Virginia Saltwater Fishing

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 exempt from buying a saltwater fishing license. Registration is quick, easy and free.

Anglers who buy a Virginia saltwater fishing license of any type are automatically registered.

So far, only 27,600 anglers have registered this year. The National Marine Fisheries Service estimates 750,000 people a year fish in Virginia’s saltwaters.

VMRC has taken many steps to inform anglers of the registration requirements, including the expenditure of almost $40,000 of a federal grant on full-page color ads in a dozen different newspapers and fishing magazines, as well as placement of posters at public boat ramps.

“It’s time for anglers to sign up or risk getting a ticket” said Virginia Marine Police Chief Rick Lauderman.

Anglers who fail to register if required to do so could be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor, which carries a fine up to $500 at the discretion of the judge.

Virginia anglers who must register each year with the Fisherman Identification Program include: Those who fish on a boat licensed to cover all anglers; from a commercial pier or private property; who are age 65 and older; and those who fish in tidal freshwater for anadromous species such as striped bass, shad or other marine species.

The intent of the program is to create a Virginia-wide “phone book” of saltwater anglers. Fishery managers will know who is fishing if a fishing license is purchased, but have no way of knowing who is fishing if an angler doesn’t need to buy a license. Registering those license-exempt anglers is the only way to create a comprehensive Virginia “phone book” of saltwater anglers.

This “phone book” will be given to the National Marine Fisheries Service in order to improve recreational fishing effort surveys (which will benefit species management and sustainable fisheries) and to continue to exempt anglers from having to sign up directly with the National Saltwater Angler Registry and pay an annual $15 federal registration fee.

“We need Virginia anglers who fish legally without a license to register with us or Virginia’s exemption from the national registry will be at risk,’’ said VMRC Fisheries Chief Jack Travelstead. “If we lose that exemption, that would mean all adult anglers would have to register with the federal government and pay a $15 a year registration fee. I don’t think anyone wants that to happen.”

Anglers may register annually in the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program by going to www.mrc.virginia.gov/FIP now or by calling toll-free 800-723-2728 at any time of the day, any day of the week.

Anglers with a valid Virginia saltwater fishing license or a Potomac River Fisheries Sport Fishing License do not have to register with the state FIP. Their contact information will be collected when they buy a license.

Anglers under the age of 16 also are exempt from registering. Also exempt from registration are paying customers of licensed charter boats or head boats.

source: VMRC

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 saltwater license.

“This is an excellent opportunity to discover the joy of fishing and boating,” said Bowman, whose agency manages saltwater fishing in Virginia. “Fishing produces memories that can last a lifetime and can cultivate a deeper appreciation for our natural environment. We have some fabulous fishing in Virginia and its free for that weekend.’’

No fishing license of any kind will be required for recreational saltwater rod and reel fishing during free fishing days. All fishing regulations, including size, season, catch limits and gear restrictions, will remain in effect.

A Virginia saltwater fishing license costs only $17.50 a year for state residents. It’s a bargain, and the money supports valuable fisheries work across the state.

The state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has declared the weekend of June 3-5, 2011 to be free fishing days in the state’s freshwaters as well, except in designated stocked trout waters.

For size, season and catch limits of saltwater species, please go to http://www.mrc.virginia.gov/regulations/swrecfishingrules.shtm

To purchase a fishing license online – and for freshwater fishing regulations and information on Virginia lakes, rivers, boating access and more – go to www.HuntFishVA.com

source: VMRC

Sunset at a Virginia fishing pier.

Fall is one of the best times to visit a saltwater fishing pier in Virginia. Many of the top fishing piers of the Mid-Atlantic Coast are found in Virginia. These include several Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coastal fishing piers.

On the Eastern Shore, anglers can fish from the Saxis Pier, Occohannock Pier, and the Kiptopeake State Park pier. Mid-way between the eastern and western shore is the Sea Gull Pier, located on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. On the Western Shore, Chesapeake Bay fishing piers include the Ocean View, Buckroe Beach, and James River piers. Oceanfront piers include the Lynnhaven, Virginia Beach and Sandbridge (Little Island) piers.

