ASMFC Approves Maryland’s Request to Extend the 2008 and 2009 Recreational Striped Bass Seasons
October 21, 2008
Non-quota Management Approved for the First Time
Annapolis, Md. — Today, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Striped Bass Management Board (ASMFC) approved Maryland’s request to extend the 2008 and 2009 recreational striped bass seasons. The decision also approved an alternative non-quota based management strategy for the fishery’s spring season. The ASMFC approved this strategy for the first time in 2008, but limited this only to the 2008 fishing season.
“Every year, hundreds of thousands of anglers take to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay in pursuit of Maryland’s favorite catch, striped bass,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin. “Extending the striped bass fishing seasons increases the opportunity for visiting and resident anglers to catch the big one and support local charter boat captains, fishing guides, tackle shops and other sportfishing related businesses.”
The ASMFC’s vote today extended management of the Chesapeake Bay spring trophy striped bass fishery by creel, size and season limits for 2009 and subsequent years until stock assessment determines that corrective action is required for the coastal migratory striped bass population. Maryland regulations include an open season from the third Saturday of April to May 15 when anglers may take one striped bass sized 28-inches or greater; and an open season from May 16 to May 31 when anglers may take two-fish 18-inch or larger, only one of which may be 28 inches or greater. ASMFC also supported Maryland’s proposal to extend the closure date of Maryland’s 2008 recreational striped bass fishery 16 days, from December 15 to December 31.
“We can now offer greater predictability of the timing, creel and size limits for the upcoming striped bass season,” said Maryland Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell. “Previously, anglers and local businesses were unsure of the seasons’ details until just a few months before its opening.”
To ensure sustainable fisheries management, Maryland and Virginia will continue to estimate and report total spring migrant striped bass harvest to the ASMFC.
“We are very appreciative DNR’s efforts, particularly Tom O’Connell, who worked very hard to increase the opportunity for anglers and charter boat captains to enjoy Maryland’s spectacular striped bass fishing,“ said Ed O’Brien, Vice President of the Maryland Charter Boat Association.
The Chesapeake Bay spring trophy striped bass fishery is of significant socio-economic importance to Maryland’s charter boat industry and recreational fishermen. It was recently estimated that fishing trip expenditures associated with Maryland’s spring striped bass fishery is $10 million annually. More than 9,000 local jobs are supported annually through Maryland’s sportfishing industry. The importance of this fishery to the economic sustainability of Maryland’s charter boat industry has increased recently due to the negative impacts on the industry from the nation’s current economic situation.
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Public Meeting Oct. 15 on Expanded Deer Management at Soldiers Delight N.E.A. of Maryland
October 6, 2008
Owings Mills, MD — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites people to discuss a proposed expansion of deer management at Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area (N.E.A.) on Wed., Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of New Town High School, 4931 New Town Boulevard in Owings Mills.
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area, located near Owings Mills in Baltimore County supports the largest remaining serpentine ecosystem in the eastern United States. Home to more than 30 rare, threatened, or endangered species scientists have long regarded this ecosystem to be globally significant in biodiversity.
DNR biologists report that deer continue to damage the habitat and natural communities threatening the fragile ecosystem found on Soldiers Delight through repeated browsing and trampling of native plants.
“Additional reduction of this deer herd will reduce deer impacts on the ecosystem and allow habitat restoration efforts to progress,” said Karina Stonesifer, Associate Director of Operations for DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service.
Limited bow hunting has occurred on the property for the past two years but additional deer population reduction measures are needed to further reduce the current deer population. The expanded program would be conducted on January 20 and 21, 2009 as a limited two-day shotgun-only format following the same guidelines as similar management strategies conducted in Maryland State Parks over the last 15 years. The entire Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area would be closed to the public over those two days.
To view the plan and offer comment visit: http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/SoldiersDe/SD_MgHuntProp.asp
Directions: From I-795, take the Owings Mills Blvd. south ramp toward Town Center/Randallstown. Merge onto Owings Mills Blvd. and turn right onto Lakeside Blvd. Turn left onto New Town Blvd. into the New Town High School parking lot.
