Chesapeake Bay News

Virginia is home to a wide variety of saltwater fishing, including excellent pier fishing. Visiting a fishing pier is something anglers of all ages are likely to enjoy. Pier fishing is easy to do, often requires no licenses or permits and allows anglers of all ages, sexes and skill levels to fish or just enjoy a day of fresh air.

Depending on the season and location, fishermen may catch trout, croakers, spot, pigfish, white perch, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, spadefish, small sharks, red drum, black drum or other fish on Virginia fishing piers.

Several Virginia saltwater fishing piers are easy to find and are suitable for first time visitors.

The Seagull Pier is a good local pier to fish from. It lies on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and extends into the bay. Trout, croakers, spot, bluefish, spanish mackerel, small sharks and even black drum are caught from the pier. Fishing can be productive and continues at night, when bait congregates under the lights, which attracts predators to the pier.

The Ocean View Fishing Pier offers anglers excellent fishing. The 1690′ long by 16′ wide pier features a 48′ wide T section at it’s end and extends into the Chesapeake Bay between the Chesapeake Bay bridge Tunnel and the Hampton Roads Tunnel.

The Saxis Fishing Pier on Virginia’s Eastern shore is an excellent local pier. The pier extends 200 feet into Saxis Harbor and terminates with a 100-foot t-head. The pier is handicapped accessible and ADA compliant. The pier is lit and is open 24 hours a day. Anglers visiting the Saxis Fishing Pier catch croakers, spot, white perch, trout, striped bass, bluefish, flounder and other Chesapeake Bay fish. Bait is available locally including peeler crab or soft crab baits. There is no fee to use the Saxis Fishing Pier although a valid saltwater fishing license is required.

Before visiting any saltwater fishing pier in Virginia, a good idea is to to contact the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or local tackle shops for fishing regulations.

The following message from VMRC should be of interest to anyone that is in favor of restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

We’re looking to form a flotilla one morning next month for an hour.

John M.R. Bull
Director of Public Relations
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
(757) 247-2269

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Welcomes Public Comments through Aug. 20 on Proposal

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites public comments on the recently proposed 2008-2009 late waterfowl hunting seasons.

“We are pleased to offer a variety of waterfowl hunting opportunities and continue the great tradition of wildfowling in the Chesapeake area,” said Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul A. Peditto. “Hunters will note several changes to the proposed waterfowl seasons this year. We look forward to public input on the proposals that ensure sustained waterfowl populations while allowing for use of this treasured natural resource.”

The proposed 2008-2009 duck season will be a 60-day season with a 6-duck daily bag limit. Species bag limits are based upon population status and spring breeding habitat and summer brood rearing conditions. This year, waterfowl managers proposed increasing the daily bag limit of wood ducks to three per day. A recent review of the biological data for this species indicates that the wood duck population can sustain some additional harvest pressure.

Conversely, the daily bag limit of scaup has been reduced to ensure harvest is compatible with population status. Although, scaup remain abundant, the population of lesser scaup has undergone a gradual decline as a result of several environmental factors that have contributed to lower survival and recruitment. The recently adopted scaup harvest strategy calls for a restrictive season in 2008, with a 1 scaup bag limit for 40 days of the 60-day regular duck season, and a 2 scaup limit during the remaining 20 days of the season.

There will be no open season on canvasback this year. The 2008 canvasback breeding population estimate decreased 44% from 2007, primarily the result of a 39% decline in pond numbers in Prairie Canada. Dry conditions exist throughout much of Prairie Canada and the north central U.S., thus the outlook for canvasback production is poor.

The 2008 spring breeding pair survey of Atlantic Population (migrant) Canada geese totaled 169,700 compared to 195,700 in 2007. Although the number of breeding pairs decreased, spring snow melt was normal over most of the major Atlantic Population (AP) breeding range. Favorable nesting conditions led to a strong nesting effort, and as a result, gosling production is expected to be good. The Atlantic Population Canada goose season will remain at 45 days with a daily bag limit of two geese.

The 2008-2009 proposed waterfowl hunting regulations also include changes to the regular Atlantic Flyway Resident Canada (AFRP) goose season. The season length for the AFRP Canada geese has been increased from 70 to 80 days and the closing federal framework date has been extended to March 10 to exert greater harvest pressure on this overabundant goose population. The proposed AFRP Canada goose season dates are Nov. 15 to Nov. 28 and Dec. 16 to Mar. 4. The daily bag limit is 5 geese per day. The AFRP Canada Goose Hunt Zone has also been modified to afford additional protection to migrant AP geese. Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Howard Counties, and a portion of Carroll County will now be a part of the AP Hunt Zone.

