Chesapeake Bay News

On October 8, 2009 Governor Martin O’Malley announced that Maryland has returned nearly 750 million hatchery-reared oysters to the Bay this year, marking a new record in the State’s Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration efforts. The Governor also announced the State’s achievement of a new landmark in its citizen-oyster growing program, crediting the State’s strong public-private partnerships with the successes.

“Through their close collaboration, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and the Oyster Recovery Partnership are changing the face of oyster restoration in Maryland,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “At a time when we are escalating all of our efforts to restore the Bay, this record planting – along with record involvement by citizen stewards in oyster restoration — gives us tremendous confidence for increasing the Bay’s oyster population.”

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) Horn Point Laboratory and the non-profit Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) produced nearly 750 million oyster spat for Chesapeake Bay restoration in 2009, the most ever grown in one year at the laboratory’s Eastern Shore facility.   Record production levels and an expanded partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have fueled the growth of the State’s oyster restoration programs, resulting in the revitalization of nearly 350 acres of oyster reefs, planted on 26 sites across the Bay and its rivers. The 2009 growing season eclipsed the previous record of nearly 600 million oyster spat set in 2008.

“Since the hatchery expanded in 2004, we have been able to improve the efficiency of our spat production by taking advantage of new technologies and a better understanding of oyster husbandry practices that have benefited from the sound science approach employed in our hatchery program,” said Dr. Donald “Mutt” Meritt, who oversees the Horn Point hatchery for UMCES. “This year, the combination of better Choptank River water quality along with our experienced and dedicated hatchery, field and planting teams, allowed us to bring large-scale restoration to a new level.”

In other exciting news, Marylanders Grow Oysters – a citizen stewardship program that complements Maryland’s large-scale oyster restoration efforts, also expanded this year.  Waterfront property owners are now growing oyster spat in more than 5,000 cages in 12 Bay tributaries this fall. The program, which was launched by Governor O’Malley last year in the Tred Avon River, uses cages built by Maryland inmates.  Next summer the 1-year old oysters will be planted in local sanctuaries.

Oyster reefs are critical to the Bay’s recovery. A healthy oyster reef not only filters the Bay’s dirty waters, but also provides crucial substrate for an underwater community that furnishes valuable life support for fish and crabs.

“Whether it’s 1,000 oysters or hundreds of millions of oysters planted back into our Bay, the oyster’s ability to help revitalize the Bay’s health and preserve our cultural heritage cannot be overemphasized,” said Stephan Abel, Executive Director for the Oyster Recovery Partnership.  “Through the steady leadership provided by Governor Martin O’Malley, Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin — as well as the growing environmental stewardship of Marylanders — we are witnessing historically significant growth in our capacity to improve Chesapeake Bay waters.”

The oyster restoration process is complex. Adult oysters collected by Maryland watermen as part of the restoration program are spawned at the UMCES Horn Point Laboratory oyster hatchery. The oyster larvae produced by these spawns are fed cultured algae and allowed to develop under controlled conditions until they are ready to set – the process whereby oyster larvae permanently attach themselves to shell.  The larvae are placed into specially constructed tanks at Horn Point that have been filled by ORP with aged, cleaned oyster shells.

The resulting shells with the newly created oyster spat (spat on shell) are loaded onto vessels for deployment and then planted on pretreated restoration sites throughout the Bay by the Oyster Recovery Partnership, and monitored by the University of Maryland and DNR for growth and health.

Restoration sites are selected by DNR through a consensus-based coalition that includes ORP, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), UMCES, the Maryland Waterman’s Association and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Major financial support for these efforts comes from NOAA, DNR, UMCES and ORP.

“Recent investments by the state have set the stage for UMCES to more than double hatchery production over the next few years,” said UMCES President Dr. Donald F. Boesch. “Once construction of the new oyster setting facility is completed next year, we hope to be able to produce up to two billion oyster spat a year.”

The Cambridge-based oyster hatchery will be open for tours on October 10 as part of the Horn Point Laboratory’s annual Open House. For more information about the event, please visit http://hpl.umces.edu/openhouse/index.htm

source: DNR press release

On September 18, 2009 Lt. Governor Anthony Brown presented approximately $30,000 in prizes to lucky anglers at the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge finale. Approximately 1,000 people – including sponsors, anglers and their guests – attended the contest’s fifth annual closing ceremony held at Sandy Point State Park.

