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Maryland DNR Partners With Perryville To Improve Public Access to Susquehanna
By Maryland Department of Natural Resources Published: December 24, 2009  Print  EmailThe Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Water Improvement Fund has partnered with Perryville to increase tourism and stimulate the local economy, while increasing public access to the Susquehanna River. With $618,950 from the Waterway Improvement Fund, Perryville recently awarded a contract worth approximately $1.14 million to construct a new boating pier and twelve boat slips to Maryland based contractor Dissen and Juhn.
More Fishing News Here | Talk About this News on the Tidal Fish Message Boards View Comments (0) Maryland Anglers will need to Register with NOAA Before Fishing Starting Jan.1 , 2010 By Maryland Department of Natural Resources Published: December 24, 2009 Print EmailStarting Jan. 1, 2010, Maryland Anglers will need register for free online or by calling a toll-free phone number. More Fishing News Here | Talk About this News on the Tidal Fish Message Boards View Comments (0) Labor Day Marks Start of Fall Boating Season:Small Boat and Cold Weather Safety Tips from BoatU.S. Foundation By Brandon Published: September 3, 2009 Print EmailLabor Day marks the start of the fall boating season, a time for cooler temperatures, uncrowded waterways, and great fishing. But this time of year also brings its own unique safety challenges, especially for boaters or anglers in smaller craft, says the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Wate r . "There are reasons why October and November are the deadliest months of the year for boaters," said BoatU.S. Foundation Director of Boating Safety Chris Edmonston, referring to the newly released, U.S. Coast Guard's 2008 Recreational Boating Statistics . "However, the good news is that there are some common-sense steps that may prevent a small mishap from becoming serious," he added. Here are some 2008 U.S. Coast Guard statistics along with some fall boating season safety tips: · While there are more accidents in the summer months when recreational boating is in full swing, the odds of dying if you are in an accident go up in the months of October and November. The reason? Being unprepared for the conditions. (22% and 25% of all accidents in these months respectively result in deaths.) · Statistics also show over half of all boating deaths occur with small boats. That's because they are usually open to the elements and more vulnerable to wind, waves, and swamping. · Cold water quickly saps away your strength. Wearing a life jacket could give you the time you need to safely re-board if you accidentally fall overboard. Also ensure you have a means to quickly get back on board without assistance , such as a ladder or even a dockline (Over two-thirds of all fatal boating accidents victims drowned and of these, 90% were not wearing a life jacket). · Don't let the sunny skies fool you. Dress appropriately and recognize that even slight changes in the weather can make hypothermia a real threat if you are not prepared. · In the fall there are very few fellow boaters and anglers near by -- your closest potential rescuers. Without the help of fellow boaters, your float plan is your only back-up. Share with a family member or trusted friend where you plan to go and when you expect to return, so they may notify authorities if you are overdue returning. · A VHF radio is a must. Depending on where you are, a cell phone or personal locator beacon may be additional pieces of important communication gear. View Comments (0) Weakfish Biomass at All-Time Low Along the East Coast By ASMFC Published: August 21, 2009 Print EmailASMFC Weakfish Board Initiates Addendum to Address Stock Decline
View Comments (0) ASMFC Shad & River Herring Board Approves Draft Amendment 3 for Public Comment By ASMFC Published: August 21, 2009 Print EmailThe Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Shad and River Herring Management Board has approved for public comment Draft Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Shad and River Herring. The Draft Amendment proposes a suite of monitoring and management measures to protect, enhance, and restore American shad stocks to sustainable levels. The Draft Amendment was developed in response to the findings of the 2007 benchmark stock assessment for American shad, which indicates that American shad stocks are currently at all-time lows and do not appear to be recovering. It identified the primary causes for the continued stock declines as a combination of excessive total mortality, habitat loss and degradation, and migration and habitat access impediments. Although improvement has been seen in a few stocks, many remain severely depressed compared to historic levels. The Draft Amendment proposes modification to current coastwide commercial and recreational management measures. Commercial management options include reducing harvest, closing