Coastal Conservation Association Asks Government Agencies to Create Equitable Funding for Fisheries

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland has called upon the State of Maryland to develop a comprehensive process for recovering the costs of managing its commercial fisheries, including the commercial gill net fishery that saw a number of significant violations of marine resources law last year.
     All fishing in Maryland—both commercial and recreational—is supported by a combination of license and permit fees, federal angler taxes and direct grants, and state revenue. DNR has determined that 93 percent of the cost to manage recreational fishing is supported by license fees and federal angler taxes. However, only 20 percent of the cost of managing commercial fisheries is covered by license and permit fees, with an additional 23 percent covered by direct federal grants. The rest comes from Maryland taxpayers in the form of General Funds.
     As the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is facing a budget shortfall of $3.2 million beginning in October, 2013, and the cost of managing commercial fisheries continues to rise because of illegal activities, it’s imperative that new ways be found to fund this fishery,” said Tony Friedrich, CCA MD executive director.
      Last winter and spring more than 13 tons of striped bass were captured in illegally placed nets, resulting in DNR closing the season for a period of time. In developing new regulations to better monitor and enforce the commercial striped bass fishery, DNR identified the massive shortfall and inequity in the amount of money contributed by commercial fishermen towards the resource as compared to recreational anglers.
      CCA MD’s Government Relations Committee adopted a position last fall calling for the commercial gill net fishery to support itself or be closed. The position stated, “CCA Maryland strongly believes the user and financial beneficiary of the fishery should bear the responsibility for its management costs. If that can’t be done and taxpayers or recreational anglers are asked to continue covering that shortfall, then we believe the gill net fishery must be ended in favor of other fishing methods that can be shown to be manageable, accountable and enforceable.” Given the massive inequity identified in all commercial fisheries, CCA Maryland believes the same concept must be applied to all commercial fisheries.
      “So far, we have not seen any indication that the fishery wants to sustain itself,” Friedrich said. “It’s time to stop asking Maryland’s taxpayers to subsidize this fishery, stop talking about the issue, and start acting in a manner that provides results. The state has a responsibility to all its citizens to assure that costs for the commercial fishery are borne by that industry.”
     The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) is one of 17 state chapters of the Coastal Conservation Association, which has 100,000 members nationally. CCA MD is an organization of recreational anglers fighting for Maryland’s marine resources and believing the sustainability of the resource must be the priority in any fishery management decision.

DNR, ORP And Mid-Atlantic Restaurants Partner To Help Rebuild Oyster Population

"From the Bay, For the Bay" dine-out raises more than $20,000
     Annapolis, Md. -- Governor Martin O'Malley has announced the results of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' program "From the Bay, For the Bay" dine-out." Through a collaborative partnership among regional restaurants, DNR and the Oyster Recovery Partnership, the week-long celebration raised $20,240 to support Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration.

     "The first annual From the Bay, For the Bay dine-out proved to be a huge success for everyone involved," said Governor O'Malley. "Not only did the event raise funds to help us rebuild our native oyster population, it showcased our terrific Maryland seafood and our ongoing efforts to restore the Bay."

     More than 170 restaurants in Maryland, Washington D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania and Virginia participated in the promotion, which took place October 2-9, 2011. The restaurants donated $1 from every Maryland seafood dinner sold during the week; the money is being donated to ORP to support oyster restoration efforts.

     Top participating restaurants included the Boatyard Bar & Grill in Annapolis, Woodberry Kitchen and Ryleigh's Oyster Bar in Baltimore, and Matchbox Restaurants in Washington, DC. Together they donated $5,626.

     "We are grateful for the enthusiastic response from our From the Bay, For the Bay partners," said Stephan Abel, Executive Director of ORP. "The funds that were received will enable us to recycle over 300 bushels of oyster shells and then plant 1.5 million baby oysters back into the Bay."

