Chesapeake Bay News

Effective January 1, 2011, anglers who fish in Maryland will see significant changes to sportfishing license (saltwater fishing license) requirements. Enacted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), many of these changes are being implemented to allow the State to comply with Federal law calling for a national database of saltwater anglers.

Notable changes include:

- A single comprehensive saltwater sport fishing license has been created to replace the one in effect since 1985. The new Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License will now cover Maryland waters off the Atlantic coast, including the coastal bays, in addition to Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries.

- The NOAA National Saltwater Angler Registration will no longer be valid for anglers fishing in Maryland waters. DNR will provide angler contact information to NOAA obtained through State licenses and registration.

- A new recreational sport fishing license fee structure has been adopted and registration for certain unlicensed anglers will be required. The license fees for several non-resident categories of Maryland’s recreational fishing licenses have been changed and five-day licenses have been extended to seven days.

Specific details on the changes, new fee structure and exemptions are available at dnr.state.md.us/service/fishing_license.asp with questions can email customerservice@dnr.state.md.us or call (410) 656-9526

source: MD DNR

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Waterway Improvement Fund has approved a project at Wicomico County’s Nanticoke Harbor totaling $1,605,000. The project includes maintenance dredging 13,600 yards of material and repairing two existing stone jetties totaling 1,373 feet in length.

“This project is beneficial to the commercial and recreational boating citizens of Wicomico County and visitors who use Nanticoke Harbor,” said Gary Mackes, Director of Wicomico Parks, Recreation & Tourism.

Dredging will make the harbor more accessible to recreational and commercial boats that use the facility. Currently, some boats must wait to come and go at high tide to avoid running aground in the shallow channel. Rebuilding the stone jetties will help to keep sediment from accumulating in the harbor. Over the years the jetties have settled, reducing their effectiveness. This also means they are covered by water in high tides, rendering them a hazard to anyone not familiar with their location.

The dredging will begin immediately, followed by the reconstruction of the stone jetties. The project could be completed by the end of March. The contract was awarded to Corman Marine Construction.

This project is funded entirely by the Waterway Improvement Fund, which is funded by the five percent excise fee boaters pay when they register a boat in Maryland.

Bob Gaudette, Director of DNR’s Boating Services, said jobs like the Nanticoke Harbor project support marine contractors.

“It really is a stimulus program for those in the marina industry. Contractors have indicated to me they would have laid off employees without the projects,” said Gaudette.

To learn more about DNR’s Waterway Improvement Fund, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating.

source: MD DNR

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a reminder to Marylanders that new sanctuaries are in effect for this year’s oyster season, which begins October 1. According the agency, Natural Resources Police (NRP) officers will be out on the water, patrolling sanctuaries and stepping up enforcement.

The Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development plan increases Maryland’s network of oyster sanctuaries from 9 percent to 24 percent of remaining quality habitat; increases areas open to leasing for oyster aquaculture and streamlines the permitting process; and maintains 76 percent of the Bay’s remaining quality oyster habitat for a more targeted, sustainable, and scientifically managed public oyster fishery.

In addition to any points assigned to the license, conviction of harvesting oysters from a leased area, an oyster sanctuary, oyster reserve, or area closed for public health will result in suspension of a person’s tidal fish license or authorization for up to 365 days during the oyster harvest season.

To mitigate short-term economic impacts to the industry, DNR is developing watermen work programs to facilitate restoration efforts. Funding for these efforts comes from $15 million of federal blue crab fishery disaster money and state capital funds. Watermen assisted DNR in rehabilitating oyster bar habitat and retrieving ghost (abandoned) crab pots this past winter. Additional oyster bar rehabilitation work will be available for watermen this winter.

source: MD DNR

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the launch of its updated Online Boating Access Guide. The web-based guide provides the location of public boating access sites across the state, as well as site-specific details on amenities, parking, directions, and fees. The new site is located at www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/boatramps.asp

“The previously offered data were out of date, and boaters told us they needed more information,” said Lisa Gutierrez, DNR’s Division Director of Boating Services who oversaw the project. “In addition, we wanted to reflect the growing number of non-motorized recreational boaters who wanted information on soft launch sites.”

DNR’s Boating Services Unit worked for almost two years to produce new maps and collect data from local, state and federal partners for the updated site. Boaters planning to use launch sites are encouraged to check the website before planning a trip.

While DNR provides the maps, most boat ramps are operated by county departments of parks and recreation. Contact information for these offices is provided on the new website and boaters should contact the counties for information on parking, fees, and permits, which vary.

“This new guide will help supply boaters all over Maryland, and beyond, with the information they need to access and experience Maryland’s waterways and the Chesapeake Bay,” said Bob Gaudette, DNR’s Director of Boating Services.

