Maryland’s leading watermen’s group pushed for the resume of netting rockfish while a fishing organization is urging the Department of Natural Resources to stand its ground until it can deal with a poaching ring responsible for the taking of 12 tons of fish.
Gibby Dean, president of the Chesapeake Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Association, sent a letter to DNR last week, urging the agency to reopen the gill net season. He says that watermen working the rivers and lower bay “depend on this late February quota to pay their bills, feed their families and get them through the remaining months of winter.”
According to Dean watermen need to know this week about reopening the season because they have to prepare their gear and move boats nearer the commercial fishing grounds. He urged the agency not to punish the entire industry because of the illegal deeds of a few.
Coastal Conservation Association Maryland respond that the season should not reopen until three issues are settled: DNR can demonstrate that illegal gill net fishing is under control; that the fishery can be effectively managed; and that the fishery’s catch can be fully accounted for.
DNR said it had to close the season to ensure the state would not exceed its monthly quota. But Dean said between 185,500 pounds and 205,522 pounds remain, and any additional illegal fish found from Feb. 21 to the end of the month could be deducted from December’s quota.