“Here in Maryland, recreational fishing is an important part of our culture, our heritage and our quality of life,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “I want to thank our generous sponsors for their support of these efforts, and our anglers for continuing to make a major contribution to our state’s economy and play a significant role in the stewardship of our waterways and our aquatic life.  Together, we are committed to making sure fishing in Maryland remains affordable, accessible and memorable.”

Nearly 1,500 anglers from as far away as California qualified to participate in today’s grand prize drawing. As an added youth component, children participating in various fishing rodeos across the State qualified for a unique category for the chance to win a guided fishing trip.

Walking away with the grand prize today was David Wilhelm of Perryville, Md. Wilhelm’s catch of a 40.8-inch striped bass off of Tilghman Island on May 10 won him a boat, motor and trailer from Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats.

“My family and I attended last year’s finale event and didn’t win anything, not even a door prize,” said Wilhelm. “I’m definitely glad that I came back for this year’s finale. I’m so excited about this new boat and I can’t wait to get out on the water.”

Additional winners included Greg Howell of North East, Md. who won a prize package worth $1,500 from Bill’s Outdoor Center. Dan Baker from Millersville, Md. and Norm Bogarde from Mt. Airy, Md. won $1,000 prize packages each, also from Bill’s Outdoor Center. Joan Putt of Lebanon, Pa. received $500 from Bass Pro Jewelry.

In addition, during this year’s contest, six lucky anglers also caught specially tagged rockfish.  John Sparrow of Waldorf, Md., Russell Knapp of Galesville, Md., David Short of Fishing Creek, Md., Chery Duffy of Sterling, Va. and Dolan Hurley of Cambridge, Md. received checks for $500 each for their catches, who were confirmed as Diamond Jim imposters. Mike Lyons of Denton, Md. – who caught the last Diamond Jim tagged striped bass in the contest – learned at the event that he too had caught a $500 Diamond Jim imposter.

Lucky young anglers from across the State were awarded guided fishing trips:

* Caleb Williams of Baltimore, Md. and Krista Josenhans of Mandela Springs, Md. will receive guided fishing trips on one of Maryland’s trout streams sponsored by Mid Atlantic Trout Unlimited;

* Edward Kramer of Baltimore, Md. and Connor Poole of Little Orleans, Md. each won a bass fishing trip courtesy of the Maryland Bass Federation;

* Joshua Green of Salisbury, Md. and Emily Mills of Delmar, Md. will each receive a Chesapeake Bay fishing trip from the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association;

* Theotis Shenett of Baltimore, Md. and Chris Probst of Ridgely, Wv. each won a fishing trip of their choice from the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland;

* Rachael Wolfkill of Baltimore, Md. and Alijah Metz of Cumberland, Md. each won a trophy rockfish fishing trip off of either Annapolis or the Eastern Shore courtesy of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Association; and

* Matt Utrera and Kijia Davis, both of Baltimore, Md., won a Chesapeake Bay fishing trip made possible by the Maryland Charter Boat Association.

“This year we opened the competition to hundreds of young anglers through fishing rodeos held all over our state, and it’s especially inspiring to see so many kids out here today,” said DNR Deputy Secretary Eric Schwaab. “Over 17,000 miles of waterways in our state beckon for us to take part in this great outdoor tradition with our friends and neighbors, and most importantly, our kids. When you take the time to spend time with a child outdoors — whether it’s fishing, camping, or a weekend hike — you are part of this movement, helping to inspire stewardship among tomorrow’s leaders.”

Lt. Governor Brown also presented Lois Burton, wife of the legendary outdoor writer and angler Bill Burton, with a framed copy of this year’s Challenge poster. Burton, who was instrumental in both establishing the original Diamond Jim tournament in the 1950s and its return in 2007, recently passed away in August. This year’s Challenge celebrated his life and work, and recently the Board of Public Works voted to name the Choptank River Bridge fishing pier Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park in his honor.