     ORP's oyster restoration activities include collecting, aging, cleaning oyster shells and planting spat (baby oysters), on the oyster shells. The spat is produced by the University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science Horn Point Hatchery.

     Over the past decade, the Oyster Recovery Partnership has replanted hundreds of millions of oysters in the Bay. Oysters are a critical species to the Bay's long term recovery. A healthy oyster reef not only filters the Bay's waters, but also provides habitat for other marine life such as blue crabs and striped bass. Restoration efforts for the 2012 season will begin in February.

     The Oyster Recovery Partnership's most publically-recognized program - the region's oyster Shell Recycling Alliance - is made up of nearly 100 restaurants, caterers and seafood distributors from the mid-Atlantic region, as well as citizen volunteers who collect donated used oyster shells from these businesses to aid in restoring the Chesapeake Bay. The Shell Recycling Alliance has quickly grown to provide 15 percent of Maryland's shell needs at current oyster production levels, prolonging the State's limited shell reserves. For more information on the Oyster Recovery Partnership, visit oysterrecovery.org.

DNR Certifies 222 Severn as New Clean Marina In Annapolis

     Annapolis, Md. -- One of Annapolis’ oldest marine properties, 222 Severn/W&P Nautical, is the newest Clean Marina to be certified by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The marina is home to a variety of marine businesses, including charter companies, yacht brokers and the Chart House restaurant. The marina is the 145th facility to adopt a significant portion of clean marina recommendations and pass a site inspection.

     “We are thrilled to have earned our Clean Marina status,” said Cardie Templeton, 222 Severn’s co-owner and manager. “Over the past few years, we have consistently worked hard toward making this goal a priority, and our tenants have been helpful by joining us in the effort. As integral members of the Annapolis community, we all know the value of being good neighbors -- to both the area and the Chesapeake Bay.”

     222 Severn covers an entire city block in the Eastport area of Annapolis. The property has been the site of boat building operations, including the famed Trumpy Yachts, since the early 1900s. The Templeton family has owned and managed the marina since 1974.

     In 2007, 222 Severn added strategically-placed, small garden beds to capture and filter stormwater runoff, clearly marked storm drains to prevent unwanted dumping and upgraded to fluorescent bulbs to save energy.

     As part of the Clean Marina certification, Templeton worked/works closely with her tenants and slip holders to ensure they prevent pollution and properly handle all onsite waste. The marina also provides easy recycling for all tenants and visitors. All Clean Marina contracts provide marinas with clear rules and helpful environmental information.

     “The impact of one business implementing environmental policies, such as 222 Severn/W&P Nautical, reaches many more people and has a bigger impact in helping restore our waterways,” said Clean Marina Program Manager Donna Morrow. “We’re ready to help more marinas achieve this prestigious Award.”

     Marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs of any size in Maryland are encouraged to participate in the program. For more information and free program materials call 410-260-8773 or visit dnr.maryland.gov/boating/cleanmarina.

NSHOF to Host 2nd Annual Marine & Maritime Career Fair

     Annapolis, Md. -- For a second year the National Sailing Center & Hall of Fame and the Eastport Yacht Club Foundation have joined with Anne Arundel County Public Schools to create a unique career education experience for youth in grades 7-12 by hosting a Marine & Maritime Career Fair.

     This year's career fair is scheduled for Feb. 25.

     The goal of this industry-specific career fair is to demonstrate the diversity of careers that impact our oceans, bays, lakes, rivers and streams. The event is open to students in public and private schools, including homeschooled students, and registration is free. Representatives will be on hand not only from industry employers, but also from trade schools and colleges that offer industry-specific curriculum, such as marine architecture.

     New features for the 2012 Career Fair include a Summer Internship and Employment Bulletin Board and dedicated career webpages where exhibitors can post internship and job openings.

     Last year's event at Annapolis High School drew well over 500 students and parents, who interacted with 26 exhibitors, including businesses, schools and government agencies.

