Having adventured enough for a while, Pete Bethune is settling into the quiet life of an author. And what a story he has to tell: the perils of a record-setting voyage around the world on his 78-foot biodiesel-fueled trihull Earthrace, then a year's stint with an anti-whaling organization that ended with Earthrace's sinking andContinue reading "Odyssey of an eco-warrior"

  In comments made today at a public hearing convened by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), Coastal Conservation Association New York (CCA NY) condemned a proposal, officially designated as the Draft Addendum II to Amendment 6 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan, which would increase the coastal commercial striped bassContinue reading "CCA NY blasts plan to increase commercial striped bass quota"

  But when you ask those who favor the increase about some of the unknowns--the decreasing number of juvenile striped bass, the projections that show a decline in the number of fish age eight and older, the disturbing reports that two-thirds of the stripers in the Chesapeake Bay are infected with a wasting bacteria--the conversationContinue reading "Outdoors Girl: No striped bass for you!"

  It's been some time since recreational anglers and commercial interests had an OK Corral-style dust up. That changes tonight, when the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission takes testimony on a plan to increase the striped bass commercial catch on the Eastern Seaboard. The get-together is scheduled to start at 5:30, not exactly convenient forContinue reading "Feds forcing Annapolis faceoff on Striped Bass"

  Want to really thank Chris Timberlake, and all of the dad's of Reedville for coming together and making the third annual DOR's fishing tournament a success.  The weather was great, the fishing was good, and couldn't think of a better way for dad's to spend a day than fishing with their little ones. ChipContinue reading "Midnight Sun Forums: All about the kids"

The American Sportfishing Association is launching a renewed effort to unite the sportfishing industry and the country's 60 million anglers with one united voice to keep the nation's public waters open, clean and abundant with fish. Sportfishing group pushes for more access

  Only about half the study group attended. Labor and watermen's groups did not attend, nor did the NAACP. Many of Omega's fishermen are African-American. Much of the science discussed Thursday played down the value of menhaden as a filter fish for the bay and concerns that Omega boats scoop up forage fish key toContinue reading "Menhaden fish panel meets in Va. for 1st time"

  The recent adjustments to bluefin tuna regulations are sure to have an impact on many tuna fisherman this season. As it stands, the recreational sector may harvest one bluefin measuring from 27 inches to less than 59 inches per trip, per vessel. I am sure has the regulations have their reasoning, but has commonContinue reading "Chris Gatley: Bluefin tuna – ESPN"

  According to NOAA Fisheries, Virginia saltwater anglers are lagging far behind other coastal states when it comes to a national law that requires registration with the National Saltwater Angler Registry. In its first year, the registry is designed to help fisheries managers compile better catch information that is important to determining quotas and bagContinue reading "Virginia saltwater anglers behind on registration"

  Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, attended last week’s America’s Great Outdoors Conference to highlight recreational fishing as an important part of America’s outdoor legacy and future.?"We’re talking about how we can collect best ideas on conservation; how we can pursue good ideas that local communities embrace; andContinue reading "FishingWorld.com – News Center"

Fishbites inventor Dr. Bill Carr will be at Ocean’s East-2 in VA Beach on Saturday April, 24 taking questions and talking Fishbites.    www.fishbites.com   Oceans East 2 Tackle Shop‎- more info » 5785 Northampton Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA‎ - (757) 464-6544‎

  Preliminary approval has been received from the Marine Resources Commission, the Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Virginia Beach for the necessary permits to repair the Pier. Progress has been made in securing a bank loan to provide construction funds for the repairs. Princess Anne Pile and Lumber has done a fantasticContinue reading "Lynnhaven Fishing PierRepairs to Begin in March; Opening “On Time” in May"

  Gov. Bob McDonnell's push to drill for gas and oil off Virginia's coast faces two formidable obstacles: the Navy and NASA. Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, and the space agency's Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore have activities - some potentially hazardous - throughout the vast leasing area 50 milesContinue reading "NASA, Navy will have say on offshore Va drilling"

Richmond, Virginia, USA’s Fred Murray, landed a blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) on Feb. 10 while fishing the nearby James River. Using cut bait on 2 kg (4 lb) class line and following a five minute fight the fish was weighed in at 24.04 kg (53 lb 0 oz). The current IGFA line class record isContinue reading "International Game Fish Association (IGFA) March Hot Catches"

  Now, state officials are mulling changes to creel and size limits for flounder this summer after complaints from local fishermen, like Hawkins, claim a recently proposed rule is too restrictive. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service this week said it had all but settled on a five-month season, from April to September,Continue reading "Possible flounder limits irk anglers"

  The catch-and-release area extends from the Brewerton Channel at the Patapsco River to the Virginia line, including Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Sound. The Department of Natural Resources hopes the restrictions will reduce the stress on pre-spawn female fish, and will evaluate the situation before the 2011 season. Until then: Each trolling boat may haveContinue reading "What are the new rules for catch-and-release striped bass fishing in Md.?"

