ASMFC Approves Maryland’s Request to Extend the 2008 and 2009 Recreational Striped Bass
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 The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Striped Bass Management Board (ASMFC) has approved Maryland’s request to extend the 2008 and 2009 recreational striped bass seasons. The decision also approved an alternative non-quota based management strategy for the fishery’s spring season. The ASMFC approved this strategy for the first time in 2008, but limited this only to the 2008 fishing season.
“Every year, hundreds of thousands of anglers take to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay in pursuit of Maryland’s favorite catch, striped bass,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin. “Extending the striped bass fishing seasons increases the opportunity for visiting and resident anglers to catch the big one and support local charter boat captains, fishing guides, tackle shops and other sportfishing related businesses.”
Click here to view the public notice announcement.
To read entire press release please go to www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2008/102008a.html.
The following proposals were submitted to ASMFC with regards to the striped bass recreational fishing season:
Maryland Fisheries Services "Proposal for December season extension of Maryland’s recreational striped bass fishery".
Maryland Fisheries Services "Proposal to manage Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay spring trophy striped bass fishery by creel, size and season limits".
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2008 Young-of-Year Striped Bass Survey Shows Below Average Reproduction |
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service recently finalized the 2008 striped bass (rockfish) juvenile index, a measure of striped bass spawning success in Chesapeake Bay. The 2008 index is 3.2, below the long-term average of 11.7. During the survey DNR biologists collected 422 young-of-year (YOY) striped bass.
“Healthy striped bass populations are known for such highly variable spawning success,” said Eric Durell, DNR Fisheries Biologist. “This is just the third time in the past decade that striped bass reproduction in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay has been below average.”
 Two of the most successful spawning years ever documented (2001 and 2003) also occurred during this period. Typically, several years of average reproduction are interspersed with occasional large and small year-classes.
Poor reproduction was also observed for other spring-spawning species such as white perch and American shad, leading biologists to suspect that large-scale environmental factors may be responsible. Heavy rains in early May resulted in decreased water temperatures on major striped bass spawning grounds.
“This spring water temperatures fell below levels known to be lethally cold to striped bass eggs and larvae,” explained Durell. “Survival of these sensitive life stages is a major determinant of spawning success.”
The underlying spanwing stock is still healhty and is watched closely by DNR biologists and monitored and in partnerhsip with other coastal states through the Atlantic State's Marine Fisheries Commission.
DNR biologists have monitored the reproductive success of striped bass and other species in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay annually since 1954. Twenty-two sites were surveyed in the four major spawning systems: Choptank, Potomac, and Nanticoke Rivers, and the Upper Chesapeake Bay. Biologists visit each site monthly from July through September, collecting fish samples with two sweeps of a 100-foot beach seine. The index is calculated as the average catch of YOY fish per sample.
For more information visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/juvindex/index.html.
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Closure of the Recreational Summer Flounder Fishery in Maryland
Beginning October 24, 2008 |
The Secretary of Maryland DNR has announced the closure of the 2008 recreational fishery for summer flounder in all state waters effective October 24, 2008. The National Marine Fisheries Service has estimated that Maryland’s 2008 recreational quota for summer flounder has been achieved.
The recreational harvest of summer flounder, as well as a number of other species in Maryland, is estimated by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as part of their Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey, better known by fishermen as the MRFSS survey. The methodologies used by NMFS are proven statistical procedures developed for producing estimates for fisheries management, these are the best available data we have for recreational harvest. Each state along the coast uses MRFSS estimates to make species specific management decisions that affect recreational fisheries.
NMFS informed us, that through the month of August they estimated that 66,000 summer flounder have been landed in Maryland. Our quota for 2008 was only 60,000 fish. Based on these results, Maryland DNR closed the recreational summer flounder fishery to minimize any additional overage that could affect the 2009 recreational fishery.
Please direct questions and/or comments to Michael Luisi. To view full public announcement go to www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/notices/2008/102108sumflounder.html.
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Don’t Play Johnny Appleseed with Fish! |
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You may think stocking your favorite fish in a local stream or pond is a great idea, but think twice! Moving fish to waters where they were not historically found may disrupt the ecosystem and damage existing fish populations in that area. Like snakeheads, non-native fish can be very damaging. Maryland Fisheries Service is concerned about the potential impacts of two non-native catfish – the blue catfish and the flathead catfish. Both have been found in some Maryland waters.
Click here to view an advisory on these species and learn about the impacts of introducing these species. To learn more about the laws and regulations governing fish movements in Maryland, view our fact sheet “What Can I Stock or Release into Maryland Waters?”