On most Virginia fishing piers, anglers fish with bottom rigs and baits such as bloodworms, squid strips, pieces of shrimp, cut peeler crab, mole crabs or the newer synthetic baits. Several piers feature T sections where anglers fish live baits for cobia, king mackerel, sharks, striped bass or other species.

During the fall, much of the fishing effort focuses on catching spot, croaker, bluefish, striped bass, tautog, flounder and sea bass, all species that arrive in schools as they begin migrating out of the Chesapeake Bay.

For catching smaller species such as spot and croaker, no special tackle is needed. A simple medium class spinning or baitcasting outfit and top and bottom rigs will catch most fish. For more intense fishing, pier specialists bring not only a favorite rod and reel but often arrive with a special pier cart or wagon, which carries rods, cooler, bait and other essentials. These pier carts allow fishermen to quickly set up as well as making the end of day pack up go a little easier.

Weather, tides and time of day can be a big factor on Virginia’s fishing piers. Wind and tides can dictate which side of the pier will be fishable. Some piers allow night fishing, which can sometimes be productive. When fishing a pier for the first time, its a good idea to all ahead if possible or talk to one of the regulars. Fishing regulations vary, so its a good idea to check with Virginia Marine Resources Commission before visiting a saltwater fishing pier.

As temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, a few anglers continue fishing as long as striped bass (rockfish) are caught from local piers.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) has voted to increase the 2011 commercial and recreational harvest levels of both scup (porgy) and summer flounder, welcome news for a beleaguered Atlantic Coast fishing community.

Following input from the Scup Monitoring Committee, the MAFMC, which met jointly today with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) management boards, voted to increase the total allowable catch for scup (porgy) from this year’s 17.09 million pounds of quota to a catch of 24.1 million pounds in 2011. The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) had recommended an acceptable biological catch as high as 51.7 million pounds, which would’ve represented a near 200% increase in quota if enacted.

Council members heard various recommendations from the monitoring committee, in addition to public comment from recreational and commercial fishing interests who traveled to Philadelphia to attend today’s meetings, but voted on a more precautionary 41% increase in total allowable catch for next season. For the recreational sector, the total allowable catch of 24.1 million pounds will result in a 4.4-million-pound harvest for the year.

On the summer flounder front, the MAFMC voted to increase the total allowable catch from this season’s 25.48 million pounds to an increased quota of 33.95 million pounds in the year ahead. The new total allowable landings for 2011 represent the highest allowable catch debated by the MAFMC today.

Recreational fishermen are hopeful that this increase in quota means improved summer flounder regulations for 2011, but that still rests in the hands of the Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey (MRFSS) for 2010.

“The recreational fishermen won’t know what this means in terms of regulations until November at the very least,” said Capt. Adam Nowalsky, chairman of the Recreational Fishing Alliance’s New Jersey Chapter (RFA-NJ). “As anglers have come to recognize year after year, now we have to wait for this season’s landings information to come through from MRFSS to forecast how that compares to the 2011 recreational allowable landings.”

“Some of the reasons for this success should go to the science that was contributed by the grassroots efforts of the local fishing community,” said Ray Bogan, legal counsel for the RFA. “There has been an extraordinary contribution by the anglers, which makes up a significant portion of the scientific effort in the summer flounder assessments,” he said.

Bogan noted that private funding through the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund, United Boatmen, and RFA, along with non-federal inshore survey analysis by the North East Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (NEAMAP) have helped lead to improved summer flounder assessments, which in turn has led to improved access for anglers.

A letter from Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) to the New York council members overnight was distributed amongst MAFMC members, in which the senator urged council members to provide increased access to summer flounder and scup resources for both recreational and commercial fishermen.

“As the Council knows, these species are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring,” Sen. Schumer said in his letter, adding “Fishermen have patiently waited for these stocks to rebuild and were promised relief when they were healthy again. Now is that time.”

