Arlington, VA -- The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Menhaden Management Board has initiated a draft addendum proposing an interim biological reference point of 15% maximum spawning potential (MSP) with the goal of increasing abundance, spawning stock biomass, and menhaden availability as a forage species. The MSP approach identifies the fishing mortality rate necessary to maintain a given level of stock fecundity (number of mature ova) relative to the potential maximum stock fecundity under unfished conditions. In this case, a 15% MSP would equate to a fishing mortality rate threshold required to maintain approximately 15% of virgin stock fecundity. The current MSP level is 9%. The draft addendum will also include a suite of management measures to achieve 15% MSP.
At the same time, the Board placed a high priority on continuing work on developing ecosystem reference points using a multispecies modeling approach (MSVPA). Ecosystem reference points are expected to address the forage needs of menhaden’s predator species such as striped bass, weakfish, and bluefish. This work is anticipated to take a few years.
The Board received an update on the revised 2009 Atlantic menhaden stock assessment, which finds the stock is not overfished but is experiencing overfishing in 2008. The Board will review and consider approval of the the draft addendum for public comment at the Commission’s Summer Meeting in August. If approved, the draft addendum will be released for public comment in late summer, with state public hearings occurring throughout early fall. Final Board approval of the addendum could happen in November at the Commission’s Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.
For more information, please contact Toni Kerns, Senior FMP Coordinator, at tkerns@asmfc.org or 703/842-0740.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Local Notice to Mariners
Naval Academy Crew Races on the Severn
Annapolis, MD -- Mariners are advised that U.S. Naval Academy Crew Races are scheduled to occur on the Severn River on Saturday, April 9, from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. The 2,000-meter rowing course is located from the entrance to College Creek, upriver to Severn River Light 2 (LLN-19945); an alternate course is located from Severn River Light 2 (LLN-19945), upriver to the entrance to Chase Creek.
As described in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Section 100.501, special local regulations establish a regulated area for all waters of the Severn River (from shoreline to shoreline), bounded to the northwest by a line drawn from the south shoreline at 39°00'38.9" N, 076°31'05.2" W, thence to the north shoreline at 39°00'54.7" N, 076°30'44.8" W, this line is approximately 1300 yards northwest of the U.S. 50 fixed highway bridge. The regulated area is bounded to the southeast by a line drawn from the Naval Academy Light at 38°58'39.5" N, 076°28'49" W, thence southeast to a point 700 yards east of Chinks Point, at 38°58'1.9" N, 076°28'1.7" W, thence northeast to Greenbury Point at 38°58'29" N, 076°27'16" W.
The regulated area will be enforced from 5:30 a.m. through 10:30 a.m. on April 9. The effect will be to restrict vessel traffic on certain waters of the Severn River. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. Coast Guard vessels enforcing this regulated area can be contacted on marine band radio channel 16 or 22A VHF-FM.
When hailed or signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel in the area shall immediately comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both. Mariners are urged to schedule their transits on this waterway beyond the enforcement times. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Charts 12282, 12283.
Click here for the complete Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners.
Annapolis, MD -- Mariners are advised that U.S. Naval Academy Crew Races are scheduled to occur on the Severn River on Saturday, April 9, from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. The 2,000-meter rowing course is located from the entrance to College Creek, upriver to Severn River Light 2 (LLN-19945); an alternate course is located from Severn River Light 2 (LLN-19945), upriver to the entrance to Chase Creek.
As described in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Section 100.501, special local regulations establish a regulated area for all waters of the Severn River (from shoreline to shoreline), bounded to the northwest by a line drawn from the south shoreline at 39°00'38.9" N, 076°31'05.2" W, thence to the north shoreline at 39°00'54.7" N, 076°30'44.8" W, this line is approximately 1300 yards northwest of the U.S. 50 fixed highway bridge. The regulated area is bounded to the southeast by a line drawn from the Naval Academy Light at 38°58'39.5" N, 076°28'49" W, thence southeast to a point 700 yards east of Chinks Point, at 38°58'1.9" N, 076°28'1.7" W, thence northeast to Greenbury Point at 38°58'29" N, 076°27'16" W.
