THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TAG: 9512100201
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON
LENGTH: Long : 125 lines
You might think virtually everyone has been thrilled to learn that hordes of giant bluefin tuna spend the cold months off the North Carolina coast.
After all, this is arguably the world's greatest game fish as well as an incredibly valuable food fish.
But many folks, including anglers, charter skippers, commercial fishermen, fishery managers and environmentalists, are concerned about their vulnerability.
Although scientists believe that the fish probably have wintered over wrecks off Hatteras and Ocracoke for eons, only for the past two years has the fishery been exploited. Hundreds of giant tuna, some more than 700 pounds, have been caught and released during this time.
As word spread in big-game circles, fishing pressure probably doubled last year over the winter of 1994. Fishery officials see another big increase this year.
Several out-of-the-area charter boats are moving to Hatteras, N.C., for the winter, hoping to share in the bonanza . . . and business. You can also anticipate an influx of big-game fishermen from around the world.
Fortunately, the commercial season remains closed until June, except for longline boats permitted to catch tuna incidental to other species.
Anyway, all but a few fish have been released. Even with a required federal permit, no rod-and-reel boat can keep more than one giant a season.
But serious questions remain.
What about those fish that have been caught, tagged with identifying numbers and released? What percentage of these survive?
Are a lot of tuna being needlessly killed in the name of sport? Are they particularly vulnerable because there is such an unparalleled concentration?
Anyone with an interest or an opinion should get ready for a couple of approaching gatherings.
The first will be an all-day conference Saturday at the Nags Head Ramada Inn. It'll begin with registration at 8 a.m. and discussions at 8:30, closing at 4 p.m. Registration will be $25.
The conference will feature numerous representatives of the National Marine Fisheries Service, including Richard Stone, a Virginia Beach native and bluefin authority.
Also on the program will be Bob Eakes of the Red Drum tackle shop in Buxton, N.C.; Walt Spruill, skipper of the charter boat Hatteras Fever; Brad Chase of the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources; and Mac Currin of Outer Banks Sport Fishing Schools.
Eakes and Spruill, who pioneered fishing for these giant fish, will discuss techniques for fighting and releasing the fish to inflict the least damage.
Then, on Dec. 18, tuna experts Chis Rogers and John Kelly of the National Marine Fisheries Service will moderate another bluefin session at the North Carolina Aquarium in Manteo. This one will be free and will begin at 6 p.m. Rogers said this session will be open to recreational and commercial fishermen.
``This is really a sounding-out meeting,'' Rogers said. ``But it could provide us with some insight on what, if anything, we need to do the control the fishery.
``Since the world's bluefin population is in pretty bad shape, some people are adamantly opposed to any fishing for the giants in this area. Others are all for it, and some are in between and think there should be some constraints.
``One thing we want to discuss is whether there is anything we, the federal government, actually can do. Should we require anglers to use circle hooks, which usually hook fish in the lips, rather than the throat or stomach? Should we require minimum-size tackle to make the fight quicker and less stressful to the fish? Should we prohibit people going for one-day records for the number of fish caught and released?
``We're concerned about release mortality. Are a lot of fish being killed? Or are most surviving?''
Tagging studies indicate that at least some of the fish survive. Thirteen Hatteras-tagged bluefins have been recaptured, including four in Maine, three in Massachusetts, one in Maryland and three in North Carolina.
``This fishery can be a tremendous economic boon to the area,'' said Rogers. ``But if it's too detrimental to the fish, it may not be worth the sacrifice. . . . Right now, what we have is mostly a bunch of questions.''
WRONG FISH: Glenn Sandifer Jr. of Norfolk is concerned that a lot of anglers have been keeping baby black drum by mistaking them for sheepshead.
A tremendous run of small drum developed throughout Virginia's inshore waters this year.
``It's too late to make a difference,'' said Sandifer, ``but if the fish come back next year, fishermen need to know the difference.''
The juvenile drum has barbels or whiskers under it's chin. The sheepshead does not. However, the latter does have grinder/crusher teeth, similar to a tautog. The drum does not.
That knowledge could save some anglers the cost of a court conviction. It's illegal to keep black drum under 16 inches, while there is no minimum size for sheepshead.
ALABAMA-BOUND: The 1996 BASS Masters Classic fishing tournament is, like the song says, ``Alabamy Bound.''
The $300,000 event will be held Aug. 8-10 on Lay Lake, a 12,000-acre inpoundment in Shelby County, just outside Birmingham.
The contest will feature the 25 top-ranked professionals, according to the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, plus the top five anglers from each of BASS' two regional and one amateur circuits, plus the defending champion.
A record $100,000 will go to the winner, although previous winners have said the title is worth $1 million in sponsorships and endorsements.
STRIPER TOURNAMENT: What probably will be the last striped bass tournament of the year will be held out of Lynnhaven Inlet Saturday and Sunday.
It'll be sponsored by the Marina at Marina Shores and J&B Rods. First place will be worth $1,000. The entry fee will be $25 per angler.
The contest will offer six awards: five adult and one junior. For details, contact Marina at Marina Shores at 496-7000.
NICE DONATION: A check for $3,163 has been presented to the Hunters for the Hungry program from donations by employees of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Founded four years ago, the program has provided more than 250,000 pounds of venison to needy Virginia families.
At ceremonies in Richmond, the check was presented to the program's David Horne by William L. Woodfin Jr., the game department's executive director.
SHORT CASTS: Ron Thomas of Portsmouth bagged a 10-point deer and an eight-pointer, while hunting companion William Fountain of Virginia Beach had an eight-pointer. They were with the Family Hunt Club of Southampton County. . Water Fishing Tournament with a 5-pound, 4-ounce sea bass, caught off Virginia Beach. . . . The first two big striped bass of the fall season from the upper Chesapeake have been boated. One weighed 47-4 and was caught by Doug Holroyd of Staunton, Va., the other went 46-6 and was boated by Robert Cooper of Troy, Va. Both were weighed at RW's Sport Shop at Callao in the Northern Neck. . . . Bill Diehl of Virginia Beach has earned a Virginia tournament citation by releasing a 46-inch striper at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. He was aboard the boat Bay Mate. by CNB