Saturday, July 14, 2012

Rehobeth Beach Delaware Fish Kill

On July 4, DNREC responded to reports of a fish kill in Rehoboth Beach’s Silver Lake that initially involved an estimated 1,500 gizzard shad 2 to 4 inches long along with 800 white perch the same size, plus a few bluegills and a largemouth bass.

By the following day, biologists observed approximately 5,000 to 6,000 dead gizzard shad, 600 adult white perch, adult bluegills, and largemouth bass.

Surface water testing on both days by fisheries biologists indicated that dissolved oxygen levels in the water were low enough in Silver Lake, freshwater impoundment, to be lethal for fish.

Anyone observing an unusual number of dead or dying fish in Delaware ponds, rivers or other waterways are encouraged to report their observations, including an estimate of how many fish are involved, and, if known, the species of fish.

To report a suspected fish kill, please call the Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and DNREC’s citizen complaint hotline at 1-800-662-8802 after hours and on weekends.

source: DNREC

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

2013 Boating Infrastructure Grants

North Carolina's Division of Marine Fisheries recently announced that the agency is accepting proposals for the Boating Infrastructure Grant, or BIG, Program for federal fiscal 2013.

BIG, a program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, reimburses up to 75 percent of costs for projects that construct, renovate or maintain tie-up facilities and related amenities for recreational transient vessels that are at least 26 feet long. The grant program was authorized by Congress in 1998 and is funded by excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuel.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries serves as the liaison between projects in North Carolina and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the BIG Program. Proposals must be submitted to the division to be considered for this funding opportunity.

Some examples of potentially eligible activities include transient slips, mooring buoys, day-docks, floating and fixed piers and breakwaters, dinghy docks, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, retaining walls, bulkheads, dockside utilities (water, electric, telephone, Internet), sewage pump-out stations, recycling and trash receptacles, navigational aids and marine fueling stations.

BIG funds are distributed each year. Grants are available on a two-tiered basis. For Tier 1 (Basic) grants, all states may receive up to $100,000 per grant cycle as long as proposals meet the program's guidelines. Tier 2 (Competitive) grants are reserved for large-scale, more expensive undertakings and are awarded on a nationwide competitive basis. For fiscal 2013, applicants may apply for up to $88,000 under Tier 1 and up to $1.5 million under Tier 2.

For information about grant availability, project eligibility and proposal development, please visit the division’s website at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf, or contact Kelly Price, the division’s federal aid coordinator, at 252-808-8168 or 800-682-2632 (in North Carolina only) or Kelly.Price@ncdenr.gov. The deadline for applications to be received by the division is Aug. 16. Electronic submission is preferred.

source: N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries

Monday, July 9, 2012

North Carolina Daytime Fox Sightings

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission recently issued a reminder to its residents concerning sightings of foxes during daylight hours, or in urban and suburban settings.

According to the Commission, there a number of steps that people can take to avoid conflict with foxes, including:

 - Do not approach foxes or fox dens.

 - Do not approach, touch or feed foxes or their pups.

 - In situations where foxes have become habituated to people, people should take steps, such as yelling, banging pots and pans and setting off legal fireworks, to chase foxes from yards and neighborhoods. Be aggressive and repeat these actions if the foxes do not leave.

For additional information, download “Coexisting with Foxes.”

http://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Learning/documents/Species/coexistfoxes.pdf

source: N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

2012-2013 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations

The 2012-2013 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary brochure is now available at West Virginia hunting and fishing license agents, Division of Natural Resources district offices, the Elkins Operation Center and South Charleston Headquarters.

The regulations summary is also available online at: www.wvdnr.gov

According to West Virginia DNR, several significant changes will be in place this fall during the hunting and trapping seasons.

source: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

Monday, July 2, 2012

Chesapeake Bay Diamond Jim Rockfish

The Diamond Jim component of the 2012 Maryland Fishing Challenge entered its second phase when Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists caught, tagged and released more than 100 striped bass into the Chesapeake Bay.

One of the tagged fish is the official Diamond Jim. The other tagged rockfish will be known as imposters worth at least $500 each if caught and registered before September 3, 2012.

Over the summer, as many as 600 imposters worth at least $500 each and one genuine Diamond Jim will be pursued by anglers.  Each month Diamond Jim goes uncaught the bounty increases - from $10,000 in June, to $20,000 in July, and $25,000 in August.

The contest features a guaranteed $25,000 payout: If one of the three authentic Diamond Jims is not caught by Labor Day, the cash prize will be split equally among the anglers who catch imposters this summer.

Additionally, if an angler catches the August Diamond Jim they will receive a set of one-carat total weight, round, brilliant diamond stud earrings from Zachary’s Jewelers in Annapolis. Zachary’s is also providing five- to six-carat blue topaz charms for anglers who catch imposter fish.

Anglers who catch and register any of the more than 80 Maryland Angler Award eligible sport fish species categories will receive certificates of achievement and free passes to the Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale, which will be held in conjunction with the Maryland Seafood Festival at Sandy Point State Park on September 8, 2012.

The Celebration will include chances to win a boat, trailer and motor package from Tracker Marine, a tropical vacation package from the World Fishing Network, tackle packages from Bill’s Outdoor Center and Bass Pro Shops and collectable Maryland Fishing Challenge shirts from Under Armour.

This year’s challenge honors the life and times of world renowned fly-fishing legend Lefty Kreh. Over his remarkable 75-year career the Maryland native has shared his enthusiasm and skill for fishing through his columns, books and presentations.

The Maryland Fishing Challenge runs annually from Labor Day through the day before the following Labor Day. To be eligible for the contest, all fish must be caught recreationally by rod and reel. To see the Angler Award species list and the official Maryland Fishing Challenge and Diamond Jim contest rules, visit dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge.

source: MD DNR