The regulated area will be enforced from 5:30 a.m. through 10:30 a.m. on April 9. The effect will be to restrict vessel traffic on certain waters of the Severn River. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. Coast Guard vessels enforcing this regulated area can be contacted on marine band radio channel 16 or 22A VHF-FM.
When hailed or signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel in the area shall immediately comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both. Mariners are urged to schedule their transits on this waterway beyond the enforcement times. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Charts 12282, 12283.
Click here for the complete Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Elf Classic Yacht Race to Benefit Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Organized by the Classic Yacht Restoration Guild (CYRG), the race’s flagship will be the CYRG’s restored 1888 racing yacht Elf. More than ten classic yachts will join Elf in a cloud of traditional sail for an 1880s-style race from Annapolis to St. Michaels. Featuring the nautical version of a Le Mans start, the race will have yacht captains row to their vessels in the Annapolis harbor to raise their anchors, sails and get underway.
Spectators are invited to watch this unique 9 a.m. start off the Eastport Yacht Club and then spend the day at CBMM in St. Michaels as the racing fleet runs in during the afternoon. Captains will finish the race by anchoring off the museum and rowing to shore to sign the race log at the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand on the museum’s grounds.
The event coincides with the museum’s annual Maritime Model Expo, which runs May 21-22. The events are free for museum members or with admission.
“We are really pleased to be recreating a by-gone era of yacht racing on the Chesapeake while supporting Elf’s homeport, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum,” said CYRG President and Elf’s Captain Rick Carrion.
Proceeds from the race benefit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and its mission to inspire an understanding of and appreciation for the rich maritime heritage of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal reaches, together with the artifacts, cultures and connections between this place and its people. More information about the museum can be found at http://www.cbmm.org/ or by calling 410-745-2916.
To register your yacht for the race or for sponsor information, contact CYRG’s Rick Carrion at elf1888@earthlink.net. Early registration is recommended, with wooden, classic and traditional yachts given preference when participating vessel limits are reached.
The Classic Yacht Restoration Guild is a membership organization dedicated to the preservation of maritime heritage through the maintenance and operation of the Elf. Built by the renowned Lawley Yard in Boston, Elf was restored to historically accurate condition by CRYG and re-launched in 2008. Go to http://www.cyrg.org/ for more information or search Classic Yacht Restoration Guild on facebook.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Barto Named Project Manager for CBMM’s Rosie Parks Restoration
St. Michaels, MD -- The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum of St. Michaels has announced Marc Barto of Wittman, Maryland has been named project manager for the three-year restoration of the museum’s skipjack, Rosie Parks.
Built by Bronza Parks of Wingate, MD, Rosie Parks is one of the least altered historic skipjacks in existence, making her one of the best examples for interpretation of the fleet’s work. The three-year restoration project will be done in public view at the Museum, and is funded through philanthropic support.
As project manager, Barto is responsible for restoring Rosie Parks in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Vessel Preservation. In addition, Barto will coordinate the public interpretation of the work, along with managing a corps of shipwrights, apprentices and volunteers assisting with the project.
“To work on Rosie is such an incredible privilege,” commented Barto. “It’s important for our grandchildren to come here in the future and for all of this to still be here—with the stories of our heritage and culture still being told. Rosie is a significant part of that story, and I’m honored to have her future placed in my hands.”
“We’re pleased to have Marc working on Rosie Parks,” said Museum President Langley Shook. “He has the expertise to lead her meticulous restoration, and the passion to share the experience with the public, so they not only know what work we’re doing, but why it matters.”
