THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 21, 1994 TAG: 9412210618
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB HUTCHINSON OUTDOORS EDITOR
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Virginia's recreational saltwater fishermen will not have four days added to their striped bass season.
Recreational fishermen and tackle shop operators had sought the extension from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission in light of a November vote to extend the gill-net fishery for gray trout.
The striper matter, however, never came to a vote. Instead, it died for lack of a motion following a scathing attack on the idea by Peter W. Rowe, a member from the Eastern Shore.
``I'm not going to vote for this even though I'm a recreational fisherman and I am perceived by many to be a spokesman for recreational fishermen,'' Rowe said. ``We made a mistake last month, and I'm not going to compound it by making another mistake this month. . . .
``This plan is very unwise. You'll be trading short-term gains for what is almost certain to be a long-term loss.''
Rowe said the commission ``opened Pandora's box'' when it unanimously approved adding seven days to the trout gill-net season in the ocean off the Eastern Shore.
Seasons for both gray trout and striped bass are set under a compact with all other East Coast states, operating as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. In addition, federal legislation allows the Commerce Department to ban all fishing for a species in any state ruled ``out of compliance'' with provisions of the compact. Virginia could have been hit with that ruling had the striper season been extended.
This does not mean an end to striped bass fishing in Virginia for the year. It only means anglers will not be allowed to keep any stripers caught in waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries.
The 32-day Chesapeake Bay season ended at midnight Sunday. But the season remains open in ocean waters, which extend offshore 3 miles. The bag limit, however, drops to one fish a day, with a 28-inch minimum size. The bay bag limit was two, with an 18-inch minimum.
Striped bass numbers declined precipitously in the 1970s and '80s, leading to severe restrictions on the catch, beginning in 1983. Federal officials say the striper population will be ``fully recovered'' in 1995.
One of the striper options being considered for 1995 is a recreational season spanning 191 days, although regulations will not be finalized until next year.
In other action Tuesday, the commission approved earmarking $9,000 annually for members of the Recreational Fishing License Advisory Board to attend meetings of the Atlantic States commission. The money is to come from the state's saltwater recreational fishing license.
Also, the commission delayed a decision, pending further study, on whether to ban all commercial fishing around four artificial reefs in the Chesapeake Bay - two existing and two on the drawing boards. The reefs have been funded, in total or in part, by fishing-license money. ILLUSTRATION: Drawing
Fish
KEYWORDS: STRIPED BASS REGULATION by CNB