The angler’s adage “It’s called fishin’, not catchin'” doesn’t apply to the nearly 150 taggers that caught and tagged a collective 16,451 fish in 2010. Those who tagged the most fish were recognized at the Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program’s Tagger Awards on March 3, held at Bass Pro Shop in Hampton, VA.
Virginia oyster growers and researchers found that simply moving oysters to saltier waters before harvest is just as effective at reducing Vibrio as more costly treatment methods, such as high-pressure treatment or low-dose radiation. Local growers secured research funding through Virginia Sea Grant’s partner Fishery Resource Grant Program and may have found an alternative treatment that could save time, money, and jobs.
One Eastern Shore aquaculture operation is pioneering the use of alternative energy solutions in Virginia fish farming—and hoping to set an example for other marine businesses in Virginia and beyond.
Marine Recreation Specialist Jon Lucy retired in June after 38 years of service with VIMS and the Marine Advisory Program. Working with Claude Bain of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), Lucy cofounded the Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program. This angler-assisted research program trains recreational fishermen to collect scientific data about the fish they pursue. As Jon’s successor, I joined him on a tagging trip in November on the Elizabeth River. We had a spectacular day for fishing and succeeded in tagging more than a dozen fish. I took the opportunity to ask Jon about his experience with the tagging program.
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