ASMFC Approves Maryland’s Request to Extend the 2008 and 2009 Recreational Striped Bass Seasons

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Striped Bass Management Board (ASMFC) 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.”

The ASMFC’s vote today extended management of the Chesapeake Bay spring trophy striped bass fishery by creel, size and season limits for 2009 and subsequent years until stock assessment determines that corrective action is required for the coastal migratory striped bass population. Maryland regulations include an open season from the third Saturday of April to May 15 when anglers may take one striped bass sized 28-inches or greater; and an open season from May 16 to May 31 when anglers may take two-fish 18-inch or larger, only one of which may be 28 inches or greater. ASMFC also supported Maryland’s proposal to extend the closure date of Maryland’s 2008 recreational striped bass fishery 16 days, from December 15 to December 31.

“We can now offer greater predictability of the timing, creel and size limits for the upcoming striped bass season,” said Maryland Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell. “Previously, anglers and local businesses were unsure of the seasons’ details until just a few months before its opening.”

To ensure sustainable fisheries management, Maryland and Virginia will continue to estimate and report total spring migrant striped bass harvest to the ASMFC.

“We are very appreciative DNR’s efforts, particularly Tom O’Connell, who worked very hard to increase the opportunity for anglers and charter boat captains to enjoy Maryland’s spectacular striped bass fishing,“ said Ed O’Brien, Vice President of the Maryland Charter Boat Association.

The Chesapeake Bay spring trophy striped bass fishery is of significant socio-economic importance to Maryland’s charter boat industry and recreational fishermen. It was recently estimated that fishing trip expenditures associated with Maryland’s spring striped bass fishery is $10 million annually. More than 9,000 local jobs are supported annually through Maryland’s sportfishing industry. The importance of this fishery to the economic sustainability of Maryland’s charter boat industry has increased recently due to the negative impacts on the industry from the nation’s current economic situation.

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Comments Encouraged on Draft Oyster Environmental Impact Statement

Norfolk, VA – The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Virginia Marine Resources Commission today released a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement that evaluates oyster restoration alternatives for the Chesapeake Bay.

The study analyzes the direct and indirect ecological, economic, and cultural impacts of introducing a non-native species, the Suminoe oyster, continued efforts to restore the native Eastern oyster, and eight oyster restoration and management strategies.

“The document is the most comprehensive, multi-disciplinary oyster recovery study published to date,” said Norfolk District Commander Colonel Dionysios Anninos, and “involved the work of more than 90 scientists and several reviews by multiple independent panels.”

“The public release of the draft PEIS is a significant milestone for the five-year study,” Anninos added. “The PEIS will lay the foundation for all future oyster recovery actions in the Bay and we look forward to the public’s input on this important topic. The document does not name a preferred alternative; however, we’ve narrowed the alternatives to three basic combinations. Through extensive researched, we determined that no single alternative meets the established purpose and need of restoring the population.”

A preferred strategy will be identified in the final version of the PEIS, which the team expects to publish in late spring 2009, following the public comment period.

The Draft PEIS, prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, includes an evaluation of the potential outcomes of a range of alternatives for restoring the native Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), as well as the outcomes of an introduction of a nonnative species, the Suminoe oyster (Crassostrea ariakensis).

“This five-year effort built a sound scientific foundation on which to base a decision on whether to introduce a nonnative oyster species to the Chesapeake Bay,” said Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant, Jr. “Many, many scientists worked very hard on this and I thank them for their labors. Their work has been peer reviewed and those peer reviews have been peer reviewed. Exceptional diligence has been exercised. Now is the time for the public to make their voices heard. Public hearings will be held over the next two months and we eagerly await the public’s input. We are at the crossroads of an important decision. Rest assured, it will not be made lightly.”

Maryland officials also recognized the findings of the study and the importance of public feedback during the public comment period, Oct. 17 through Dec. 15.

“Thanks to the work of 90 scientists, we now have a significantly greater understanding of the ecological, economic, and cultural impacts of several different oyster restoration strategies,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin. “Their work, along with public feedback, will help us decide the best way to re-establish a healthy, sustainable oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay — a goal that we must ultimately accomplish for the future of the bay, our children and grandchildren. We hope that Marylanders will share their ideas and concerns as we work to identify, and begin to implement, the best strategies to achieve our restoration goals.”

In order to facilitate public comment, the lead agencies have scheduled six public meetings, three in Virginia and three in Maryland. The schedule for those meeting is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the following locations:

Maryland:

– Wednesday, Nov. 12, Calvert Marine Museum, 14200 HG Truman Road, Solomons, Md. 20688

– Thurs. November 13: Miller Senate Building, 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, Md. 21401

– Friday, Nov. 14, Minnette Dick Memorial Hall (St. Mary’s Catholic Church), 2000 Hambrooks Blvd., Cambridge, Md. 21613

Virginia:

– Wednesday, Nov. 5, Potomac River Fisheries Commission, 222 Taylor Street, Colonial Beach, Va. 22443

Friday, Nov. 7, VMRC main office 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, Va. 23607

Monday, Nov. 10, Nandua High School, 26350 Lankford Highway, Onley, Va. 23418

Comments may be submitted until Dec. 15, 2008 via verbal testimony at the public meetings, mail to Department of the Army, Norfolk District, Corps of Engineers, Attn: Mr. Mark Mansfield, Planning and Policy Branch, Fort Norfolk, 803 Front Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510-1096.
or email to Mark.T.Mansfield@usace.army.mil. Comments should reference the Draft PEIS.

Form more information visit http://www.nao.usace.army.mil/OysterEIS/homepage.asp or the following libraries:

• Anne Arundel Community College – Andrew G. Truxal Library – Arnold, Md.
• Anne Arundel Co. Public Library – Annapolis, Md.
• Calvert Co. Public Library – Prince Frederick, Md.
• Central Rappahannock Regional Library – Fredericksburg, Va.
• Chesapeake College Library – Wye Mills, Md.
• Corbin Memorial Library – Crisfield, Md.
• Dorchester Co. Public Library – Cambridge and Hurlock, Md.
• Eastern Shore Public Library – Accomac, Va
• Enoch Pratt Free Library – Baltimore, Md.
• Fairfax Co. Public Library – Fairfax, Va.
• Federal Maritime Commission Library – Washington, D.C.
• Henrico Co. Public Library – Richmond, Va.
• Kent Co. Public Library – Chestertown, Md.
• Lewis Egerton Smoot Memorial Library – King George, Va.
• Loudoun Co. Public Library – Leesburg, Va.
• MD State Law Library – Annapolis, Md.
• Norfolk Public Library – Norfolk, Va.
• Northumberland Public Library – Heathsville, Va.
• Petersburg Public Library – Petersburg, Va.
• Queen Anne’s Co. Library – Stevensville and Centerville, Md.
• Richmond Public Library – Richmond, Va.
• Somerset Co. Library – Princess Anne and Ewell, Md.
• St. Mary’s Co. Memorial Library – Leonardtown, Md.
• State Dept. of Legislative Reference Library – Annapolis, Md.
• Sudlersville Memorial Library – Sudlersville, Md.
• Talbot Co. Free Library – St. Michaels, Easton and Tilghman (Elementary School), Md.
• Calvert Co. Library – Twin Beaches Branch – Chesapeake Beach, Md.
• Virginia Beach Public Library – Virginia Beach, Va.
• Wicomico Co. Free Library – Salisbury, Md.