For more information about Soldier’s Delight N.E.A. visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/central/soldiers.html.
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Governor O’Malley Announces New Citizen Oyster-Growing Program, Maryland Oyster Planting Record
September 24, 2008
State and Partners Plant Nearly One-Half Billion Oysters in 2008; Create Stewardship Project to Grow One Million Young Oysters over the Next Year
Easton, Md. — Governor Martin O’Malley today kicked off a new partnership aimed at increasing citizen involvement in oyster restoration, and announced that Maryland has planted more than 485 million oysters in the Chesapeake Bay this year, a one-year record. The Governor was joined by citizens, staff and partners as he placed the first stewardship cages at the home of Hope and Anthony Harrington along the Tred Avon River.
“The irreplaceable value and role of oysters in our Bay gives rise to the need for escalating restoration efforts. I’m very proud that Maryland’s work with the Oyster Recover Partnership and our other key partners has resulted in an historic planting effort this year,” said Governor O’Malley. “We recognize each of us must play a role to help re-establish the healthy oyster populations that are critical to the Bay’s ecology, our culture and our economy. To build on this year’s planting success, we are embarking on a pilot project to engage waterfront property owners as caretakers of young oysters during their first year of life.”
Because of oysters’ unique filtering abilities and the vital habitat for aquatic life they create, Maryland and its partners continue to enhance and improve large-scale native oyster restoration efforts. Increased hatchery capacity at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point facility in Cambridge has enabled more than 1.4 billion oysters to be planted since 2000 on 1,100 acres of once-productive oyster reefs.
“Whether there are 1,000 oysters growing in an oyster cage or 100 million oysters being planted in the Choptank River, Oysters are critical to the Bay’s long-term recovery,” said Oyster Recovery Partnership Chairman Dr. Torrey C. Brown. “The strong leadership of Governor O’Malley and Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin on this issue, along with the early and continuing support of Senator Barbara Mikulski, have enabled the partners to build both in-the-water and on-the-ground infrastructure and production capacity that we enjoy today.”
In its pilot stage, Marylanders Grow Oysters: Citizens Working to Restore the Chesapeake Bay, is inviting Talbot County waterfront property owners along the Tred Avon River, a tributary of the Choptank River, to grow oysters from their pier using cages built by inmates at the Eastern Correctional Institution, and young oysters provided by the partnership.
The project is designed to inspire more Marylanders do what they can in their own lives and workplaces to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers that feed into it.
“My husband and I are more than pleased to be part of this new State initiative to restore a healthy oyster population and, ultimately, the health of the Bay,” said Hope Harrington, the first homeowner to enroll in the program. “Active citizen involvement in this project is the key element to its success. We have widened the buffers on our shoreline to act as filters, planted a native grass and wildflower meadow to create habitat, have applied to the State for an osprey nesting platform and feel very fortunate to now be part of this terrific oyster restoration project. We hope very much that our neighbors along the Tred Avon will join us.”
The partnership hopes to enlist 250 homeowners to place 4 oyster cages each off their piers by the end of October. After a 9 to 12 month growing period, the oysters will be planted on a protected sanctuary in the Tred Avon River.
“We appreciate the willingness of homeowners who’ve already signed up to allow their pier to serve as a temporary home and provide the protection needed to give these young oysters an better chance for early survival and maximize their ecological contribution to the Bay,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin. “We hope that more residents along the Tred Avon River waterfront will join this effort to rejuvenate aquatic life in the river and Chesapeake Bay.”
Established by Governor O’Malley, the Marylanders Grow Oysters project, is a cooperative effort of concerned citizens, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Talbot County, and the Oyster Recovery Partnership. The oyster cages were constructed by inmates under the supervision of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The Chesapeake Bay Trust provided funding for the initiative.
“This project gave inmates meaningful work that they are truly proud of, knowing that the community and Chesapeake Bay are benefiting from their work,” said DPSCS Secretary Gary Maynard.
