APRIL 1997
PLANS & STATISTICS
1-800-937-9247
ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWSLETTER IS SUMMARY
INFORMATION. PLEASE REFER TO THE REGULATION CITED FOR LEGAL DOCUMENTATION.
THIS NEWSLETTER PROVIDES ONLY A SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT MEASURES ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION AND HAS NO LEGAL FORCE OR EFFECT. TO READ THE REQUIREMENTS IN THEIR ENTIRETY, YOU ARE URGED TO OBTAIN A COMPLETE COPY OF THE REGULATIONS BY CALLING 757-247-8067 OR 757-247-2272; VMRC HOME PAGE: http://www.mrc.virginia.gov
$100 REWARD FOR LIVE STURGEON IN THE JAMES, YORK AND RAPPAHANNOCK RIVERS!!! |
During 1997, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Marine Resources
Commission, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and
the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation, are offering a $100 reward for
live sturgeon captured in the James, York and Rappahannock Rivers only. No
sturgeon from the Bay or ocean are included in this program. If you catch a
sturgeon, please hold it alive. Phone us, and we will arrange to come to
the site to pick up the fish.
Captured sturgeon will be tagged and released to learn more about their movement
patterns. Tissue samples will be taken to determine if the fish may have been
hatched in the Bay, or from someplace else outside of the Bay. We will only pay
for live sturgeon captured in the three rivers. You will receive payment
in approximately 4 weeks. Thank you for your cooperation. Please call one of the
following phone numbers: (804)829-2421 (Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m.-4:00
p.m.);(804)690-2983 (Cellular); Pager 1-800-774-9578; Pager 757-881-8708; Pager
804-755-3895. If you need additional information on the program you may contact
David Boyd, VMRC, at (757)247-2244.
The ASMFC increased Virginia's commercial quota by 317,748lbs. This increase in
quota allows some commercial watermen currently on the waiting list for striped
bass tags to receive permits and watermen currently with tags will receive an
increase in the number of tags for 1997. In mid April there will be an
additional allocation of the new tags. The waiting list will be renumbered and
all qualified '97 lottery applicants will be added to the end of the present
waiting list. All persons on the waiting list will be notified of their new
number for 1997 at a later date.
Tautog (Tautoga onitis) also known as "Blackfish"; "Black Porgy";
"Chub"; "Saltwater Chub" - Color dull black to greenish black or brownish above,
with more or less distinct, irregular, blackish bars or blotches most distinct
in young; fins plain, mostly like the ground color of body. It is most readily
recognized by its strongly convex anterior profile, thick lips, large
incisorlike teeth, and very deep caudal peduncle.
The food of the tautog is varied, consisting largely of various small
mollusks and crustaceans of suitable size. It is most numerous among rocks, old
wrecks, pilings, etc., where it feeds on barnacles, crabs and other animals
common in such places.
The tautog takes the hook readily and is of some importance as a
"recreational fish." Tautog is one of the few species that can be found in the
bay year round. Tautog have been caught in Chesapeake Bay waters as far inland
as the Maryland Chesapeake Bay bridge, but are normally a coastal species
associated with the predominately saline waters of bays and estuaries. Tautog
spawn in spring to early summer. In the lower Chesapeake Bay and coastal
Virginia waters they spawn from April to June.
More stock assessment and research is needed on tautog, such as, accurate
data on recreational and commercial landings, recruitment, sex and size
composition, migration/movement patterns as well as other areas of tautog
biology. Currently VIMS in Gloucester Point, VA is asking for your help in this
project. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) passed a tautog
management plan which calls for a 13 inch minimum size in April, 1997. A
proposed bag limit will be implemented in April 1998, based on data from Mass to
NY.
Without new information (data) on the tautog fishery in Virginia, regulations
will be based on data from northern states. If you would like to help please
call Mr. Geoff White at (804)642-7325; Local Pager: Gloucester (804)642-7921;
Norfolk (804)629-8136, to obtain data sheets, and record information on the
tautog you catch. VIMS scientists will pick up frozen carcasses and data sheet
analysis.
Since the mandatory reporting program has come into effect, tautog landings
have increased significantly for Virginia Commercial landings (See Table/Chart
Below). The Commission is currently calling for public hearings on tautog to
establish a 13" minimum size limit for Virginia tidal waters.
Without your help limits will NOT be based on the tautog fishery in Virginia!
