2nd Annual AMSA Tournament

[Sam]

2006 AMSA Tournament

[AISURFFISH]

Greetings Anglers:

You are invited to participate in the 2nd annual AMSA Annual Surf Fishing Tournament sponsored by the Assateague Mobile Sportsfishermen Associsation Inc. The tournament will be held October 20th, 21st 2006 with registration and captains meeting October 19th 2006. The registration and festivities will once again be held at The Francis Scott Key Hotel in west Ocean City. Pleas visit the AMSA website to fill out the 2006 entry form. Please return your entry form promptly; it must be return to the committee by October 1st 2006. Upon receipt of your entry form and the $300.00 entry fee, you will receive a confirmation of your team’s acceptance to the 2006 tournament.
Also on the website you will find an advertising registration form for those who wish to advertise in the captains book for the 2006 tournament. Remember it’s the sponsors that make a tournament like this possible every year. I urge you to use those sponsors when ever possible.
The team captain or a designated team member is to register the team at the captains meeting between 1:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. on October 19th. At that time the sites will be chosen on a random basis for fishing spots for all three sessions of the tournament. The captains meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. promptly and all anglers from all teams are welcome to attend. There will be beverages provided during the evening.
Due to limitations set forth by the national park service once again this year we are asking that teams limit their number of vehicles to two vehicles per team. If a team is found to be in violation of this rule their scores from that session will be not be counted and that session will be forfeited. We also ask that you remember that the beach will be open to all anglers even those not in the tournament and the committee will make sure that there is enough room in the fishing zones for everyone to be able to fish comfortably.


Sincerely,


Ronald Humphress
9 Grice Street
Berlin, Maryland 21811
2006 Tournament Chairman
AMSA Annual Surf Fishing Tournament

[Sam]

One thing I can say about this tournament is this: These guys have it together! I participated last year and the weather was terrible. Windy, rainy and no fish for us. But, Ron and the other judges did an excellent job driving back and forth, checking up on us and making sure we didn't need anything. The food at the awards ceremony was AWESOME. Great people and good fun. Hopefully, this year the weather will be better for fishing.

Click here for more information.

[AISURFFISH]

there will be pleanty of room to fish at this point i only have 20 teams signed up. our impact on the beach will be minimal at the most and we will be over and off the beach by saturday at 1 .....

i have worked very hard with the park service to assure that eveyone has a place to fish that weekend.

i have even left open areas to move teams in the event of a crowded area, and myself and the judges will do our best to accomidate everyone on the beach that weekend including copmpetitors and rec anglers.

we have been permited to use the beach in the following area from the bullpen south for 2 miles..... 30 teams with 300 ft per team. 9000 ft roughly 2 miles.....

please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions over this issue.


ron humphress
chairman
amsa tournament
443-235-2609

[Sam]

Did we get the catch and release issue resolved? I know I had to battle with them over that myself. What did you find out?

[AISURFFISH]

catch and realease only unless the fish is a possible state record

[AISURFFISH]

Management of Recreational Fishing Tournaments at Assateague Island National Seashore

Americans expect their National Parks to contain exceptional resources, and to exhibit those characteristics that fully represent the nation’s rich natural and recreational heritage. Unfortunately, most ocean parks have traditionally afforded little or no special protection to marine resources and currently fail to meet these expectations. As oceans have changed, so too have the ocean parks. People can no longer see or experience many of the qualities that made places like Assateague worthy of national park designation.

For many visitors to ocean parks, fishing is a prized opportunity and often a primary measure of their overall park experience. Ocean fisheries are however, a limited resource with value beyond a single meal. Fish are a vital ecological, economic, and food resource, but many species are in decline because of habitat loss, pollution, over-fishing, and by-catch. Current commercial and recreational fishery practices have contributed to changes in the biological composition of marine ecosystems. To reverse these changes, long-term ecological health and sustainability of aquatic biodiversity must take precedence over short-term considerations. The continued success of recreational fishing rests with a healthy marine ecosystem that includes abundant fish, rich habitat, and clean water.

