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By Christopher Knauss 

States weigh fishing license issue

New dealerships open

Chesapeake Ranger Tugs recently opened to service and sell the small, trailerable tugs built in Washington State. The new business, located in Annapolis, Maryland, is a full-service dealership for the Chesapeake Bay region. Ranger models include the Ranger 21, 25, and the new 29-footer. Their highway-friendly beam and their shallow draft makes them ideal for exploring the waters of the Chesapeake and beyond.

Grady-White Boats has added Atlantic Marine of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, to its dealer network. Atlantic will offer Grady-White’s lineup of 26 models from 18- to 36-feet in length. Atlantic Marine offers a complete call-ahead dry stack facility, a retail sales area, indoor showers plus a dock house, and a fully equipped parts and service department.

Government in action

As I wrote this, the Virginia General Assembly was deliberating several boating-related bills and you might want to voice your opinion. Senate Bill 217, introduced by Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, would allow cities and counties to assess registration fees on recreational watercraft in lieu of property taxes.
Virginia House Bill 802, introduced by Del. Charles Poindexter, R-Franklin County, would create a one-time $100 registration fee for antique boats, defined as being at least 30 years old. Registration would have to be renewed every three years. Registration numbers would not be required on the boat’s bow. Instead, the numbers would be placed on a plaque.
Maryland is the latest Mid-Atlantic state to set a saltwater fishing license plan in motion. The state’s Department of Natural Resources is requesting a $15 saltwater fishing license beginning in 2011 to place Maryland in compliance with federal law. All revenue will remain in the state. The bill is in response to a federal law that requires an annual census of saltwater anglers, ostensibly to get a more accurate picture of the type and number of fish being caught. For the coastal states, including Maryland, that currently don’t have a saltwater license, a free National Saltwater Angler Registry is providing a one-year transition period. All saltwater anglers from states without licenses must go online this year (countmyfish.noaa.gov) or call 888-674-7411 to register before they fish. Next year the registry is expected to cost $20 to $30. Maryland hopes to have its licensing system in place next year. .

White marlin imposter

Scientists say about one-third of all the billfish hauled in by anglers at the recent White Marlin Open fishing tournaments in Ocean City, Maryland, were not white marlin, but a look-a-like species called the roundscale spearfish. Samples were taken from 24 of the 26 fish caught during the tournament in 2007 and 2008 and eight were discovered to be roundscale spearfish. This raises concerns about the remaining number of white marlin, as recent population assessments may have been overestimated since the species is virtually indistinguishable from the roundscale spearfish.

A capital show

It’s not too late to preview this season’s new boats. The National Capital Boat Show runs March 12 to 14 inside the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The show is one of the largest in the region, serving the Washington, D.C., and suburban Maryland and Virginia markets. Find out more at agievents.com.