Chesapeake Bay News

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host two open houses in October to present proposed commercial striped bass regulatory and administrative changes. During the open houses, the public will be given opportunities for questions and comments.

The proposed changes specifically deal with the filing of inaccurate reports by check stations/individual fishermen and illegal application of striped bass tags.

Participants will be able to talk one-on-one with DNR Fisheries Service staff, and register comments on the proposed changes. The public is invited to arrive at any time during the event and spend as much time as desired.

Public comments may also be submitted via fax at (410) 260-8310, by email to fisheriespubliccomment@dnr.state.md.us.

The public comment period runs through October 24. Final administrative and regulatory changes are scheduled to go into effect on on November 28, 2011.

The proposed regulatory and administrative changes are available at http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/regulations/proposedregulations.asp

The open houses are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, October 4 from 3 to 8 p.m.
BG Louis G. Smith Armory, 7111 Ocean Gateway, Easton, Md.
Thursday, October 6 from 3 to 8 p.m.
Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company, 161 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, Md.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

On May 31, 2011, The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)  released up to 200 specially tagged striped bass imposters, including one genuine Diamond Jim (currently worth $10,000)  into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The Diamond Jim promotion is part of the 2011 Maryland Fishing Challenge. Now in its seventh consecutive year, the Challenge showcases Maryland as a premier sport fishing destination for residents and visitors alike, with accessible, affordable, diverse and high quality opportunities for anglers of all ages.

Each month during the summer (June, July and August), DNR releases 200 imposters worth at least $500 each and one genuine Diamond Jim. He’s worth $10,000 in June, $20,000 in July and $25,000 in August.

For the first time , this year’s contest features a guaranteed $25,000 payout: If one of the three authentic Diamond Jims is not caught by Labor Day, the cash prize will be split equally among the anglers who catch imposters this summer.

The Maryland Fishing Challenge Citation Award program runs all year long, starting the day after Labor Day and ending the following Labor Day. Every angler who catches an award-qualifying fish or a tagged striped bass and enters the challenge becomes eligible to participate in the grand prize random drawing, to be held during the 43rd annual Seafood Festival on September 10, 2011 at Sandy Point State Park.

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.

To see the complete citation award species list go to dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge/index.asp?p=species.

To be eligible for the contest, all fish must caught recreationally by rod and reel. Complete rules are available online at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will reopen the February striped bass gill net fishery on Friday, February 25, and Monday, February 28; all normal harvest restrictions will remain in effect. An estimated 200,000 pounds of the State’s February quota remains to be harvested.

The fishery has been closed since February 4, after 10 tons of illegally captured rockfish were confiscated from the Chesapeake Bay south of Kent Island. In all, 12.5 tons of illegally captured rockfish have been found by Natural Resources Police in February.

Maryland’s commercial striped bass fishery is managed on a quota system, in cooperation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission; commercial and recreational restrictions are used to keep the harvest at or below a target fishing mortality rate.  Maryland’s commercial gill net quota for February is 354,318 pounds; the State’s annual commercial quota is 2 million pounds.

“During these two days, Natural Resources Police operations will be stepped up significantly through increased patrols, additional staff at check stations, and the use of our new electronic monitoring capabilities,” said Col. George Johnson, Natural Resources Police Superintendent.

On February 1, Natural Resources Police confiscated the first of four illegally anchored gill nets with more than 20,000 pounds of striped bass near Bloody Point Light, south of Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay, forcing the immediate closure of the fishery. On February 11, NRP located additional illegally anchored gill nets containing 3,879 pounds of rockfish – nets officers believe were set after the shut down of the fishery on February 4.  Legal sized fish were sold to wholesalers and under and over-sized fish were donated to help feed citizens in need.

Maryland’s DNR is now offering a $30,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the striped bass poaching activities uncovered on January 31-February 1. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Savers, Maryland Charter Boat Association, Maryland Coastal Conservation Association, Maryland Saltwater Sportfisherman’s Association Maryland Watermen’s Association, and private citizens have all contributed toward the reward.

source: MD DNR

On February 7, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) confiscated more than 1,100 pounds of illegally caught striped bass. The discovery came within a week of pulling more than 10 tons of illegally caught striped bass from four illegally anchored gill nets near Bloody Point Light, south of Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay.