Additional oyster restoration efforts underway in Maryland include creating structured habitat to enhance oyster reproduction; planting hatchery produced oysters on existing and historical oyster bars; prohibiting oyster harvest in some areas; and regulating the fishery to limit the number of oysters harvested annually. For more information about Marylanders Grow Oysters visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/oysterproject.
In the first two years of his Administration, Governor O’Malley strengthened Maryland’s critical areas law to ensure more adequate protection of the most environmentally sensitive and significant lands within Maryland’s Chesapeake and Coastal Bays watersheds and established BayStat to make the State’s Bay restoration and protection more efficient and effective.
Additionally, the O’Malley/Brown Administration coordinated with Virginia Governor Kaine to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay’s beleaguered blue crab population by reducing the harvest of ecologically valuable female blue crabs by 34 percent in 2008. Just yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez declared a federal fishery disaster for the Chesapeake Bay blue crab, enabling relief to reach watermen who have been affected by the declining blue crab population.
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DNR to Begin Stocking Trout in October for Maryland’s Fall Fishing Season
September 16, 2008
Annapolis, Md. — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will stock approximately 19,000 trout into freshwaters across the state during October 2008. A small number of these will be brown trout averaging 3 to 5 pounds each.
“Thanks to a good amount of rain that put some water back in our streams and mild weather starting to lower water temperatures, we are looking forward to a great fall trout fishing season,” said Assistant Fisheries Director Don Cosden. “We will be stocking some really nice fish, so I encourage anglers to get out and enjoy Maryland’s great outdoors and the upcoming fall weather.”
Although stocking dates and locations are dependent on water flow and temperature, crews generally find conditions are right in many areas beginning the second week of October and stocking is usually complete by the end of the month. In most years, cool water allowed trout stocking in Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas and locations such as the North Branch Potomac, Bear Creek, Town Creek, Blairs Valley Lake, Antietam Creek, Beaver Creek, Cunningham Falls, Rainbow Lake, Greenbrier Lake, Morgan Run, Patapsco River, Gunpowder Falls, Great Seneca, Wheatley Lake, Lake Artemesia, Greenbelt Lake, Big Elk, Deer Creek and Tuckahoe. We expect to stock these areas and numerous others as conditions allow.
DNR’s trout stocking information telephone line, 1-800-688-3467, will be updated weekly beginning Oct. 1 so that anglers may find out if their favorite area has been stocked. After stocking is completed, a list of stocked areas will be posted online at www.dnr.maryland.gov.
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New Water Trail Map Designed to Help Paddlers Explore Maryland
August 26, 2008
The Wild Side of the Potomac River in Charles County
CHARLES COUNTY – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Charles County recently created a new water trails map and guide to lead paddlers along at least four water trail adventures in Charles County. The colorful guide, printed on waterproof and tear-proof paper, was designed primarily for those touring by kayak and canoe and details paddling routes along Mallows Bay, Friendship Farm Park, Mattawoman Creek, the Potomac River and the Port Tobacco River.
“We hope the new Charles County water trails guide helps both new and experienced paddlers spend more time on the serene waters of Southern Maryland,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin.
DNR produced the new map, entitled Water Trail Adventures in Charles County, Maryland: the Wild Side of the Potomac River, in partnership with the Charles County Parks Department and the Charles County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
“The Water Trail Adventures guide is a wonderful resource for people who wish to learn more about Charles County’s rich natural resources,” said Donna Dudley, Charles County’s Chief of Tourism. “The guide offers information about natural, historic and cultural places that can be found on and nearby the trails.”
The new free guide is available online at www.thenationsbackyard.com. A free mailed copy may be requested by calling 1-800-766-3386.
Water Trail Adventures in Charles County, Md., one of a series of water trail maps, contributes to the statewide network of water trails and public access points that DNR has developed over the past decade. For more information about Maryland’s water trails, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/greenways/watertrails.html.
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Phone Applications For Black Bear Hunting Permit Begin Aug. 25 For Maryland
August 25, 2008
ANNAPOLIS - On August 25, 2008, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will begin accepting phone-in applications from hunters wishing to participate in this year’s black bear hunting permit lottery. Applications will be accepted over the phone at 1-888-579-6768 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. from August 25 through August 29, 2008.