Created to promote recreational fishing in Maryland, recognize angler efforts and inspire natural resources stewardship, the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge started June 1 and ran through Labor Day, September 7, 2009.

Three batches of 50 specially tagged striped bass – one genuine Diamond Jim and 49 imposters — were released into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries this summer. Diamond Jim’s value increased each month from $10,000 if caught in June, $20,000 is caught in July and $25,000 if caught in August, and the 49 Diamond Jim imposters are worth $500 each for the duration of the contest.

Through the citation component, more than 60 species of fish were eligible for the grand prizes, including large and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, musky and panfish in the freshwaters of Maryland; rockfish (striped bass), bluefish, drum, sea trout and perch in the Chesapeake Bay; and tuna, marlin, flounder, kingfish and sea bass caught in Maryland waters off the Atlantic Coast.

“Catch a fish” is one of the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, issued by Governor Martin O’Malley in April. The Bill is part of the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, an initiative to ensure all Maryland young people have the opportunity to connect with their natural world and grow to become informed and responsible stewards.

source: DNR press release

Mike Lyons of Denton, MD will find out if his recent striped bass catch is worth $500 or $25,000 at the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale on September 19, 2009. Lyons caught the fifth tagged striped bass in the Fishing Challenge while trolling off Benoni Point in the Choptank River near the mouth of the Tred Avon River.

“I want to congratulate Mr. Lyons as a winner in the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Our State’s wonderful, recreational fishing opportunities are accessible to and affordable for all Maryland families, and a great way for everyone to enjoy and connect with our great outdoors.”

The Fishing Challenge started June 1 and ran through Labor Day, September 7, 2009. Throughout the summer, three batches of specially tagged striped bass – each including one authentic Diamond Jim and at least 49 imposters – were released into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. By the end of the Challenge five stripers were caught; all but the most recent have been verified as imposters, carrying a $500 prize.

Lyons will also be entered in the grand prize drawing at the award ceremony during the finale. The grand prizes include a boat, motor and trailer from Bass Pro Shops and thousands of dollars in prizes from Bill’s Outdoor Center on Deep Creek Lake. All eligible winners will receive their rewards at the ceremony in September.

“I thought it was joke [when I pulled in the striped bass]. I’ve never seen a fish a tagged like that,” said Lyons. “[Fishing is] supper on the table, but it’s good to get away. I’ve fished most of my life.”

Through the citation component, more than 60 species of fish were eligible for the grand prizes, including large and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, musky and panfish in the freshwaters of Maryland; rockfish (striped bass), bluefish, drum, sea trout and perch in the Chesapeake Bay; and tuna, marlin, flounder, kingfish and sea bass caught in Maryland waters off the Atlantic Coast.

Anglers making qualifying catches took their fish to any of the 88 official citation award centers located across Maryland. Fish are then measured and certified, and anglers receive documentation for their award citation. Anglers are then automatically entered in the contest final awards ceremony and are listed on the DNR website.

For a complete list of citation centers and entrants go to http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fishingchallenge/index.asp.

As an added youth component, children participating in various fishing rodeos across the State qualified for a unique category and win a guided fishing trip.

“Catch a fish” is one of the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, issued by Governor Martin O’Malley in April. The Bill is part of the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, an initiative to ensure all Maryland young people have the opportunity to connect with their natural world and grow to become informed and responsible stewards.

source: DNR press release

The Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources, has awarded a $200,000 grant to the Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) to purchase an open-water monitoring buoy for placement over the Dominion Reef at the Gooses, an artificial reef in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay.

The effort is a partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office, the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative (MARI), the Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail and other Chesapeake Bay organizations.

CCA MD has placed the grant funds with MARI.

“The buoy at the Dominion Reef at the Gooses offers something for everyone who loves and values the Chesapeake Bay,” said William C. Hall Jr., a vice president for Dominion Resources and president of the company’s Dominion Foundation. “It provides educational opportunities for students, vital data for scientists working to restore the Bay, and weather, wave and water information for boaters and anglers. As part of the Capt. John Smith Chesapeake Trail, it even has something for the history buff. Dominion is honored to be a partner in this important project.”

