Closeing the Lynnhaven Inlet
Dear recreational fisherman,
In February of this year, the Virginia Beach City Council adopted a new ordinance regarding fishing in the Lynnhaven basin. The new law defines the turning basin area and specifically prohibits fishing and/or anchoring anywhere, anytime in the defined area.
In addition, the Virginia Beach Marine Patrol has decided to fully enforce an existing ordinance that prohibits fishing in marked channels. As a result of the new law and stepped up enforcement of existing laws, the police have been warning anglers that no fishing is allowed in the basin or in THE ENTIRE LONG CREEK CHANNEL from the basin to broad bay.
The police and the City Attorney’s office are well intentioned and trying to make boating in these areas safe but, as you can imagine, anglers are upset at being booted from historical recreational fishing areas. With the fall run of citation spot due in this area in 6 to 8 weeks, more and more anglers will be affected. At a Bay Island civic league meeting recently, this subject was discussed. I offered to set up a more inclusive forum for the recreational fishing community to hear first hand from the Marine Police exactly what the laws are and how they intend to enforce them, as well as give anglers a chance to let the city know how they feel about the changes. Jim Woods the Lynnhaven borough councilman has agreed to attend, the city attorney agreed to send someone as did the Marine Police. Another City councilman, Peter Schmidt has agreed to attend schedule permitting. The meeting will be upstairs in the Yacht Club at Marina Shores on Tuesday evening July 15 at 7 PM. It should last until about 9 PM. It is open to the public and hopefully all the area angling clubs will be represented.
Remember, the primary purpose of this meeting is to hear from the police exactly what the new law means and how they will be interpreting and enforcing the laws. Please don’t give the police a hard time. They are concerned with public safety and giving up their time off to be there to explain things to us. The second purpose of the meeting is to let city officials know how you feel about the new law and new enforcement of old laws. It is my hope that out of this calm and civil meeting, there will eventually be some form of relief from the new restrictions even if it is partial. Somewhere between fishing where ever and when ever we want and never fishing in these areas at all should be a compromise that will protect the channels during the busy times yet allow us to fish when it isn't so crowded. We would also like assurance that the city will not adopt similar restrictions in the future without input from the recreational fishing community.
We look forward to your attendance and participation.
Sincerely,
Richard Welton
Executive Director
Coastal Conservation Aassociation Virginia
COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION VIRGINIA
2100 Marina Shores Drive, Suite 108,Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 481-1226, Fax (757) 481-6910, e-mail [email protected]
Dear recreational fisherman,
In February of this year, the Virginia Beach City Council adopted a new ordinance regarding fishing in the Lynnhaven basin. The new law defines the turning basin area and specifically prohibits fishing and/or anchoring anywhere, anytime in the defined area.
In addition, the Virginia Beach Marine Patrol has decided to fully enforce an existing ordinance that prohibits fishing in marked channels. As a result of the new law and stepped up enforcement of existing laws, the police have been warning anglers that no fishing is allowed in the basin or in THE ENTIRE LONG CREEK CHANNEL from the basin to broad bay.
The police and the City Attorney’s office are well intentioned and trying to make boating in these areas safe but, as you can imagine, anglers are upset at being booted from historical recreational fishing areas. With the fall run of citation spot due in this area in 6 to 8 weeks, more and more anglers will be affected. At a Bay Island civic league meeting recently, this subject was discussed. I offered to set up a more inclusive forum for the recreational fishing community to hear first hand from the Marine Police exactly what the laws are and how they intend to enforce them, as well as give anglers a chance to let the city know how they feel about the changes. Jim Woods the Lynnhaven borough councilman has agreed to attend, the city attorney agreed to send someone as did the Marine Police. Another City councilman, Peter Schmidt has agreed to attend schedule permitting. The meeting will be upstairs in the Yacht Club at Marina Shores on Tuesday evening July 15 at 7 PM. It should last until about 9 PM. It is open to the public and hopefully all the area angling clubs will be represented.
Remember, the primary purpose of this meeting is to hear from the police exactly what the new law means and how they will be interpreting and enforcing the laws. Please don’t give the police a hard time. They are concerned with public safety and giving up their time off to be there to explain things to us. The second purpose of the meeting is to let city officials know how you feel about the new law and new enforcement of old laws. It is my hope that out of this calm and civil meeting, there will eventually be some form of relief from the new restrictions even if it is partial. Somewhere between fishing where ever and when ever we want and never fishing in these areas at all should be a compromise that will protect the channels during the busy times yet allow us to fish when it isn't so crowded. We would also like assurance that the city will not adopt similar restrictions in the future without input from the recreational fishing community.
We look forward to your attendance and participation.
Sincerely,
Richard Welton
Executive Director
Coastal Conservation Aassociation Virginia
COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION VIRGINIA
2100 Marina Shores Drive, Suite 108,Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 481-1226, Fax (757) 481-6910, e-mail [email protected]