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DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation to host public meeting on proposed changes in surf fishing program
DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation will discuss proposed changes to the surf fishing program at its upcoming, regularly-scheduled Parks and Recreation Council meeting. The meeting, open to the public, is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 17th, at the Dover Public Library, 35 East Loockerman Street, Dover 19901.
Parks & Recreation staff will offer a presentation on proposed surf fishing permit fee increases, and the public will be given the opportunity to comment. The proposed fee increase, if approved at the thcouncil’s Jan. 17th meeting, would go into effect on Feb. 1st.
DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation is proposing raising the surf fishing permit fees to $90 for Delaware residents, an increase of $10. Out-of-state residents would pay $180 for the annual surf fishing permit, an increase of $20. Surf-fishing permit holders would continue to receive the additional benefit of their permit serving as an annual pass, providing free access to all 17 of Delaware’s state parks.
The Division of Parks & Recreation is also proposing limiting the number of surf fishing permits issued to 17,000 annually. In 2017, the state issued 17,104 permits.
Enhanced Effort to Curb Illegal Fishing and Hunting
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police is cracking down on the illegal killing of fish and wildlife through a partnership with Maryland Wildlife Crimestoppers. This newly established nonprofit organization serves as the state affiliate of International Wildlife Crimestoppers, a group dedicated to stopping illegal hunting and fishing across the globe.
Maryland Wildlife Crimestoppers was established to increase public awareness of the impact of potential poaching on fish and wildlife populations, and encourage anyone with knowledge of these activities to connect with Maryland Natural Resources Police. Neighboring states Delaware and Pennsylvania host similar partnerships with International Wildlife Crimestoppers.
Information can be relayed anonymously by email, phone or text to dispatchers, who will alert the nearest patrol officer. If the tip leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspected poacher, the Maryland Wildlife Crimestoppers board of directors may even issue a reward.
Maryland Wildlife Crimestoppers does not receive any federal or state funding and depends solely on financial support from corporate, individual or public donations or gifts.
Founded in 1997, International Wildlife Crimestoppers supports wildlife law enforcement officers in 40 U.S. states and five Canadian. To contact Maryland Wildlife Crimestoppers, citizens can call or text 443-433-4112, email [email protected], or report violations using the department’s free mobile app.
Maryland Sets 2019 Tautog Regulations
The secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced changes to the recreational and commercial tautog season and catch limits from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2019. This action is consistent with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog.
Effective 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1, 2019, the season and catch limits are:
•Jan. 1 to May 15: 4 per person, per day
• May 16 to June 30: Closed
•July 1 to Oct. 31: 2 fish per person, per day
•Nov. 1 to Dec. 31: 4 fish per person, per day
Assateague Island National Seashore to Offer Free Admission on Five Days in 2019
The National Park Service announced that the public will be invited to experience all national parks, including Assateague Island National Seashore, without entrance fees, on five days in 2019.
The 2019 entrance fee free days are:
•January 21: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
•April 20: Start of National Park Week/National Junior Ranger Day
•August 25: National Park Service Anniversary
•September 28: National Public Lands Day
•November 11: Veterans Day
Assateague Island National Seashore usually has an entrance fee of $20.00 per car. These entrance fee free days do not waive camping or Over Sand Vehicle permit fees. Nationwide, 115 of the 418 national parks charge an entrance fee. The other 303 national park units do not have entrance fees. Last year, Assateague Island National Seashore had more than 2.3 million visitors. Those visitors spent $99.8 million in local communities which helped to support 1,300 jobs.
The annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass allows unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks that charge an entrance fee. There are also free or discounted passes available for senior citizens, current members of the military, families of fourth grade students, and disabled citizens.
