THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 26, 1996 TAG: 9605260231
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON
LENGTH: 118 lines
It's pretty obvious that both commercial and recreational fishermen in Virginia want to see more research on fishery matters.
That's the clear message fishermen presented to the two citizens' advisory boards charged with recommending expenditures from license funds generated by the two groups.
And that's the message received by the Marine Resources Commission, which Thursday approved all recommendations from the boards.
In fact, research is given No. 1 priority by recreational fishermen in a survey about to be concluded by Dr. James E. Kirkley of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
A similar response is expected in a commercial survey, also by Dr. Kirkley, coming out this summer.
The prime purpose of the surveys is to determine the economic impacts of recreational and commercial fishing.
Unfortunately for recreational fishermen, however, they are being asked to bear the brunt of the cost for this research.
That's because the recreational license generates between $1.3 million and $1.4 million annually, while roughly 1/10 that amount is available from the commercial license.
Yet when it comes to allotting fish, recreational fishermen are not given a proportionate share of the catch.
Take the case of a gray trout (weakfish) study funded Thursday. The study hopes to determine if there is more than one stock of the popular game and food fish. Through the license funds, recreational fishermen will pay 90 percent of the cost, or $117,884 of the $130,983 project.
While 90 percent of Virginia's gray trout catch will not be going to rod-and-reelers, the breakdown is acceptable, at least for the moment. The research is vital, the money available.
But at some point, recreational fishermen will have to go to the Marine Resources Commission and demand and expect a bigger pie slice than they have been getting.
And rightly so.
BASS CLASSIC: Chris Daves of Spring Grove, son of veteran bass-fishing professional Woo Daves, will be the only Virginian in the field when the Bassmaster Classic fishing tournament is held in Alabama in August.
Daves earned a spot with his consistent success on the pro trail this season, including seventh place in the recent Alabama Eastern Invitational, where he won $5,000. His father was out of the money at 86th.
Ivan Morris of Virginia Beach finished 29th and won $1,800, while Les Ore of Virginia Beach picked up $1,000 for 52nd. Rick Morris and Jim Sumrell of Virginia Beach also were out of the money.
Bobby Padgett of Columbus, Ga., won the three-day contest with 15 bass weighing a record 77 pounds, 9 ounces. He received $35,000 in cash and prizes.
LOFTY GOAL: The Virginia ``Hunters for the Hungry'' program, which last year provided more than 103,000 pounds of venison, has an even higher goal this year.
The program hopes to collect 125,000 pounds of deer meat from hunters, to be distributed to needy families.
The organization's founder, David Horne of Big Island, Va., said the program ``is filling a big void in the non-profit feeding community. Almost half the venison went to children. This year we're making a strong effort to involve more church groups and civic clubs in our program.''
Horne said he was convinced that hunters could provide more than 200,000 pounds of venison if only the program could collect enough money to have the meat processed, packaged and distributed.
``We need more money,'' he said. ``If a group can contribute $150, that means we can process five more deer and provide another 250 pounds of meat to the needy.''
Details on the program are available by calling 1-800-352-4868.
MARLIN TIME: Two of the biggest marlin tournaments on the East Coast are scheduled for North Carolina next month.
The 38th annual Big Rock Marlin Tournament will be held at Morehead City June 7-14, followed by the 37th annual Hatteras Marlin Tournament at Hatteras June 16-23.
The Big Rock, a public contest, is expecting more than 200 boats and a purse exceeding $700,000. The Hatteras event, sponsored by the private Hatteras Marlin Club, offers only trophies and prizes, with a field usually numbering around 50 boats.
However, both events attract some of the top big-game fishermen on the East Coast. All billfish must be released at Hatteras, while last year's Big Rock had a 94 percent release rate.
FREE FISHING: No one will need a license to go freshwater fishing in Virginia June 1-2 under the ``free fishing days'' program of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
License requirements will be waived. However, you'll still need a special stamp to go trout fishing, and you'll need a license to do any saltwater fishing.
The Virginia program will kick off National Fishing Week, June 3-9.
Additionally, kids will be treated to a day of fishing at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach during the week. You can get details by calling the refuge at 721-2412.
FEW REPORT: Virginia striped bass fishermen could have their fall season reduced unless they file reports of catches made during the recent ``trophy-fish'' season.
``It' a complicated system,'' said Lewis Gillingham of the Marine Resources Commission. ``But the bottom line is that the ASFMC (Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission) could cut the fall season if their surveys indicate that a lot of fishermen didn't report their big fish.''
During this special season, which ended May 15, only stripers of 32 inches or more were legal. However, anglers were not required to report fish caught and released.
``We just want the folks who caught and kept fish to understand how important it is to report to us, one way or another,'' Gillingham said. ``It's vital and could impact the future.''
SHORT CASTS: Gene Fitchett of Exmore, Va., has taken the black drum lead in the annual Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament with a 101-pounder, boated off Cape Charles. . . . Mark Conrad of Virginia Beach released three tarpon on a recent trip to Big Pine Key, Fla. He fish with guide Pat Bracher, a Virginia Beach native. . . . Charles G. McDaniel of Fredericksburg has been reelected chairman of the board of the department of Game and Inland Fisheries. He was appointed to the 10-member citizens board by Gov. George Allen in 1994. . . . Four voting members of the board of commissioners of the Marine Resources Commission will complete their two four-year terms July 1 and will not be eligible for reappointment. They include William Hudnall of Heathsville, Dr. Jane Webb of Newport News, Timothy Hayes of Richmond and George Forest of Poquoson. . . . A black bear trapped Monday in South Richmond by state wildlife officials has been released into a national forest in the western section of the state. The bear weighed 160 pounds and was estimate to be 2 1/2 years old. Officials believe it followed the James River watershed from the mountains. by CNB