For more information visit www.dnr.state.md.us/boating

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Marine Trades Association of Maryland will hold a forum July 8 in Annapolis to offer an opportunity to learn more about the new General Discharge Permit for Boat and Vessel Maintenance. The forum is intended for operators of facilities that perform or allow boat repair.

MDE is reviewing appropriate changes to the General Permit for Discharges for Marinas. Changes to the permit address and update requirements related to bottom paints and wash water. Maryland’s waters must be protected from toxicity that could compromise aquatic life and public health now and in the future.

DNR’s Clean Marina Program and the Marine Trades Association of Maryland are assisting in the process by providing technical expertise and experience, and will provide ongoing compliance assistance.

Attendees will learn about the active ingredients in bottom paints from several paint representatives as well as how marina discharges are handled in other states. This forum is not a “public hearing” as no draft determination of the permit has been proposed for public comment. Rather, the forum is a chance to hear why changes are being discussed and to get industry suggestions to best meet new water quality standards.

The forum will run from 1:00 to 4:00p.m. July 8 in the meeting hall of the Calvary Methodist Church on at 301 Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis. There is no cost and operators of businesses that conduct—or allow—boat repair work on site are strongly encouraged to attend.

To register contact the Marine Trades Association of Maryland at susan@mtam.org or by calling 410-269-0741.

For more information on Maryland’s Clean Marina Program visit:

www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating/cleanmarina

source: MD DNR

Maryland and Virginia are among Atlantic states that have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum II to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings follow:

Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
June 17, 2010; 7:00 PM
Ocean Pines Library
11107 Cathell Road
Berlin, Maryland
Contact: Carrie Kennedy at (410) 260-8295

July 19, 2010; 5:30 PM
Tawes State Office Building, C1 Conf. Room
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland
Contact: Carrie Kennedy at (410) 260-8295

Virginia Marine Resources Commission
June 28, 2010; 6:00 PM
2600 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor
Newport News, Virginia
Contact: Jack Travelstead at (757) 247-2247

The Draft Addendum proposes two changes to the striped bass management program: (1) an increase in the coastal commercial quota, and (2) revising the definition of recruitment failure based on Technical Committee advice.

The proposal to increase the coastal commercial quota is intended to improve equality between the commercial and recreational fishery sectors. Although Amendment 6 established management programs for both fisheries based on the same target fishing mortality rate, the implementation of state-specific quotas for coastal commercial harvest (and not for recreational harvest) has prevented the commercial and recreational fisheries from responding equally to changes in striped bass population size. Since 2003, coastal commercial harvest has decreased by 3.6 percent, while recreational harvest has increased by 13.7 percent. Under the option, the Board would select a percent increase to be applied to the coastal commercial allocations assigned in Amendment 6.

The Management Board voted to include a second issue in the Draft Addendum based on information presented at the meeting. As part of its review of the juvenile abundance indices, the Striped Bass Technical Committee recommended to the Management Board a revision to how striped bass recruitment failure is defined. Juvenile abundance indices are an important component of the striped bass monitoring program and are used to determine periods of recruitment failure which can trigger management action under Amendment 6. Adopting the proposed recommendation would result in a fixed value to determine recruitment failure in each surveyed area rather than a value that changes from year to year. Use of either the Amendment 6 definition or the Technical Committee recommendation for recruitment failure does not result in any necessary changes to the current management program.

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum, either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. The Draft Addendum can be obtained via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400.

Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on October 1, 2010 and should be forwarded to Nichola Meserve, FMP Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at nmeserve@asmfc.org (Subject line: Striped Bass Addendum II). For more information, please contact Nichola Meserve, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator at (202) 289-6400 or nmeserve@asmfc.org.

source: ASMFC press release

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the dates and locations for the election of county oyster committee representatives.

Watermen who hold a commercial tidal fishing license (TFL) or Oyster Harvester License in every tidewater county may vote for five licensed hand tongers, five licensed power dredgers, five licensed patent tongers and five divers to represent them on their respective county committees.

Watermen who have purchased a 2009-2010 oyster surcharge and reported harvested may be eligible to be nominated for a committee.

To submit a name for the ballot, a potential candidate must notify DNR no later than June 7, 2010 by calling Frank Marenghi at (410) 260-8302 to verify eligibility.