The buoy will monitor the health of local Bay waters and help assess benefits to fish populations that are created by the Dominion Reef. A wide variety of environmental measurements important to scientists, students and anglers will be collected during the coming years. The buoy also will be part of the Captain John Smith Trail, the nation’s first national water trail covering 3,000 miles of the historic route Smith took in 1607-08.

“Maryland is pleased to continue to have Dominion as a partner in our efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “In addition to providing critical water quality data, this project will aid anglers and promote boating safety by providing real-time water and weather conditions.”

“Partnerships such as this harness the strengths and creativity of corporations, government agencies and non-profit organizations to address the bay’s restoration,” said David O’Neill, President of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail. “We are very pleased that the Dominion Foundation has asked that the buoy be tied into the country’s first all-water National Historic Trail.”

As part of the Maryland Artificial Reef System (MARI), the Dominion Reef at the Gooses covers a 320-acre site with approximately 80 acres of concrete that serves as habitat for fish and other Bay life. Dominion provided a $250,000 grant in 2008 to pay for building the reef and seeding it with oysters and oyster shell. It is located about 10 miles southeast of Chesapeake Beach and northwest of Lusby, Calvert County, where Dominion’s liquefied natural gas storage facility is located.

The buoy, which will be installed by next spring, will provide real time data through DNR and NOAA Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS) websites: www.eyesonthebay.net and www.buoybay.org, respectively. Additionally, up-to-date data and interpretive information will be available via the CBIBS 877-BUOYBAY telephone service.

The buoy system will be similar to those currently used by NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Interpretative Buoy System (CBIBS) and water quality, waves, currents, and meteorological sensor packages and a telemetry package to relay the data to websites in real-time.

“We appreciate this opportunity to augment observing capabilities in Chesapeake Bay, particularly to serve an area where we don’t currently collect such measurements” said Peyton Robertson, Director of NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office.

Both DNR and CCA believe this collaboration will benefit thousands of Maryland citizens.

“This grant will allow a broad cross section of Marylanders to become aware of current information through easily accessible websites,” said Tony Friedrich, CCA MD executive director. “Not only will recreational anglers and boaters find information such as wind conditions, but any citizen will be able to learn about the life on this reef. Monitoring results will lead to greater public awareness of the value of projects such as oyster restoration to improve water quality in the Bay.”

Participants in this project include: Dominion – www.dom.com; DNR- www.dnr.maryland.gov; NOAA – www.noaa.gov; CCA MD – www.ccamd.org; MARI – www.ccamd.org/MARI; The Chesapeake Bay Foundation – www.cbf.org; Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail – www.friendsofthejohnsmithtrail.org: Chesapeake Bay Observing System – www.cbos.org. Many of these groups and others will use their websites to communicate data from the buoy to their members and the general public.

source: DNR press relese

During “Natural Resources Day” at the Maryland State Fair on Aug. 29, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the River of Words® poetry and art contest winners for 2009. Makae Luzader of Frostburg (Grades K-6) and Nicole Foggan of Millersville (Grades 7-12) were recognized for their poetry entries, and Jack Hardy of Millersville (K-6) and Brandon Casas of Pasadena (7-12) were recognized for their artwork.

“I’d like to congratulate these young people for their outstanding artwork and poetry,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “It is especially moving to see so many Maryland students aware of and thinking creatively about our Chesapeake Bay watershed.”

Over the last year, 415 Maryland school children entered their original artwork and poetry into the Maryland River of Words, a contest that teaches the next generation about watersheds and our natural environment through the arts. One poetry and art finalist were chosen in each age category (Grades K-6 and Grades 7-12) representing ten Maryland tributary areas of the Chesapeake Bay.

“River of Words fits into the larger Children in Nature initiative in that it encourages kids to get outside, become connected to nature in a very inherent way and encourages them to express those feelings through poetry and art,” said DNR Assistant Secretary Frank Dawson.

All finalists were awarded ribbons and free State Fair passes donated by the Maryland State Fair, and each champion received a $100 savings bond courtesy of BB&T Bank and a gift basket. Finalists and champion artwork and poetry are on display in the DNR Exhibit Building at the Maryland State Fair until Monday, September 7, 2009.

