sought to lessen this pressure with reg- ulation changes. After pushing for bag limit reductions, a fall gigging closure, and for the rod and reel fishery to stay open, CCATexas was thrilled when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lowered commercial and recreational bag limits by 50 percent, closed gigging in the month of November, and left the rod and reel fishery open year round. These regulation changes, adopted in November of 2009, have taken a great deal of stress off of Texas flounder stocks during their annual fall run. Another factor that has prevented
the improvement of flounder stocks in the past has been their inability to suc- cessfully reproduce in captivity which has prevented any viable restocking efforts by TPWD. As a result, CCA Texas has funded the purchase of new flounder tanks, egg collectors, temper- ature control equipment, and filtration systems for Sea Center Texas, and the CCA/CPLMarine Development Center in Flour Bluff to combat the issues that have kept these fish from spawning in captivity in the past.
versity during the summer of 2010. Some of
the prey species studied included mysid shrimp, polychaete worms, bay anchovy, blue crabs, blood worms, clam worms, and weakfish.
Rockfish Classic blown out again
In a repeat of the 2009 event, small craft advisories on the Chesapeake Bay caused a cancellation of the 2010 Rockfish Classic. Prizes were drawn by lottery. An informal Calcutta event brought in some large fish. Discussions are underway to modify future events so that weather cannot be a factor. One possibility is a season long tournament.
WASHINGTON
Déjà Vu — merger back on table Once again, the Washington Legis-
lature is entertaining a bill to merge the Department of
Fish and Wildlife
(WDFW) with Parks and the office of Conservation and Recreation. The real issue with this proposed move is reducing the WDFW Commission to an advisory-only role. The WDFW Commission was put in place by a citi- zens’ initiative and is the public’s sole voice in the management of our natur- al resources.
CCA Washington has
issued an Action Alert to members ask- ing them to contact their legislator and request they oppose this merger.
Thus far, these efforts have culmi- nated in 98,000 flounder larvae at the Marine Development Center in Flour Bluff, and 350,000 at Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson. Thousands of these larvae will grow into fingerlings and will eventually be released into Texas bays. CCA Texas also purchased a flounder boat for TPWD for the effec- tive collection of brood fish to be used at these hatcheries. CCA Texas is confident that these
measures will help improve flounder conditions in our state, and is dedicat- ed to the recovery of this invaluable sport fish.
VIRGINIA Chapter funds myco study
Thanks to a CCA Virginia grant of $5,000, the prevalence of myco bacte- riosis in the prey of Chesapeake Bay Rockfish is much better understood. The study was conducted by a student and professor at Old Dominion Uni-
TIDE Derelict gill net bill introduced
State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon has intro- duced a bill (HB 1717) to require com- mercial fishermen to report lost or abandoned commercial fishing gear within 48 hours to the Washington Department of Fishing and Wildlife. The bill changes an existing law that allows for voluntary reporting. The previous system has been a total fail- ure, resulting in only two reports of lost or abandoned commercial fishing gear since its inception. “The goal here it to get this derelict
gear reported in a timely manner, mak- ing it easier for its retrieval,” noted CCAWashington member Bear Holmes. Holmes has been educating his local legislators on this issue, including Rep. Fitzgibbon. The chapter expects a Senate companion bill to be introduced in the next few days. Co-sponsors of the House bill include, Reps. Rolfes, Hinkle, Dunshee, Chandler, Appleton, Orcutt, Standford and Van De Wege.
www.joincca.org 61
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