          For years, it was thought that menhaden also helped by filtering out a lot of algae that otherwise would foul the bay. But the study by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science suggests menhaden have little net effect on the bay's overall water quality. Menhaden probably not bay cleansers | delmarvanow.com | The DailyContinue reading "Menhaden probably not bay cleansers"

  A report out Wednesday says it will cost $800 million to make Virginia's Chesapeake Bay watershed rivers environmentally friendly. The report was done jointly by the University of Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  While the cost is high, it would be partially offset by the creation of more than 11,000 jobs, and theContinue reading "Report Reveals Virginia Environmental Issues"

A federal official said he's preparing to fine the owner of a trawler for illegally catching nearly 3,000 pounds of striped bass. The penalty is likely to be the first - and largest - in a series of recent violations against fisherme n for catching stripers in protected federal waters off North Carolina and VirginiaContinue reading "Feds to issue steep fine over illegal stripers"

  The United States would direct more than $200 million over five years to fight harmful algal blooms under legislation approved Friday by the House of Representatives. The bill, which could help reduce dead zones in the Chesapeake Bay, awaits action in the Senate. The Deadrise - dailypress.com

  The cost of a Virginia saltwater recreational fishing license will increase $5, or 40 percent, according to a compromise reached Wednesday by state lawmakers. The Deadrise - dailypress.com

A Queen Anne’s County District Court judge has found a Rock Hall waterman guilty of possessing oversized rockfish, a ruling that suspends for one year the tidal fish license of 45-year-old John Franklin Riggs, 45. Shore waterman banned from fishing for a year | delmarvanow.com | The Daily Times

The Obama administration is trying to dash rumors that it planned to ban recreational fishing in marine waters and the Great Lakes in the wake of a series of Internet posts warning that such a prohibition was imminent. Obama Admin Jumps to Squelch Rumors of U.S. Fishing Ban - NYTimes.com

The New Jersey General Assembly's Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee this week unanimously approved a bill that would create a free saltwater registry in New Jersey. New Jersey closer to offering free saltwater registry

  The Obama administration will accept no more public input for a federal strategy that could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing the nation's oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and even inland waters. This announcement comes at the time when the situation supposedly still is "fluid" and the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force still hasn't issuedContinue reading "CULLED OUT: Obama administration will accept no more public input for federal"

  Some fishermen and advocates for the industry voiced concern at a regional summit Monday about upcoming federal regulations they warn could put them out of business, while others suggested the changes were a necessary way to curb overfishing. Fishermen and elected leaders gathered at the New Bedford Whaling Museum ahead of a scheduled MayContinue reading "Fishermen Prepare For Coming Federal Rules"

  The owners of the Lynnhaven Fishing Pier have vowed to reopen the facility sometime in the late spring or early summer, and anglers are helping the effort. The pier was heavily damaged in the November nor'easter, and it will cost the Duff family more than $400,000 to replace about 400 feet of the 1,400-footContinue reading "Commemorative boards offered to fix Beach pier"

  Vehicles would be allowed year-round access to about 40 percent of an Outer Banks beach popular with anglers and outdoor enthusiasts under a proposal released Friday by the National Park Service. The 700-plus-page plan said drivers would be able to use 29 miles of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with some limits during the breedingContinue reading "Proposal would ease Hatteras beach driving rules"

  The debate over who could best manage Virginia's menhaden fishery proved to be short-lived. Legislation introduced on the first day of the General Assembly session which would have transferred oversight from legislators to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission was killed in both the House and Senate by the end of January. State Sen. RalphContinue reading "Chesapeake Bay Journal: VA legislators kill bills to transfer menhaden management to VMRC – March 2010"

  It appears that the fishermen's march on Washington was a huge success. There were close to 4,000 fishermen from as far away as California and Alaska and nearby Maryland and Virginia, as well as many other coastal states. Both recreational and commercial fishermen came together for this one cause, as these restrictions affect bothContinue reading "Anglers march on Washington a big success"

Eight Rock Hall men were charged last week with rockfish poaching, the first arrests under a new system that imposes penalties based on the severity of the crime. On Feb. 23, Natural Resources Police charged William Howard Beck, 43, with possessing striped bass greater than 36 inches and mutilating the tail to mask the sizeContinue reading "8 Rock Hall men charged with rockfish poaching – Baltimore Sun"

Many of us from Virginia Beach and the surrounding Tidewater area hit the road on February 24th, to join thousands of commercial and recreational sportfishing anglers in Washington D.C. to rally for flexibility in the unyielding Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act. Anglers showed up on Capitol Hill for the “United We Fish” demonstration to showContinue reading "United we Fish; a Personal Account of the Day Virginia Beach Anglers Joined in to Make History on Capitol Hill"

  On March 2, the NRP charged Tony Allen Reynolds, age 38, and Benson Albert Jones Sr., age 61, with possession of striped bass during closed season. NRP Officers observed Reynolds’ boat “Sea Biscuit” docked in Fishing Creek in the town of Chesapeake Beach, where Reynolds resides. Officers observed Reynolds unloading crates of fish intoContinue reading "Two Calvert Men Charged with Illegal Possession of Striped Bass – Southern Maryland Headline News"