NRP seized the latest 1,159 pounds from 1,200 yards of illegally anchored gillnet at the mouth of Eastern Bay, a mile south of the previously located Bloody Point gill nets. Officers also found 600 yards of illegally anchored gill net near Poplar Island that contained about 300 dead horseshoe crabs and a few live striped bass, which were released back into the Bay.

DNR and stakeholders, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Humane Society of the United States, Coastal Conservation Association, the Maryland Watermen’s Association, the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association and the Maryland Charter Boat Association, have come together to offer a reward of $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a person or persons responsible for setting these anchored gill nets in the vicinity of Bloody Point Light.  Funding for the reward will come from dedicated funding as well as contributions from these stakeholder groups, who are publicly denouncing these crimes.

Maryland’s commercial striped bass fishery is managed on a quota system, in cooperation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission; the commercial gill net quota for February is 354,318 pounds.  When the illegally harvested striped bass confiscated by the NRP were deducted from the quota, DNR was forced to immediately shut down the fishery. The fishery will remain closed until DNR can determine the extent of illegal nets out on the Bay and the amount of striped bass caught in those nets.

Information on this crime may be called into the Natural Resources Police Catch-a-Poacher Hotline at 800-635-6124. Callers may remain anonymous.

Six junior chefs from Maryland competed for top honors in the 4th annual Junior Chefs Rockfish Cooking Contest.  The event, which was sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Seafood Marketing Program and the Sea Grant programs of the universities of Maryland and Delaware, took place on Jan. 29 as part of the 2011 East Coast Commercial Fisherman’s and Aquaculture Trade Exposition in Ocean City.

The contest was part of the Maryland Rockfish Celebration, which is also taking place in Maryland restaurants and retail markets through the end of February.

The following are the results from each division:

Kids Division – Ages 7-12

1st Place: Amelia DiPietro, 10, Timonium, Md.
Amelia’s Devil Made Me Do It Stuffed Rockfish Fillets

2nd Place:  Adriana Maurer, 10, Galestown, Md.
Fancy Rockfish

3rd Place: Jack DiPietro, 12, Timonium, Md.
Jack’s Rockin Rockfish Cakes

Junior Division – Ages 13-17

1st Place: Julie Ansorge, 16, Olney, Md.
Rockfish Ravioli with Pesto Sauce

2nd Place: Brian Miles, Jr., 16, Burtonsville, Md.
Mexicali Rockfish

3rd Place: Mason Mauerr, 16, Galestown, Md.
“Off the Hook” Rockfish

All participants received a plaque and cash prizes of $200 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place. The winning recipe for each category follow:

Amelia’s Devil Made Me Do It Stuffed Rockfish Filets
Amelia DiPietro, 10, Timonium, Md.

2 pounds rockfish fillet
dash paprika
1 roasted red pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine to taste
1 cup cold water
4 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 lemon
1 package frozen corn
4 tablespoons butter
1 diced red pepper
1 diced green pepper
salt and pepper to taste

Stuffing/Wet Mixture:
1 pound fresh lump crab meat
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped chives
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons salad mustard
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

TO MAKE THE STUFFING: Mix all wet ingredients together to make a wet mixture. In a separate bowl, add crab meat, chopped fresh chives, salt and pepper and toss lightly. Add wet mixture and gently mix together.

TO STUFF ROCKFISH: Place one rockfish fillet on pan, top with deviled crab meat mixture. Take another rockfish fillet and slice lengthwise in the middle as to make a place for the stuffing to show through. Top rockfish with roasted pepper slices and sprinkle with paprika in a frying pan. Add dry white wine, cold water and melted butter and lemon slices. Add rockfish, cover, and cook until done.