To learn more about invasive species or what steps Maryland's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has taken to help prevent invasive species from being introduced go to www.dnr.state.md.us/invasives/index.asp.
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Attnention Anglers - Tidal Largemouth Bass Fall Electrofishing Surveys in Progress |
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Inland fisheries biologists are conducting annual tidal largemouth bass fall electrofishing surveys in selected tributaries to the Cheasapeake Bay. Surveys in both the tidal Potomac and Choptank Rivers for largemouth bass have been completed but several more days of sampling on the Potomac River will take place for northern snakeheads and blue catfish. The Upper Bay (Swan Creek to Northeast River), Marshyhope, Wicomico, Middle and Patuxent Rivers have yet to be done. Sites are randomly selected in advance and consist of 250 meter stretches parallel to the shoreline or along the edge of submerged aquatic vegetation beds. All largemouth bass within these sites are collected and held in an aerated live-well. Upon completion of the sample, fish are weighed, measured, examined for injuries or other anomalies, and then released back into the water. Largemouth bass collected in this manner have been known to feed within hours of release.
For more information contact Mary Groves at 301-888-2423 or mgroves@dnr.state.md.us.
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National Saltwater Angler Registry |
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On June 11, 2008, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries released a proposed rule on the National Saltwater Angler Registry. The proposed rule outlines the process NOAA Fisheries will use for registering saltwater recreational anglers. It also addresses the qualifications and procedures for exempting states and their anglers from the federal registration requirement. Click here to see what this means for Maryland anglers.
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Emergency Blue Crab Regulations Adopted By AELR Committee |
The proposed emergency blue crab regulations were adopted May 22 by the Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review Committee (AELR) and will be effective June 1st. The new regulations do not apply to the ocean and coastal bays.
To View a summary of the adopted regulatory proposals click here.
To View a summary of 2008 recreational bay crabbing regulations click here.
To read how the female crab bushel limits for commercial crabbers was calculated click here.
If you're interested in the background for the emergency regulation click here.
Click here to read additional information regarding adoption of the emergency regulations.
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The Maryland 2008 Fishing Guide Available Online |
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Now available online, the 2008 Fishing Guide. The guide traditionally accompanies the purchase of your fishing license and covers Freshwater, Chesapeake Bay, Coastal and Atlantic Ocean recreational fishing regulations for the State of Maryland. If your internet speed is a concern please note the file size of the 2008 guide, it is 8 megabytes, if you would rather not download the file please visit your nearest license retailer for a hard copy.
To view and download the entire fishing guide book click this link.
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Tagging Study To Focus On Striped Bass Health -
Anglers, Commercial Fisherman Play Vital Role in Data Collection |
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) are conducting a cooperative tagging study to better understand mycobacteria disease of resident striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay.
Mycobacteriosis is a bacterial disease known to be present in striped bass since at least the mid 1980s. Stock assessment analysis has not demonstrated a decline in the population of striped bass and reproduction remains high. This tagging study is designed to determine how or if the disease progresses in fish over time. Diseased and healthy fish are collected, assessed for current health condition, implanted with bright-green anchor tags and released back into the Chesapeake Bay.
“Coordination between DNR and VIMS will ensure that fish recaptured in the Chesapeake Bay are collected and analyzed in a timely manner, regardless of where they are caught,” said Howard King, Director of DNR’s Fisheries Service. “Results of this study will increase our understanding of the potential impacts of mycobacteriosis on the striped bass population.”
Fish will be tagged each spring and fall through at least 2009. Both agencies are using a bright-green colored anchor tag marked with either “VIMS” or “MD DNR” that includes a toll free number (1-866-845-3379) to report the fish. A reward is being offered for the return of tagged whole fish to biologists so that they can be examined. Fish bearing the bright-green tag are exempt from Maryland and Virginia daily catch limits and seasonal and size restrictions, provided that they are reported promptly, kept intact, kept cool or chilled (not frozen) and turned over to DNR or VIMS. Cooperation by anglers, commercial fishermen and charter boat captains is very much needed for success of this study. Tagged fish captured outside Maryland and Virginia waters should still be reported on the toll free number and the tag returned by mail.
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Fish for the Future: Promoting Sensible Growth While Preserving Fish Habitat |
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Check out what Maryland's Fisheries Service is doing to define the effect of habitat on fish populations.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Service initiated studies examining impacts of land development on fisheries in the Bay. These studies indicated that when impervious surface (rooftops, roads, sidewalks, parking lots and compacted soils) covers 10% or more of a watershed, fish habitat is significantly impaired and fish populations decline...
To view complete story go to the following web site http:www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/management/ecosystem/futurefishindex.html.
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