New regulations and winter shows

While cobia are not a common catch by Delaware anglers, they have been caught more frequently in the past few years. At this time, Delaware has no regulations covering cobia, but the federal government had closed all cobia fishing in the EEZ [Exclusive Economic Zone]. Since that is where most of the fish caught out of Delaware ports were taken, those fish were caught illegally.

Cobia are currently managed by the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, and when that council determined that cobia were overfished during 2016, they closed the fishery in federal waters in 2017.

Currently, the council is considering opening federal waters to cobia fishing in 2019 and transferring the management of these fish to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. If this happens, Delaware anglers will be operating under Delaware regulations, and those would have to meet the minimum standards set by the ASMFC. Right now, that looks like one fish per person, no more than six fish per boat with a minimum size somewhere in the 30-inch range.

Public hearings are being conducted in the South Atlantic region this winter, and then the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council and the ASMFC will decide the final rules. In all probability, Delaware fishermen will now have regulations governing cobia caught or landed in our waters.

Mako shark regulations

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas has found that the current population of Atlantic shortfin mako sharks is overfished and overfishing is occurring. In an attempt to correct this situation, ICCAT has recommended a voluntary program to reduce the mortality rate of these sharks.

The recommendations include the release of all shortfin makos caught by recreational anglers. Should the angler choose to kill a shortfin mako, the fish should have a minimum length of 83 inches. According to the new recommendations, the release should be conducted with as little damage to the shark as possible while considering the safety of the angler and crew.

The ICCAT scientists will be monitoring the effects of these voluntary actions during the first half of 2018 before making a decision on new regulations for shortfin makos. I would guess that the voluntary regulations will be the new mandatory regulations by 2019.

Winter shows

Back in the day, when I was the editor of the Fisherman Magazine, we did 15 to 18 shows every year, most of them during the winter. We did a fishing show in New Castle and the Assateague Mobile Surf Fisherman Expo in Salisbury, plus a boat show in Ocean City, Md. The Ocean City Boat Show is still operating, but both of the fishing shows have closed.

On Saturday, Feb. 3, Big Mouth Lures will hold a Fishing Expo at the Laurel Firehouse from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. There was a small fishing show at the firehouse a few years back, and I don’t know if this is the same group who sponsored that one or not. In any case, you can find out more about the show or apply for booth space by calling 302-344-1827.

The Ocean City Seaside Boat Show will run Friday to Sunday, Feb. 16 to 18. As always, it will be in the convention center and feature boat dealers from Delaware and Maryland.

The much larger, but farther away Baltimore Boat Show goes off Thursday, Jan. 25 and runs until Sunday, Jan. 28. They will have several interesting demonstrations, including a Coast Guard boat where kids as well as adults are encouraged to climb in and out and run all about. Adults who try to maintain their own boats will enjoy Fred’s Shed, where tips on everything from diesels to outboards will be discussed. Several local boat dealers will be there as well.

My favorite fishing show is the Pasadena Sportfishing Group’s Fishing Expo held at the Earleigh Heights Fire Hall in Severna Park, Md., Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17 and 18. The doors open at 8 a.m. both days, and if this year is like all the others, there will be a huge line waiting for entry long before that time. I plan to arrive around 10 a.m., when the line is much shorter and they still have some pit beef sandwiches left. 

While there will be a few tackle shops there, most of the booths are occupied by local lure and tackle makers. You will find some very interesting items at very reasonable prices. Some of the best deals are from the sinker guys who have all sizes and weights for prices that have me stocking up for the season. There is a flea market outside where I bought a new seat for my boat for only $10.

It may be awhile before we are able to get back out on the water, and these shows can sort of ease the pain of cabin fever.