The Fishing Line: Staying in touch

January winds blew us out of the water but the political front continues to give us news to ponder.
The Mid-Atlantic Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee agreed to increase the 2010 acceptable biological catch (ABC) for black sea bass from 2.71 million pounds to 4.5 million pounds.
The Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF), the largest national organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening the nation’s Atlantic sea scallop fishery, welcomed the announcement by the New England Fishery Management Council to reconsider its decision to restrict fishing opportunities for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery in 2010.
NOAA will convene a national summit on enforcement policies and practices in order to hear from constituents and experts in the field. The report is online at http://www.oig.doc.gov/oig/
(The more than 200 agents and attorneys in NOAA’s Office for Law Enforcement and Office of the General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation are responsible for carrying out more than 35 statutes, including the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Endangered Species Act. They cover more than three million square miles of open ocean, more than 85,000 miles of U.S. coastline, 13 national marine sanctuaries and its marine national monuments.)
Mark your calendars:
Atlantic City Power Boat and Fishing Expo, AC Convention Center, Feb. 3-7, acboatshow.com.
On Feb. 24, noon, fishers will rally on the steps of the Capitol to demonstrate against the unintended negative impacts of the Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Several buses will be leaving from the area ($30). Info at www.ssfff.net.
USCG Flotilla 83 Boating Safely classes: March 18 and 25, 5-9 p.m., Lower Cape May Regional H.S., 884-3475 X 223 (must attend both sessions)
The following meet 9 a.m.-4 p.m.:
April 17, Wildwood Crest Rescue, 9300 Pacific Ave., 886-6243
April 24, Minmar Marina, Old Sea Isle Blvd, Sea Isle City, 263-2201
May 8, Minmar Marina, Old Sea Isle Blvd, Sea Isle City, 263-2201
June 19, Pier 47 Marina, Route 47 886-6243
June 5, Avalon Yacht Club, Seventh and Bay streets, 263-6272
July 24, Pier 47 Marina, Route 47, 886-6243
Contact Vincent Kipp, 886-6243 or go to http://a0530803.uscgaux.info
Strictly Jersey, 2010 “A new and different kind of boat show” designed for knowledgeable and qualified buyers, Friday through Sunday, April 30, May 1, 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., South Jersey Marina, Cape May. Complimentary tickets available for holders of a valid NJ safe boating certificate or Sea Tow Membership; all others $15, www.StrictlyJersey.com.
FREE 2010 SALT WATER FISHING FEDERAL REGISTRY: Remember you must register online (countmyfish.NOAA.gov) or by phone (888-674-7411) to receive your registration card.
Be sure to send your fish stories to cmiller@cmcherald.com. All photos submitted appear online at SeeMyBigFish.com. This column appears first online at capemaycountyherald.com