Article by Larry Jock
Delaware Changes Tautog Regulations
DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin signed an Emergency Order making changes in Delaware’s tautog fishing regulations that go into effect July 1st. The changes were adopted through an emergency regulation due to insufficient time to adopt the regulations through the standard regulatory process without significantly impacting Delaware’s tautog fishery.
The regulations increase the tautog minimum size limit to 16 inches, adjust the open seasons to July 1 through Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 through May 15, and reduce the possession limit to four tautog per day during the new open seasons. The adjusted seasons allow Delaware’s commercial and recreational fishermen earlier access to tautog fishing than the previous July 17 reopening of the fishery and provide 48 additional tautog-fishing days annually.
The new regulations established by the emergency order bring Delaware into compliance with Amendment 1 to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Interstate Fishery Management Plan for tautog.
Notice to Marlin Club members
Released tunas do not count for seasonal awards.
For seasonal awards, all catch reports must be entered on-line (this includes the White Marlin Open) at ocmarlinclub.com. Tournament catch reports must be turned in as per the rules stated in each specific tournament. Catch reports must be entered on-line no later than ten days from the date of the catch with the exception of year end reports, unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors. All reports must be filed by Monday, October 7, 2018 by 12:00 PM. No exceptions!
