Anglers Club asking for help in improving local catch data

(June 18, 2020) Members of the Ocean Pines Anglers Club are asking local anglers to log and submit their catch data, to help improve statistics that govern recreational fishing.
 
Jerry Leuters, a member of the Anglers Club, said he recently learned the current data is incomplete, at best.
 
“Several months ago, we learned that the Atlantic coastal area of Maryland was not having any catch data being represented. In fact, catch data from New Jersey was being used by the organizations that govern our recreational fisheries, especially in the case of our beloved striped bass, also known as rockfish,” he said. 
 
Leuters said that information came up during a recent club meeting.
 
“Members in attendance stated we had to find a way to collect catch data and have it forwarded to the proper agencies,” he said.
 
During the meeting, Scott Lenox, who owns the popular “Fish in OC” website and media company, volunteered to develop a form, collect the data, and forward it to the proper authorities. 
 
“Catch data on our coast for several species, including striped bass, is severely lacking, which makes it difficult for the Maryland DNR and other fisheries agencies to evaluate and then regulate our local fisheries,” Lenox said. “Fish in OC decided to create an avenue to collect data and then submit that data to the proper authorities so they can have better fisheries management tools on our coast. Now, it will be up to local anglers to utilize the resource.”
 
To view the form, visit https://fishinoc.com/fish-data.