THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 22, 1995 TAG: 9501220315
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON
LENGTH: Long : 135 lines
Once again hordes of big, hungry bluefin tuna, some weighing more than 1,000 pounds, have made their mid-winter appearance just a few miles off Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks.
It's been enough to prompt many anglers to break out their heaviest fishing tackle and to provide a delightful stimulant for the North Carolina charter-fishing business.
But along with the run has come concern that some of the fish, caught and released by anglers, are going to die in spite of well-intentioned efforts.
Dick Stone, a tuna specialist with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Washington, said he was concerned but could not estimate how detrimental catch-and-release practices might be.
``It's something we're looking into,'' said the Virginia Beach native. ``We have some folks down there and they're going to bring in a few fish just to collect scientific information.
``My own guess is that if the fish are caught quickly and if the crew on the boat goes an extra mile to see that the fish is alive when it's released, mortality is going to be very minimal. But that's just a guess.''
Bob Eakes, who operates a tackle shop in Buxton-on-Hatteras, said his concern was that inexperienced anglers were going to kill some fish because they don't know how to battle big tuna.
Eakes has helped pioneer the fishery, discovered a few years ago but shrouded in secrecy until last winter.
``We've found that if we use 130-pound test tackle and set the drag at 50 ot 60 pounds, it doesn't take but a few minutes to get the fish to the boat and release it,'' he said.
``I haven't seen a fish fought that way which didn't swim off in apparent good shape. But I'm concerned that some folks might end up fighting them for two or three hours. That's not good.''
Some boats have caught and released as many as 25 tuna a day in the past two weeks, with most fish estimated at between 300 and 600 pounds.
Federal law limits each boat to keeping one tuna of 70 inches length (to the fork of the tail) per year, with a special permit required. These fish may not be sold. A 70-inch bluefin weighs about 235 pounds.
The bluefins apparently are hanging out around the many wrecks off Hatteras. Some are within 12 miles of Hatteras Inlet and in less than 100 feet of water. Over-wintering bluefish apparently are a prime source of food.
Stone is not convinced that the tuna have always spent the winter off Hatteras. ``Someone would have known about it,'' he said. ``There's too much commercial activity down there at this time of year.''
Eakes, however, says the fishery dates back at least five or six years and that he is convinced the tuna have been off Hatteras ``at least 15 years.''
FLOUNDER FIGHT: A good fight could be shaping up in efforts to advance the planned May 1 opening of Virginia's recreational season on flounder.
Detailed rules for the 1995 East Coast season are expected to be finalized in Philadelphia in March by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), a coalition of coastal states. The states are operating under a coalition plan to aid the overfished species.
``We're going in (to the ASFMC meeting) asking for no season,'' said Jack Travelstead of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. ``I don't know what we'll come out with. But some other members agree that Virginia would be the only state hurt by opening the season May 1.
More specifically, a May 1 start would have drastic effects on Wachapreague and much of the Eastern Shore seaside, where flounder fishing is big business and usually starts in late March.
``We could be granted three options,'' Travelstead said. ``We could get to split the season into two parts, we could get to lengthen it by reducing the bag limit or we could have the ability to shift.
``By shifting, we might be able to take two weeks off the end of the season, projected for Oct. 31, and add it up front, meaning an April 15 opening.''
RICHMOND RUMBLINGS: Several proposals involving recreational fishing are either before the General Assembly or are about to make their debut.
One plan, expected to win overwhelming approval, would extend the Chesapeake Bay saltwater fishing license to cover all tidal waters of the state and would earmark up to 15 percent of the total income for operating the Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament.
This contest's$145,000 annual budget has been eliminated from general-fund financing by Gov. George Allen. The contest is to launch its 38th year March 1.
Another proposal already in the hopper would give the Virginia Marine Resources Commission regulatory power over Virginia's menhaden-fishing industry. That power now is essentially in the hands of the General Assembly.
Two other proposals, expected to be introduced Monday, also involve menhaden fishing. One would require the two firms which operate in Virginia to keep their vessels, when fishing, at least a half-mile off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The other would outlaw menhaden fishing within a mile of the Virginia Beach shoreline between Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends.
BASSARAMA: The appearance of several nationally-ranked bass-fishing professionals will again highlight Bassarama, the Richmond bass-fishing show.
The event will be held Jan. 27-29 at the State Fairgrounds.
Scheduled to appear are Gary Kline, Guy Eaker, Paul Elias, Jay Yelas, Ron Sheffield, Ken Penrod and Woo Daves Other attractions will include a trout stream, a casting contest for kids and a Kids Corner for young anglers.
Hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. the first two days and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the final day. Admission will be $6 for adults, with kids under 16 free when accompanied by a paying adult. Details: 1-703-898-0832.
SCHOOL TIME: Eric Burnley of Virginia Beach will conduct a saltwater fishing workshop Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Marina at Marina Shores in Virginia Beach.
Subjects will include striped bass, speckled trout, cobia, bluefish, spot, croaker, billfish and tuna. Burnley, regional editor of Salt Water Sportsman magazine and a licensed charter skipper, will be assisted by several local experts.
The fee will be $25, or $5 for women and kids under 16. Details: Burnley at 430-1903.
Three boating seminars are planned in Hampton during the next two months by West Marine, a boating equipment and apparel outlet.
On Feb. 17, Barbara Marrett will talk on ``Provisioning Like a Pro,'' aimed at long-distance sailors, at the West store at 2121 West Mercury Boulevard; on March 7, ``Cruising and Beyond'' will be the topic for Larry and Lin Pardey at Hampton's Radisson Hotel; and on March 29, Chuck Hawley will discuss ``Demystifying Marine Electrical Systems'' at the West store. Seminars are at 7 p.m. Details: West Marine, Hampton, 825-4900.
SHORT CASTS: A delightful book, ``Canvas Decoys of North America,'' has been published by Archie Johnson, a waterfowling historian/photographer from Virginia Beach. It's the first book ever done exclusively on cloth-covered decoys and their makers. Containing more than 400 photographs and illustrations, it covers all four North American flyways. If it isn't in your favorite store, you can order direct from Johnson, telephone 428-6717. . . . Ronald J. Sybers of Virginia Beach recently bagged deer No. 100 in his hunting career. The retired Navy man killed his first in Wisconsin at age 16. . . . Although most Virginia hunting seasons have closed, a few remain open. For one, the crow season will run through March 31. Hunting will remain legal through Jan. 31 for bobcat, fox, grouse (west of I-95), pheasant, quail, rabbit and squirrel. Raccoon hunting is allowed through March 10 east of the Blue Ridge Mountains and through Jan. 31 west of there. Tundra swan and common snipe may also be hunted through Jan. 31, but you'll need a special permit for swan. . . . The 14th annual Virginia wetlands symposium will be held at Hampton University Feb. 4. Open to anyone, it's sponsored by the university and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Registration will be $15. Details: Dr. Robert A. Jordan, Hampton University, 727-5783. by CNB