“The Aquatic Resources Education Program at DNR was delighted to hold the sixth Maryland River of Words award ceremony at the State Fair this year,” said Aquatic Resources Education Program Manager Elena Takaki. “We look forward to having even more poetry and artwork entries next year.”

Maryland partners with the National River of Words® program (www.riverofwords.org) through the Project WET (Water Education for Teachers). The DNR Aquatic Resources Education Program manages these programs in Maryland. There are both international and State levels of the River of Words Poetry and Art Contest. Maryland students qualify for the Maryland portion of the contest automatically by entering the international contest.

To view a complete list of the Maryland River of Words Finalists and their art and poetry, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/education/are/row/2009finalists.html.

The deadline for next year’s River of Words International Poetry and Art Contest is December 1, 2009. For more information about the program, as well as a free online teacher’s guide and instructions, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/education/are/row/.

To ensure all Maryland young people have the opportunity to connect with their natural world and grow to become informed and responsible stewards, Governor Martin O’Malley established the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature in 2008. Under the initiative, which is now being used as a national model, the Governor created the Maryland Civic Justice Corps, a summer job and environmental education program that employs at risk youth in Maryland State Parks, and recently issued the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. A plan to implement the Partnership’s Report and Recommendations – presented to Governor O’Malley in April — is under development. During the 2009 legislative session, the O’Malley-Brown Administration secured record funding for Maryland’s #1 ranked public schools for the third consecutive year, with an investment of more than $5.5 billion.

source: DNR press release

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has certified the Port of Snow Hill (Worcester County) as the newest certified Maryland Clean Marina Partner, bringing the number of Clean Marina Partners to 25. Along with 115 larger Clean Marinas, Maryland now boasts 140 certified facilities.

“I want to congratulate the Port of Snow Hill and its management for their Clean Marina certification,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “The Port should serve as an example for other marinas and for all Marylanders, that with only a little extra effort we can all move towards a more sustainable future.”

Partners are small facilities, without many amenities who primarily serve small, trailered boats as opposed to long term slip holders. They are usually public boat ramps or landings, such as Port of Snow Hill, or community marinas, and educational facilities.

The Clean Marina Program is a voluntary program for marine facilities that want to reduce their impact on Maryland’s waterways by implementing “best management practices” outlined in the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook. Certification also includes passing a site inspection by DNR staff for the initial certification, and again every three years to maintain certification. Approximately 23 percent of marinas in the state are now certified Clean Marinas.

The Port of Snow Hill is comprised of three small public parks, along the Pocomoke River. Each park offers slightly different amenities including fishing areas, two boat ramps, and short term dockage for boats up to 30’ in some areas and up to 40’ in another. The Sturgis Park area has a pump-out station, to remove sewage from vessel holding tanks. The primary thing that Park Manager Rick Merritt did to meet award criteria was to step up their environmental outreach to visitors on issues such as trash, recycling, and sewage.

“Using a bulletin board and materials provided by the Clean Marina Program helped us to increase our outreach to visitors about environmental and safety issues. We also give out oil absorbent pads and tip cards the program provided, which the visitors are happy to receive and use,” said Merritt.

“We are pleased to have another municipal boating facility added to the growing list of Clean Marina Partners. These facilities help us reach the many boaters who launch and retrieve smaller boats, instead of using marinas for long term dockage. Statistically, there are far more trailered boats using ramps, than larger boats kept in the water. It’s important that we connect with the boating facilities they use, to help educate this large group of boaters,” said Clean Marina Program manager Donna Morrow.

Marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs of any size are encouraged to learn more about the voluntary Clean Marina Initiative developed with both industry and government input. Marina operators can visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/cleanmarina/, send an email to dmorrow@dnr.state.md.us or call 410-260-8773.

source: DNR press release

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has reviewed all public input and finalized the 2009-2010 late waterfowl hunting seasons.

“As always, public input helped guide our decisions,” said Paul Peditto, Director of DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service. “The individuals who took the time to attend our public meeting and provide comments through our online forum should be commended.”

Good breeding habitat conditions should result in a large fall flight of ducks this year. The 60-day duck season includes three segments, running from October 17 to October 24, November 14 to November 27, and December 15 to January 30. The daily bag limit will be six ducks per day.

