DELEGATE HOLMES IN THE NEWS

Legislators seeking fishery management equity

StarDem.com on February 21, 2012
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I try to stay out of politics in this column, but there's one bill in the works in the General Assembly that could potentially have a huge impact on fisheries management in the state. Del. James W. Gilchrist, D-17-Montgomery, and Del. Marvin Holmes Jr., D-23B-Prince George's, have introduced HB 1173, which would mandate that commercial fishermen pay an equal share of management costs for fisheries or face repercussions.

All fishing in Maryland both commercial and recreational is supported by a combination of license and permit fees, federal angler taxes and direct grants, and state revenue. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has found that 93 percent of management costs for recreational fishing comes from license fees and federal angling taxes, while only 20 percent of management of commercial fisheries comes from license and permit fees, with an additional 23 percent covered by direct federal grants.

If enacted, the bill would mandate that DNR modify commercial fishing seasons or close commercial fisheries for striped bass, clam, oysters or crab if projected revenues would not cover at least 90 percent of management cost for that fishery.

A hearing is scheduled for March 7 at 1 p.m. in the Environmental Matters Committee in Room 250 of the House Office Building in Annapolis.

BY CHRIS KNAUSS