishing Federation, senior Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York announced his Senate version of the bill (S.1255).  Currently, the Senate bill to correct the flaws in MSA has no co-sponsors, which is something United We Fish organizers are hoping will change in February.

“New York’s Senator Schumer is as concerned about his fishing constituents as he is about the fish, just as Congressmen Pallone, Frank, Jones, LoBiondo, Kennedy, Adler and others in the House of Representatives are,” said Stolpe.  “Hence they have formed the nucleus of a growing movement in Congress that, in spite of the editorial opinion of the New York Times and the expenditure of many millions of dollars by the Pew Charitable Trusts, is aimed at preserving recreational and commercial fishing, the lifestyles of millions of fishermen, and the tens of thousands of businesses and hundreds of fishing communities that they support,” Stolpe added.

Organizers from within the recreational fishing sector are hoping to get commitment from all user groups and across varied state and regional boundaries.  “This is much bigger than any one state issue or individual grievance,” said RFA’s Managing Director Jim Hutchinson, Jr.  “Whether it’s our restrictive fluke fishery in New York, the arbitrary closure of state waters for our anglers in California, or the shutdown of red snapper and amberjack down south, our community has been divided by preservationist tactics for too long.  It’s time to unite the clans in defense of our coastal heritage and traditions,” Hutchinson said.

“We need to let Congress and NOAA know that we are the collective voice of the recreational fishing community and the collective voice does not accept the current broken management system which wreaks such havoc on all of us and our businesses,” said Donofrio, adding “The goal on February 24th will be to get all of our congressional friends to attend.”

“At this point Senator Schumer and his Congressional colleagues in the House deserve the thanks and the support of every one of us who fishes, whether for fun or profit,” said Stolpe.

The United We Fish rally is set for 2/24/10 at noon at the Capitol.  For details as they become available, sign up for the RFA’s email newsletter on the homepage at www.joinrfa.org.

A series of public forums will be held throughout December on the recently released draft strategy for restoring the Chesapeake Bay, a document required by a Presidential Executive Order issued in May 2009.  The public forums will feature officials from multiple federal agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Public feedback is important and valuable to the federal agencies. Comments may be submitted online at http://executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net by clicking on “provide comments.” The public comment period runs through January 8, 2010. The draft strategy, also available on the website, will evolve through public comments, state consultations and agency revisions before the final strategy is published in May 2010.

The public can also submit questions about the draft strategy by recording a 30-second or less video and uploading it to YouTube with a tag of “chesapeakebayeo.”  A selection of these video questions will be used at the public forums and for an online question-and-answer session with federal officials in January. People can also join conversations about the draft strategy on Facebook by visiting the Chesapeake Bay Executive Order page and clicking on discussions. Additionally, updates on Executive Order news are available through Twitter by following @chesapeakebayeo.

Public Forum Schedule

District of Columbia: Tuesday, December 1 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Penn Quarter Conference Center, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Watch a live webcast at http://executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net

Maryland: Wednesday, December 2 – 7:00-8:30 pm

National Aquarium in Baltimore (Auditorium), 501 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Delmarva Peninsula: Thursday, December 3 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Wicomico County Civic Center (Midway Room), 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804

West Virginia: Tuesday, December 8 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Holiday Inn Martinsburg, 301 Foxcroft Avenue, Martinsburg, WV 25401

New York: Thursday, December 10 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Holiday Inn Binghamton-Downtown Hotel, 2-8 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901

Pennsylvania: Tuesday, December 15 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Farm Show Complex & Event Center (Banquet Hall), 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Virginia: Thursday, December 17 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Nauticus National Maritime Center (Auditorium), One Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510

On May 12, President Obama issued Executive Order 13508 on Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration, the first-ever presidential directive on the Bay and the first environmental Executive Order by President Obama. The order established a Federal Leadership Committee, chaired by the U.S. EPA, and with senior representatives from the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, Interior and Transportation. These agencies generated seven draft reports in September 2009 that contained recommendations for addressing key challenges facing the Chesapeake Bay and watershed.

These draft reports were integrated into a draft strategy that was released on November 9. The draft strategy contains a package of federal initiatives to restore clean water, conserve treasured places, protect fish and wildlife, and adapt to the impacts of climate change. These objectives will be accomplished by empowering local efforts, making decisions based on science and forging a new era of federal leadership and accountability. Close collaboration of efforts with the six states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the District of Columbia is also critical.

source: EPA press release

The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s December 2009 meeting to be held at the Sheraton Suites Hotel, 422 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801 (telephone: 302-654-8300). Below is the meeting agenda. NOTE: Log onto www.ustream.tv and type mafmc in the search block to view and listen to the meeting.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8

8:30 Council convenes jointly with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Dogfish Boards

8:30 – 11:00 Summer Flounder: 2010 Recreational Management Measures

· Review and discuss Monitoring Committee’s recommendations on summer flounder management measures

· Review and discuss Advisory Panel’s recommendations on summer flounder management measures

· Develop and approve management measures for 2010 summer flounder recreational fishery

11:00 – 12:00 Scup: 2010 Recreational Management Measures

· Review and discuss Monitoring Committee’s recommendations on scup management measures

· Review and discuss Advisory Panel’s recommendations on scup management measures