Harry Spiker, DNR Game Mammal Section Leader reminds that “hunters must apply each year to retain their preference points in the lottery. Preference points increase your odds of being selected in future lotteries. Beginning this year, hunters may opt to purchase a preference point only. This will allow those who cannot hunt in 2008, the opportunity to retain their preference points for use in future lotteries.”
Hunters may continue to apply online 24 hours a day through 6:00 p.m. on September 1, 2008 at http://blackbear.dnr.state.md.us
A $15 application fee must be submitted via credit card, check, or money order by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 and should be made payable to MDDNR Black Bear and mailed to MDDNR Black Bear, P.O. Box 30, Cumberland, MD 21501. Only one application per person will be accepted. Duplicate applications will result in disqualification and the loss of all fees.
In order to allow all interested parties an equal opportunity to participate, permits will be awarded by a random selection process which will be held on Thursday, September 4. A list of winning applicants will be available online at http://blackbear.dnr.state.md.us starting 5 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2008. Maryland’s black bear hunting season begins October 20, 2008 in Garrett and Allegany Counties.
For more info, please visit: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/bbregs.asp.
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First 2008-2009 Early Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons Begin Sept. 1
August 18, 2008
ANNAPOLIS — Today, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the 2008-2009 early migratory game bird hunting seasons.
“The dove season, which marks the traditional start of hunting activity each year in Maryland, opens on Monday, Sept. 1, and continues through Oct. 11,” said Bill Harvey, DNR migratory game bird manager.
The second dove season runs from Nov. 15 to Nov. 28. The third split dove season begins Dec. 20 and runs through Jan. 3. The daily bag limit for doves will remain at 12 for the 2008-2009 hunting season.
Maryland’s woodcock season is split into two segments, Nov. 8-28 and Jan. 16-24.
The early resident Canada goose season opens Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 15 in the eastern zone. In the western zone, the season will continue through Sept. 25. The daily bag limit is eight geese per day. During the early resident Canada goose season, hunters may use shotguns capable of holding more than three shotshells and shooting hours are extended to one-half hour past sunset.
September teal season begins Sept. 18 and continues through Sept. 27. Hunters should note that the boundary for the September teal season zone changed slightly last year, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/ewfchart.asp for the zone description. Shooting hours for the September teal season are sunrise to sunset.
All migratory game bird hunters, including landowners who are license exempt, must obtain the HIP (Harvest Information Program) permit and the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp in addition to a general hunting license. Hunters must possess the printed receipt showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp while hunting migratory game birds. Migratory bird hunters are no longer required to sign and attach the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp to their hunting license. Hunters may now purchase licenses and stamps online by accessing the DNR’s website at www.dnr.state.md.us.
All waterfowl hunters age 16 and over must possess the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp). Hunters are still required to sign the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) and have it in their possession while hunting waterfowl. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, and some DNR sport license agents.
Nontoxic shot is required for hunting rails, snipe, waterfowl, and coots. Hunters may not possess or use nontoxic shot larger than size No. T or use or possess any lead shot while hunting rails, snipe, waterfowl, and coots. Approved types of nontoxic shot and other information on migratory bird hunting is listed in the free booklet Hunting and Trapping in Maryland 2008-2009 or on the DNR’s website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/index.asp.
For a table that lists the dates and bag limits for Maryland’s 2008-2009 early migratory game bird hunting seasons, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/weblesschart.asp. For a quick reference to the early resident Canada goose and September teal seasons and bag limits, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/ewfchart.asp. Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling 1-800-327-BAND (2263) or through the Internet at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/.
Official shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for all migratory game bird hunting EXCEPT for: (1) mourning dove during the first season segment, when shooting hours are from noon to sunset; (2) teal during the September teal season when shooting hours are sunrise to sunset; and (3) early (September) resident Canada goose season when shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
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Toxic Algae Bloom Identified In Potomac River Tributary, Mattawoman Creek
August 18, 2008
Dept. of Natural Resources Asks Potomac Watershed Residents For Help to Prevent Future Harmful Algal Blooms
Indian Head, MD — Routine water quality monitoring by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Morgan State University Estuarine Research Center recently identified high concentrations of blue-green algae, Microcystis, in Mattawoman Creek off of the Potomac River. The sample collected by DNR tested positive for toxicity.