One change this year is an increase in the daily bag limits for certain diving ducks. “The breeding population of canvasbacks increased 38 percent to 660,000 birds this year and scaup numbers were above four million for the first time in nearly a decade,” said Larry Hindman, DNR’s Waterfowl Project Leader. “As a result, diving duck hunters may take two scaup and one canvasback per day as part of their six duck limit.”

The 2009 spring breeding pair survey of Atlantic Population (migratory) Canada geese was 176,600 compared to 169,700 in 2008. Unfortunately, spring snowmelt was delayed over most of the Atlantic Population (AP) breeding range in northern Quebec resulting in reduced nesting effort and poor gosling production. Thus, the 2009 AP Canada goose season remains unchanged from last year at 45 days with a daily bag limit of two geese. The season will be split into two segments, from November 21 to November 27 and from December 17 to January 30.

The greater snow goose breeding population reached an all time high this spring with 1.4 million birds. “Unlike the poor nesting conditions for Canada geese, conditions were favorable for greater snow geese,” said Hindman. “Thus, the fall flight should be one of the largest ever, approaching 2 million birds.”

Greater and lesser snow geese and Ross’s geese are collectively referred to as ‘light geese’. A Light Goose Conservation Order season will immediately follow the conclusion of the regular light goose hunting season this year. During the Conservation Order season hunters may use unplugged shotguns, electronic calls and hunt from one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset with no daily bag or possession limits.

“The intent of the liberal Conservation Order season is to significantly reduce light goose populations,” said Hindman. “The Atlantic Flyway greater snow goose population is more than twice the desired population size. A reduced population will help minimize the ecological and agricultural damage caused by the current over-abundance of light geese.”

Waterfowl hunters participating in the Light Goose Conservation Order season must possess a Snow Goose Conservation Order Hunting Season permit which may be obtained for $5 from any DNR sport license agent, online at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/, or by phone (1-800-918-2870). Participants must possess a valid Maryland hunting license (or resident Delaware license) and a 2009-2010 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting Stamp.

All migratory game bird hunters, including landowners who are license-exempt, are required to obtain the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp. Hunters must possess the printed receipt showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp while hunting migratory game birds.

All waterfowl hunters age 16 and over must also purchase the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) which must be signed and in possession while hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, certain DNR sport license agents and online at www.duckstamp.com. The Federal stamp is not required for the Light Goose Conservation season.

Non-toxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may not possess or use non-toxic shot shells larger than size No. T or any lead shot shells while waterfowl hunting. Approved types of nontoxic shot and other information on migratory game bird hunting are listed in the 2009-2010 Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland or on DNR’s website at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/index.asp.

The 2009-2010 late waterfowl season dates and bag limits will be published in the annual migratory game bird season synopsis and distributed to DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service offices and sport license agents in mid-September. For more information about the 2009-2010 Maryland Late Waterfowl Seasons and Bag Limits submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/lwfchart.asp.

source: DNR press release

The recreational summer flounder fishery in Maryland state waters will close at 11:59 p.m. on September 13, 2009.

“DNR has worked closely with coastal fisheries management partners and Maryland anglers to rebuild the stock by 2013,” said DNR Fisheries Director Tom O’Connell. “These efforts will ensure that Maryland can provide quality fishing opportunities to our anglers.”

In the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, anglers may keep one summer flounder per person per day, minimum of 16 1/2 inches in total length. In Maryland’s Coastal Bays and in the state waters of the Atlantic, anglers may keep three summer flounder per person per day, with a minimum size limit of 18 inches.

Maryland is working with its management partners and the federal Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) to better estimate the summer flounder harvest in Maryland.

Anglers are encouraged to participate in the summer flounder volunteer angler survey. To participate in the survey, please visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/survey/sfsurveyintro.html.

source: DNR press release

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that the September teal hunting season will be from September 16 to September 30, 2009.

“The teal season provides a unique opportunity for hunters to pursue these early migrants before the regular duck season opens in mid-October,” said Larry Hindman, DNR’s Waterfowl Project Leader. “The early teal season is offered to states that derive more than 80 percent of their annual blue-winged teal harvest from birds migrating from the prairie pothole region of the north-central U.S and southern Canada. In 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey recorded about 7.4 million blue-winged teal, which is well above the long term average.”