  Fish oil supplements. They’re supposed to be a quick and easy way to improve your health. But a FOX 5 Investigation shows you how these little pills are causing a big controversy about the future of the Chesapeake Bay. FOX 5 Investigates: Fish Oil, Part 1

  Some oily little fish in the Chesapeake Bay are causing a big stink. The fish are called menhaden, and depending on who's talking, they either are in big trouble or getting along swimmingly. The answer is important because, even if you never have seen menhaden, they probably affect you in some way. Bony andContinue reading "Some fear menhaden are being overfished in Chesapeake Bay | Richmond Times-Dispatch"

We've gathered information on some of the top fisheries for each month of the year in Virginia. Get out your calendars and start planning your fishing season now.     Virginia Fishing Trips

In an escalating war of lawsuits and legislation, North Carolina fishing interests on all sides are reacting with fierce urgency to an attempt to ban gill nets from state waters in order to protect endangered sea turtles Sea turtle and gill net war heats up in North Carolina

  A Maryland commission on saving the Chesapeake Bay's beleaguered oyster population has concluded that trying to restore both the oyster and the traditional, watermen-driven oyster industry can't be done. Daily Press archives: How do you save the oyster industry? - dailypress.com

  On Sept. 17, Richard C. Keatley, of Norfolk, Va., USA, landed a striped bass (Morone saxatilis) weighing in at 23.27kg (51 lb 5 oz). He used a clouser minnow fly tied to 10 kg (20 lb), tippet while fishing Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The current IGFA men’s tippet record is 43 lb 12Continue reading "February Hot Catches"

Fishermen from Maryland and Virginia were among the thousands who rallied on Capitol Hill to protest rules they say are threatening their livelihood. Virginia Eastern Shore fisherman Darryl Lilliston says Congress must ease fishing restrictions or folks like him will go out of business. "We are going to be gone," he says. "We are alreadyContinue reading "Local Fishermen Rally on Capitol Hill"

  Fishermen, anglers, charter and party boat captains and marine business owners from coast to coast gathered here to demand changes in fisheries law that they say is putting them out of work. This year and next, endangered coastal fishing grounds in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans are to be closed to allow depleted fishContinue reading "Fishermen protest law that closes many areas to fishing"

  The aircraft flew beyond the three-mile limit from shore where striped bass fishing is allowed and spotted a flotilla of fishing boats. When the skippers noticed the helicopter overhead, the reaction was swift and immediate. "It looked like the boat races back to the three-mile limit," said Col. Rick Lauderman, chief of the VirginiaContinue reading "Worries again surface over striped bass"

Thousands of saltwater fishermen, some from as far away as Florida, Texas and the Pacific Coast, plan to rally outside the U.S. Capitol this week seeking reforms to federal policies they view as increasingly hostile to recreational fishing. They plan to march Thursday under a banner of "United We Fish" as the anglers are joinedContinue reading "Saltwater fishermen gathering to catch Congress’ attention"

The General Assembly has unanimously passed legislation by Delegate Lynwood Lewis, D-Accomac, and Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk, to prevent nonresidents from getting a commercial fishing license from Virginia if their home state doesn't reciprocate for Virginians. Fishing bill gains traction | delmarvanow.com | The Daily Times

  State fisheries regulators rejected a proposed ban on large mesh gill nets used for flounder fishing, but adopted other restrictions Thursday to reduce the incidental capture of sea turtles in fishing nets.Now the state and fishermen are holding their collective breath, waiting to hear if the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will decide theContinue reading "North Carolina Regulators reject ban on gill nets"

  WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. John Kerry and three Massachusetts fishing coast congressmen yesterday urged a halt to all fishing industry prosecutions while an Inspector General's investigation continues into alleged misconduct by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration enforcement agents and prosecutors. Kerry, along with Reps. Barney Frank, John Tierney and William Delahunt, wrote toContinue reading "Lawmakers: Put hold on NOAA –"

  Members of the federal fisheries board who voted to consider increasing the coastal commercial striped bass harvest had to know they'd just thrown a brick at a hornet's nest. At its winter meeting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Striped Bass Management Board approved an addendum that could give commercial fishers a larger quota,Continue reading "Rockfish proposal backs more commercial fishing • Sports"

Virginia has never been known to beat up companies that violate environmental laws, but in the case of Omega Protein Corp., in 2007, the state had just about seen enough. Inspectors had determined that Omega Protein again was allowing toxic ammonia to escape its menhaden-processing plant, the largest of its kind on the East Coast,Continue reading "Va. Plant Tries To Ditch Fish, Fertilizer Smell"

  Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration personnel combined efforts Tuesday to stop illegal striped bass fishing off Oregon Inlet and found one vessel with illegally caught fish that had more than 2,900 pounds of fish aboard. The economic pressures being felt nationwide and the meteorological conditions driving the striped bass population farther off shore into warmer watersContinue reading "Talking about Fishermen caught with nearly 3,000 pounds of illegal bass"