· Develop and approve management measures for 2010 scup recreational fishery

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 Scup: 2010 Recreational Management Measures – Continued

· Review and discuss Monitoring Committee’s recommendations on scup management measures

· Review and discuss Advisory Panel’s recommendations on scup management measures

· Develop and approve management measures for 2010 scup recreational fishery

2:00 – 4:00 Black Sea Bass: 2010 Recreational Management Measures

· Review and discuss Monitoring Committee’s recommendations on black sea bass management measures

· Review and discuss Advisory Panel’s recommendations on black sea bass management measures

· Develop and approve management measures for 2010 black sea bass recreational fishery

4:00 – 5:00 Spiny Dogfish

· Review and discuss SSC and Monitoring Committee’s recommendations for dogfish quota and related management measures for 2010/2011 fishing year and beyond

· Adopt quota and related management measures for 2010/2011 and beyond fishing years

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

8:00 Council Convenes with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Leadership and Board Chairs and Vice Chairs to Address Accountability Measures

8:00 – 9:30 Surfclam / Ocean Quahog / Tilefish Committee

· Discuss and recommend draft accountability measures (AM)

9:30 – 10:30 Dogfish Committee

· Discuss and recommend draft accountability measures (AM) to be included in the ACL/AM Omnibus Amendment

10:30 – 12:00 Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Committee

· Discuss and recommend draft accountability measures (AM) to be included in the ACL/AM Omnibus Amendment for mackerel and butterfish

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 1:15 Award Presentation and Recognition

· Fisheries Achievement Award – Jeff Deem

· Ricks E Savage Award – TBA

1:15 – 3:30 Demersal and Coastal Migratory Committee

· Discuss and recommend draft accountability measures (AM) to be included in the ACL/AM Omnibus Amendment

3:30 – 4:00 Monkfish Committee

· Discuss and recommend draft accountability measures (AM) to be included in the ACL/AM Omnibus Amendment

4: 00 – 5:30 Performance Monitoring and Evaluation of Catch Shares in Terms of Their Social, Cultural and Economic Impacts on Regional Fisheries – A Presentation by the NMFS’

Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Social Sciences Unit

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10

8:00 – 9:00 Executive Committee

· Review draft recommendations for standards for SSC review of ABC recommendations

· New business

9:00 Council Convenes

9:00 – 10:00 Presentation on draft-interim NOAA Catch Share Policy by Monica Medina [Senior Advisor to Dr. Lubchenco and Catch Share Task Force Chairperson]

10:00 – 11:30 Business Session and Annual Picture

· Approval of October minutes

Organizational Reports

· NMFS NERO Regional Administrator

· NMFS NEFSC Director

· NOAA Office of General Counsel

· Federal Enforcement Officials (NMFS and USCG)

· ASMFC’s Executive Director

New England Council Liaison Report

Executive Director’s Report – Mr. Furlong

Status of MAFMC FMPs – Mr. Seagraves

11:30-12:00 Informal Question and Answer session regarding MPA nominations

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 2:15 Solicit Public Comment regarding the Council’s Selection of Sites for MPA Designation and finalize MPA nominations

2:15 – 3:00 Committee Reports

· Scientific and Statistical

· Highly Migratory Species

· Surfclam / Ocean Quahog / Tilefish

· Dogfish

· Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish

· Demersal and Coastal Migratory

· Monkfish

· Executive

3:00 – 3:30 Continuing and New Business

· Receive nominations for and vote on new members to be added to SSC

· Develop comments regarding NMFS’ changes to the General and Harpoon

Category fisheries for Atlantic bluefin tuna

The above agenda items may not be taken in the order in which they appear and are subject to change as necessary. Other items may be added, but the Council cannot take action on such items even if the item requires emergency action without additional public notice. Non-emergency matters not contained in this agenda may come before the Council and / or its Committees for discussion, but these matters may not be the subject of formal Council or Committee action during this meeting. Council and Committee actions will be restricted to the issues specifically listed in this agenda. Any issues requiring emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act that arise after publication of the Federal Register Notice for this meeting may be acted upon provided that the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. The meeting may be closed to discuss employment or other internal administrative matters.

Help make a difference by attending the Fishing for Food event on Saturday, November 7 from 9 am-2 pm at the Buckroe Fishing Pier.

No registration necessary.

Rod rentals, Free fishing demos, Prizes and give-a-ways!

Minimum of 1 bag of non-perishable food items is equal to 1 same day fishing pier admittance.

If you are unable to attend the event, organizers will be collecting non-perishable food items all day Saturday and Sunday at the Buckroe Fishing Pier. Free fishing is only available to those who donate during the event. Passes only valid for Nov 7.

Top ten items needed

Peanut Butter
Canned Meats
Canned Vegetables
Cereal
Pasta
Chunky Soups
Canned Tuna
Juice
Macaroni & Cheese
Pasta

Fishing For Food is sponsored by the City of Hampton and Bass Pros Shops in support of the Food Bank.

Supporting the event will be Virginia Coastal Access Now (VCAN), putting on a pier fishing demo and providing “hands on” assistance on how to pier fish.

For more information stop by the Buckroe Fishing Pier, call 757-727-1486, 757-850-5134 or email gofish@hampton.gov