The following elections will be held by secret written ballot cast in person:

Baltimore & Anne Arundel Counties
6 – 9 p.m., June 14, 2010, Tawes Building, C-1 Conference Room, Annapolis

Calvert, St. Mary’s, & Charles Counties
6 – 9 p.m., June 15, 2010, Southern Community Center, Lusby

Kent & Queen Anne Counties
6 – 9 p.m., June 16, 2010, Queen Anne’s County Library, Centreville

Talbot County
6 – 9 p.m., June 21, 2010, Talbot County, Parks and Rec. Building, Chesapeake Room, Easton

Somerset, Wicomico, & Worchester Counties
5:30 – 8:30 p.m., June 22, 2010, Wicomico County Free Library, Salisbury

Dorchester County
June 24, 6 – 9 p.m., Dorchester County Library, Cambridge.

source: DNR

Maryland released its annual Chesapeake Bay Health Report Card on May 18, 2010. The Chesapeake Bay showed broad water quality improvements in 2009, receiving its highest mark since 2002 from the annual Chesapeake Bay Health Report Card. At the same time, the state launched StreamHealth, a website to help Marylanders learn about the health of their streams and take action to improve them.

The report card — an annual analysis conducted through the EcoCheck partnership between University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office — is based on data collected by state and federal agencies through the Chesapeake Bay Program. The 2009 report noted improved conditions in eight Bay regions and degraded conditions in two, earning the Bay a grade of “C” for overall health.

Grades for 14 reporting Bay regions varied, ranging from “B-minus” (moderate-good) to “F” (very poor). The highest ranked region, for the third year in a row, was the Upper Western Shore, which includes the Bush and Gunpowder Rivers. The lowest ranked region was the Patapsco and Back Rivers.

Scientists attribute the overall improvements to last year’s unique regional rainfall patterns, continued efforts to reduce nutrient pollution within the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the gradual rebound in Bay health since the historically poor conditions observed in 2003.  Over the report’s 24-year history, overall Bay health was rated at its highest in 1993 with a score of 57, and it lowest in 2003 with a score of 35. The 2009 rating of 46 falls in the top 25 percentile.

“Despite the record high rainfall in parts of Maryland and Virginia, the mainstem of the Chesapeake Bay improved last year,” said UMCES researcher and project leader Dr. William Dennison. “Normally, more precipitation means poorer Bay health. But last year, the Bay benefited from below average rainfall throughout Pennsylvania which appears to have reduced the amount of pollutants reaching the open waters of the mainstem Bay.”

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are asking the public to watch for and report any diseased, dying, or dead fish on the Monocacy River. Although no dead or dying fish have been reported so far this spring, the agencies are investigating springtime fish health and mortality.

“Public input is important in helping state agencies to respond quickly and gather meaningful data,” said DNR Fisheries Western Region Manager John Mullican.

Last May an angler reported a fish kill in the upper Monocacy involving mostly adult smallmouth bass and sunfish. It is uncertain if this mortality was related to other springtime fish kills in the Potomac River watershed since 2002.

A single cause for the fish kills has not been identified; however, investigations suggest that fish are subjected to multiple stressors including contaminants; damaged skin, gills and internal organs; parasites, spawning injuries and stress. DNR has also discovered a high prevalence of intersex in some species, most notably smallmouth bass. Environmental and contaminant factors may also lead to immune suppression, which may make fish more susceptible to bacterial infections. Possible causes of contamination include agricultural chemicals (pesticides and antibiotics), urban runoff, prescription medicines and personal care products.

If you find dead or dying fish in the Monocacy or Potomac River, please contact the Maryland Safety and Environmental Hotline (877) 224-7229 or the DNR-Fisheries Service at (301) 898-5443 with the time, date, location, fish species, and approximate number of affected fish. Photographs and a description of any unusual behavior or water conditions are also helpful.

This information is provided as a public service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. www.dnr.maryland.gov

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Montgomery County have partnered to rebuild the Pennyfield boat ramp which provides access to the Potomac River. The ramp is located at the Muddy Branch at the National Park Service aqueduct. This popular location has been used for decades by boaters and anglers.

“The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission appreciates the cooperative efforts with DNR and the National Park Service to design, fund, and construct this project that provides greatly improved access to the aqueduct and Potomac River,” said Project Engineer Andrew Frank. “This location is very popular among avid sportsmen and families alike, and we have received many compliments on the completed project. M-NCPPC anticipates the public will continue to enjoy this improved launch site for decades to come and thanks everyone who helped make it possible.”

DNR provided $99,000 in grant funds to Montgomery County to build a concrete ramp, an in-water stone “j-hook” (that creates deep pooling water downstream from the ramp), place stones along the river banks to help keep them secure, and to create a handicapped accessible parking space. The Montgomery County Department of Parks contributed over $99,000 as well. DNR grant funds are from the Waterway Improvement Fund, which is funded by the 5 percent excise tax boaters pay when they register a boat in Maryland.

This unique boat ramp, which replaces the old wooden boat ramp that had fallen into disrepair, will provide access to hundreds of small flat bottom motorized hunting and fishing boats, and thousands of canoes and kayaks to the Potomac River.

This information is provided as a public service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. www.dnr.maryland.gov