Following a high mid-winter survey count of 161,000 Atlantic brant along the east coast, the proposed 2008 hunting regulations for Atlantic brant also have been liberalized to allow a 60-day season and a 3-bird daily bag limit.

For a table that lists all the proposed Maryland 2008-2009 late waterfowl hunting season dates and bag limits visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/lwfchart.asp.

Public comments about the proposed waterfowl hunting season dates and bag limits may be submitted online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/lwfforum.asp, via fax at 410-260-8596, or over the phone by calling 410-260-8540.

On Monday, August 18, at 7 p.m., DNR will hold a public meeting to collect comments on the proposed regulations at Chesapeake College’s Amphitheater (Room H117) in the Kent Humanities Building in Wye Mills. Directions to the meeting are below.

FROM ANNAPOLIS AND POINTS WEST

Take Route 50 East to the traffic light at the intersection of Routes 50 and 213, and turn right on Route 213. The Chesapeake College entrance is on the right. Park in Lot E.

FROM SALISBURY AND POINTS EAST

Take Route 50 West to the traffic light at the intersection of Routes 50 and 213, and turn left on Route 213. The Chesapeake College entrance is on the right. Park in Lot E.

source: DNR press release

Virginia’s Biggest In-Water Boat Show Returns to Downtown Norfolk Waterfront September 12 – 14, 2008

NORFOLK, Va. – May 14, 2008 – The 4th annual Virginia In-Water Boat Expo and SAILFEST returns to the Downtown Norfolk waterfront, September 12-14, 2008. As the state’s largest in-water boating exhibition, this growing event caters to every boating enthusiast, who along with their friends and family can enjoy a wide selection of the newest boats and cutting edge marine products and accessories, all in one place for the best deals all year round.

This three-day boating spectacular will showcase hundreds of the latest in luxury and cruising yachts, sport fishers, bass boats, performance boats, personal water craft, sailboats, engines, and marine accessories. The Expo will also feature live entertainment nightly, interactive exhibits and a Discover Boating pavilion, where experts will be on-site to provide unbiased information for novice boating enthusiasts and the most experienced of boaters.

Hours are Friday, from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for military personnel and their spouses. Children 15 and under are FREE. Tickets are good for same-day re-entry with display of wristband. Take advantage of the $2.00 per ticket discount through Thursday, September 11, when you purchase your ticket online at VirginiaBoatExpo.com.

For advance tickets and show information, visit www.VirginiaBoatExpo.com or call 757-441-2345.

Sponsors of the 2008 Virginia In-Water Boat Expo and SAILFEST include TowneBank, Jeep, Discover Boating, Boaters World Marine Center, Geico and the City of Norfolk.

The Virginia In-Water Boat Expo and Sailfest is co-produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Norfolk Festevents. NMMA is the world’s largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the $37.6 billion per year recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the U.S. For more information about the NMMA, visit www.NMMA.org. Norfolk Festevents, LTD is a private not-for-profit organization dedicated to producing premier concerts, festivals, ship visits and special events and city celebrations for residents and guests of Hampton Roads. Celebrating its 26th season, Norfolk Festevents has garnered international acclaim for its outstanding quality programming. Norfolk Festevents is the official event marketing and production agency for the City of Norfolk.

Maryland Offers Free Fishing Days on June 14 & July 4

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages first time anglers and children to commemorate their first catch through DNR’s My First Fish certificate program.

“Every child should have the opportunity to explore Maryland’s natural resources through fishing. Some of my earliest childhood memories are fishing with my dad and grandfather, “said Tom O’Connell, Maryland Fisheries Service Director. “I’ll never forget the look on my son and daughters faces when they caught their first fish. We hope that parents and mentors will commemorate their children’s first catch by taking advantage of our My First Fish program.”

First-time anglers of all ages may receive a free My First Fish certificate noting their name, species caught, length, catch date and fishing buddy upon completing an online form or visiting an official Maryland Sport Fishing Citation Center. If a digital photograph is taken and included with the entry form, the photo will be included on the certificate.

To encourage new people to try out the sport, Maryland designated June 14 and July 4 as free fishing days, where anglers may fish in public waters without the normally required annual fishing license.

