Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission

Summary of Motions & Actions

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Agenda:

OCTOBER 16, 2003 MEETING SUMMARY

Striped Bass

This summer 175,000 lbs. were added to the Commercial Bay quota (the quota fluctuates based on population size.) The additional quota was dispersed between the pound net, hook and line, and gill net gears. The gillnet fishery will begin with a monthly quota of 250,000 lbs. In addition, quota not harvested by poundnet and hook and line will roll into the December gill net fishery.

The hook and line fishery is under quota. The Commission made a motion that the hook and line fishery start the season with a 4-day work week rather than a 3-day work week to help the fishery catch the monthly quota.

Oysters
  • 146 Oyster surcharges have been issued as of October 8th. It is projected that less than 300 will be issued for the 2003-04 season.

  • It is projected the 2003-04 harvest will be less than last year's harvest of approximately 53,000 bushels.

  • Shell Dredging Permit
    - A joint Army Corps of Engineer and Maryland Department of Environment public hearing will be held on October 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at the Kent County Courthouse, 400 High Street, Chestertown to obtain public comment on Maryland DNR's permit application to dredge buried oyster shell from deposits located at Plum Point and Worton Point, two new areas in the upper Bay above Pooles Island. A motion was made by the Commission in favor of a permit to dredge oyster shell material.

  • Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on MD/VA's Proposal to Introduce Reproducing Asian Oysters from Oregon Stock into the Chesapeake Bay
    - A pre-scoping meeting was convened October 15 -16 to kick-off the EIS. A motion was made by the Commission to support the Department in speeding up the EIS process.
Regulation Update:

The effective date for harvest reserve regulations is November 10th.
There is a striped bass proposal currently under review.

The Department seeks to define the haul seine, pound net and fyke net gear in regulations. Enforcement problems and conflicts between fisherman have developed without clear definitions of gear. There was a recent enforcement case with haul seine gear. The Commission asked that the NRP officer involved in the case come to the next meeting to discuss the issue. The Commission also suggested a workgroup be form to develop gear definitions.

Other Business

The LNG Gas Docks, a very popular fishing location, has implemented a 500-yard exclusion zone. The Department is working with Dominion Energy to develop an alternative fishing area.

MOTIONS

ACTIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT
Have the hook and line fishery start the season with a 4-day work week rather than a 3-day work week. No Action.
In favor of a permit to dredge oyster shell material. No Action Required.
To support the Department in speeding up the EIS process. No Action Required.

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