Barto joined the museum as vessel maintenance manager in 2006, when he was recruited to oversee the museum’s fleet of historic vessels. Barto has worked on the restoration and maintenance of nearly every boat in the museum’s collection. He also administered the professional shipwright apprentice program of the museum, working directly with more than a dozen shipwright apprentices from some of the most prestigious boatbuilding schools in the country.
A Chestertown native, Barto is a lifetime artisan who has spent more than twenty-five years restoring and building boats. He holds fine arts degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University, and has worked in woodworking, metalworking and pottery before finding his passion as a master shipwright.
Barto’s first boatbuilding project was as an apprentice with Joe Powell of South Carolina. The result of their work was the 17’ Whitehall pulling boat, the Aubrey J. He was also mentored by renowned boatbuilder Joe Liener, and later adapted the lines from Howard Chappelle’s Melonseed skiff drawings to create a set of working plans forwhich he is widely known.
Barto has served on the board of the Traditional Small Craft Association and the steering committee of the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival. Restoration work on Rosie Parks is set to begin in May and continue through 2014.
For more information on the Rosie Parks restoration project, visit www.cbmm.org/rosieparks.htm.
Built by Bronza Parks of Wingate, MD, Rosie Parks is one of the least altered historic skipjacks in existence, making her one of the best examples for interpretation of the fleet’s work. The three-year restoration project will be done in public view at the Museum, and is funded through philanthropic support.
As project manager, Barto is responsible for restoring Rosie Parks in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Vessel Preservation. In addition, Barto will coordinate the public interpretation of the work, along with managing a corps of shipwrights, apprentices and volunteers assisting with the project.
“To work on Rosie is such an incredible privilege,” commented Barto. “It’s important for our grandchildren to come here in the future and for all of this to still be here—with the stories of our heritage and culture still being told. Rosie is a significant part of that story, and I’m honored to have her future placed in my hands.”
“We’re pleased to have Marc working on Rosie Parks,” said Museum President Langley Shook. “He has the expertise to lead her meticulous restoration, and the passion to share the experience with the public, so they not only know what work we’re doing, but why it matters.”
Barto joined the museum as vessel maintenance manager in 2006, when he was recruited to oversee the museum’s fleet of historic vessels. Barto has worked on the restoration and maintenance of nearly every boat in the museum’s collection. He also administered the professional shipwright apprentice program of the museum, working directly with more than a dozen shipwright apprentices from some of the most prestigious boatbuilding schools in the country.
A Chestertown native, Barto is a lifetime artisan who has spent more than twenty-five years restoring and building boats. He holds fine arts degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University, and has worked in woodworking, metalworking and pottery before finding his passion as a master shipwright.
Barto’s first boatbuilding project was as an apprentice with Joe Powell of South Carolina. The result of their work was the 17’ Whitehall pulling boat, the Aubrey J. He was also mentored by renowned boatbuilder Joe Liener, and later adapted the lines from Howard Chappelle’s Melonseed skiff drawings to create a set of working plans forwhich he is widely known.
Barto has served on the board of the Traditional Small Craft Association and the steering committee of the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival. Restoration work on Rosie Parks is set to begin in May and continue through 2014.
For more information on the Rosie Parks restoration project, visit www.cbmm.org/rosieparks.htm.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Fisheries Commission Developing Conservation Plans for Striped Bass
Alexandria, VA -- The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Striped Bass Management Board has initiated development of Draft Addendum III with the goals of reducing striped bass fishing mortality (F) up to 40% and further protecting spawning stock when it is concentrated and vulnerable. The addendum was initiated in order to allow managers to promptly respond to the results of the stock assessment update in the fall if necessary.
Provisions of the addendum, if passed, could be implemented prior to the start of the 2012 fishing year. The Board’s action responds to recent trends in the fishery and resource, including a 66% decline in estimated recreational catch from 2006 to 2009; a 25% decline in estimated striped bass abundance from
2004 to 2008; and lowered recruitment in recent years. Additionally, states in the northern extent of the
fishery have expressed concern over decreased availability of striped bass as a result of the diminished
water quality in the Chesapeake Bay during the summer months that may also contribute to increased
prevalence of mycobacteriosis in striped bass.