     In addition to offering career opportunities to area students, NSHOF's goal in hosting this fair is also to provide a model for others to use in hosting similar Marine & Maritime Career Fairs around the country.

     For more information, contact NSHOF at 410.295.3022 or email Susan Nahmias.

Click here to go to the Career Fair Page on the NSHOF website.

Click here to register online.

Two Shipping Corporations Plead Guilty, Sentenced in Maryland for Obstruction of Justice, Environmental Crimes

Sentenced to pay $1.2 million each including $550,000 to benefit Chesapeake Bay

     Baltimore, Md. -- Two corporations pleaded guilty Wednesday in separate hearings in Baltimore for their role in managing and owning a ship engaged in deliberate discharges of waste oil and plastic garbage.

     The companies were each sentenced by U.S. District Judge Marvin Garbis to pay $1.2 million and serve three years of probation during which they will be required to implement a government approved environmental plan that includes audits conducted by an independent firm and review by a court appointed monitor.

     Efploia Shipping, a Marshall Islands corporation based in Greece, was the technical manager of the Aquarosa, a 33,005 ton newly built cargo ship, constructed in China and registered in Malta. Aquarosa Shipping, a company based in Denmark, was the owner of the vessel. Both corporations pleaded guilty today to four felony counts: obstruction of justice, making material false statements, the environmental crimes of knowingly failing to maintain an accurate oil record book and knowingly failing to maintain an accurate garbage record book, both in violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.

     According to papers filed in court, senior ship engineers started dumping oil contaminated bilge waste on the ship’s very first voyage after it was completed in June 2010 in China. One method involved removing the blocking mechanism inside a valve so waste could be pumped overboard. Another method involved a so-called magic pipe consisting of a long rubber hose and metal flanges welded together onboard to bypass required pollution prevention equipment.

     The investigation began after an engineer complained to the Coast Guard when the ship arrived in Baltimore February 2011. The crew member provided the Coast Guard with his cellphone containing 300 photographs showing how a magic pipe was being used to discharge sludge and oily waste overboard and to bypass the ship’s oily water separator, a required piece of pollution prevention equipment. Plastic garbage bags containing oil soaked rags were also dumped overboard. Under MARPOL, an international treaty to which the United States is a party and which is enforced by the APPS, ships must maintain an oil record book and a garbage record book in which all such discharges are recorded. Both defendants admitted to deliberately falsifying these required logs. 

     The ship’s chief engineer, Andreas Konstantinidis, is currently incarcerated for his role. He pleaded guilty in December to obstruction of justice charges and was sentenced to three months in prison. 

     Both Efploia Shipping and Aquarosa Shipping were sentenced to pay a total of $1.2 million. Of that amount, each defendant was ordered to pay $275,000 in organizational community service payments to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which will receive a total of $550,000 earmarked for projects involving Chesapeake Bay. 

     At the hearing, the United States requested the court issue an award to the whistleblower whose information led to the conviction of the defendants. The court did not rule on the matter today.

     “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute the intentional dumping of oil and plastic from ships and falsification of ship records because they are serious crimes that threaten our precious ocean resources,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. 

     “The defendants dumped pollution into the ocean and falsified records to prevent the Coast Guard from learning about it,” said Rod J. Rosenstein, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. “More than $500,000 of the penalty proceeds will fund conservation efforts for the Chesapeake Bay, our nation’s largest and most diverse estuary.”

     “The Coast Guard's objective when investigating violations and supporting these prosecutions is to ensure environmental stewardship is not optional and that deliberate violators are held accountable,” said Coast Guard Capt. Mark O'Malley, Captain of the Port of Baltimore. “This sentence includes a requirement that these defendants develop and implement a comprehensive environmental compliance program that will be monitored by third-party auditors. Our inter-agency efforts are not just aimed at punishing misconduct, they are aimed at fostering a safe, environmentally conscious and professional marine industry.”