fisheries with exceptions for systems with a sustainable fishery, closing fisheries on mixed stocks, and a coastwide moratorium. Recreational fisheries management options include reducing harvest, implementing a licensing or permitting program, closing fisheries with exceptions for fisheries with a sustainable system, allowing a catch and release fishery only, and a coastwide moratorium. To improve data collection, the Draft Amendment proposes increased fisheries-independent and dependent monitoring. This includes monitoring of juvenile and adult American shad stocks; hatchery production; and commercial, recreational, and bycatch fisheries. Additionally, the Draft Amendment proposes increased coordination of monitoring activities for river systems under shared jurisdiction, as well as between freshwater and marine agencies. Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on Draft Amendment 3, either through attending public hearings or providing written comments (a subsequent press release on scheduled public hearings will be released once the hearings have been finalized). Copies of Draft Amendment will be available by August 28 and can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org <http://www.asmfc.org> under Breaking News. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM on October 16, 2009 and should be forwarded to Kate Taylor, FMP Coordinator, 1444 'Eye' Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org <mailto:tkerns@asmfc.org> (Subject line: Draft Amendment 3). View Comments (0) ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board to Meet in September to Discuss Recreational Overages By ASMFC Published: August 21, 2009 Print EmailThe Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board directed the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board (Board) to consider potential overages for all three species and take action prior to September 1. This directive was taken in response information presented to the Policy Board regarding available black sea bass preliminary recreational harvest estimates and projections indicating that harvest will likely result in significant quota overages. Board action could include emergency measures to prevent further overages in recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. A press release will be issued following finalization of meeting arrangements.For more information, please contact Robert Beal, ISFMP Director, at (202)289-6400 rbeal@asmfc.org View Comments (0) Comprehensive Adaptive Fly Fishing Instructor Certification Program (AFFICP) Launched By Brandon White Published: August 5, 2009 Print Email The Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute (AFFI) is excited to announce a new, comprehensive Adaptive Fly Fishing Instructor Certification Program (AFFICP). The purpose of the AFFICP is to educate and ensure the quality of training of adaptive fly fishing guides and instructors worldwide through the establishment and teaching of a standardized apprenticeship-based curriculum and the administration of an objective examination process. Candidates who achieve certification through the AFFICP will be entitled to display the title “Adaptive Fly Fishing Instructor” TM or “AFFI” TM following a comma after their names in all promotional literature, advertisements, and so forth so as to inform the public that they have been certified by the Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute as fully accredited to teach and guide fly fishing for special needs students and clients. The Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute exists for the professional development of adaptive fly fishing to better serve the needs of the disabled community. The AFFI Advisory Board consists of Colonel Rick Morrow (USAR), a service-disabled combat veteran Army Medical Command-qualified Chaplain who did substantial work to help establish The AFFICP training program consists of a lengthy apprenticeship for the candidate to a certified instructor or member of the advisory board followed by a standardized written examination. The exam covers subjects ranging from the Americans with Disabilities Act and fundamentals of adaptive sports theory to fly casting, fly tying, and basic water safety. First aid and CPR certifications must also be kept current. Upon passing the written exam, the candidate will be observed teaching an actual course or guiding an actual trip for special needs students or clients. And if the evaluator(s) believe they sufficiently meet the standards set by AFFI for certification, they will be certified as Adaptive Fly Fishing Instructors and may begin using the official designator “AFFI” following their name to denote certification. AFFI founder, Ken Morrow explains, “This isn’t a certification you can get by attending a one day workshop and then taking a test. Our goal isn’t to make money, become popular, or impress our friends. Our goal is to train effective teachers, coaches, and mentors to use adaptive fly fishing to