Article by Marty Gary
Radford Update
I’ve been updating you weekly on the status of the USS Radford, a 573 foot long Navy Destroyer in preparation for it’s placement as the largest ship to be used as an artificial reef on the Atlantic coast. EPA inspections still have not wrapped up, and a press conference is underway in Philadelphia as I write this column. The Radford is sitting on the go button, but needs a final EPA and Coast Guard approval in order to initiate the operation to tow and sink the vessel. We hoped the ship might be on the bottom by the time this issue hits the newsstands, or in the coming days. At this point it looks more like the second or third week of August. Overall, we are close to the sinking of the largest vessel to be used as an artificial reef on the east coast, and the second largest in North America next to the Oriskany, an over 800 foot long aircraft carrier reefed off Pensacola, FL. Check the Coastal Fisherman online for the latest information. We’ll break the news there when we get word. In the interim, the official website for the Radford project is: www.radfordreef.com.
The White Marlin Open
It’s nearly time for the big one. The 38th Annual White Marlin Open runs from August 8th through August 12th. To avoid any confusion, remember that all participants 16 years of age or older will need to be in compliance with the National Saltwater Angler Registry. Captains and crew should check to see if they are accounted for. If anglers are fishing aboard a vessel with a charterboat/headboat Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit, they do not need to individually register. The Captain will account for trip information via a separate survey conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). If anglers are fishing aboard a private vessel with an Angler HMS permit, they will need to be registered. Before they register, they should check to see if they are already in the registry. Here is a simple checklist to see if you have already registered:
1. If anglers have purchased any state saltwater fishing license (except Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico) or have New Jersey’s registration, they are already in the National Saltwater Angler Registry and they do not need to take further action.
2. If they are the boat owner who purchased the HMS Angling permit, they are in the registry.
3. If they purchased a NOAA registration in 2011, they are in the registry.
Note – Registration is on a calendar year basis. If you registered in 2010, you will need to register again in 2011.
If participating anglers have determined they are not in the registry, there are two ways to get registered:
1. Go to the NMFS website, and register: https://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/register/home.jsp
2. Purchase a state saltwater fishing license
The process can be confusing and DNR will have staff on hand at the registration table for the White Marlin Open on both Saturday and Sunday to answer your questions.
License Questions
Maryland DNR set up a special hotline for sportfish license inquiries. The number: 410-656-9526 has had high volume. Initially, we were getting questions on all kinds of license issues, but over the past few weeks, the dominant callers have been asking specifically about coastal issues. Some of the most common questions have been:
• Do I need a license to recreationally crab? A: No, but you do need to adhere to the regulations on size (5 inches), and limits (one bushel per person and up to two max per boat). Note – peeler minimum is now 3.5 inches
• Do I need a license to recreationally clam? A: No. Minimum size is 1 inch, limit is 250 per person per day.
• Do I need a Maryland fishing license if I’m fishing off the National Park shoreline on Assateague Island? A: Yes, if you are 16 years of age or older.
• Do I need a license if I rent a boat? A: Possibly. Some boat rental facilities have purchased special boat decals to cover their patrons who rent boats from them. If this is the case, you will not need a sport fishing license. If not, then you will. Be sure to check before you rent.
• Where can I buy a fishing license? A: Online at www.dnr.maryland.gov or at any of our authorized agents, including: Skip’s Bait & Tackle, Oyster Bay Bait & Tackle, Oceanic Pier, Captain Mac’s Bait and Tackle, Fenwick Bait and Tackle, Sunset Provisions, Ocean City Fishing Center, Alltackle, John Henry’s Bait & Tackle, Frontier Town, Buck’s Place, Assateague Store, Sharkey’s Market & Wal Mart just to name a few.
Maryland DNR Summer Flounder Catch Rate Survey Underway
We are now past the halfway point in the new survey by MD DNR to compare catch rates of summer flounder being landed at public and private points of landing. The survey will be running through the end of August. Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association (MSSA) volunteers are distributing the simple, easy to fill out survey cards to anglers on the water during their fishing trips, capitalizing on the rapport between fellow anglers.
Participating anglers simply need to fill out their card upon completion of their trip, and drop it the closest mailbox when they return to shore. Postage is prepaid. DNR Fisheries personnel will provide the survey design, collect and analyze the data sent in by the anglers upon completion of their trips. Ultimately, DNR will share the results with the NMFS staff that are working on the redesign of the federal recreational fishing survey (MRIP).
So if you are fishing on the water and a fellow fisherman approaches you with a card in hand, please consider taking a moment to listen to them, fill out the survey card at the end of your trip, and drop it in the mailbox.
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)
As you read this, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will be convened in Alexandria, VA for their summer meeting. Hot topics being addressed for the coast include discussions on Tautog, Atlantic Menhaden, Lobster, Spiny Dogfish, Weakfish and Horseshoe Crab management. In particular, the tautog discussion will be of interest to Ocean City Fishermen. We will have an update on the outcome of this meeting in a future column.
Questions From Coastal Fishermen Readers?
I welcome any questions you may have on fisheries management, sport fishing licenses, or any other fisheries related questions. Please e mail your questions to:
[email protected]
Until next week…….good fishing!