     “This case was resolved through excellent partnership between the regulatory and enforcement divisions of the Coast Guard, and also the dedicated pursuit of justice by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Department of Justice and EPA-CID,” said Otis E. Harris Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Coast Guard Investigative Service Chesapeake Region. “The Coast Guard Investigative Service is fully committed to investigating and resolving all criminal allegations of violations of environmental and regulatory statutes.”

     “The oceans must be protected from those who circumvent laws by dumping wastes improperly,” said David G. McLeod, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Maryland. “The defendants in this case directed the discharge of oily waste and garbage from their vessel into open water, ordered ship records to be falsified and lied to conceal these crimes. Today’s guilty pleas and sentences should send a strong message that we do not tolerate the flagrant violation of environmental laws and will work closely with our partners to vigorously prosecute those who despoil our environment.”

     This case was investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service and the EPA Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, and the Coast Guard 5th District Staff Judge Advocate’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Richard A. Udell and Trial Attorney David O’Connell of the Environmental Crimes Section of Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Cunningham.

Maryland DNR Certifies Record Tautog Fish

     Ocean City, Md. -- Charles Donohue of Philadelphia caught a 23-pound tautog on January 11, setting a new Maryland state record. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed the catch, naming Donohue the new record holder, breaking the previous record of 20-pounds, 11-ounces set by Sam Beauchamp in 2007.

     “The fish slammed the bait and the rod went straight down in a tough fight,” said Donohue. “I had no idea it was going to be such a big deal. Everyone on the boat was congratulating me and wanting a picture with me and the fish.”

     Donohue caught his record 33-inch fish aboard Captain Monty Hawkins’ boat, Morning Star, over an artificial reef about 12 miles east of Ocean City. He was using a whole green crab as bait. Captain Hawkins said he felt the fish was a new record. The other anglers and crew agreed they should return to shore to get the fish weighed on a certified scale at AKE Marine. DNR biologist Steve Doctor met the crew at the dock to witness and certify the weight and species.

     “It was a beautiful fish,” said Captain Hawkins. “The whole crew limited-out by 9:30, showing that the habitat work and reef building efforts have taken this fishery to new heights.”

     “Tautog fishing is excellent on the near-shore artificial reefs and wrecks off of Maryland’s coast,” said DNR biologist, Keith Lockwood. “The winter months provide some of the best action for trophy tautog. Several headboats are running out of Ocean City when the weather permits.”

     For more information on where to find a fishing charter visit, ocfishing.com

Maryland NRP Charge Five Watermen for Oyster Fishing on Sanctuary

     Deale Island, Md. -- The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) have charged five watermen, on three boats, power-dredging for oysters in the Tangier Sound Oyster Sanctuary.

     On January 20, at 7:30 a.m., an NRP Officer aboard a Maryland State Police helicopter saw eight commercial boats power-dredging for oysters within the sanctuary. The officer was able to identify and plot locations of three of the boats before they scattered among the other commercial vessels working outside the sanctuary.

      NRP charged the following individuals with oystering in an oyster sanctuary:

John Earhart III, 32, and Jason Abbott, 30, both of Princess Anne, aboard Miss Terry.
David Wheatley, 47 from Deale Island, and Stephen Webster, 58 from Wenona, aboard Just Faith.
Daniel Benton, 49 from Deale Island, aboard Chantilly Lace.

     Under Governor Martin O’Malley’s leadership, increased law enforcement is part of an overall effort to deter poaching and toughen penalties for those who violate fishing laws in Maryland, under the Fisheries Management Reform Act of 2007. A noteworthy part of this effort is the launch of fresh enforcement initiatives and enhancements including the installation of a network of radar and camera units to assist the NRP in monitoring sensitive areas that are prone to poaching. DNR, the Office of the Attorney General and the District Court of Maryland have also expanded a successful program that sets aside specific days to try only cases dealing with natural resources violations.