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Pound Net/Hook & Line Allocation - The Commission discussed
the existing allocation (25% pound net/75% H&L-Gill Net) and listened
to several members of the audience express their views on the fairness
of the allocation. The Commission asked biologist Mike Luisi questions
on participation and numbers relating to historic effort and allocation.
The Commission indicated that they were sensitive to lower individual
allocations that pound net fishermen had been receiving (even though
the pound net gear allocation has not changed), but did not wish to
reallocate to the pound net gear. The Commission asked the Department
to look into ways the individual pound net allocation could be raised,
without changing gear allocations. The Department will provide the
Commission with information on what factors have contributed to the
erosion of individual pound net allocations and how they might be
modified to slow or even reverse the trend of eroding individual allocations.
That summary will be provided at the next TFAC meeting (September,
2003).
White perch minimum size - Bob Evans proposed that the minimum
commercial size for white perch be raised to 8.5 inches during the
months of March and April only. His reason for making the request
of the Commission was due to saturation in the markets with small
white perch at that time, which drives the price down. Historically,
larger grade white perch demand a far superior price than smaller
grade white perch. It was argued that small perch had market value
as food and for crab pot bait in the northern bay (those that are
not sold for consumption would be frozen for crab bait), and that
the market seems to adequately drive demand for white perch; therefore
there was no reason to raise the minimum size.
Horseshoe Crab Bycatch- An update of the horseshoe crab fishery
was provided to the Commission (2003 quota of 211,000 horseshoe crabs).
Watermen requested being able to take some of the crabs in fyke nets
(seasonally May-June) and would like to see pound net fishermen and
the Chesapeake in general be allowed to keep more. These horseshoe
crabs would be used for catfish bait. A motion was made to allow commercial
watermen to take 100 crabs/day for any purpose.
Points System Update- An update on the status of the point
system review was offered.
Poles for Pound Nets- Natural Resources Article 4-711 Annotated
Code of Maryland, requires any pound net or stake removed from the
water between January 1 and January 31 of any year unless the owner
of the pound net or stake notifies the Department by certified mail,
return receipt requested, that the net is being actively fished. The
issue of pulling pound net poles for the January requirement when
ice and inclement weather are present may elevate risk and was discussed.
For the next meeting the Department will review whether poles can
be left in during extenuating circumstances such as ice.
Weakfish minimum size- A discussion of the existing minimum
size (12" commercial and 13" recreational). Discussion feedback
was that no change should occur to the existing 12" minimum commercial
size limit.
Crab Reimbursement- A discussion of the reimbursement program
for commercial crabbers. The Department explained that in the event
of a temporary transfer there was a concern that the actual end users
of the commercial crabbing license may not be the people getting reimbursed.
Motion to form an appeals board. Motion to have money for reimbursements
given to the license holder. It will be the license holder's responsibility
to give the money to a license transferee.
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