Chesapeake Bay News

8th Delmarva Charter Boat Operators Workshop

“Charter Boat Business Management for Your Future”

Harrison’s Chesapeake House

21551 Chesapeake House Drive, Tilghman Island, Maryland

Thursday, April 8, 2010 — 9 am to 3:00 pm

Organized jointly by the Sea Grant programs at the University of Maryland and the University of Delaware, the workshop will focus on business management, marketing, safety, and fishery resource issues pertaining to the charter and head boat industry and also to eco-tourism based charter businesses

$40 registration fee includes a buffet lunch and all educational materials.

Workshop Registration Deadline: Friday, April 2, 2010

Registration information is available online at:

http://darc.cms.udel.edu/charterboat/cbw10.html

Walk-ins will be taken as space allows, but registration fee will increase to $50

Overnight accommodations are available at Harrison’s Chesapeake House

see http://www.chesapeakehouse.com/ or call 410-886-2121 for reservations.

For additional information about the workshop, contact

John W. Ewart    (302) 645-4060 or Michelle Scorziello    (302) 645-4346

New for 2009, Maryland and Virginia have entered into a reciprocal agreement honoring certain fishing guide licenses in both states’ waters. Maryland will honor the Virginia Class A Fishing Guide License in Maryland tidal waters and Virginia will honor both the Maryland Resident Fishing Guide License and the Maryland Nonresident Fishing Guide License in Virginia tidal salt-waters. These license holders are automatically entitled to take advantage of the reciprocal agreement without any additional fees.

“Maryland and Virginia share a common set of fisheries management and water quality goals and are interested in expanding fishing opportunities for our fishermen, said Harley Speir, Assistant Director of Policy and Regulatory Division for DNR Fisheries Service. “This reciprocal agreement will give each state’s fishermen the opportunity for unique fishing experiences in the other state’s waters.”

Maryland Fishing Guides that wish to fish in Virginia must apply for the free Fishing Guide Reciprocity Permit for Virginia. Application forms are available on the Virginia Marine Resources Commission’s (VMRC) website at www.mrc.virginia.gov/forms/. Along with the application, the captain must provide a copy of their current Maryland Fishing Guide License (or TFL) and a copy of their U.S. Coast Guard license to carry passengers for hire (Captain’s License). Those fishing guides that wish to participate in the Virginia striped bass fishery should apply for the free striped bass permit at the same time. For questions about the Fishing Guide Reciprocity Permit, please contact Sonya Davis at 757-247-8155 or sonya.davis@mrc.virginia.gov.

Virginia Fishing Guides that wish to fish in Maryland must apply for the free Fishing Guide Reciprocity Permit for Maryland. Application forms are available on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/. Along with the application, the captain must provide a copy of their current Virginia Class A Fishing Guide License and a copy of their U.S. Coast Guard license to carry passengers for hire (Captain’s License). The application and attachments may be mailed to Connie Lewis or Belinda Gray at Maryland DNR Fisheries Service, Tawes Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Md 21401. You may ask them questions at either clewis@dnr.state.md.us or bgray@dnr.state.md.us or 410-260-8296.

Maryland and Virginia fishing guides with these licenses and reciprocal permits may guide fishing trips in Maryland and Virginia waters as long as their customers are also licensed in either Maryland or Virginia. An earlier reciprocal agreement between Maryland and Virginia honors the Maryland and Virginia sport fishing boat licenses that cover all persons fishing on a charter boat or head boat in both Maryland and Virginia waters. Therefore, in most cases, fishing guides will not be required to obtain any additional licenses for their customers. All required licenses must be in the possession of the fishing guide during any fishing trip.

Fishing guides must report their catch to the appropriate jurisdiction. Fish caught in Maryland need to be reported to the Maryland DNR on a form provided by the Maryland DNR. Fish (currently, only striped bass) caught in Virginia need to be reported to the VMRC on a form provided by the VMRC. Fishing guides must obtain the appropriate form from the relevant agency to report their catch. These forms are available upon request , along with the Fishing Guide Reciprocity Permit, from VMRC and Maryland DNR.

Maryland catch reports must be submitted to Connie Lewis by mail within 15 days following the end of a month. Virginia catch reports (currently, only striped bass) must be submitted to the Plans and Statistics Department at the VMRC, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor Newport News, VA 23607 within 15 days of the close of any open striped bass season (6). Fishing Guides with any questions should contact Connie Lewis at the Maryland DNR or Bethany Eden at the VMRC by phone at 757-247-2116 or by email at bethany.eden@mrc.virginia.gov.

The sixth Delmarva Charter Boat Operators Workshop will be held on Thursday, March 20 Tilghman Island, Maryland. The one-day program will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Harrison’s Chesapeake House, 21551 Chesapeake House Drive, Tilghman Island.

Organized jointly by the Sea Grant programs at the University of Maryland and the University of Delaware, the workshop will focus on business management, marketing, safety, and fishery resource issues pertaining to the charter and head boat industry and also to eco-tourism based charter businesses.

“We encourage all charter captains and business owners to attend, as well as those individuals interested in entering the charter industry,” says John Ewart, aquaculture and fisheries specialist with the Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service. “The workshop will provide a great opportunity for boat owners to come together to learn about improving the management of their businesses and to discuss mutual issues and challenges.”

The day long workshop will offer a variety of presentations representing important topics for the charter boat operator including legal issues, business management, marketing, customer relations, and insurance needs. Program topics will also focus on current Coast Guard issues, seafood handling safety and sport fish species management.

Seminar speakers are regional leaders in their respective fields. This is a great opportunity to participate in a program dedicated to helping the charter boat operator deal with current and anticipated challenges in small business management. Attendance will be held to 50 participants and available seating is expected to fill quickly, so advanced registration is strongly encouraged.

Registration for the workshop, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and resource materials, is $40 per person. On-site registration will be limited and the registration fee will increase to $50. Overnight accommodations ($65.00 for workshop attendees) are available at Harrison’s Chesapeake House www.chesapeakehouse.com/. Please call 410-886-2121 for reservations.

To register, make your check payable to “University of Delaware,” and mail to:

Rita Baty
ATTN: Charter Boat Workshop
University of Delaware Sea Grant Program
700 Pilottown Road
Lewes, DE 19958-1507

The registration deadline is Thursday, March 13. For additional information about the program agenda, contact John Ewart at (302) 645-4060 or ewart@udel.edu or visit the workshop Web site <darc.cms.udel.edu/charterboat/cbw08.html>.