Help us manage your fishery based on Virginia data. Happy tautog fishing!!!
| AMT | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |
| LBS | 5420 | 11358 | 27760 | 23749 |
| VALUE | $3535 | $9119 | $22131 | $17817 |
AMBERJACK - Regulation 4VAC20-510-10 et seq
Min Size Limit.........32 inches total length.
Possession Limit.......2 amberjack per person.
AMERICAN EEL - Regulation 4VAC20-500-10 et seq
Min Size Limit...........6 inches total length. See regulation for details on
eel pot restrictions.
AMERICAN SHAD - Reg. 4VAC20-530-10 et seq
MORATORIUM...Unlawful for any person to catch or possess American shad from the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries.
OPEN FISHERY...Only in Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea (east of the
Colregs Remarcation Line).
BLACK DRUM - (Drum, Drumfish) -Reg. 4VAC20-320-10
Min Size Limit..........16 inches total length
Possession Limit........All hook & line fishermen are limited to 1 black drum per person
Harvest Quota............120,000 pounds per year from Virginia's tidal waters.
Permit Required.........All fishermen need to obtain a Black Drum
Harvest/Selling Permit in order to catch, sell or possess black drum. All
fisheries for black drum are under limited entry.
BLACK SEA BASS - Reg, 4VAC20-950-10 et seq
Min Size Limit...........9 inches total length. See regulation for
details on fish pot restrictions
BLUEFISH - Reg. 4VAC20-450-10 et seq
Possession Limit....All hook & line fishermen are limited to 10 bluefish per person.
Landings Quota....913,788 pounds for 1997 from any waters.
COBIA (Bonita) - Reg. 4VAC20-510-10 et seq
Min Size Limit...37 inches total length.
Possession Limit....2 cobia per person.
GREY TROUT (Weakfish) - Reg. 4VAC20-380-10 et seq
Hook & Line Fishery..12 inch minimum size limit and a 4 fish possession limit per person.
Gill Net Fishery..12 inch minimum size limit; no possession of grey trout May 14-Oct. 7 and Dec. 18 through Mar. 31. During the CLOSED SEASON, you can possess up to 150 pounds of grey trout of 12 inches or greater.
Pound Net Fishery...No possession of grey trout May 1-22, and Sept. 13 through Mar. 31; See 4VAC20-380-50 for exceptions. During the CLOSED SEASON, you can possess up to 150 pounds of grey trout of 12 inches or greater.
Haul Seine Fishery...No possession of grey trout April 1-15, June 11 through Aug. 20, and Sep. 25 through Mar. 31. During the CLOSED SEASON, you can possess up to 150 pounds of grey trout of 12 inches or greater.
Trawl Fishery...Unlawful to land grey trout in VA less than 12 inches and to have a trawl net cod-end with mesh less than 3 inches. Closed season on landing grey trout by trawler is Sep. 26 through Mar. 31. During the CLOSED SEASON, you can possess a bycatch of up to 150lbs of grey trout of 12 inches or greater.
Other Gear Types......9 inch minimum size limit.
KING MACKEREL - Reg. 4VAC20-540-10 et seq
Min. Size Limit...14 inches total length, except that a licensed pound net may
take or possess king mackerel less than 14 inches total length.
RED DRUM (Puppy Drum) - Reg. 4VAC20-280-10 et seq
Slot Size Limit..18 inch min and 27 inch max size limits (total length).
Possession Limit...Any person is limited to 5 red drum, only 1 of which may
exceed 27 inches total length.
SCUP (Porgy) - Reg. 4VAC20-910-10 et seq
Min Size Limit....9 inches total length.
Harvest Quota.....4158 pounds for May 1 through October 31. See regulation for
details of additional landing and possession limits, as well as fish pot
restrictions.
SHARKS(All excluding dogfish) - Reg. 4VAC20-490-10 et seq
Possession Limit..All hook & line and spear fishermen are limited to 1 shark per person.
Catch Limit...A vessel may not land or have on board any more than 7500 pounds
of shark carcasses per day. Longlining and finning sharks are prohibited;
however, fins may be removed at sea provided the carcass of the shark is
retained and counted as part of any possession or landing limit.
SPANISH MACKEREL - Reg. 4VAC20-540-10 et seq
Min Size Limit..14 inches total length.
Catch Limit..No person may land more than 3500 pounds of Spanish mackerel per
vessel per trip.
SPECKLED TROUT - Reg. 4VAC20-280-10 et seq
Min Size Limit..14 inches total length.