Both first-time and experienced anglers may also join the hunt for Diamond Jim through the 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge this summer. Any angler who catches a citation award qualifying fish will be eligible to win one of the several grand prizes including, including a 2008 Toyota Tundra 4×4 pickup truck from Central Atlantic Toyota, a boat and trailer from Bass Pro Shops and $5,000 in fishing gear from Bill’s Outdoor Center. More than 60 species of fish are eligible for the grand prizes in the summer-long contest that runs through September 1.

To help ensure that all Maryland children have an opportunity to experience and connect with nature, Governor O’Malley recently signed an Executive Order establishing the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature. This coalition of state, local, private and non-profit partners is charged with promoting the well-being of youth by accelerating environmental learning, connecting communities to parks and public lands and expanding opportunities for structured and unstructured outdoor time in nature for both play and learning.

To access the online My First Fish form and a list of local citation centers visit www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/tournament/firstfish.html.

For more information about Maryland’s free fishing days, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/freefishing.html.

For more information on the 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/fishingchallenge.

source: DNR press release

On June 11, 2008, Maryland’s Governor Martin O’Malley will be honored with the prestigious Sportsmen’s Best Friend of the Year Award by the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation at its 7th Annual Banquet & Auction, Loews Annapolis Hotel.  It is the highest honor annually awarded by the Foundation – an affiliate, non-profit organization of the bi-partisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus within the Maryland General Assembly.

The Governor is being honored by “Maryland’s first conservationists,” in recognition of his extraordinary leadership on the environmental issues critical to the time-honored traditions of fishing, hunting and trapping, as well as his support of other legislation that impacts Maryland’s sportsmen and women.

“Look at the Governor’s record,” said Senator John Astle, Democratic Co-Chair of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.  ”He stands with the sportsmen of Maryland on all fronts, meaning he wants what we want and he goes after them.  Enactment of the 2010 Trust Fund, a fully-funded Program Open Space, compliance with a financial commitment to the recreational fishing community, rebuilding of the Bay’s beleaguered blue crab population, promotion of fishing habitat and oyster reefs through the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative, advocacy for sustainable forestry and a strengthened Critical Areas law, just to name a few.”

Republican Co-Chair of the Caucus, Delegate Richard B. Weldon, Jr. echoed Senator Astle’s sentiments.

“When it comes to the traditional rights of sportsmen to hunt, fish and trap, there are no partisan boundaries,” Delegate Weldon said. “We all want available open space land in which to hunt and a clean watershed in which to fish.  And, in the final analysis, we’re all conservationists which need to stand together.  I commend the Foundation for its decision to honor Governor O’Malley as the Foundation’s Sportsmen’s Best Friend of the Year.  And, I commend the Foundation for its unrivaled efforts to build bridges with other stakeholder community groups which share our same conservation-minded values.

The Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation – in partnership with the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus – works on behalf of current and future generations of Maryland Sportsmen not only by helping to conserve, promote and protect the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s coveted open space lands, wildlife and habitat, but also by safeguarding their traditional rights to hunt, fish, trap and enjoy the lawful use of their firearms.  MLSF is a 501 (c) non-profit organization.

Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the opening of a competitive process through which local governments, community groups, non-profit organizations, academic institutions and private enterprises may apply for local implementation grants from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund. Under Governor O’Malley’s leadership, the Fund was created during the 2007 special session of the General Assembly to help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

“After 25 years of dedicated effort to restore the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays, it is clear that Maryland and our partners have not achieved our goal and a new approach is needed if we want to ensure healthy, productive Bays for our children and grandchildren,” said Governor O’Malley. “The people of Maryland have entrusted us to utilize these special funds for implementation of the most cost-effective restoration and pollution prevention efforts, so that we can realize meaningful, measurable results in the local streams and rivers that most impact the Bays’ health.”

“Thanks to Governor O’Malley, and to those who advocate for our Bay and the environment, we have new resources through the Chesapeake Bay 2110 Trust to address issues that challenge the health of the Chesapeake Bay,” said Delegate Maggie McIntosh, Chair of the House Environmental Matters Committee. “This fund has been a long time legislative priority for the Environmental Matters Committee, we are pleased to have been a partner in it’s creation.”

The request for proposals (RFP) process is designed to leverage available funding for non-point source restoration projects that will result in measurable water quality improvements within one to three years through nutrient and sediment pollution reduction. Projects expected to have the greatest nutrient reduction benefit within high priority watersheds that include local government and multiple organizations as partners will be given priority consideration for funding.

