THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 19, 1997 TAG: 9701180911
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Bob Hutchinson
LENGTH: 125 lines
Virginia anglers could see their 1997 striped bass seasons reduced at the same time officials say overall rockfish numbers are better than in more than 20 years.
Even Jack Travelstead, head of fishery management for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, says the matter is ``too close to call.''
A decision most likely will be reached Tuesday, when representatives of East Coast states meet in Atlantic City, N.J., under the umbrella of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. That agency's decision will be binding on all member states, including Virginia.
The group will consider three proposals: one that would extend recreational striper fishing, one that would reduce it and a third that would leave matters unchanged.
However, it's very likely, Travelstead said, that the East Coast commercial catch will be allowed to increase.
In Virginia, one projection is for the commercial catch to go from 1.4 million pounds to 1.778 million, an increase of 378,000 pounds.
The problem, Travelstead said, is that some data involving the commercial catch indicate that the increase is warranted, while some recreational data indicate that cuts need to be made.
The ironic aspect of all this is that the umbrella group on Jan. 1, 1995, declared the striper ``fully recovered'' from the plummet it took in the 1970s and 1980s from excessive fishing.
Meanwhile, organized recreational anglers from Maine to North Carolina have launched a postcard campaign encouraging the Atlantic States group to maintain present regulations, commercial and recreational.
The campaign is being coordinated by the Recreational Fishing Alliance, with aid from such organizations as the Coastal Conservation Associations of Virginia and North Carolina.
James A. Donofrio, the alliance's executive director, said ``when the striped bass fishery returns to the levels and quality of the 1960s, with appropriate age class and size distribution, (we) will then recognize a full recovery.''
Whatever the Atlantic States Commission decides Tuesday will come before the Virginia commission Jan. 28, followed by a public hearing and the agency's final decision at its Feb. 24 meeting.
The Virginia commission in November voted to maintain 1996 harvest levels. But that was predicated on a similar decision from the Atlantic States group.
FLOUNDER, TOO: The Virginia agency is expected to give unanimous approval to proposed flounder rules when it meets Jan. 28.
Those rules include increasing the minimum size for rod-and-reel flatfish from 14 to 14 1/2 inches and increasing the bag limit from eight to 10 fish a day. The changes are projected to reduce the East Coast recreational catch by more than 25 percent.
Meanwhile, commercial fishermen probably will see their minimum size increase from 13 to 14 inches.
AND SEA BASS: Approval is also expected on an plan which would set a 9-inch minimum size for black sea bass when the Virginia agency meets later this month.
Recreational fishermen would not be subject to a bass bag limit. However, the minimum size would apply to all bass landed in Virginia, even those taken from federal waters, which begin 3 miles offshore and extend seaward to 200 miles.
OUTSTRETCHED PALMS: When Virginia adopted a saltwater fishing license four years ago, a lot of folks knew there were going to be a great many outstretched palms. But only now are we beginning to realize just how far some folks will go with their requests.
The fund generates about $1.2 million a year. It is administered by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and served by an advisory board that meets to entertain requests twice a year, in January and July.
At this month's meeting, outstretched palms sought roughly $2.2 million. Of that, more than $1 million was requested by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at Gloucester Point. Included was about $500,000 in salaries.
George Roper of Norfolk, acting chairman of the license advisory board, is also chairman of VIMS' Marine Science Development Council, the facility's No. 1 source of private funds. It would be naive to assume that Roper, a retired shipyard executive, would not send the troops after as much license money as they could get.
Conflict of interest? No.
Inappropriate? Could be.
Still, the bottom line is that the best use of license money is research. After all, wasn't the intent of the license to help the beleaguered Chesapeake Bay?
BASSARAMA: Some of the top names in professional bass fishing will be making public appearances Friday through Sunday at Bassarama '97 in Richmond.
Seminars will be conducted by pros Woo and Chris Daves of Virginia as well as Denny and Chad Brauer. Other featured speakers will include Pete Ide on saltwater stripers and King Montgomery on fly fishing.
The show will be at the Virginia State Fairgrounds at Strawberry Hill. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission will be $7 for adults, free to those under age 16. Details: Tangier Productions, 1-540-898-0832.
FREE SEMINARS: Three seminars, free and open to anyone, have been set by E&B Marine, 5616 Virginia Beach Blvd., in Norfolk.
They are: Jan 21, trophy striper fishing, Herb Gordon and Richard Welton; Jan. 28, rod and reel repair and maintenance, Wayne Folkes; and Feb. 4, trophy tautog fishing, Mark Wray. All sessions start at 7 p.m.
TROUT RULES: Freshwater trout fishing in Virginia lost some of its glitz when the state went to an all-year season a couple of years ago. The excitement of opening day was lost.
Still, there was something gained. The best time to go trout fishing now is whenever you can.
Anyway, several changes in trout regulations have been adopted for 1997 by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. They're detailed in the January edition of the agency's magazine, Virginia Wildlife.
It showcases the agency's trout program and contains lots of valuable information. If you don't have a copy, contact: Spike Knuth, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Richmond, telephone 1-804-367-9147.
SHORT CASTS: A couple of anglers have provided something for 1997 Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament contestants to challenge. James L. Blackmon of Portsmouth has taken the striped bass lead with a fish weighing 46 pounds, 11 ounces, while Robert M. Smith II of Portsmouth has taken the tautog lead at 17-4. . . . Rick Falls, the striper magician from Zuni, has earned a citation award from the Virginia Freshwater Fishing Program with a 25 1/2-pounder, boated at Western Branch Reservoir. . . . Early entries, eligible for special prizes, will be accepted through Jan. 31 by the Reedville Bluefish Derby. Again, awards will go to anglers with big bluefish or striped bass. . . . Ten flowering trees will be given free to anyone who joins the National Arbor Day Foundation this month. Just mail a $10 donation by Jan. 31 to: NADF, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, Neb. 68410. The foundation wants to plant 10 million trees this year.