Draft Addendum III will propose a range of fishing management measures including, but not limited to,
adjustments to commercial and recreational minimum size (for jurisdictions outside Chesapeake Bay and
Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River), reductions in annual coastal commercial allocation, reductions in
recreational bag limits, revisions to the target F rate (for Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound/Roanoke
River), and reductions on fishing for striped bass in known spawning areas during the spawning season by
at least 50% (for jurisdictions bordering the Hudson River, Delaware River, Chesapeake Bay and
Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River).
The commercial and recreational fishery is currently managed through Amendment 6 to the Striped Bass
Fishery Management Plan. The Amendment, passed in 2003, allocates the coastal commercial quota and
set a two-fish bag limit and a 28 inch size minimum for the recreational fishery, with the exception of the
Chesapeake Bay fisheries, Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River fisheries, and states with approved alternative
regulations.
The Draft Addendum will be developed for preliminary review by the Atlantic Striped Bass Management
Board in August. For more information, contact Kate Taylor, Fishery Management Plan
Coordinator, at ktaylor@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.
Provisions of the addendum, if passed, could be implemented prior to the start of the 2012 fishing year. The Board’s action responds to recent trends in the fishery and resource, including a 66% decline in estimated recreational catch from 2006 to 2009; a 25% decline in estimated striped bass abundance from
2004 to 2008; and lowered recruitment in recent years. Additionally, states in the northern extent of the
fishery have expressed concern over decreased availability of striped bass as a result of the diminished
water quality in the Chesapeake Bay during the summer months that may also contribute to increased
prevalence of mycobacteriosis in striped bass.
Draft Addendum III will propose a range of fishing management measures including, but not limited to,
adjustments to commercial and recreational minimum size (for jurisdictions outside Chesapeake Bay and
Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River), reductions in annual coastal commercial allocation, reductions in
recreational bag limits, revisions to the target F rate (for Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound/Roanoke
River), and reductions on fishing for striped bass in known spawning areas during the spawning season by
at least 50% (for jurisdictions bordering the Hudson River, Delaware River, Chesapeake Bay and
Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River).
The commercial and recreational fishery is currently managed through Amendment 6 to the Striped Bass
Fishery Management Plan. The Amendment, passed in 2003, allocates the coastal commercial quota and
set a two-fish bag limit and a 28 inch size minimum for the recreational fishery, with the exception of the
Chesapeake Bay fisheries, Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River fisheries, and states with approved alternative
regulations.
The Draft Addendum will be developed for preliminary review by the Atlantic Striped Bass Management
Board in August. For more information, contact Kate Taylor, Fishery Management Plan
Coordinator, at ktaylor@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Cutwater Boats Announce New Dealer Locations
 |
| The Cutwater 26 |
Kent, WA -- Cutwater Boats launched their Cutwater 26 and Cutwater 28 models in January. The boats generated double digit sales within the first boat shows of the year and now have the first dealers in North America on board including one on the Chesapeake Bay in Grasonville.
“Given that Cutwater Boats are trailerable, diesel-powered and have semi-planing hulls, locations that have access to coastal and inland cruising ports are ideal for owners of these boats," said Mark Mansfield, National Sales Manager for Cutwater. "We are interested in dealers who have demonstrated strong sales success with their existing lines and who have long-lasting relationships with their customers.”
The company's Chesapeake Bay dealer is located at 106 Wells Cove Road on the Kent Narrows in Grasonville.
