NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Jan. 15, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 14

For more information, contact Roy Miller or Craig Shirey, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 302-739-9914; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

                            Hearing Set for Jan. 26 on Proposed Amendment to Regulation
                      for Striped Bass Size Limit and Season for the Tidal Delaware Estuary

DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold a public hearing 6:30 p.m., Jan. 26 on a proposed amendment to Delaware’s tidal finfish regulation that establishes a new size limit for striped bass caught in tidal Delaware Estuary waterways by recreational anglers during a special two-month season. The hearing will be held in the DNREC auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover.

Delaware’s current regulation requires a minimum size limit of 28 inches for striped bass caught by recreational anglers in all Delaware tidal waters.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife received approval from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to establish a special two-month slot limit season during the summer or early fall for tidal Delaware Estuary waterways. The Division established July and August as the special season for striped bass.

The proposed amendment allows recreational anglers in tidal Delaware Estuary waters only – the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and their tidal tributaries – to land two striped bass per day that are between 20 and 26 inches in total length during the July-August special season. During this two-month period, anglers in these areas are required to release any striped bass that are below or above the 20 to 26-inch slot limit.

The proposed amendment does not apply to striped bass caught in Delaware’s Atlantic coastal waters, the Inland Bays and their tributaries, or any waters located in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

Both the proposed amendment http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Fisheries/Documents/StripedBassProposedAmendment.pdf  and the tidal finfish regulation http://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title7/3000/3500.shtml#TopOfPage  can be found on the state’s web site, or inspected weekdays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife offices, 89 Kings Hwy., Dover.

Statements and testimony can be presented either orally or in writing at the public hearing or submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m., Jan. 31 by e-mail to Lisa.Vest@state.de.us or by mail: Lisa Vest, Hearing Officer, Office of the Secretary, DNREC, 89 Kings Hwy., Dover, DE  19901.