THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606080298
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON
LENGTH: 115 lines
As Virginia's fish, shellfish and crab populations have declined in recent years, so have the number of licensed watermen. Today less than 700 people work full-time on the water, mostly crabbing.
This is one of the preliminary findings of an economic study of the state's commercial fishing industry, being done by Dr. James Kirkley of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. The study is to be completed in August.
The matter will be of tremendous importance later this year when the Virginia Marine Resources Commission decides who will be allowed to fish commercially for striped bass.
The agency must decide how to divide the 1.34 million pounds of stripers available to commercial fishermen in 1996, compared with just over 210,000 pounds a few years ago.
Kirkley's preliminary report to the Marine Resources Commission shows that only 3,100 people now hold active commercial fishing licenses.
Of these, the report says, only 22 percent or 682, actually work the state's waterways full time.
Thirty percent do little or no commercial fishing and 48 percent supplement their waterman's income with other jobs.
The 3,100 license holders is down from 3,800 in 1993, the first year the state required all commercial fishermen to purchase an annual seafood harvester's license.
Going back to the early 1970s, the drop has been even more dramatic, according to Jack Travelstead, who heads the marine commission's fishery-management staff.
``Our best estimates are that there were about 9,000 working watermen back then,'' Travelstead said, ``including 4,500 full-timers and 4,500 part-timers.''
Much of the decline can be traced to the tremendous losses in the state's oyster industry, Travelstead said. That decline has seen oyster production plummet to about 1 percent of historic levels.
Meanwhile, the number of licensed recreational fishermen has remained pretty steady since 1993, the first year for which Chesapeake Bay saltwater fishermen also were required to have licenses.
TOP NAMES: If your boat is named Serenity, do not feel that the name is yours alone.
According to an annual survey of marine monikers by the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BOAT/U.S.), Serenity is the most popular name for boats, followed by Obsession and Osprey.
Then comes: 4. Escape; 5. Therapy; 6. Liquid Asset; 7. Wet Dream; 8. Diversion; 9. Sundancer; 10. Predator.
Which reminds me of the three best boat names I ever saw: 1. Last Boat IV; 2. Mom's Mink; 3. Gothimon.
FADED LICENSE: At least a few Virginia fishermen have had trouble with color-fading of their craft's red decal which shows that they bought a saltwater license.
One caller said his license, purchased in February, had turned completely white. Another said his could be considered ``light pink, at the very best.''
Not to worry if your decal has faded, said Frances Boswell of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, which actually issues the decals, even though the money goes to the Marine Resources Commission.
``We've only had one complaint to come into our office,'' she said, ``but if any boater has a problem, all they have to do is take the decal back to the license agent and get another for just 25 cents.''
Or they can save a quarter and take the chance that a marine patrol officer or game warden will stop them on the water for a closer check.
CALL FOR COBIA: Researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science are looking for some help from the state's cobia fishermen.
The scientists need cobia carcasses to obtain length data and to remove reproductive organs and otoliths, small bones in the skulls of fish which can be used to estimate age and growth rates.
The study is being headed by John B. Olney in collaboration with similar studies by scientists in Florida and Mississippi on fish caught south of Cape Hatteras.
Last year Chesapeake Bay anglers caught record numbers of cobia.
Anglers who catch cobia are asked to record the weight before the fish is cleaned and to keep the carcasses on ice. Or the carcasses may be taken to Bubba's Marina at Lynnhaven Inlet in Virginia Beach or Wallace's Marina in Hampton.
Anglers wishing to donate carcasses may contact Olney at 1-804-642-7334, local pager 888-5644.
TOURNAMENT TIME: The rapid approach of summer means it's tournament time for many Virginia and North Carolina anglers.
The annual Big Rock Marlin Tournament opens today in Morehead City, N.C., followed by the Hatteras Marlin Tournament at Hatteras next week.
Closer to home, the Virginia Beach Anglers will stage their annual bluefish/bluefin tuna tournament June 15, with headquarters at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center on Rudee Inlet.
Based on a 50-boat field, $3,000 in awards will be available, split between the two species. The entry fee will be $100 per boat. It's open to anyone, with details from Butch Eason at 424-3624.
The Tidewater Anglers of Norfolk will hold their annual flounder tournament June 22-23 with headquarters at the marina at Marina Shores on Lynnhaven Inlet.
Prizes will total $300 in classes for adults and juniors. Individual fees will be $10 for club members, $15 for non-members and $5 for juniors. Details: Steve Jones, 499-1318.
Finally, entries in the annual Reedville Bluefish Derby have topped those of a year ago, with the entry deadline still three days away (Wednesday).
Bill Crowther, president of the sponsoring Smith Point Sea Rescue, credited the increase to giving equal footing to striped bass and bluefish, with more than $100,000 in total prizes.
Headquartered at Buzzard's Point Marina, the contest is one of the biggest events in Virginia's Northern Neck, usually attracting 500 or more boats.
Openings are still available. Details: Roger Wilkins, Jett's Hardware, 1-804-453-5325.
SHORT CASTS: John Newbold of Virginia Beach has been reelected president of the 4,000-member North Carolina Beach Buggy Association. Other officers, all reelected: Mike Jeffers, Newport News, vice president; Sharon Newbold, Virginia Beach, secretary; and Brenda Outlaw, Manteo, N.C., treasurer. . . . Jack Catt of Norfolk has earned a citation award from the Virginia Fresh Water Fishing Program with a 22 1/4-inch largemouth bass, caught at Lake Whitehurst. Bill Sugg of Suffolk won a saltwater citation by releasing a red drum at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. . . . The minimum size on sea bass caught in federal waters, beyond three miles of the coast, would be nine inches under a proposal being considered by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Presently, there is no minimum north of Cape Hatteras and an eight-inch minimum south of there. by CNB