“This is a very exciting step forward for Bay improvement. We now have permanent funding for effective pollution reduction practices so that we will actually see improved water quality in the Bay and rivers.” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Executive Director Kim Coble.

Competitive grants will encourage specific geographic targeting, clustering of multiple projects and strategies to maximize results, and restoration efforts that combine cost-effective best management practices throughout local watersheds.

“Targeting available resources at a scale that science tells us will have a measurable result represents a new approach to Bay restoration,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin.

“We thank Governor O’Malley for assuring funding assistance to local governments like Montgomery County who are working hard to reduce stormwater and other water quality impacts from suburban and urban areas,” said Robert Hoyt, Director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. “The innovative funding through the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund not only makes dollars available, but it does it in a way that will help local governments leverage other dollars, support existing and create new partnerships with key stakeholders, and implement comprehensive watershed-based solutions.”

Through Governor O’Malley’s BayStat Initiative, Maryland has identified high, medium and low priority watersheds based on current water quality conditions and modeled nitrogen loads to the Chesapeake Bay from each watershed. For fiscal years 2009 and 2010, priority consideration will be given to projects located in small (30,000 acres or less) watersheds of the lower Eastern Shore, Choptank River, upper Eastern Shore, lower western shore and Patuxent River. Identified high priority sub-watersheds include the Corsica River, Langford Creek, Little Patuxent River, lower Chester River, lower Choptank River, Magothy River, lower Patuxent River, Sassafras River, Severn River, South River, Southeast Creek, Stillpond Fairlee, and Wye River.

“It is promising to see such a strong focus on inter-jurisdictional cooperation and clear, measurable goals for these implementation grants,” said Jennifer Dindinger, Chair of the Choptank River Tributary Team. “Encouraging a watershed approach to water quality management is the key to cleaning up our streams and rivers and this program will go a long way toward achieving that goal.”

The State will accept proposals through August 29, 2008. Proposals will be reviewed by an independent scientific advisory panel comprised of scientists, educators, planners, environmental advocates and policy experts. Final grants will be announced in October 2008.

During the 2008 session of the Maryland General Assembly, Governor O’Malley secured $25 million for fiscal year 2009 implementation of the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund, all of which will be targeted to practices and areas which the best science available indicates will result in the greatest possible water quality improvements. Through Governor O’Malley’s BayStat Initiative, Trust Fund grants will be publicly reviewed, held accountable for measurable results, and adapted as need to maximize success. A similar RFP for fiscal year 2011 will be released in early 2009.

The full request for proposal and additional information including a map of identified priority watersheds is available online at http://www.baystat.maryland.gov/trustfund.

In addition to the Trust Fund and BayStat Initiatives, Governor O’Malley recently strengthened Maryland’s critical areas law to better protect from development the most environmentally sensitive and significant lands within Maryland’s Chesapeake and Coastal Bays watersheds.
June 5, 2008

Governor Martin O’Malley proclaimed June 2008 Great Outdoors Month, encouraging Maryland residents and visitors to spend time enjoying the State’s diverse and bountiful outdoor recreation opportunities.

Whether in the mountains of Western Maryland, near the shores of the Chesapeake Bay or Atlantic Ocean, or places in between, I hope citizens and visitors will take advantage of warm June weather by enjoying one of the countless outdoor activities that abound across our State,” said Governor O’Malley. “Spending a morning, afternoon, or weekend outdoors fishing, hiking, biking, boating, or bird watching can strengthen our personal health and well being, as well as relationships with family and friends.”

Governor O’Malley also talked about the personal responsibility that each Marylander shares in passing along an appreciation for our environment to the next generation.

“Every Marylander has a role in continuing our legacy of caring for our natural resources,” added the Governor. “Sharing a favorite outdoor activity with a young person helps them connect with our natural world and can inspire a lifelong path of personal development and stewardship.”

To ensure that all Maryland children have an opportunity to experience and connect with nature, Governor O’Malley recently signed an Executive Order establishing the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature. This coalition of state, local, private and non-profit partners is charged with promoting the well-being of youth by accelerating environmental learning, connecting communities to parks and public lands and expanding opportunities for structured and unstructured outdoor time in nature for both play and learning.

On June 7, Maryland will also celebrate National Trails Day during which hundreds of organizations and parks from across the nation will participate in events that celebrate the United States’ superb network of outdoor trails.

