Our cobia regulations for 2016 have been established for the 2016 fishing year effective June 1, 2016. VSSA has been working on cobia since October and the fight is far from over. VSSA has attended many meetings, conducted polls, reached out to members, listened to angler concerns, but at the end of the day it came down to a vote by our VMRC Associate Commissioners. Dr. Ken Neill, one of the Associate Commissioners, was very vocal about keeping our season open and although nobody is completely happy with the results, it is better than a closure. Thanks Dr. Neill for your efforts to influence the other board members.
Monthly Archives: May 2016
Blueline Tile Meeting June 9
VSSA complained loudly about the new blueline tile regulations after working with MAFMC for a year to try to keep them fair for everyone. Their recommendations last month are far from fair.
So MAFMC is giving us one last shot at hearing us. If you fish for blueline tile, recommend you dial in.
http://www.mafmc.org/council-events/2016/blueline-tilefish-listening-session
The Council will hold a listening session on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 7 p.m. regarding the 2017 recreational specifications for blueline tilefish off the Mid-Atlantic (from Virginia north). The meeting will be held via webinar with a telephone-only audio connection option: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/bltls/.
North Carolina Cobia Regs Set for the Summer
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Commission voted Thursday to keep its state-waters cobia fishery open past a federally-ordered June 20 closing, putting the state in non-compliance with the South Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council.
But the commission made several drastic changes to size and bag limits, and severely cut the number of days that recreational anglers could keep the coveted species.
3rd Annual State of the Chesapeake Bay Discussion with Congressman Scott Rigell
Attention Residents of Virginia’s Second Congressional District: You are invited to attend the 3rd Annual State of the Chesapeake Bay Discussion Addressing important Bay restoration issues Hosted by Congressman Scott Rigell Tuesday, May 31 6 pm – 8 pm Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club 1052 Cardinal Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Featuring:
Panelists (TBD)
Draft Cobia Letter Sent to VSSA Members
The draft cobia letter was distributed to VSSA members today. Comments should arrive NLT Wed, May 18 and the letter will be submitted by Thur, May 19. Please contact us if you did not receive it and wish to review before being submitted.
Anglers are encouraged to submit their own letters or emails to VMRC. Emails should be sent to rob.o’reilly@mrc.virginia.gov or mailed to VMRC, 2600 Washington Avenue, Suite 107, Newport News, VA 23607-0756. Letters and emails should arrive NLT Friday, May 20. The VMRC meeting where the cobia regulations will be set for 2016 is scheduled for May 24 and is item number 14 on the agenda.
Cobia Poll Results
New SC Cobia Regulations Set
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/2016/may/may2_cobialegislation.html
May 2, 2016New cobia regulations seek to rebuild South Carolina fishery
Responding to concerns from the public and data collected by S.C. Department of Natural Resources biologists, the South Carolina General Assembly has passed legislation to help rebuild the state’s cobia fishery. The new cobia regulations, which are effective for the 2016 season after receiving Gov. Nikki Haley’s signature, include a catch-and-release period in May and smaller bag and boat limits.
NOAA puts bigeye tuna on overfishing list
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has put Atlantic bigeye tuna on the overfishing list in its annual Status of the Stocks update.
It means the harvest rate is higher right now than the rate that produces its maximum sustainable yield — the largest long-term average catch that can be taken from a stock under prevailing environmental and fishery conditions.