April 23, 2015

We need you on May 5 at the ASMFC meeting in Alexandria,VA.   The menhaden quota is under attack again.  You can review our formal comments here.  If we can turn out in the same numbers as previous years, we can stop this effort.  More information is listed in the article below.  Buses will be leaving from the Eastern Shore, Annapolis, and Virginia.  We will have shirts for all the attendees.  This is one of those moments where you can make a difference.  Please consider joining us on the 5th.
In other news, the registration is up for the 2015 CCA Kent Narrows Catch and Release tournament.  This is one of our most popular events.  Please register early so we can plan accordingly.
We have other events coming up throughout the state.  The Central Chapter will have their next meeting on May 14, the Lower Shore Chapter is hosting an Anglers Night on May 11, and the Fly Fishing Film tour, F3T, will be in Annapolis on May 7




Upcoming Events

FT3 Film Tour 

Thursday May 7, 2015 at 1:00 PM EDT

The original and preeminent exhibition of fly fishing cinema, The F3T is a one of a kind experience. Each year fishy folk of all ages gather at premieres to soak up films from around the world.

Annapolis Maritime Museum

 

CCA Catch and Release Kent Narrows Fly and light tackle Tournament 

Saturday June 13, 2015 lines in at 5:30 AM lines out at 3PM EDT

CCA Catch and Release Fly and Light Tackle Tournament

The Jetty Dockbar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make sure and check out our calendar for all our events.

Menhaden meeting on May 7


 

We need you on May 5

Please attend the ASMFC meeting on May 5, 8AM in Alexandria, Virginia.  As in years past, there will be buses leaving from the Eastern Shore, Annapolis, and Virginia.   

Menhaden are one of the two most important  species in the bay.  What right does one company have to harvest over 300,000,000 lbs per year from a very small area while completely choking off a neighboring state from a much needed supply of menhaden?  Maryland has long suffered from this harvest.    Striped bass are sick and dying from a wasting disease that is directly linked to the lack of menhaden.  Weakfish have disappeared.  All signs point to the fact that juvenile weakfish have become a primary prey item as a replacement for menhaden.  Flounder, large bluefish, and countless other species no longer enter the bay.  Fishermen in the state have almost forgotten the days when they could pursue other species.  The blame game has been going on for years.  One thing has remained constant.  Too many menhaden are being removed in Virginia and not enough are making it to Maryland waters.

 

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F3T Film Tour Hits Annapolis
Being proactive on oysters
 
Oysters are extremely critical to the health of our bay.  For years, we have been reactive to oyster management.  In an effort to be proactive, CCA Maryland's Government Relations Committee has produced a document that outlines the challenges that oysters face and a way to have a more positive future.  The document was sent to Secretary Belton in early April and covers topics such as the lack of a comprehensive, science based FMP, transparency in public funding of oyster management, power dredging, aquaculture, and the continued need for investment and protection of oyster sanctuaries.  Our hope is that Maryland can begin to manage oysters based on their ecological role in the bay. The full article is linked below.  Take a moment and see if you agree with our vision of oysters and the future of the bay. 

 
Sincerely,
 

Tony Friedrich
Executive Director
Coastal Conservation Association Maryland
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Featured Article
Guest Column: Oyster partnership at risk



Last month a small group of watermen appeared before the House Environment and Transportation Committee to testify in support of a bill they helped write.

They represented the Clean Chesapeake Coalition; a group of fishermen who believe they can restore the bay if only the state would give them control of the fishery. Their claim is that if they are allowed to power-dredge oysters without restriction they can restore oyster habitat and oysters in the bay.

They testified that oysters, which can filter up to 50 gallons of bay water each day, will then clean the bay for us. But oysters can't filter the bay from a bushel basket headed to market.


 


 

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