Rockfish Ravioli with Pesto Sauce
Julie Ansorge, 16, Olney, Md.

2 pounds rockfish fillets
homemade pasta (below)
homemade pesto (below)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
salt/pepper
1 egg
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup orange bell pepper
parsley
basil leaf for garnish

Pasta Ingredients:
4 large eggs
1/4 cup water
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Pesto Sauce Ingredients:
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons softened butter

PASTA PREPARATION: Place eggs, water, flour and salt in mixer bowl. With flatbeater, mix for 30 seconds on speed 2. Exchange beater with dough hook and knead for two minutes on speed two. Remove dough from bowl and hand knead one to two minutes.

Process into sheets with rollers. (Contestant’s dish had ravioli approximately 3 to 4 inches across.)

Pan fry rockfish in olive oil and garlic. Set aside to make pesto.

PESTO PREPARATION: Put basil, olive oil, pine nuts and garlic in food processor and mix at high speed. Add cheese and butter and process just enough to incorporate into the basil mix. Before spooning over the dish, mix in 1 tablespoon of the hot pasta water if necessary for thinning.

RAVIOLI ASSEMBLY: Combine ricotta, egg and parmesan. Add orange bell pepper and parsley to ricotta mixture. Cut rockfish into 1-inch pieces and add to ricotta mixture.

Place about 2 tablespoons of mixture onto a sheet of pasta dough. Place another sheet of pasta on top and seal ravioli. Boil ravioli for 4-5 minutes. Place four ravioli on a plate. Pour or drizzle pesto sauce on top. Garnish with basil leaf.

source: Maryland Department of Agriculture press release

MarylandNatural Resources Police (NRP) have confiscated more than 10 tons of illegally caught rockfish in the Chesapeake Bay near Bloody Point and Eastern Bay.

“The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association is disheartened and outraged over the 10 tons of illegally caught rockfish in our own Chesapeake Bay”, MSSA’s President Vince Ringgold said.

Additional illegal nets have been found in the mouth of the Choptank but have revealed very few fish as they were captured not too long after being set.  The NRP is investigating all leads and will continue its efforts to find these illegal nets and the people responsible.

The Chesapeake Bay is the spawning ground and nursery for 75 percent of the migratory striped bass stock on the coast.  Maryland is under continued pressure from the Atlantic states to protect the spawning grounds of this coveted fish and to ensure a sustainable fishery. The rockfish, also known as striped bass, is Maryland’s state fish.

The 2011 East Coast Commercial Fisherman’s and Aquaculture Trade Exposition is fast approaching, and this year’s show will once again be offering young chefs a chance to show off their skills.  This year’s expo will mark the 13th year of the East Coast Junior Watermen’s Show, and all chefs between the ages of 7 and 17 are encouraged to enter their best Rockfish recipes in the 4th Annual Junior Chefs Rockfish Cook-Off.  The top ten finalists will compete in the Cook-Off on Saturday, January 29 in Ocean City, Maryland.

The contest will consist of two age groups, 7 – 12 and 13 – 17.  Five finalists will be selected from each age group to compete for cash prizes and plaques.  First place will receive $200 and a plaque, second place will receive $100 and a plaque and third place will receive $50 and a plaque.  All finalists will receive Rockfish pins, aprons and certificates.

All entries are due by Monday, December 13, 2010.  Finalists will be notified by Thursday, January 7, 2011.  A daytime phone number is required on all entry forms in order for finalists to be notified.  The recipe should be an original entrée or main dish.  Each finalist will receive two pounds of rockfish fillets to use the day of the competition.  All other ingredients and cooking utensils are the contestants’ responsibility.  Judging will be based on taste, originality, appearance (or attractiveness), and predominance of rockfish.  Parental permission and supervision must be provided.

The Cook-Off is sponsored by University of Delaware Sea Grant Program, University of Maryland Sea Grant and the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Seafood Marketing Program.  For a list of all official rules and regulations, as well as an entry form, please email Doris Hicks at dhicks@udel.edu or visit www.marylandseafood.org.

source: Maryland Department of Agriculture

On October 18, 2010, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that the 2010 Young of the Year Striped Bass Survey is 5.6, below the long-term average of 11.6. This is the third consecutive year of below average striped bass production in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay.