“The scup biomass is rebuilt by around 200% and yet it seems that our quota is going to be raised only marginally,” said Capt. Paul Forsberg of the Viking Fleet out of Montauk, NY, who attended today’s meeting. “How high must the biomass go before we can achieve maximum sustainable yield?”

Despite pleas from fishermen to increase the porgy quota by 55% to a total allowable catch of 26-1/2 million pounds, a 9-8 council vote put the porgy limit at a more modest 41% increase.

For details on recent MAFMC actions, visit www.mafmc.org

source: RFA

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 a deeper appreciation for our natural environment. We should all strive to be stewards of our natural resources.”

No fishing license of any kind will be required for recreational saltwater rod and reel fishing during free fishing days. All fishing regulations, including size, season, catch limits and gear restrictions, will remain in effect.

A Virginia saltwater fishing license costs only $12.50 a year for state residents. It’s a bargain, and the money supports valuable fisheries work across the state.

“We’re proud of the work we do to protect our natural resources, and we hope everyone takes advantage of free fishing days so that they may learn the joys of fishing in Virginia,” said Bowman, Commissioner of the agency that manages the state’s saltwater fisheries. “That is what our conservation efforts are all about.”

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 panfish common in Virginia. The fish get their names because of the “croaking” noise they make when removed from the water. Croakers are hard fighters and prolific feeders. They are caught on a variety of baits and lures. They are among the first fish to be caught in the spring and are caught over a wide range of habitats. Croaker can be caught from piers, jetties, inlets, in bays and from the surf.

Croaker baits include shrimp, crabs, squid, cut fish, bloodworms and more. In addition to cut baits, croaker are caught on a variety of jigs and other saltwater lures. They can also be caught in the shallows and grass beds using fly fishing gear.

Spot are among the most popular Virginia panfish. Spot can be identified by the distinctive dark spot above the pectoral fin. The species is abundant in coastal bays, creeks and other estuaries. They are especially common around fishing piers where they are caught in large numbers. Spot are caught using small hooks and baits such as bloodworms, crab or other baits which can be presented in small pieces.

White perch are small but tenacious fish that are found in rivers, creeks and bays. White perch prefer brackish water but can live in environments that range from fresh water to fully saltwater. These hardy panfish are caught with small baits such as grass shrimp or bloodworms, or by casting artificial lures or flies. Perch can be caught year round, even thru ice. They school up to spawn in early spring and can be caught in large numbers.

Scup or porgy are another saltwater panfish. They range from New England to North Carolina and are occasional visitors to Virginia coastal waters, inland waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. Adult scup feed in schools of similar-sized individuals around piers, rocks, offshore ledges, jetties, and mussel beds. They move inshore in summer but return to deeper waters offshore or migrate southward when temperatures cool. Large scup generally occur farther offshore than do smaller, younger ones.

Pigfish are colorful members of the grunt family. They are marked with a bluish upper and a silver lower body, with a series of attractive stripes on the sides and bands on the snout and head. The species ranges from Massachusetts through the Gulf of Mexico and are common in Virginia during the summer and early fall. They are easily caught around piers, reefs and rough bottoms using small pieces of bait such as bloodworms, crab, squid or shrimp.

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 commit that NOAA Fisheries will focus on addressing the issues of concern to the recreational fishing community with the utmost disciplined attention.”

For more on the Summit, visit the NOAA Fisheries Service recreational fishing website.

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 3.7 million pound total allowable landings (TAL), a 12.5″ minimum fish size, a 25 fish possession limit, and a season of May 22 through September 12.

source: MAFMC

In October of 2009, the Department of Commerce Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee, or MAFAC, recommended the creation a new work group whose purpose is to assist MAFAC in the development of recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce on issues of importance to the marine recreational fishing community.

NOAA is now accepting nominations to this new Recreational Fisheries Working Group. Interested members of the recreational fishing community are encouraged to read the Federal Register notice for information on qualifications and application requirements. Applications will be accepted until February 16, 2010.

Questions regarding the working group should be directed to NOAA’s interim senior policy advisor for recreational fisheries, Gordon Colvin at gordon.colvin@noaa.gov.

source: NOAA Fish News

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.