enhance the rehabilitation and lifestyles of disabled people. Half the folks on our board are disabled, and fly fishing has profoundly improved all of our lives. We are passionate about the healing we’ve seen and experienced through fly fishing and, when properly applied, we know what it can do for others.” For more information about the Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute, contact Ken Morrow by email: ken@kenmorrow.net View Comments (0) Four Members Newly Appointed to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council By Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Published: June 29, 2009 Print EmailSecretary of Commerce Gary Locke announced the appointment of four new members to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). Two of the newly appointed members, representing the states of Virginia and New Jersey will fill their states obligatory seats. The new members appointed from New York and North Carolina will fill At-large seats. Council members, nominated by the governors of their respective states, are appointed to serve three-year terms and may not serve more than three consecutive terms. The newly appointed members officially begin their terms on August 11, 2009 and will serve on the Council through August 10, 2012. The newly appointed members will be sworn in at the October 13-15, 2009 Council meeting in Ocean City, Maryland. Dr. Peter L. deFur, of Richmond, will fill the obligatory seat for the state of Virginia which will be vacated by Jeffrey Deem. He is president of Environmental Stewardship Concepts, which is an independent, private consulting firm in Richmond and is also a part-time Affiliate Associate Professor in the Center for Environmental Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. deFur has extensive experience in aquatic and marine biology as they are impacted by human activities. He is also a recreational fisherman. Dr. deFur serves as a technical advisor for remediation efforts on a number of riverine areas. He has also served on numerous state and federal advisory committees. Christopher J. Zeman, of River Vale, will fill the obligatory seat for the state of New Jersey which will be vacated by Edward Goldman. He is an attorney for Zurich North America, Specialty Claims Counsel. He has worked with leading environmental organizations such as Ocean Law Project, American Oceans Campaign and Oceana. He has also worked for American Oceans Campaign, National Resources Defense Council, Earth-justice Legal Defense Fund, and the US Environmental Protection Agency. He is a recreational fisherman and an environmentalist. Mr. Zeman was also an advisory panel member for sea scallops and served on the Essential Fish Habitat advisory panel to the New England Fishery Management Council from 2000-2006. Steven F. Schaefer, of New York City, will fill the At-large seat currently held by the state of New York which will be vacated by Laurie Nolan. Mr. Schaefer is the Director of Retail Operations for Wild Edibles in New York. Mr. Schaefer has also worked with the non-profit organization SeaWeb, to help launch its KidSafe Seafood Program and the non-profit organization Blue Ocean Institute. He is a processor, buyer/broker, retailer and supplier of many seafood products who likes to educate consumers about sustainability. Preston P. Pate, Jr., of Newport, will fill the At-large seat currently held by the state of North Carolina which will be vacated by Dennis Spitsbergen. Mr. Pate is currently a subcontractor with Oak Management providing support to NMFS in developing the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP). He is a former Director of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. He also served as a member of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) from 1996-2007. He served as ASMFC Chairman from 2004-2006. He served as chairman and vice-chairman of the ASMFC Management Boards for striped bass, summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and weakfish. Mr. Pate received the David H. Hart Award in 2007 which is given by the ASMFC to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the betterment of marine fisheries on the Atlantic Coast. The Council looks forward to working with each new member and is grateful for the many contributions outgoing members Laurie Nolan, Dennis Spitsbergen, Jeff Deem, and Ed Goldman have made during their tenures. View Comments (0) North Carolina Seeks Applicants for Saltwater Fishing License Projects By The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Published: June 5, 2009 Print EmailThe N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting applications for proposals for the 2010 funding cycle from the N.C. Marine Resources Fund. The fund, which receives proceeds from the sale of Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses, provides grants for projects that help manage, protect, restore, develop, cultivate and enhance the state’s marine resources. This is the first request for