New Maryland fishing regulations apply to certain small businesses

MARYLAND – In Maryland’s smaller towns along the Chesapeake Bay, an industry full of small businesses is concerned about new regulations centered around the state’s fish: striped bass.

The Maryland Charter Boat Association has approximately 400 members. People come and pay them to go out on a boat where they can catch striped bass, also known as rockfish.

It used to be that people who paid to sail charter boats in Maryland on the bay could take two fish per person. Then, in January this year, the Atlantic Marine Fisheries Commission adopted a new rule that charter boats can only carry one fish per person.

Charter Boat Group says the impact of this rule has been devastating for business.

“In the last two and a half months, 19 charter boats have been sold and another six have already been listed for sale,” said fisherman Brian Hardman of Lead Dog Charters. “At one point it went from 50% to 60%, but in many cases it went from 70% to 75% and you can’t survive on that knowing that next year could be just as bad as this year.”

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is an agreement of countries focused on jointly supporting fisheries. Charter Boat Group and other interested parties filed a lawsuit in this case, stating that, in short, the new regulation is unnecessary and does not fall within the competence of the Commission.

Fishermen say the number of striped bass pulled from the bay has declined in recent years, and they don’t necessarily believe the population is declining, but rather that the fish have changed their migration patterns.

In its response, the Commission argues that this regulatory change is part of a necessary series of policy changes designed to ensure the long-term health and longevity of the striped sea bass population, which it argues is overfished, while arguing that Ten has the authority to do so.

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They also cited the fact that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources earlier this year issued a state of emergency to protect striped bass, citing low spawning rates.

This is a serious problem because it indicates that fewer striped bass were entering the coastal and Chesapeake Bay-level populations each year to replace striped bass lost to fishing mortality or natural causes.

Hardman says he wants to improve the way data is collected on these fish, but is frustrated that outside countries on the commission could influence his activities.

“Even though they’re trying to adapt to it, these strict regulations are putting us on the hook for taking more vacation days, reducing our quota and limiting us by putting a slot limit on it, all of which is hurting our business,” Hardman said. “If they actually find out that what we’re saying is true and that it’s not as bad as it seems, and that they won’t require these harmful regulations in emergency situations, that means you have a lot of charter boats that will stop operating under end of this year.”

Commission officials declined FOX 5’s request for an interview, citing the ongoing court proceedings.

Discussions are still ongoing on this matter as the one-fish regulation is still in effect. In the meantime, these charter boats hope to obtain a stay that will allow the two fish to be reintroduced.

Hardman tells FOX 5 they are waiting for a federal judge in Richmond to determine whether they will hear the case.