President's Message
by Stephen Shechtel
 

If you do not agree that politics has much to do with fishing, you are wrong. Just look to the newest Tidelines for proof. The Spring Tournament has been moved back two weeks and size limits have been increased because of the Federal Government's inept management of Striped Bass.

New limits were enacted for 2006 because 2005 Maryland landings exceeded quota by 15,000 pounds. But no new limits were enacted for commercial harvests. 2004 N.C., VA, NY, and MA coastal landings exceeded 4 million pounds. In the Bay, VA landings exceeded 2 million pounds vs. Md's 888,000 pounds. Not convinced: MD has banned purse seining of Menhaden while VA allows over 100 metric tons to be harvested annually. No Federal intervention here.

The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy reports that the Bush administration is in denial about the need for environmental protections for our oceans. The Commission is the second of two major task forces to detail the rapid decline in the condition of America's oceans. The Bush Administration has failed or refused to back legislation to improve fisheries or even fishery management.

The Natural Resource Defense Counsel reports that the Bush Administration has systematically distorted science to weaken regulations and serve political ends. The White House's favored tactics include misinterpreting information, ignoring scientific evidence, muzzling government scientists, censoring government studies, removing independent experts from federal advisory panels or stacking those panels with industry consultants. These tactics not only override basic environmental protections in favor of industry, but also undermines the authority of science itself.

With the exception of White House press releases, I could not locate one favorable report on this Administration's environment record in researching this column.

( Continued on Page 4 )

Next Meeting

February 8 2006:

Food Service: starts at 6:00 pm
Meeting: starts at 7:00 pm

Speaker:
Our February 8th will feature as the guest speaker Mr. Frank Derringer, President of Mid Shore Electronics, which is located in Cambridge, MD. Mid-Shore Electronics is a full sales and service marina. Their premier brands include Furuno, Raymarine, Lowrance, Simrad, Navionics, and C-Map. They offer a discount to MSSA members who need: marine electronics help, installation of fishfinders, gps, radar, VHF, stereo, or even a whole new wiring system, Mid-Shore Electronics' FCC technicians are licensed and factory trained.

Vendor:
Rockfish Supplies Available at the Feb Meeting. We will have the Scotty Release Clips - $6 each (great for planer boards). Large Mesh Umbrella Storage Bags - $14 (limited supply).

Football Pool:
The "Grid" for the football pool will be at the February meeting. Winning tickets can be determined off of the grid.

New Fund Raiser:
As soon as tickets are printed, the Frederick Chapter will begin ticket
sales for a drawing to be held at the August Meeting (August 9th, 2006) for a five (5) day Carnival Cruise. Tickets will be sold for $10.00 each. The winner will be presented with a Carnival Cruise Certificate valid year round (except the last two weeks of December) for a 5 day cruise on any Carnival Cruise (except NY sailings). All Government taxes, fees and shipboard gratuities are included in the Certificate. Gordon Jernigan will Chair this event with Co-Chair Bob Pellicot.

Newsletter & Notices Online The MSSA Frederick Chapter Newsletter is available online at: http://www.mssafrederick.com Hard copys are available by special request. To get on the "mail to only list", contact the MSSA Secretary.
Sign up to receive newsletters, notices & updates by email.

Newsletter Items: for March are due February 22, 2006
Send to:

Upcoming Events

Shakedown Cruise:
The Frederick Chapter Shakedown Cruise will be on Saturday April 8th. Launching to be at Sandy Point State Park at 10:00 AM. Boats will leave the Park around 10:45 AM and travel to Harrison Fishermen's Inn at Kent Narrows. Registration is $5.00 per boat. The Registration money will be given away at to one of the participating boats at lunch.

Spring Tournament:
May 5-7, 2006. Rob has reserved 20 rooms at the Comfort Inn ($109 per night, double occupancy). Members desiring rooms should telephone the Inn at 410-326-6306 and identify themselves as with the FREDERICK CHAPTER to obtain the group rate. Slip reservations will be made for you through the chapter. We will have the information available at the Feb Meeting. You DO need to make your hotel reservation. Entry Fee to the Chapter Tournament is $50.00 per boat if paid by March 8th, $75.00 thereafter. The friday night dinner will be $3 per member ($5 at the door) Guests $15 ($20 at the door). For further details, see Rob Pellicot or Tyler Watson. The Jernigan Calcutta - $100 per boat & winner take all for the longest fish.

Flounder Tournament:
May 19-21, 2006. Registration will be at the February and March and April meetings and a registration fee of $50.00 per boat if paid before April 12th. Thereafter registration will be $75.00 per boat. Dave has reserved Maria's Restaurant for a buffet dinner on Friday night. Dinner will be $10 each if paid in advance.

June Tuna Trip:
Buster Richards and Neil Pellicot are sponsoring an Outer Banks Chapter Tuna Trip on June 2-4, 2006. Accommodations will be either at the Sea Foam or Comfort Inn, Nags Head, NC ($150 per night double occupancy). This is not a Tournament, but will be a Chapter Sponsored Event. Buster has made rrangements to reserve a few rooms at a special rate. Registration will start at the next meeting and run through the May 10th meeting, however room reservations at this rate will be made on a first come first served basis.

( Continued on Page 2 - Col 1 )