[27 sailfish]

If you fish in Maryland - you need to take off work Febuary 17th and go to the Miller Bldg in Annapolis at 1:30.It is a Tuesday afternoon but it's time we draw a line in the sand and stand up to these poachers.

Let's show Annapolis we are fed up with fines that do nothing to deter poachers.Let's demand much stiffer fines and put an end to poachers getting 10 or even 20 "second chances".

These poachers are stealing from every honest fisherman out there.You can bet they laugh at us and DNR.The ball is in our court right now - let's not lose this chance to stop poachers.Until poachers face high fines and loss of their boat/truck/gear - nothing will change.

We only have a week to get this together but please, put in for the 17th off right now.Tell your boss you are sick - SICK of poachers getting a slap on the wrist.

I'm taking my son out from school half a day.Way I see it - I'm fighting for fish he will one day catch.A 30 inch Rock is about 8-9 years old.

 

[Hookin-Up]

We just protesting or are they having a hearing?

This needs a sticky either way!!

 

[bebopper]

While the penalties need to be increased (I personally want to see licenses revoked for life over fines) all the hearings in the world will not prevent the judges from handing out slaps on the wrists to the offenders. We need to have manditory penalties for these law breakers.

It really pisses me off when the other states want Maryland's recs to protect the fish for them. And I don't appreciate other states trying to dictate how we run our rec fishing. Unfortunately I think it is time for every state that participates in the striper fishery to bring pressure on Maryland to start really nailing poachers or risk reducing or losing their commercial quotas. These same statements are probably true for our southern neighbor, Virginia, also.

At some point I would like to know just how many citations are given to rec fishermen for illegal fish every year. I have a gut feeling there are not too many.

 

[27 sailfish]

It will take more then one meeting to get things changed but we need to start somewhere and figure out who is willing to help out.

DNR gives out a lot of tickets to recs. I see it all the time off Sandy Point.Often illegal crabs or short Rockfish.9 times out of 10 though - it looks to be an honest mistake.

Recs. do not have the motive of profit so there is very little to gain by breaking the law.Most times other fishermen will explain the rules to new guys.

There is a huge differance between a poacher using nets at night and a first time bay fisherman trying to keep a 17 inch Rock.To some guys - a 17 incher is a big fish.

It goes in the favor for fishermen to obey game laws.It will mean more fish for everyone.

It pays the poacher to break the law - means more money for them.

 

[jnashed]

Skip,

Great idea. Also dont forget to write letters, upon letters to you're state representatives. Hand written (not form letters) can work especially in volume. Us in the state of Va have a couple of things upcomming which are scary. But, Even if there is no current state legislation up for a vote, it keeps the bug in their ear. Volume needs to be turned up!!!

Jim

 

[stripeteasefishing]

I'm IN. I will be there wearing my "Make it a Gamefish" hat that I got from The Official Site of Stripers Forever

Stiffer penalties for ALL poaching/violators. Commercials know better and need to be discouraged from gaming the system. Rec's should probably get "A" light penalty on there first, like going to traffic court, but a second offense and hit them hard. No excuse for a second offense.

Which committe is holding the hearing?

Any links?

 

[27 sailfish]

I'll post more as I learn.

Might as well stay until evening.At DNR bldg - the task force is meeting at 6:30. Make it a two for one special :thumbup:.

 

[creekdweller]

What's the purpose of the hearing on the 17th? I can go, but I'd like to know the substance of the hearing. Doing a quick search, I found this summary of the commercial striped bass proposed changes to regulations - hearing to be held on the 11th at Calvary UM Church - looks like this might be an important hearing, too:


The purpose of this proposal is to amend striped bass regulations in order to improve quota monitoring, harvester accountability, and enforceability of the commercial striped bass harvest regulations. The commercial striped bass fishery is managed under a limited entry system with only 1231 permits available to eligible commercial fishermen. The harvest in this fishery is tracked through allocation permit cards issued to the harvester and check station reports. Harvesters must have their catch counted and weighed at a check station within 3 hours of harvest and by 9 p.m. Check stations call in harvest each day and report on written forms each week. In addition, harvesters must tag each fish with a numerical tag that can be traced to the harvester. These tags are gear specific, but they are proposed to be limited in number for the pound net and Atlantic fisheries. Harvesters using all other gears may request more tags during the season if their harvest records report the need for more tags. In this fishery a number of enforcement and harvest monitoring problems have recently developed. Out of concerns for accountability and compliance in the commercial striped bass fishery, Maryland is taking action to address enforcement and harvest monitoring problems. The proposed action provides two separate periods during the year in which transfer of striped bass allocation permits may take place with certain restrictions. A revised process for issuance of tags will improve accountability of the harvest monitoring tags. In addition, modified time restrictions have been proposed to improve enforcement efforts. The proposed changes will prevent the untrackable transfers of harvest permits and provide for a regular audit of striped bass harvest tags. These measures will hold watermen and related businesses accountable for their actions and ensure protection of striped bass for current and future generations. These efforts are critical to maintaining respect for Maryland’s fishery with our partner states along the Atlantic Coast and fairness among our fishing industry in Maryland.

 

[Scott McGuire]

Skip,

It's the SFAC/TFAC that's meeting on the 17th. They have not released an agenda yet.

MARYLAND SPORT FISH ADVISORY COMMISSION (SFAC)

 

[27 sailfish]

I got a feeling what will be discussed .The more I dig into all this - the worse it is getting.

 

[one fish]

Hi Guys,

As others have indicated, seems like all possible info needs to be posted (as skip said he will do).
And a plan would be nice, depending on the info gathered.
Do you go and make a lot of noise(not appreciated I'm sure).
Do you carry signs?
How does one distinguish recs from watermen?
What are you trying to accomplish?
Who's going to lead?

Point is: probably need an organized plan.


Someone mentioned the other day about the mssa marchin on annap for the striper moratorium.
Well, that was organized and most of the attendees arrived by prearranged school buses.
That is the reason there was a couple hundred people there. Might have been beer on the bus, I don't remember.

Anyway, just trying to help, not being negative.
Good Luck,

 

[aafinest]

Skip, Please keep me posted, I'm available on the 17th

 

[27 sailfish]

No doubt having more time would be good but if nothing else - a show of numbers sure can not hurt.

No need to be rude or noisy. I can not see anyone not wanting poachers punished.They steal from all of us.We all play by the rules and the poachers think they are above the law.

 

[Gerald]

We could also contact the ASMFC. Write some letters. And ask them a coupla questions. Like how Thomas O'Connell was planning on improve harvest reporting and accountability measures while the govn'r is cut'n thier funds and grounding their aviation unit.

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Added to the Board's agenda was discussion of the ongoing investigation into illegal commercial striped bass.

harvest, sale, and purchase in the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. Thomas O'Connell, Director of the
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service, reviewed the currently known aspects of
the investigation, and informed the Board that the DNR has proposed regulations to improve harvest reporting and
accountability measures. Because the investigation is ongoing, the Board requested another update from the DNR
at the Board's next meeting.
For more information, please contact Nichola Meserve, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at (202) 289-6400
or [email protected].
Motions
Move to initiate an addendum including options to increase the coastal commercial quotas by 10, 15, 20 and
25% and adopt a 50% underage rollover.
Motion made by Mr. Johnson, second by Mr. Calomo. Motion fails by roll call vote (In favor: MA, NY, DE, DC,
PRFC, VA, and NC; Opposed: ME, NH, RI, CT, NJ, PA, and MD; Abstention: NMFS; absent: USFWS).

 

[Ele]

skip, where are you getting your information that there is a task force meeting on the 17th. According to the DNR Website, the next task force meeting is March 24th.

Ele

 

[kidz]

Skip, everyone bring a rod and reel with a wooden question mark hanging from it. Maybe get an old fish net and spread it out across the street fron the DNR building. Could trail our boats and create a recreational boat parade.

 

[Gerald]

Its a joint committee meeting Sport Fish and Tidal fisheries

MARYLAND SPORT FISH ADVISORY COMMISSION (SFAC)

Sport Fish Advisory Meetings

A joint session of the TFAC and the Sport Fish Advisory Commission is to take place Thursday February 17. The joint meeting with SFAC runs from 5:00-6:30 pm, the Regulatory Scoping Meeting runs 6:30- 9:00 pm. The meeting will take place in the cafeteria of the Tawes State Office Building in Annapolis, MD, not at Calvary United Methodist Church, as previously advertised. An agenda yet to be announced.