The population remains above the management action trigger set by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). According to the commission, the number of adults in the Atlantic coast population and levels of fishing are well within limits as set by the ASMFC management framework.

DNR biologists point out that variation in annual spawning success is normal because striped bass reproduction is influenced by many factors including water temperature, winter snowfall, spring flow rates, and prevailing weather conditions.

DNR biologists have used the same techniques to monitor the reproductive success of striped bass and other species in Maryland’s portion of Chesapeake Bay annually since 1954. Twenty-two survey sites are located in the four major spawning systems: Choptank, Potomac, and Nanticoke rivers, and the Upper Bay. Biologists visit each site monthly from July through September, collecting fish samples with two sweeps of a 100-foot beach seine.

During this year’s survey, biologists identified more than 37,000 fish of 50 different species, including 737 young-of-year striped bass. Other findings of note were an increase in the number of juvenile spot. This important forage species and popular target for recreational anglers is at the highest level since 2005. White perch reproduction was also above average in the upper regions of the Bay. The juvenile indices are calculated as the average catch of young of the year fish per sample. For more information, go to www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/juvindex/index.html

source: MD DNR

Delmarva Discovery Center in Pocomoke City, Maryland will host a Smith Island Fall Striped Bass Migration Seminar on Wednesday, September 22 at 7:00 pm.

Captain Walt will share tips and techniques for catching striped bass during the annual fall migration as they move south past Smith Island head toward their wintering grounds in the Ocean.

He’ll also talk about how they feed aggressively as they “fatten up” on their way to the Atlantic. Captain Walt will discuss rods, reels, line and lures that have proven successful over his years of fishing the area during the annual migration.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information see: www.delmarvadiscoverycenter.org

Bill Heisterhagan of Easton, Md. has caught the first possible $25,000 Diamond Jim winner and fourth tagged rockfish of the 2010 Maryland Fishing Challenge.

Heisterhagan was fishing with his longtime fishing partner George Fink off the mouth of the Miles River in Talbot County, when a 19½-inch striped bass came to the side of the boat on the evening of August 27.

The Diamond Jim component of the Fishing Challenge started June 1 and ends Labor Day, September 6. Throughout the summer, three batches of specially tagged striped bass – each including that month’s authentic Diamond Jim and as many as 200 imposters worth $500 – were released into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

So far, anglers have caught three tagged imposters. DNR Fisheries Service biologists certified Heisterhagan’s catch and confirmed that this could be the winning Diamond Jim. Heisterhagen will find out if he walks away with $25,000 when he opens a sealed envelope bearing the tag number of the fish he caught at the Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale at Sandy Point State Park on September 11.

“Fishing is something I’ve enjoyed since I was young,” said Heisterhagen. “My father passed away a few years ago and we enjoyed fresh-water fishing together. It’s a great pastime; it’s a great leisure time. It’s what I do to get away from the office.”

The Maryland Fishing Challenge, featuring Diamond Jim is a free, year-round tournament sponsored by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service, 27 recreational fishing organizations and generous sponsors across the State. The purpose of the event is to promote Maryland’s excellent fishing opportunities and the importance of exposing children to nature as an essential key to future environmental stewardship.

The 2010 Maryland Fishing Challenge ends at midnight on Labor Day with an awards celebration at Sandy Point State Park the following weekend. The Fishing Challenge Finale will be held at the 43rd Annual Maryland Seafood Festival on September 11, 2010.

Qualified anglers are eligible for grand prizes including a Tracker boat package from Bass Pro Shops Arundel Mills and a 7-day dream excursion to the island of Tobago courtesy of the World Fishing Network. Other prizes include thousands of dollars in fishing gear, merchandise from Under Armor and kayaks from Kent Island Kayaks and Bass Pro Shops Arundel Mills.