THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504230182
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON
LENGTH: Long : 117 lines
What probably will be remembered as the greatest turnaround produced by prudent fishery management will be culminated Tuesday, when 1995 striped bass seasons are finalized by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
The commission is expected to select a Chesapeake Bay season running 107 days, with a two-fish bag limit and an 18-inch minimum size.
The season would be split into two segments, May 16 through June 15 and Oct. 17 through Dec. 31. The season in the state's coastal waters, extending offshore 3 miles, would be May 16 through Dec. 31, with a two-fish bag limit and a 28-inch minimum.
In addition, the commission will consider a ``trophy fish'' season running May 1-15, with a one-fish bag limit and a 32-inch minimum.
Anglers would also be required to report their catches to the marine agency, headquartered in Newport News.
After decades of excessive harvest by both commercial and recreational fishermen, the popular striper fell on hard times throughout its East Coast range in the 1970s.
By 1988, Virginia declared a moratorium on striper fishing. The ban remained in effect for almost two years, with only limited catches allowed since it was lifted.
Now the species has been declared ``fully recovered'' by the federal agency which oversees striper fishing.
FLOUNDER CUT: A drop in the daily recreational bag limit for flounder from eight fish to six has won initial approval from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
But the change isn't likely to have any impact in Virginia. The council regulates fisheries only in federal waters, which begin 3 miles offshore and extend seaward to 200 miles.
Virtually all recreationally-caught flounder in Virginia are boated within the state's 3-mile limit, where waters are regulated by a coalition of East Coast states.
The change in federal waters has been backed by the National Marine Fisheries Service, following reports that the overall flounder population remains low.
Ironically, East Coast recreational fishermen have only reached about 50 percent of the management plan's target catch for the past two years.
In addition, some 60 percent of that shortfall has been transferred to increase the commercial quota, which has been met or surpassed in every coastal state during those two years.
TOURNAMENT OK: A $145,000 annual budget appropriation for the Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament is expected to receive unanimous approval Tuesday from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
But there's one caveat: Only anglers who purchase 1995 Virginia saltwater fishing licenses will be eligible for the tournament's awards, popularly known as citations.
The plan has been approved by the advisory board which recommends license-fund expenditures to the commission. The license is expected to generate more than $1.3 million this year.
State financing for the 38-year-old contest has been from the general fund but was changed by the 1995 session of the General Assembly.
In approving the new financing, members of the license-fund advisory board also adopted a resolution calling for the legislature to go statewide with the license in 1996.
Presently, the license is required only to fish the Chesapeake Bay and it tidal tributaries. It is not needed along the Eastern Shore seaside and the Virginia Beach oceanfront, including offshore waters and Rudee Inlet.
Anglers who are under 16 years, age 65 or older or who are fishing on a blanket license, such as a licensed private boat, charter boat, headboat or pier, would not need an individual license to qualify for an award.
OTHER ACTION: In other action at the advisory board's first meeting of the year Tuesday, John Jones of Richmond was elected chairman and George W. Roper II of Norfolk vice-chairman.
The board also recommended an additional year of funding for four ongoing projects. They involve tautog, bluefish, striped bass and a survey of recreational fishing interests.
GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE? Sara Riggs of Norfolk may have grounds for divorce from husband Jim, a Coast Guard officer.
They were turkey hunting with the Bucks Branch Hunt Club in Sussex County when Sara called up a big gobbler that walked almost straight to her.
When the bird seemed to lose interest and turned away, Jim bagged it with a single shot.
You can't help but wonder how many wives would put up with something like that, especially one who has never killed a turkey herself.
``She had really given up on the bird and started back to the car,'' Jim said in defense. ``It wasn't like I shot it out from in front of her.''
The bird weighed 19 pounds and had an 11-inch beard.
Speaking of turkeys, Bruce Patterson of Chesapeake bagged a 20-pound gobbler with a 10-inch beard while hunting with the Trackers Hunt Club in Lunenburg County.
FOR THE BIRDS: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach is looking for some volunteers to assist in its bluebird study.
Volunteers will be asked to spend between one and two hours a week checking bluebird nest boxes for nesting activities. The project begins Monday and will run through Aug. 31.
If you're interested, call 721-2412 or apply in person to John Gallegos at the visitor contact station at 4005 Sandpiper Road, Virginia Beach.
SHORT CASTS: Paul Myers of Buxton, president of the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club, scored a ``grand slam'' on a recent trip to the Florida Keys. He released a bonefish, permit and tarpon with guide Pat Bracher, a Virginia Beach native . ... Tuffy Samuels and Bill Guttermuth of Virginia Beach and Dick Young of Accomac and Dan Jones of Norfolk recently released tarpon in the Floida Keys. They fished out of Bud 'N Mary's Marina at Islamorada. ... The Hatteras Marlin Club has announced its annual Hatteras Marlin Tournament will be strictly a billfish release event again. ``It's time for all billfishermen to band together and make a statement that we must conserve the remaining billfish for our future,'' said Mickey Hayes, contest chairman. The format was inaugurated in 1994. ... The annual Hotel Wachapreague spring flounder tournament will run May 5-13. Details: Randy Lewis, 1-804-787-4110. ... Joe Seymour Jr. of Kill Devil Hills has earned a North Caolina citation with a 1-pound, 9-ounce sea mullet. Frederick Frissell of Kill Devil Hills and Tom Burke of Nags Head scored by releasing red drum, according to Ollie Jarvis of Dillon's Corner tackle shop at Buxton-on-Hatteras. ... North Carolina has banned all fishing for shad and herring through Dec. 31. ... Scott C. Sutton of Richmond has been named executive director of the Atlantic Coast Conservation Association of Virginia. by CNB