THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995 TAG: 9512140405
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
Some full-time watermen want the state to give them priority permits that would allow them the first chance at scarce fish such as crabs and striped bass.
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has declined to give preferential treatment to full-timers, but members say the issue will keep coming up as long as watermen struggle to make a living under the current system.
About 3,050 people carry a Virginia commercial waterman's license. It entitles watermen to apply for other permits to catch certain species of fish or use certain types of gear. The license costs $150 a year, and applicants must wait two years to get one.
The commission already limits the number of commercial fishermen who can legally catch certain types of fish or shellfish.
It divided the state's 1995 striped bass quota of 877,000 pounds among watermen chosen by lot last spring. More than 125 watermen, including many full-timers, ended up on a waiting list.
A committee of watermen last month asked the commission to limit the striped bass catch to full-timers. The committee proposed that a waterman be considered full-time if 75 percent of his 1994 earned income came from fishing or if he spent at least 120 days of 1994 fishing commercially.
``I think that 100 percent watermen deserve a shot first,'' said waterman Vernon Merritt Jr. of Chincoteague.
Other watermen argue against the full-time requirement. Some say they would have a hard time proving themselves full-timers, either because they've worked in other states or worked as mates on someone else's boat. Others say they have been forced to seek full-time employment on land in recent years to make ends meet, but depend on their fishing income all the same.
``If I'm paying my full-time waterman's fee, I should be at least eligible,'' said Michael Nierman of Suffolk.
The commission decided Nov. 28 against changing the system, and to honor all permits issued in this year's lottery whether or not the permit-holders are full-time watermen. But it is an issue the commission will have to think about over the next year, said member Peter Rowe of Eastville. by CNB