At Assateague, Congress directed the National Park Service to allow recreational fishing and, in general, to manage that activity in accordance with state laws. The Superintendent is, however, provided the authority to regulate recreational fishing as necessary to meet the overall purposes of the Seashore. As with all National Parks, resource conservation is a primary purpose of Assateague Island National Seashore and guides all decisions regarding the management of consumptive activities such as recreational fishing.

In 2004, the National Park Service adopted a national strategy to improve ocean stewardship. The key elements of the strategy are to: 1) improve knowledge and understanding of ocean resources; 2) restore ocean resources that are impaired; 3) better protect ocean parks and mitigate threats; and 4) improve the public’s understanding of ocean issues. The National Seashore is currently working with other coastal parks in the northeast region to develop a long-term implementation plan.

While recreational fishing tournaments are believed to be compatible with the purposes of the National Seashore, they are inherently different than most forms of recreational fishing traditionally practiced at Assateague. For example, one of the primary goals of many tournaments is to catch the largest fish possible, as opposed to fishing to catch dinner for the family. This motivation can result in efforts to catch significantly more fish than might otherwise occur. Tournaments can also draw large numbers of anglers to a specific area and thereby increase fishing pressure well above normal levels. In addition, some tournaments focus on specific species or groups of fish, again altering harvest pressures.

Fishing tournaments can also create misunderstandings on the part of the non-fishing public. With increasing media attention being focused on the plight of oceans and ocean conservation needs, what messages do fishing tournaments send? How is the need for improved fisheries conservation reconciled with the encouragement to catch more fish that accompanies some tournaments? Fishing tournaments generate mixed messages, and challenge the National Seashore to manage these activities in ways that ensure clarity and avoid conflicts with the overarching conservation purpose of Assateague.





Because of these and other considerations, the National Seashore has determined that fishing tournaments should be managed differently than traditional recreational fishing. At present, the primary difference is in the requirement that all fishing tournaments be conducted as catch and release events. In recent years, catch and release has become increasingly commonplace for saltwater anglers due to the decline in stock abundance of many recreationally popular species. As long as accepted practices are rigorously followed, catch and release should mitigate many of the concerns associated with fishing tournaments while preserving most of their positive aspects.

Other requirements and/or limits on fishing tournaments may, however, become appropriate in the future. Potential future management includes placing limits on the number of anglers participating, the number of tournaments permitted, and/or restrictions on the specific species targeted by the events. This will be an on-going decision-making process that will likely be influenced by local circumstances and interests, as well as national considerations. It will also be an inclusive process that encourages participation and input by the public.






For additional information, please contact:

Scott Bentley
Superintendent
(410) 641-1443
scott_bentley@nps.gov

or

Carl Zimmerman
Resource Management Specialist
(410) 641-1443, x213
carl_zimmerman@nps.gov

[AISURFFISH]

for the record i have no problem with this policy i just wanted to share it with the general pulic. i fell that everyone has a right to know what we are doing to have fun as recreactional fishermen as well as trying to conserve our resources.

[AISURFFISH]

I have 2nd annual surf fishing tournament tees and sweats for sale sizes s-3xl.

i have grey short tees w/ pocket $10.00
hatteras blue long sleeve some w/pocket $15.00
grey sweats w/ hoods $25.00


i have them for sale now and can arrange local pick up in the berlin area. or they will be for sale thursday night october 19 at the francis scott key hotel in west ocean city. from 4pm-9pm or so. this will also be the captains meeting for the tournament. you may stop by to get the clothing if interested. i will also have them for sale friday night as well as saturday night..



the shirts and sweats have the logo on the back as well as the front pocket logo


i can be contacted at
443-235-2609
randmxpress@yahoo.com


thanks
ron humphress

[AISURFFISH]

LOOKS LIKE GOOD FISHING WEATHER FOR THIS WEEKEND!!!!!



YAAAHHHOOOOO!!!!!


http://www.wboc.com/Global/category....&nav=menu222_4

[Sam]

Good luck everyone, It should be a great tourney again this year. I was very impressed with how it was run last year. I am not going to be able to enter this year because of work/school.