“Excessive nutrient pollution in the water fuels these algal blooms, which are not uncommon in the freshwater and low salinity waters of the Potomac River. Harmful algal blooms such as these can be prevented if more people living in the Potomac River watershed take steps to reduce run-off pollution,” said Tom Parham, DNR tidewater ecosystem assessment director. “Some easy and affordable backyard solutions include planting native trees and rain gardens, using rain barrels, and refraining from fertilizing in the spring.”
After learning of algal toxin levels higher than typical acceptable standards for human and animal contact in water samples from Mattawoman Creek, Charles County issued a health advisory for the area encouraging people to take precautions to reduce the risk of illness or discomfort related to blue-green algal blooms:
The public should not swim in areas where a blue-green algae bloom is evident.
Do not drink water from any area with the appearance of a blue-green algae bloom.
If contact is made with problem water, simply wash off with fresh water.
In some cases, skin irritations may occur after prolonged contact. If irritations persist, see a physician or local health care provider.
Keep pets and livestock away from bloom areas.
Blue-green algal blooms may contain toxins that could be harmful or fatal to pets and livestock.
Do not eat internal organs of fish caught in blue-green bloom waters.
Inhalation exposure to blue-green algal bloom waters may result in irritation of the eyes, ears, nose and throat with extended recreational activity on such waterways.
Please note that illness associated with harmful algal blooms is a reportable illness and physicians should be reporting these to local health departments.
“We will continue to monitor the algal bloom.”
For up to date information on all of Maryland’s harmful algal blooms and water quality, please visit DNR’s Eyes on the Bay website at www.eyesonthebay.net.
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36 Young Adults Graduate From Maryland Conservation Corps
August 2, 2008
Annapolis — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recognized 36 young adults graduating from the Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) on Thursday at Assateague Island State Park in Worcester County. Each corps member was commended for completing more than 1,700 hours of community service for Maryland state parks.
“The dedication of these young adults is truly exemplary,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Their service in teaching others about our environment and hands-on work to maintain and improve our state parks benefit not only every Marylander, but also our land, waters, and wildlife. They should each be very proud of their great contributions and I thank them for their hard work.”
Aged 17 to 25, the 2008 graduating class of Maryland Conservation Corps hail from Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Charles, Garrett, Harford, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Wicomico counties, as well as other states across the country. Over the last year, corps members led environmental education programs for thousands of youth, maintained trails and natural areas, and completed improvement and shoreline restoration projects at parks across the state.
“As a member of the MCC, I had the opportunity to be involved in really challenging and interesting activities within Maryland’s parks, like teaching workshops to children and planting native wildlife along the Potomac shoreline,” said Tyler Bledsoe of Denton, Md., a graduate of the Tuckahoe State Park MCC crew. “I’m kind of sad to leave because I’ve made some really great friendships with the people on my crew. It’s been a cool experience and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to get involved with the parks.”
MCC crews planted native wildlife along the Potomac River shoreline and at Blackwater Refuge in Cambridge. Five corps members were dispatched this year to help fight wildfires in California and other western states. This summer, MCC corps members also helped manage the new Civic Justice Corps created by Governor Martin O’Malley last April. On August 8, Governor O’Malley will speak at the CJC graduation. The MCC crew serving at Patapsco Valley State Park helped prepare the new Nature Center for a grand opening slated for next year.
“My favorite part of the program this year was the stream waders activity, in which we collected water samples from 13 different streams around the state, testing for water quality and for the presence of invertebrates,” said Jennifer Miller of Finger Lakes, NY, a graduate of Southern Maryland MCC crew. “Helping out around the park was one of the most rewarding jobs.”
At the graduation ceremony, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Deputy Secretary Eric Schwaab praised the positive impact of the MCC members on the state’s public lands and people who visit them, “The Maryland Conservation Corps helps to usher in a new era in