THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 12, 1996 TAG: 9605120007
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON
LENGTH: Long : 148 lines
There's a meeting in Manteo Tuesday evening to discuss a federal proposal to raise the minimum length on tunas from 22 to 27 inches. But you can bet that's not going to be the hottest topic.
North Carolina commercial fishermen also will use the forum to tell the National Marine Fisheries Service that they want a piece of the multimillion-dollar pie that the bluefin tuna represents.
And that's understandable, since they are banned from catching and selling any of the countless big bluefins which spend the winter and early spring off the Carolina coast.
Some of these individual fish could be worth more than $50,000 EACH at Japanese sushi markets.
Unfortunately for the North Carolina fishermen, it's illegal for anyone to keep and sell bluefins before June 30. By then, though, the fish have migrated north and are targeted by commercial fishermen off New York, New Jersey and New England.
The bluefin is perhaps the richest resource of the ocean. Which probably explains why it was the first ocean-roaming resource ever protected by an international treaty, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
The bluefin pie was divided up years ago, with quotas set for various types of harvesters, including rod-and-reel fishermen. At the time, no one knew there were tons of bluefins off North Carolina in winter and spring. Some suggest that the fish were not even there then, having recently changed their migration pattern.
Never mind. The bottom line is that this is a public resource, owned by everyone. It shouldn't be reserved for a select few.
It's unfair to North Carolina's commercial fishermen to keep the season closed until after all the fish have migrated out of their reach.
So while Tuesday's meeting is primarily to discuss increasing the minimum size for tuna, you can bet the commercial guys are going to make a pitch for a winter catch.
Open to anyone, the meeting will be in the North Carolina Aquarium on Airport Road from 7-9 p.m.
STRIPERS, AGAIN: In Virginia waters, it'll be illegal through May 15 to keep saltwater striped bass less than 32 inches long. After that date, it'll be illegal to keep fish more than 28 inches long.
Definitely confusing. But it's all part of a program which allows both a ``trophy-fish season'' and a ``regular spring season.''
It's part of the plan to relax but regulate striper fishing now that the once-beleaguered rockfish has been declared fully recovered from the excessive harvests of two decades ago.
The ``trophy'' season opened on May 1 and runs through Wednesday. Waters of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are open. The bag limit is one fish a day.
During the ``spring'' season, running through June 15, only the bay and its tributaries will be open. The bag limit will be two fish daily, between 18 and 28 inches.
Then on Oct. 17 the ``fall'' season will open, to run through the remainder of the year. The bag will remain at two fish and the minimum at 18 inches. But there will be no maximum size restriction.
SHARK BAN: The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced that commercial fishing for large coastal sharks will be banned May 17, when the quota for the first six months will have been met.
Operators of charter vessels with federal commercial permits will be allowed to catch and retain up to four of these sharks a day. But the fish may not be sold.
Recreational shark fishermen are not affected by the closure. Nor are commercial fishermen targeting mako sharks and small coastal sharks, including spiney dogfish, also known as ``dogsharks'' or ``horndogs.''
Shark fishing has been restricted for the past several years. Still, some conservationists warn that present restrictions are not enough to produce a population turnaround.
Unlike most fish, which deposit millions of eggs, sharks give birth to live ``pups.'' It may take decades to produce a major population turnaround. Litters can range from three to more than 20.
DEADLY LOVE: The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has issued a warning to nature lovers not to ``love young animals to death.''
Each spring game wardens, biologists and wildlife officials receive hundreds of calls from residents who have found newborn animals. Many, ranging from cub bears to baby rabbits, seemingly have become separated from their parents.
Wildlife experts estimate that as many as 90 percent are not lost or orphaned, merely separated for the moment. Perhaps the mother is off looking for food for her brood.
Many young animals are cuddly, big-eyed, soft, cute and furry. People, especially kids, are naturally drawn to them.
Don't think they'll make great pets, the wildlife agency warns. Wild animals, even wild birds, are just that - wild. They're unpredictable.
Besides, it's a violation of Virginia law to take any animal into captivity from the wild.
Additionally, some diseases, including deadly rabies, can be transmitted to humans.
So give the youngsters a break. Leave them in the wild. Chances are they'll be just fine without your assistance.
COOPERATION: In a rare display of unity, commercial and recreational fishermen in North Carolina have joined forces to battle pollution.
The coalition includes the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina, a recreational-fishing group, and numerous watermen's associations. Several conservation groups also are involved, including the Sierra Club and the North Carolina Wildlife Federation.
``Fishermen for the Future,'' the coalition's name, will serve as an umbrella group for the various organizations.
All along the North Carolina coast for the next several weeks, the groups will combine to distribute petitions calling for strong action by the General Assembly to protect coastal rivers and sounds from pollution and habitat loss.
``If there are two things we should all agree on, it's the need for enforcement of fishery laws and the importance of improving water quality in our coastal rivers and sounds,,'' said Melvin Shepard, president of the Southeastern Watermen's Association, a commercial group.
Said Dick Brame, executive director of the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina: ``The state can't afford not to spend money to clean up its rivers.''
For more information, call 1-919-946-7862.
BOATING CHECK: You can get a free safety examination of your boat at several Hampton Roads locations a week from today, May 19, thanks to another coalition.
This one is known as the Hampton Roads Recreational Boating Safety Coalition and includes safety specialists from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Tidewater Personal Watercraft Club, the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action program and other groups.
The free examinations will be offered 2-5 p.m. at the Norfolk boat ramps at 13th View Street and Willoughby, Portsmouth's City Park; the Virginia Beach boat ramps at Owl's Creek and Lynnhaven Inlet; Chesapeake ramps at the Jordan Bridge, Great Bridge Locks and Elizabeth River Park; in Franklin at the Nottoway River ramp; Hampton's boat ramp at Sunset Creek; and Newport News ramps at Denbigh and Huntington Park.
Details: Peg Nourie, Coast Guard Auxiliary, 399-8138.
In addition, the Virginia Beach Power Squadron will be demonstrating boating safety equipment and its use 10 a.m.-4 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday at four locations: Seashore State Park boat ramp (64th Street, extended) in Virginia Beach; Boat U.S., 6600 East Virginia Beach Boulevard, Norfolk; Boater's World, 1709 B Laskin Road, Virginia Beach; and West Marine, 2865 Lynnhaven Drive, Virginia Beach. Details: Fred Pflum, 490-6778.
SHORT CASTS: The Virginia Beach Billfish Foundation will stage a fishing tournament May 25-26 out of Pirate's Cove Marina at Nags Head. The $175 fee will cover all festivities for four anglers. It's open to anyone with awards for the most billfish and biggest tuna, wahoo and dolphin. Details: Ray Temple, 545-2431. . . . The 71st Street Anglers of Virginia Beach collected enough money from an anglers' ball to make a $2,500 donation to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The club also named Mike Levinson its angler-of-the-year. . . tautog, caught at the Cape Henry Wreck on the Live Bait. by CNB