Here is a tentative listing of the remaining meetings for 2009:
April 6, 2009 - Meeting in Western Maryland 6-9 pm.
May 19, 2009 - Joint meeting with TFAC, 5:00-6:30 pm, Regulatory Scoping Meeting 6:30- 9:00 pm. Fellowship Hall at Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401.
September 15, 2009 - Joint meeting with TFAC, 5:00-6:30 pm, Regulatory Scoping Meeting 6:30- 9:00 pm. Fellowship Hall at Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401.
October 19, 2009 - 6:00-9:00 pm, Tawes, C-1
November 17, 2009 - Joint meeting with TFAC, 5:00- 8:00 pm. Tawes, C-1

If you have any questions, please call or write Marty Gary at 410-260-8289.

 

[capt.george]

Hi Guys,

As others have indicated, seems like all possible info needs to be posted (as skip said he will do).
And a plan would be nice, depending on the info gathered.
Do you go and make a lot of noise(not appreciated I'm sure).
Do you carry signs?
How does one distinguish recs from watermen?
What are you trying to accomplish?
Who's going to lead?

Point is: probably need an organized plan.


Someone mentioned the other day about the mssa marchin on annap for the striper moratorium.
Well, that was organized and most of the attendees arrived by prearranged school buses.
That is the reason there was a couple hundred people there. Might have been beer on the bus, I don't remember.

Anyway, just trying to help, not being negative.
Good Luck,

--Ron. I believe that was on the" No Net" House & Senate bills introduced that year --I put a lot of Moola in the Parking Garage industry that Session --

 

[capt.george]

Its a joint committee meeting Sport Fish and Tidal fisheries

MARYLAND SPORT FISH ADVISORY COMMISSION (SFAC)

Sport Fish Advisory Meetings

A joint session of the TFAC and the Sport Fish Advisory Commission is to take place Thursday February 17. The joint meeting with SFAC runs from 5:00-6:30 pm, the Regulatory Scoping Meeting runs 6:30- 9:00 pm. The meeting will take place in the cafeteria of the Tawes State Office Building in Annapolis, MD, not at Calvary United Methodist Church, as previously advertised. An agenda yet to be announced.

Here is a tentative listing of the remaining meetings for 2009:
April 6, 2009 - Meeting in Western Maryland 6-9 pm.
May 19, 2009 - Joint meeting with TFAC, 5:00-6:30 pm, Regulatory Scoping Meeting 6:30- 9:00 pm. Fellowship Hall at Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401.
September 15, 2009 - Joint meeting with TFAC, 5:00-6:30 pm, Regulatory Scoping Meeting 6:30- 9:00 pm. Fellowship Hall at Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401.
October 19, 2009 - 6:00-9:00 pm, Tawes, C-1
November 17, 2009 - Joint meeting with TFAC, 5:00- 8:00 pm. Tawes, C-1

If you have any questions, please call or write Marty Gary at 410-260-8289.

---G-man--The Members list I think is not up to date --Believe Jim Gilford left , Etc.

 

[capt.george]

We could also contact the ASMFC. Write some letters. And ask them a coupla questions. Like how Thomas O'Connell was planning on improve harvest reporting and accountability measures while the govn'r is cut'n thier funds and grounding their aviation unit.

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Added to the Board's agenda was discussion of the ongoing investigation into illegal commercial striped bass.

harvest, sale, and purchase in the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. Thomas O'Connell, Director of the
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service, reviewed the currently known aspects of
the investigation, and informed the Board that the DNR has proposed regulations to improve harvest reporting and
accountability measures. Because the investigation is ongoing, the Board requested another update from the DNR
at the Board's next meeting.
For more information, please contact Nichola Meserve, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at (202) 289-6400
or [email protected].
Motions
Move to initiate an addendum including options to increase the coastal commercial quotas by 10, 15, 20 and
25% and adopt a 50% underage rollover.
Motion made by Mr. Johnson, second by Mr. Calomo. Motion fails by roll call vote (In favor: MA, NY, DE, DC,
PRFC, VA, and NC; Opposed: ME, NH, RI, CT, NJ, PA, and MD; Abstention: NMFS; absent: USFWS).

--G-man--I respectfully Disagree as to including ASMFC in any Maryland Fisheries Internal Planning & Desisions --This is Our Ball Game & A home run should come from OUR batters --