The daily bag limit during the September teal season is four teal (blue-winged or green-winged teal singly, or in aggregate). The special teal season will be held only in the following areas: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester counties; that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that part of Prince George’s County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of Route 301 to the Virginia line.

Shooting hours for the September teal season are sunrise to sunset. Shooting hours have been modified to avoid the traditional pre-sunrise hunting period when non-teal species, particularly wood ducks, are most active. Hunters are prohibited from shooting at non-teal duck species during this special season.

All hunters who participate in the September teal season, including landowners who are license exempt, are required to obtain the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp/HIP Permit. Hunters must possess the printed receipt showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp/HIP Permit while hunting migratory game birds.

All waterfowl hunters age 16 and over must possess the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (federal duck stamp). Hunters are still required to sign the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp and have it in their possession while hunting waterfowl. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, DNR sport license agents, or online at www.duckstamp.com.

Hunters can purchase hunting licenses and Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamps/HIP Permits online through DNR’s website, https://www3.wildlifelicense.com/md/ or over the phone at 1-800-918-2870. These new services compliment the existing 320 retail vendors that currently sell licenses, permits and stamps.

Waterfowl hunters are reminded that nontoxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may not possess or use nontoxic shotshells containing shot larger than size T or use or possess any lead shotshells while waterfowl hunting. Approved types of nontoxic shot and other information on migratory game bird hunting are listed in the 2009-2010 Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland or on DNR’s website at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/index.asp

Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling toll-free 1-800-327-BAND (2263). Banded birds can also be reported online at: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl.

Virginia woman catches $500 fish; $25,000 Diamond Jim still on the Loose!

Chery Duffy from Sterling, VA, has caught the fourth tagged striped bass in the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge, The Search for Diamond Jim. Duffy was fishing off Breezy Point aboard a charter boat called “Back Draft” out of Deale, MD, when Chery caught a striper tagged in July. Chery’s catch is worth $500, which means the $25,000 Diamond Jim is still on the loose!

Over the summer, three batches of specially tagged striped bass – each including one authentic Diamond Jim and at least 49 imposters – were released into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Currently there are more than 150 imposters swimming through the bay and one Diamond Jim worth $25,000.

Created to promote recreational fishing in Maryland, recognize angler efforts and inspire natural resources stewardship, the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge will run through Labor Day, September 7, 2009. Duffy—and any angler who catches a prize fish – will also be entered into the final awards ceremony on September 19 at Sandy Point State Park. The grand prizes includes a boat, motor and trailer from Bass Pro Shops and thousands of dollars in prizes from Bill’s Outdoor Center on Deep Creek Lake. All eligible winners will receive their rewards at the ceremony in September.

“This is a great catch for the charter boat industry,” said DNR Biologist Marty Gary. “For those who would like to experience the great fishing on the Chesapeake, but do not have their own boat, charter boats are a great way to obtain instant access and expertise to the best fishing grounds and techniques”

Through the citation component, more than 60 species of fish are eligible for the grand prizes, including large and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, musky and panfish in the freshwaters of Maryland; rockfish (striped bass), bluefish, drum, sea trout and perch in the Chesapeake Bay; and tuna, marlin, flounder, kingfish and sea bass caught in Maryland waters off the Atlantic Coast.

Anglers making qualifying catches can take their fish to any of the 88 official citation award centers located across Maryland. Fish are then measured and certified, and anglers receive documentation for their award citation. Anglers are then automatically entered in the contest final awards ceremony and are listed on the DNR website.

For a complete list of citation centers and entrants go to http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fishingchallenge/index.asp.

Grand prize winners will be randomly selected at a closing ceremony in mid-September.

As an added youth component, children participating in various fishing rodeos across the State may qualify for a unique category and win a guided fishing trip. Last year 12 children won trips donated by Maryland charter boat captains, which are currently being scheduled and will take place throughout the summer.

“Catch a fish” is one of the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, issued by Governor Martin O’Malley in April. The Bill is part of the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, an initiative to ensure all Maryland young people have the opportunity to connect with their natural world and grow to become informed and responsible stewards.