The new dealer network means Cutwater Boats will be exhibited at more boat shows around North America giving the models significant exposure to boaters early in the season. A current list of boat shows where the new Cutwaters can be seen is available on the website at http://www.cutwaterboats.com/.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Keith Lockwood's Maryland DNR Fishing Report
Annapolis, MD -- Welcome to the first full week of spring; the changes in air temperatures and nature holds a lot of anticipation for everyone and especially so for fishermen. Many young and older fishermen will have a hard time sleeping this Friday as the opening day of trout season approaches. Fishermen have been busy getting equipment together and for many there will be a spot somewhere in the backyard that is dug up from the search for worms. Others will just unscrew the lid of a jar of Power baits and still others will place their faith in spinners or a carefully tended nymph fly. Be it soggy sneakers, mud stained blue jeans and a spinning rod or the newest pair of waders and a fly rod; we are all brothers of a tribe.
In our daily travels or perhaps our ventures out on the states waters many are seeing the results of a lot of runoff coming down the tidal rivers and its effect on the bay. The flows at the Conowingo Dam are very high and there is a lot of floating debris and discolored water in the bay. Check out this link to Eyes on the Bay and check out the recent satellite images. http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/eyesonthebay/documents/HeavySpringShowersBringFloodsToChesapeakeBay.pdf
Although the weather has been teasing us with some beautiful days, the waters of the lakes, rivers, streams and of course the bay and ocean are much slower to react to the warm embrace of a spring time sun. It is official now, spring has sprung and fishermen have been enjoying some wonderful fishing opportunities throughout the state. Fisheries biologists and volunteers have been busy stocking trout in many of the various trout management waters and this coming Saturday March 26th is the grand opening for most trout fishermen. Most streams are in great shape and baring another deluge between today and Saturday; fishermen should see near perfect conditions.
If anyone has been reading the DNR Angler’s Logs you will see that I have been on the road a lot in recent weeks and in my travels I’ve come across a lot of fishermen fishing for white perch in the upper reaches of the bay’s tidal rivers. Although high water has been a problem at times, generally speaking it has been a very good season so far for catching white perch. Many of the traditional spawning run intercept locations such as Gray’s Run at the head of the Bush River, Allen’s Fresh on the Wicomico and Wayson’s Corner on the Patuxent have all lived up to their reputations. Fishermen can still find white perch in these areas but some of the better opportunities will now occur in channel areas farther down the tidal rivers and creeks. Bloodworms and grass shrimp on a bottom rig is perhaps one of the most popular ways to fish for white perch when the water is cold and deep.
In our daily travels or perhaps our ventures out on the states waters many are seeing the results of a lot of runoff coming down the tidal rivers and its effect on the bay. The flows at the Conowingo Dam are very high and there is a lot of floating debris and discolored water in the bay. Check out this link to Eyes on the Bay and check out the recent satellite images. http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/eyesonthebay/documents/HeavySpringShowersBringFloodsToChesapeakeBay.pdf
Although the weather has been teasing us with some beautiful days, the waters of the lakes, rivers, streams and of course the bay and ocean are much slower to react to the warm embrace of a spring time sun. It is official now, spring has sprung and fishermen have been enjoying some wonderful fishing opportunities throughout the state. Fisheries biologists and volunteers have been busy stocking trout in many of the various trout management waters and this coming Saturday March 26th is the grand opening for most trout fishermen. Most streams are in great shape and baring another deluge between today and Saturday; fishermen should see near perfect conditions.
If anyone has been reading the DNR Angler’s Logs you will see that I have been on the road a lot in recent weeks and in my travels I’ve come across a lot of fishermen fishing for white perch in the upper reaches of the bay’s tidal rivers. Although high water has been a problem at times, generally speaking it has been a very good season so far for catching white perch. Many of the traditional spawning run intercept locations such as Gray’s Run at the head of the Bush River, Allen’s Fresh on the Wicomico and Wayson’s Corner on the Patuxent have all lived up to their reputations. Fishermen can still find white perch in these areas but some of the better opportunities will now occur in channel areas farther down the tidal rivers and creeks. Bloodworms and grass shrimp on a bottom rig is perhaps one of the most popular ways to fish for white perch when the water is cold and deep.
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