Statement from DNR Secretary on the ASMFC Striped Bass Action
Statement from DNR Secretary Joe Gill on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Striped Bass action:
“This week’s decision by ASMFC acknowledges its strong commitment and shared responsibility in managing striped bass, a flagship species along the Atlantic coast. A 25% reduction to the coastal fisheries is needed, as these are the areas that primarily catch large, female striped bass and have been the principal cause for the elevated coastwide fishing mortality levels.
Maryland, along with its Bay partners of Virginia, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission and the District of Columbia, presented a strong case for requiring lower reductions to our Bay fisheries. While the approved reductions are higher than we requested, we appreciate that ASMFC was able to recognize the inequities of the situation and agree upon a reduction that attempts to balance the level of conservation with the socio-economic needs of our local communities. The ASMFC also made a strong commitment to develop Chesapeake Bay reference points, which will take into consideration the predominance of male fish in this fishery.
As a strong partner of ASMFC, Maryland is committed to implementing the required actions. Over the next couple of months, we will be working with our fishermen to develop the final rules that need to be in place prior to the beginning of the 2015 fishing season.”
To better understand how ASMFC’s decision will affect Maryland anglers, see the summary here.
Rural Legacy Program Preserves 55 Acres in Caroline and Washington Counties
Photo by Chuck Aaron
The State permanently preserved 55 acres of Maryland’s landscape and eliminated 5 development rights through the Rural Legacy Program. Governor Martin O’Malley and the Board of Public Works approved funding for the easements in the Mid-Maryland Washington Rural Legacy Area and Agricultural Security Corridor Rural Legacy Area at today’s meeting in Annapolis. Read more
Baltimore Man Dies After Falling From Tree Stand in Dorchester County
A 69-year-old Baltimore man was killed yesterday afternoon when he fell from the tree stand he was repairing in Dorchester County, the Maryland Natural Resources Police reported.
Read more
Allegany County Man Found Guilty of Black Bear, Deer Hunting Charge
A Flintstone man was found guilty yesterday in Allegany District Court of illegally hunting a black bear and a deer. He was fined $500, ordered to pay $800 in restitution to the state, and had his hunting privileges suspended for one year.
Read more
The Maryland Black Bear Hunt has Closed
Bonnie Kelley, 71, of Accident, with the first bear of the season.
The 11th annual Maryland black bear hunt concluded Thursday evening, with a total of 69 bears harvested.
For the first time, the hunt was carried out as a four-day season instead of being guided by a predetermined quota.
Read more
NRP Seeks Public’s Help in Catching Bald Eagle Shooter
The recovered eagle later died from its injuries. Photo credit: Maryland Yacht Club
Maryland Natural Resources Police investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying the person who shot a bald eagle in Pasadena last month that later died.
Read more
NRP Charges Frederick, Garrett County Hunters with Violations