27 sailfish
09-09-2009, 07:54 AM
There is a proposal out to limit the C/R of Rockfish in spring. DNR will have a meeting Oct.20th at 6pm at the DNR building to go over the new proposal.
The driving force seems to be the Md charterboat association (MCBA). No one is sure exactly what they are after but it appears they want to shut down C/R in spring - maybe even the flats fishery.
I'll try to get more info but this could really impact some great C/R fishing a lot of us enjoy. Most experts agree that the cool water in early spring ensures the Rock survive C/R fishing.
We really need to pack this meeting to let DNR know how we feel.
Big E
09-09-2009, 08:27 AM
Totally and udderly F-ing obserd. I will never ever charter another boat on the Chesapeake as long as I live. Now guides like Ritchie, Pete, and Skip are a bit different but these charterboat guys are too much.
-Evans
27 sailfish
09-09-2009, 09:38 AM
Big E - trust me on this - it is not all the charter captains pushing for this. Some even offer C/R trips in spring.
From what I can gather - the worry is if C/R gets too popular - then the ASMFC will lower the Md quota.
There are some real politics involved with this and IMHO - not all are honest.
Shawn Kimbro
09-14-2009, 10:44 PM
Yeah, I've heard from several charter guys who feel like they've been misrepresented on this one. Here's my take on what's going on - one person's opinion:
I think Skip is exactly right. As more people C&R then the mortality obviously needs to be figured-in against the Maryland quota. Due to all the poaching, etc. the charter guys are already worried that the season might get pushed back, or their trips might be limited, etc. It takes $$ out of their pocket. It's a valid business concern, I get it.
But instead of working harder with the rest of the recreational community to educate anglers on proper techniques, or joining us in working against killing fish by other methods, the leadership of the MCBA chose to throw us under the bus and push for making off-season C&R illegal.
From what I've heard, the leadership of the MCBA has backtracked a little from what they originally put out in their meetings. I got a call back in March from a charter captain who pretty much outlined the whole plan. Maybe he was pulling my chain, but I've heard from others MCBA members since, one as recently as yesterday. Here's what they told me: Essentially the plan is to start with off-season C&R, then exploit the obvious tension that will result within the recreational community to eliminate spring fishing on the Flats. After that, limiting in-season spring fishing to limit and quit - get your fish and get off the water. Once again, that's only hearsay, but I wouldn't be reporting what I heard if I didn't think it came from reliable sources.
At this point, there is no proposal that I know of on the table, but that could change quickly. Look how quickly a planer board regulation proposal was put together.
I also agree with Skip about the nature of the politics involved. I won't pull any punches because rumors are that MSSA is right in the middle of it. I'm a MSSA member and a huge fan of the fishermen in the organization, so I really hate hearing stuff like this. Maybe it's just someone causing trouble, but the MCBA knows how important the spring tournament is to the MSSA. Word is they're working to cut some back-channel deals with MSSA leadership. That tournament has always been a sore spot with the MCBA and they've worked against it in the past. Maybe they don't work so hard in the future? Once again, big money is involved. I don't think the leadership of MSSA wants to take a position right now even though people like Skip and Greg are pushing them.
When I first heard about all this, it didn't make any sense at all to me. Why would Maryland take a step so far backwards toward eliminating C&R? But when I started researching it, and following the money trail, it started to make sense.
Lets hope there are enough members on the Sports Fishing Advisory Committee who are far enough removed, or far enough above the politics and $$ trail to stand up for conservation and what's right for the fish and the fishermen in Maryland. My gut is that DNR doesn't want to eliminate C&R, off-season or otherwise. There are some good people working there who get what's really happening here. Nevertheless, the threat is real. October 20th is the time to speak truth to power.