Possession Limit...All hook & line fisherman are limited to 10 speckled trout per person
Pound Net and Haul Seine Fisheries..up to 5% tolerance (speckled trout under 14 inches) by weight.
Harvest Quota..51,104 pounds for Sept. through Aug., for each 12 month period.
STRIPED BASS (Rockfish) - Reg. 4VAC20-252-10 et seq
It is unlawful for any person to engage in the commercial fishery for striped
bass without first having obtained the necessary fisherman's registration
license, appropriate gear license and the special permit to fish for striped
bass. The minimum size limit and season restrictions must be observed and all
commercially harvested striped bass must be identified with a tamper evident
sealed tag that has been approved and issued by the appropriate authority in the
jurisdiction of capture. The min size is 18 inches. maximum size limit shall be
28 inches from March 15 - June 15.
STURGEON - Code Section 28.2-303
It is unlawful to take, catch or possess any sturgeon.
SUMMER FLOUNDER - Reg. 4VAC20-620-10 et seq
Min Size Limit...14 inches total length. Possession Limit...All hook & line
fishermen are limited to 10 summer flounder per person. Harvest Quota..300,000
lbs per yr from VA tidal waters.
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN (FMP) Available for public comment between 3/17 - 4/17. Contact Nancy Butowski at the Fisheries Div. Maryland Dept of Natural Resource Tawes State Office Bldg; Annapolis, MD 21401 |
The crab pot season begins April 1, 1997. No pots are to be placed or set before then. Just a reminder for our crab potters; the "hours fished" on your daily forms is the number of hours your crab pots were setting in the water.
{Example: You set them Tues., April 1; you don't go back to pull them until
Wed., April 2. The hours your pots were in the water is 24 hours (1 day). Please
do not put down the hours it takes you to pull your pots on April 2.
4:00am-2:00pm(10 hrs)}. This is the most common error with "hours fished" on our
mandatory reporting form. If you have any questions about hours please call the
office at 757-247-2272 or 757-247-2014.
I would like to draw your attention to the "Virginia Soft Crab
Producers Newsletter." There was a note from the president to his fellow
soft crab producers. It stated,"It is extremely important for the soft crab
people to report their catch to VMRC. This is a requirement that must be
fulfilled each year. Its very simple if you catch a peeler...report it as a
peeler; if it is a soft crab or you shed him aboard the boat, report it as a
soft crab...." This sums up what we have been trying to get the soft crab
and peeler crab harvester to understand. Please, as the new season approaches,
be aware of these reminders!!
Crab dredge season is at a close. All dredgers, to maintain their eligibility
for the following season, must have worked at least one day during the 1997-97
Dec-Mar season. If you have not reported make sure you do. We look at the
mandatory reporting database to check the eligibility status for the upcoming
season. If you worked with another dredger make sure they put your commercial
registration number on their reports. You can call the office and ask for
Stephanie Iverson. We will be glad to verify if we have received your reports.
We would like you to know that we are encouraged by the reporting
of the waterman over the more than four years that the Mandatory Reporting
program has been in place. Every year waterman are getting better at reporting
accurately and in a timely manner. Unfortunately we are still getting too many
delinquent reports. We are charged with managing your fisheries. We are called
upon to report the data we have received to justify regulations on different
species. Late reports may cause your data to appear erroneous. We need your
cooperation. All reports are due by the 5th of the following month. That
means by January 5, 1997 all of 1996 reports should have
been in our office. In March we were still receiving 1996 data. Please be aware
that you are out of compliance with the Mandatory Reporting regulation
(4VAC20-610-10 et. seq) when you do not have your reports in our office by the
5th of the following month. Commission action for noncompliance has ranged from
six month probation periods to revocation of commercial and all related gear
licenses for a period of one year, followed by probation. Please assist us by
reporting accurately and in a timely manner.
