THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408070214
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON
LENGTH: Long : 116 lines
Virginia's leading group of recreational fishermen doesn't like the picture of the menhaden fishing industry as painted by one of the state's most respected scientific organizations.
The dissent stems from a Virginia Institute of Marine Science bulletin, published this spring. The fishermen's group, the Atlantic Coast Conservation Association, called the report ``one-sided and misleading'' and said it ``contains false information.''
Parks Rountrey of Richmond, a spokesman for the ACCA, said that if the bulletin were ``paid advertising, VIMS probably would be sued for false advertising.''
Rountrey said the bulletin failed to reveal some things that have caused menhaden purse-seining to be banned in some areas and didn't address some of the problems that have developed in Virginia.
The slick-cover bulletin is published by the agency's federally funded Sea Grant Advisory Program and is distributed to commercial and recreational fishermen, as well as the news media, seafood industry leaders, and other scientists.
It contained nothing of the problems of massive fish spills that occasionally cause stretches of the Virginia coastline to be closed to public use, Rountrey said. Nor did it address such matters as the objectional odor associated with the fishery.
The menhaden is a small non-game fish. It is processed into oils used in chemical manufacturing and also is made into a high-protein food supplement for livestock.
Rountrey said the bulletin implied that menhaden oil was primarily used in making food for human consumption in this country.
``That's just not the truth,'' he said. ``It has been approved for human consumption, but only in the past two weeks. And the bulletin has been out for about two months. Even now, there is no menhaden oil used in human food in this country.''
If, as it appears, the bulletin is biased in favor of menhaden processors and not at all objective, it will not be the first time the industry has received special treatment.
For one thing, the industry is just about completely managed by the General Assembly and not the state's regulatory agency, the Virginia Marine Resource Commission. It is exempt from the state's mandatory reporting law, from any moratorium on catching other fish, and from the state's management plan for other fish.
By law, menhaden boats are required to have no more than 1 percent of their total catch in food fish. It's a law the VMRC acknowledges is impossible to enforce.
Rountrey said he did not question whether the boats exceeded that 1 percent. ``But of the food fish they do catch,'' he said, ``the state's minimum-size laws for those species do not apply.''
Anyway, the feeling here is that the publication appears to have attempted a whitewash job for the menhaden industry. If it was, the plan may have backfired.
Regardless, it's time for fishery managers and the General Assembly to take a look at the industry. A proper first step would be to take management out of the hands of politicians and give it to the professionals at the Marine Resources Commission.
That won't completely remove all politics. But it'll be a step in the right direction.
A GOOD DEAL: How would you like to go on a couple of deep-sea fishing trips off Virginia Beach, eat at a fine restaurant and have someone pick up the entire bill? You can if you volunteer to be an observer for this year's Virginia Beach Marlin Tournament, set for two days of the skipper's choice over the Labor Day weekend.
The sponsoring Cape Henry Billfish Club needs volunteer observers for the 40 to 50 boats expected for the event.
If you're interested, contact Joe Desormeaux of Virginia Beach at 481-0119.
ARCHERY REALITY: Virtual-reality attractions are popping up everywhere, with some of the most intriguing at Norfolk's new Nauticus maritime center.
Now, Bob's Gun & Tackle Shop in downtown Norfolk has opened a virtual-reality archery range, the first of its kind in Hampton Roads.
Targets are displayed on a huge, movie-like screen and shooters score points by hitting certain areas. The computer-operated screen is complete with sound and rewards for pinpoint accuracy.
Robert Marcus, owner of the store at Granby Street and Olney Road, said he plans to organize leagues. Archers may furnish their own bows and arrows, although rental equipment is available.
The fee is $5 for 30 minutes, $8 for an hour. Details: 627-8311.
REFUGE HUNT: A seven-day hunt for whitetail deer and feral hogs will be held at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach this fall.
This year's hunt will be limited to shotguns. In the past, both shotguns and bow-and-arrow have been legal. The facility has been open to limited hunting since 1986.
Up to 62 hunters will be allowed each day on the 2,007-acre refuge south of Sandbridge. Hunting dates will be Oct. 1 and Oct. 3-8.
Application forms, available at the refuge or by calling 721-2412, should be postmarked no later than Sept. 9 and received by Sept. 13.
SHORT CASTS: Winners in the recent Grady White Owners Fishing Tournament, staged by Norfolk Marine and Beach Marine:
Kids division: Bluefish, Casey Fink, Virginia Beach, caught from the boat Panacea, 1 pound, 4 ounces; cobia, Mark Peele, Chesapeake, Chesapeake Lady, 25-0; croaker, Kyle Wheeler, Chesapeake, Pegasus, 0-13; dolphin, C.J. Fayton, Norfolk, Sea Scape, 3-0; flounder, Christi Van Overburgh, Norfolk, Carol Anne, 2-12; sea bass, Casey Fink, Virginia Beach, 1-7, Panacea; Spanish mackerel, Collin Dozier, Virginia Beach, 2-9, Enguinity; spot, Chrystal Shaw, Norfolk, 0-6, Miss Helen; tautog, Mark Peele, Chesapeake, 3-10, Chesapeake Lady; trout, Brent Utterback, Portsmouth, 1-0, Shady Lady; tuna, C.J. Fayton, Norfolk, 12-3, Sea Scape; amberjack release, Brent Walker, Norfolk, Dog House.
Adult division: Billfish releases, Paul Leonard, Arlington, Miss Betsy, Scott Lowrey, Virginia Beach, Sams, and Ranger Crews, Virginia Beach, Southern Knights; amberjack release: Jason Farley, Virginia Beach, Naut On Call; trout, Robert Tiller, Portsmouth, 1-3, Class Act; tuna, Homer Smith, Deltaville, Va., 27-0, Old Fox; wahoo, Homer Smith, Deltaville, 20-1, Old Fox; cobia, Leesa Crutsinger, Virginia Beach, 60-4, Bee Sea; croaker, Dwight Spuill, Suffolk, 1-1, Briandon; flounder, Jerry Jones, Chesapeake, 4-15, Kelly Sue; sea bass, Mike Channon, Norfolk, 3-2, Lucinda; spot, Chip Gauss Jr., Virginia Beach, 0-9, Reel Challenge; tautog, Jean Riggs, Norfolk, 4-13, Carol Anne; and dolphin, L.E. Cross, Virginia Beach, 17-15, Southern Knights. by CNB