Public hearing on shark fishery management plan to be held March 11
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a joint public hearing to gather comments on the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at the Ocean City Airport Conference Room, 12724 Airport Road in Berlin, Md.
Created by the federal Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the draft plan addresses the management of 39 species of sharks found along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Florida.
Proposed management measures for state recreational and commercial shark fisheries cover permitted species, regions, seasons, quotas, possession limits, size limits, closures and restrictions on certain species, protection of nursing and pupping grounds, authorized gear, dealer reporting, research, display, mortality reduction, finning and bycatch reduction.
Several species of sharks can be found in Delaware’s coastal waters. The four most common are: the spiny dogfish (currently under federal regulation), the smooth dogfish (not regulated), the sand tiger shark (harvest prohibited) and the sandbar shark, which are considered a species of concern due to over-fishing, according to Delaware Fisheries Administrator Roy Miller.
Fishermen and other interested parties are being encouraged to share input on the plan, by attending the public hearings or providing written comments. Copies of the draft plan can be obtained online at www.asmfc.org under “Breaking News” or by contacting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission at (202) 289-6400.
Public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, March 28, and may be sent to Chris Vonderweidt, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005, faxed to (202) 289-6051 or e-mailed to comments@asmfc.org.
Charity Golf Classic to benefit Beebe facility
The Bear Trap Dunes Homeowners Association has set their 2nd Annual Charity Golf Classic, “Tee Up For Beebe,” for Saturday, April 26, at their Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club. This year, the Classic will benefit the Beebe South Central Health Center, being built on Atlantic Avenue in Clarksville.
The Classic is open to the public with an entrance fee of $100 per golfer or $400 for a foursome. The format will be an elimination scramble and tee times are available between 10 am and 1 pm. The event is limited to 22 foursomes.
The day will include a round of golf on the Bear Trap Dunes course, beverage tickets, heavy hors d’oeuvres at the clubhouse and a happy-hour cash bar awards ceremony. Non-golfers are being invited to attend the happy-hour festivities for $25. Entertainment will be provided.
This year, participants will have the opportunity to win a 2008 Starcraft Limited Low Pro OB Speedboat with trailer for a designated hole-in-one. Cash prizes will be awarded for the male and female golfer who makes the longest drive and gets closest to the pin. There will also be a putting contest, a 50/50, a raffle and silent auction. As always, Mulligans can be purchased prior to tee time.
Co-chairman Maureen Hurst said, “Our goal is to make this Classic bigger and better than ever. We are excited to be supporting this new Beebe medical facility.”
Hole sponsorships are available for $500; with the name prominently displayed. Co-sponsorships cost $250 and contributors pay $100. All sponsors’ names will be displayed on the golf course and inside the clubhouse. Every participant will receive a coupon for a free custom-fitted EC2 Hybrid golf club. Reservations can be made by calling the Bear Trap Dunes clubhouse at (302) 537-5600, ext 1.
IR Football Boosters holding raffle, ride
The Indian River Football Boosters are holding a raffle. First prize is an all-expense-paid, six-day, balcony cabin cruise for two to the Bahamas. Tickets cost $10 each. To purchase tickets, call (302) 381-4820.
The group will also be holding its First Annual Pig Skin Ride on Sunday, May 25, at Indian River High School. Pre-registration will cost $35 per person and include a First Annual Pig Skin Ride custom T-shirt and a picnic-style lunch. Registration the day of the ride will cost $45.
Boat expo set for Chase Center on the Riverfront
The Delaware Marine Trade Association has announced its new venue and newly expanded annual Boat Expo. The First State Boat Expo has been a popular annual event in Dover for the last four years. Due to the increasing popularity of the Expo, the 2008 Expo will move to The Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. Organizers said the new location will allow, for the first time, non-association members with in the marine industry to participate.
The location of The Chase Center right off I-95 will give visitors from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York easy access to the Expo, organizer said. Visitors will have the opportunity to walk through and climb aboard more than $3 million worth of boats, ranging from family-friendly, economic, value boats to the top-rated fishing boats in the nation.
Boaters will also have the opportunity to gather information on all aspects of boating from a local marina to the newest technology in electronics. Marine financing and insurance reps are also at boaters’ disposal. New boaters can speak with numerous marine industry experts with more than 100 years of combined boating experience to try to find the perfect boat that meets their individual needs.
Show specials and discounts on recreational and sporting boats will be offered at the 5th annual Delaware Marine Trade Association, First State Boat Expo, at the Chase Center on The Riverfront in Wilmington, Feb. 29 through March 2.
For more information about the event or the Delaware Marine Trade Association, call Hope Thomas, marketing department, Short’s Marine, at (302) 945-7378, or DMTA President Marvin Kale at (302) 422-2040.