CLAMS
Hand/Rake.......................................... $15.00
Patent Tong Single.............................. $35.00
Clam Dredge - Hand............................ $15.00
Clam Dredge - Power........................... $35.00
Patent Tong Double.............................. $70.00
CONCH DREDGE LICENSE............... $35.00
CRABS
Ordinary Trot Line................................. $ 8.00
Patent Trot Line...................................... $31.00
Crab Power Dredge..............................$58.00(Permit Req-VMRC)
Crab Hand Scrape - Single...................... $16.00
Crab Hand Scrape - Double.................... $32.00
Crab Dip Net............................................ $ 8.00
Crab Pot 100 or less..... $ 29.00(Amt Pots Ltr Req-VMRC)
Crab Pot 101-300........... $ 48.00(Amt Pots Ltr Req-VMRC)
Crab Pot 301-500........... $100.00(Amt Pots Ltr Req-VMRC)
Shed Tank 20 or Less.................................. $ 7.50
Shed Tank Over 20...................................... $15.00
Peeler Pot..................................................... $29.00
Horseshoe Crab Hand Harv......................... $15.00
FOOD FISH
Gill Nets up 600'....................................... $10.00
Gill Nets 601' to 1200'............................... $15.00
Commercial Fish Cast/Throw Net............. $ 8.00
Fish Trot Line........................................... $12.00
Commercial Fish Dip Net.......................... $ 6.00
Haul Seine under 500 yards...................... $29.00
Haul Seine over 500 yards............................ $88.00
Commercial Hook & Line........................... $25.00
Fish Pot 100 or less...................................... $12.00
Fish Pot 101 to 300....................................... $20.00
Fish Pot over 300.......................................... $50.00
OYSTERS
Oysters by Hand/Hand Tong........................ $10.00
Oysters Patent Tong - Single.................... $35.00
Oysters Dredge (Public Grounds)............. $50.00
Oysters Patent Tong - Double................... $70.00
REPLACEMENTS
Replacement Tags........................................... $1.00
Replacement Licenses........................................ No Fee
SEAFOOD BUYERS
Boat or Truck...................................................... $25.00
Place of Business.................................................
$50.00
SEAFOOD LANDING........................................
$150.00
SOLD BY MARINE PATROL OFFICERS ONLY
Crab Trap/Pound................................................. $5.00
Fyke Net.............................................................. $8.00
Pound Net............................................................ $25.00
Stake Gill
Net...................................................... $15.00
We have several informational sheets that summarize the regulations on several
species available to the watermen. You will find a copy of "Commercial Fishing
in Virginia's Tidal Waters" enclosed in this newsletter. Also available are:
"Commercial Crabbing in Virginia Tidal Waters"; and "Summary of Gill Net Laws &
Regulations for Virginia Tidal Waters". These informational sheets are updated
as regulations change. Please keep the current addition of these sheets for the
most accurate information. Call in to the office if you aren't sure if you have
the most current copy of these sheets.
You will be receiving a year's supply of '97 forms and folders in one mailing.
The number of folders you will receive is based on your reporting history for
1996. You may request additional forms at any time during the year if you should
run out. Just call 1-800-937-9247 24hr a day, seven days a week. Leave your
name, commercial registration number, and the number of supplies you need on the
answering machine.
April 22, 1997 ON OR AFTER 12 P.M.
2600 Washington Ave, Newport News
4th Fl - Commission Room
Written comments on the proposals will be accepted until 12:00 Noon, April
22, 1997 and should be addressed to Jack Travelstead, VMRC Fisheries Management
Division, P.O. Box 756, Newport News, VA 23607.
1) Tautog minimum size limit/gear restrictions.
2) Shark minimum size 58", by-catch allowance, closure of state waters when federal waters quota has been reached.
3) Clam Management Areas
4) Conch Regulations
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Clam Advisory Committee: May 14, 1997 ;7:00pm, VMRC Conf. Room 4th FL
Finfish Advisory Committee: May 20, 1997;7:00pm, VMRC Conf. Room 4th FL
Com Fish Advisory Board: May 20, 1997:4:00pm
In order for State and Federal fisheries biologists to manage the striped bass fishery and maintain fishable levels of striped bass, people who care about the fishery are relied upon for tag infor- mation. However, for tagging information to be useful, fishermen who return the tags must provide accurate and complete information. In the past, cash rewards were given to anyone providing tag information, regardless of the completeness of the data sent. Due to recent reductions in the federal budget, cash rewards are now only given to those who send in complete and accurate tag information. Everyone will still receive a hat for their participation. Below is a list of the information the Fish & Wildlife Service needs to process a tag return and issue a cash reward:
- What was the tag number?
- Was the tag removed from the fish or not?
- If removed, what part of the tag was removed: streamer, button, or both?
- Was the fish: sold, kept for consumption, released, or accidentally killed in a net?
- How was the fish caught: anchor gill net, drift gill net, seine, pound net, trap, hook and line?
- What was the date that the fish was caught? (At a minimum, provide month and year)
- Where was the fish caught? (Include name of body of water and nearest
town/city that can be found on map)
