FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION [58 PA. CODE CHS. 61 AND 65] Fishing [32 Pa.B. 4869] The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) proposes to amend Chapters 61 and 65 (relating to seasons, sizes and creel limits; and special fishing regulations). The Commission is publishing this proposed rulemaking under the authority of 30 Pa.C.S. (relating to the Fish and Boat Code) (code).
A. Effective Date
The proposed rulemaking, if approved on final-form rulemaking, will go into effect upon publication of an order adopting the amendments in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
B. Contact Person
For further information on the proposed rulemaking, contact Laurie E. Shepler, Assistant Counsel, P. O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, (717) 705-7815). This proposed rulemaking is available electronically through the Commission's website (http://www.fish.state.pa.us).
C. Statutory Authority
The proposed amendment to § 61.2 (relating to Delaware River and River Estuary) is published under the statutory authority of section 2102 of the code (relating to rules and regulations). The proposed amendment to § 65.24 (relating to miscellaneous special regulations) is published under the statutory authority of section 2307 of the code (relating to waters limited to specific purposes).
D. Purpose and Background
The proposed rulemaking is designed to update, modify and improve the Commission's regulations pertaining to fishing. The specific purpose of the proposed rulemaking is described in more detail under the summary of proposal.
E. Summary of Proposal
(1) Section 61.2. Management (including regulations) of the Delaware River and Delaware Estuary fish stocks is somewhat complicated given that four state jurisdictions and Federal interests are involved. Over the years, major efforts have been made to promulgate consistent regulations across the four jurisdictions or at least those having the subject species. This was done not only for ease of enforcement but also to simplify matters for the angling public. As the status of fish populations changes, so does the need to address regulations, which has been the case with striped bass in the past 20 years or so.
Currently, the harvest of river herring, which include alewife (alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback herring (alosa aestivalis), in the Delaware River is unregulated in this Commonwealth. There are no restrictions because there was little angling activity on these fish due to low abundance, other more sought after species and the like. Efforts are presently underway to restore herring runs in select tributaries in Chester County. In addition, with the recent expansion of the striped bass population and sport fishery on the New Jersey coast and in the Delaware River and Estuary, river herring have become a very popular live bait. The market for individual live herring has been reported as high as $5 per fish. Even though New Jersey has a 50 herring daily limit, anglers are coming into this Commonwealth, purchasing a fishing license, catching herring and then returning to New Jersey to sell their catch. Biological and law enforcement staff in New Jersey and this Commonwealth believe that uniform regulations would be in the best interest of the angling public and management of herring stocks.
New Jersey is proposing to reclassify river herring as a bait fish, which would limit daily harvest to 35. The Commonwealth has been requested to consider imposing a similar daily creel limit. The Commonwealth and New Jersey historically have worked together to insure that harvest regulations accomplish common management goals and are consistent between states on our common border water.
Accordingly, the Commission proposes that § 61.2 be amended to establish a daily limit of 35 for river herring (alewife and blueback herring) in the Delaware River, Delaware Estuary and Delaware River/Estuary tributaries from the mouths upstream to the limit of tidal influence and the Lehigh River from its mouth upstream to the first dam in Easton, PA. At a future Commission meeting, staff will be able to advise the Commission regarding the outcome of the New Jersey action on this matter as well as preliminary results from the ongoing angler use and harvest survey on the Delaware River/Estuary, particularly if a more restrictive limit is warranted. The Commission proposes to amend this section to read as set forth in Annex A.
(2) Section 65.24. Lake Winola (formerly Breeches Pond) is a natural lake in Overfield Township, Wyoming County. Years ago a concrete and earth filled dam 13 feet high was constructed across the outlet resulting in the current 198 acre pool. Lake Winola has a maximum depth of 66 feet, a mean depth of 30 feet and a surface total alkalinity of 38 parts per million. The Commission manages the lake as a warm water/cool water fishery with seasonal trout fishing opportunities provided by the stocking of adult size trout. An important sportfish, largemouth bass, have received attention from the Area Fisheries Manager with regard to attempts to improve growth rates and overall size structure in the population. Previous efforts centered on efforts to establish other forage species, but those efforts had little impact on bass growth.
Based on three electrofishing samples (1991, 1995 and 2000), the Lake Winola largemouth bass population can be characterized as high density and slow growing. The growth rate, particularly for 2 years of age and older bass, was well below the State average. Anglers have reported high catch rates of bass with very few legal size individuals. Low relative weights of bass greater than 8 inches in length suggest that these fish are very vulnerable to angling. In addition, length frequency distribution indicates that the population size structure has been impacted by angler harvest.
Largemouth bass populations are typically managed using minimum length limits. As the minimum length limit increases, there is a tendency to stockpile increasing numbers of sublegal bass. Stockpiling is not a problem in a fast growing population but is undesirable in a slow growing high-density situation. For this reason, big bass special regulations as well as the current Statewide regulation are inappropriate for Lake Winola. Slot length limits are an option to improve the size structure of high density, slowing growing largemouth bass populations. The success of a slot limit depends on anglers willing to harvest subslot fish. The Commission is proposing a protected slot limit of 12 to 18 inches at Lake Winola. Harvest of smaller, more numerous bass should improve growth of older bass once they enter the 12 to 18 inch window. Also, opportunity will exist to harvest the occasional trophy size bass. The Commission proposes to amend § 65.24 to read as set forth in Annex A.
F. Paperwork
The proposed rulemaking will not increase paperwork and will create no new paperwork requirements.
G. Fiscal Impact
The proposed rulemaking will have no adverse fiscal impact on the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions. The proposed rulemaking will impose no new costs on the private sector or the general public.
H. Public Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, objections or suggestions about the proposed rulemaking to the Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission, P. O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted.
Comments also may be submitted electronically at ra-pfbcregs@state.pa.us. A subject heading of the proposal and a return name and address must be included in each transmission. In addition, all electronic comments must be contained in the text of the transmission, not in an attachment. If an acknowledgment of electronic comments is not received by the sender within 2 working days, the comments should be retransmitted to ensure receipt.
PETER A. COLANGELO,
Executive DirectorFiscal Note: 48A-133. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
Annex A TITLE 58. RECREATION PART II. FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION Subpart B. FISHING CHAPTER 61. SEASONS, SIZES AND
CREEL LIMITS§ 61.2. Delaware River and River Estuary.
* * * * * (d) The following seasons, sizes and creel limits apply to the Delaware River and to Delaware River tributaries from the mouths of the tributaries upstream to the limit of the tidal influence and the Lehigh River from its mouth upstream to the first dam in Easton, Pennsylva
nia:
SPECIES SEASONS MINIMUM SIZE DAILY LIMIT * * * * *
RIVER HERRING (alewife and blueback herring) Open year-round No minimum [No daily limit] 35 * * * * * CHAPTER 65. SPECIAL FISHING REGULATIONS § 65.24. Miscellaneous special regulations.
The following waters are subject to the following miscellaneous special regulations:
County Name of Water Special Regulations * * * * *
Wyoming Lake Winola Bass--It is unlawful to take, catch, kill or possess bass that are 12 to 18 inches in length. The daily creel limit for bass less than 12 inches in length and greater than 18 inches in length is 6, only one of which may exceed 18 inches in length. Closed to all fishing from 12:01 a.m. March 1 to 8 a.m. the first Saturday after April 11. [Pa.B. Doc. No. 02-1739. Filed for public inspection October 4, 2002, 9:00 a.m.]