proposals issued for the fund. Only universities, North Carolina local government entities, the state Division of Marine Fisheries and Wildlife Resources Commission are eligible to apply. Others must partner with an eligible entity. Proposals will be evaluated based on the CRFL Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Improvement of North Carolina’s Marine Resources. The plan considers priority research needs identified in fishery management plans approved by the Marine Fisheries Commission, issues identified in the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan and research needs identified cooperatively with other agencies. The strategic plan can be found on the Division of Marine Fisheries Web site at http://www.ncfisheries.net/CRFL/index.html. Projects submitted for this funding cycle should fall under one of the three programmatic areas: Fish – Projects that estimate fishing effort, harvest and mortality of important coastal fish species, the socio-economic attributes of coastal fisheries or the characterization of catch and release mortality; Habitat – Projects that improve the effectiveness of existing environmental programs or that identify, designate or protect coastal fish habitat; People – Projects that provide increased access to fisheries resources and enhancement structures or provide better public education and enrichment products. All proposals must be submitted to the director of the Division of Marine Fisheries by 5 p.m. July 31. Directions for submitting a proposal and an application form can be downloaded from the Division of Marine Fisheries’ Web site at http://www.ncfisheries.net/CRFL/index.html . Incomplete applications will not be accepted. For more information, contact CRFL Project Coordinator Bonnie Jones at (252) 808-8113 or (800) 682-2698. You may also e-mail Jones at Bonnie.B.Jones@ncdenr.gov View Comments (0) Maryland Police Blotter: Joseph Bruce Janda Jr., Carl Mays Shockley Jr., Jeremy Vincent Shockley Charged with Oyster Violations By Maryland Department of Natural Resources Published: May 31, 2009 Print EmailDorchester County – On May 27, 2009 the Maryland Natural Resources Police announce the results of several court cases involving oyster violations. These results culminated a six week investigation into illegal oyster harvesting activity in Dorchester County that occurred during January 2009. Joseph Bruce Janda Jr. of Wittman, Maryland was charged with twenty-two counts of possession of under size oysters and one count of failure to land oyster in container approved by the State. Joseph Janda was found guilty of all charges. He was sentenced to six months of incarceration in the Dorchester County Detention Center. Also, Joseph Janda received a fine of $977.50 and $22.50 in court cost and his tidal fish license is suspended for one year. Carl Mays Shockley Jr. of Fishing Creek, Maryland was charged with four counts of catching/selling oysters for commercial purposes without a license. The court gave Carl Shockley unsupervised probation before judgment and a $227.50 fine with $22.50 in court cost on one charge and nolle prosequi the three remaining charge. Proceeds from the sale of the oysters were forfeited to the State of Maryland in the amount of $440. Jeremy Vincent Shockley of Church Creek, Maryland was charged with fifteen counts of possessing under size oysters and one count of failure to land oysters in an approved container. Jeremy Shockley was found guilty of one count of possession of undersize oysters. He received a fine in the amount $327.50 and $22.50 in court cost and forfeited the proceeds of the undersize oysters in the amount of $352. . The remaining charges were nolle prosequi. In another case, Jeremy Shockley was charged with five counts of catching oysters in excess of the daily catch limits. Those charges were put on a stet docket and $440 from the sale of the over limit oysters were forfeited to the State of Maryland. View Comments (0)
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the Army’s new Warrior Transition Program for wounded soldiers; Mrs. Kerri Russell, a physical therapist with a doctorate in education who is also a state coordinator for Casting for Recovery; Mr. Gregory Burchstead, MS, an expert in the field of PTSD and retired Veterans Health Administration official who volunteers much of his time with Rivers of Recovery; Mr. Dustin Berg, mobility-impaired founder of Global Opportunities Unlimited; Mr. Bob Schtewein, MCI, who is one of New Mexico’s most prominent fly fishing guides and is a Master Certified Casting Instructor with the Federation of Fly Fishers; Ms. Char Bloom, Orvis-endorsed fly fishing guide, graduate of the Joan Wulff School for fly casting instructors, and certified ski instructor; and Mr. Ken Morrow, Wapiti Adventures Pro Guide, publisher of UPSTREAM, fly fishing columnist for Newsvine.com (MSNBC), and founding Southern Region Coordinator of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. who is also a disabled veteran.
