Mikie
It was 2008 that the rec season was extended 16 days to Dec 31.
Skip
The reason for the Dec 15th cut off date is two fold.
The original date was Dec 1 so as not to conflict with the gill netters. The 15th was asked for by the Maryland charterboat people so they wouldn't lose as many customers to the Virginia fishery. The gillnetters didn't oppose the 15 day extension and it has remained that way for awhile now. (except for 2008). I don't think 5 percent is correct as to rec fishing in the winter in Maryland. It's maybe one percent, if that.
The second reason is that there has to be a cut off on Maryland's Striper fishery to satisfy Maryland and ASMFC's agreement on the size and quota numbers.
|