“Maryland’s public lands offer more than a thousand miles of trails through forests, wetlands, grasslands, and other natural areas,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “From hiking and horseback riding to cycling and paddling, our State’s public lands offer nearby, affordable and safe opportunities for everyone to enjoy time outdoors.”

For a full listing of trails visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/.

NorthBay, an environmental educational center located in North East, Md., will host a demonstration of habitat mapping with a Robotics in the Bay event on June 10, 2008. Presentations are scheduled to include technical demonstrations from the Mid Atlantic Bight National Undersea Research Center, Rutgers University, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office, and NASA.

The event will include demonstrations of autonomous operated underwater vehicles (AUV) used to create a bay-floor habitat map for the NorthBay area of North East, Md. This baseline data will be used by NorthBay students to monitor temporal and spatial changes in the bay bottom.

After the AUV has been launched and is gathering data, educators will design, build and launch an operating remotely operated vehicle (ROV). This exercise is available to educators to create and integrate into their own programs. Additionally, the event will include an informal, open forum for participants to discuss and explore the types of technologies presently being used to explore the ocean, and ways to integrate these techniques into the classroom in a contagious way.

NorthBay was established in 2005 by The Erickson Foundation to establish educational opportunities for young people. Through its partnerships with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of Education, NorthBay hosts more than 10,000 middle school students each year. With a full-time staff of more than 100 professionals, NorthBay uses experiential education to instill confidence, knowledge, and leadership in young people and teach them that their actions have a lasting impact on the future. NorthBay is located on more than 97 acres at the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River in Cecil County, Md.

Virginia Marine Resources Commission has approved the following projects for 2008

Recreational Fishing Advisory Board Recommended Projects:

A)  2008 Sunshine Children’s Fishing Program.  Denny Dobbins, Portsmouth Anglers Club.  $7,194.

B)  2008 Saxis & Morley’s Wharf Fishing Pier Youth Fishing Tournaments (Year 7).  Allen Evans, Eastern Shore of Virginia Anglers Club.  $2,500.

C)  2008 Hope House & Oak Grove Nursing Home Fishing Excursions and Clinics.  D. Hurst, C. Macin, Great Bridge Fisherman’s Association.  $4,000.

D)  Virginia Marine Sportfish Collection (Year 2).  J. Grist, J. Cimino, VMRC.  $12,000.

E)  Estimating Relative Abundance of Young-of-Year American Eel, Anguilla rostrata, in the Virginia Tributaries of Chesapeake Bay (Year 8).  Mary Fabrizio, VIMS.  $45,348.  From recreational fund $22,674.

F) Estimating Relative Juvenile Abundance of Recreationally Important Finfish in the Virginia Portion of Chesapeake Bay.  Mary Fabrizio, VIMS.  $74,242.

G)  Estimate and Assess Social and Economic Importance and Value of Menhaden to Chesapeake Bay Stakeholders and Region (3 Year Study) - Year 2.  James Kirkley, VIMS.  $236,479. From recreational fund $205,479.

K)  2008 Deployment of Artificial Reef Structure.  Mike Meier, VMRC.  $500,000.

L)  Buckroe Beach Saltwater Fishing Pier.  Fred Whitley, City of Hampton.  $750,000.

M)  Data collection and analysis in support of single and multispecies stock assessments in Chesapeake Bay:  the Chesapeake Bay Multispecies Monitoring and Assessment Program (ChesMMAP).  R. Latour, C. Bonzek, VIMS.   $94,221.

Commercial Fishing Advisory Board Recommended Projects:

A)  Product Development for Cownose Ray.  Shirley Estes, VMPB.  $55,900.

B) Project Manager for the Re-examination of Feasibility Study on One-year Grow-out of Triploid Crassostrea ariakensis.  Frances Porter, VSC.  $26,530. (Part 1 of 2)

H)  Repeatability of the Enrichment Procedure for Triploid C. ariakensis larvae.  Standish Allen, VIMS.  $30,000.  (Part 2 of 2)

C) Estimate and Assess Social and Economic Importance and Value of Menhaden to Chesapeake Bay Stakeholders and Region (3 Year Study) – Year 2.  James Kirkley, VIMS. $31,000.

D)  Estimating Relative Abundance of Young-of-Year American Eel, Anguilla rostrata, in the Virginia Tributaries of Chesapeake Bay (Year 8).  Mary Fabrizio, VIMS.  $22,674.