by Dick Cook

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environmental fluctuations into account, eventhough at least one such factor, temperature, canhave a drastic affect on the survival, and hencethe abundance, of several commercially importantspeCIes.

Because of the croaker's commercial impor-tance, and because of a unique opportunity to uselong-term water temperature and trawl surveydata, VIMS graduate student Brenda L. Norcross,a Ph.D. student in the School of Marine Science,has attempted to develop a climate scale modelto predict croaker populations.

W A TERM EN AND MARINE scientists for yearshave suspected a relationship between subnormalwater temperatures and mortalitie.s of certain fishspecies. In the Chesapeake Bay area, for example,juvenile Atlantic croaker stocks suffer mortalitieswhen the water temperature drops below 40 C.The extent to which such die-offs affect survivingyear classes and subsequent harvest potential is asubject important to commercial fishermen andresource managers, alike.

Previously, the assessment of any given fisheryhas depended upon yield models that do not take

2

According to Dr. Herbert M. Austin, Norcross'major professor, similar work has been done onAtlantic menhaden by Dr. Merton C. Ingham(National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA),another member of Norcross' dissertation com-mittee. Dr. Sharon K. LeDuc (EnvironmentalData and Information Service, NOAA), who alsoserves on the committee, has successfully cor-related weather with corn and wheat yields.

"We had a really unique opportunity to studycroaker right here in the York River," Norcrosssaid, "the channels and deeper holes in the Yorkconstitute the wintering ground for croaker. Iwas able to use 25 years of existing data from theVIMS juvenile trawl survey, plus concurrentwater temperature data."

The York River data set was the primarybase from which Norcross and Austin developedthe croaker prediction model. Abundance valuesfor croaker were corrected to "number per 10-minute tow." A croaker biological year wasdesignated October through th(~ following Sep-tember, since October is considered the peak ofcroaker spawning, and as such is the referencemonth for aging the species.

Annual commercial croaker landings data(1962-1976) by state and water body for theEast Coast was supplied by the National MarineFisheries Service. From this, only Virginia land-ings were selected. To lengthen the data set,NMFS croaker landings data for Virginia (1929-1976) were included, as were Virginia MarineResources Commission data (1977-1979).

Norcross and Austin considered it especiallyfortunate that the survey used for the data baseencompassed the periods of disappearance, absenceand resurgence of the Atlantic croaker in theChesapeake Bay region.

As previously stated, the object of the re-searchers' work was to come up with a predic-tive model for Atlantic croaker in the York River.The published results, "Climate Scale Environ-mental Factors Affecting Year Class Fluctuationsof Chesapeake Bay Croaker," is VIMS SpecialScientific Report No. 110. The work was sup-

ported by the National Marine Fisheries Serviceand the Office of Sea Grant, NOAA.

In action, the model seems to be working.Quoting from a paper by Norcross, Austin, LeDucand Ingham to be presented before the inter-national Council for the Exploration of the Seain early October, 1981:

"In order to predict the number of juvenilecroaker that will be in the York River duringthe summer of 1981, the 1981 January(1.6 C) temperature and February (4.9 C)temperatures were averaged, and this average(3.3 C) was put in to the predictive equation.According to the model, the average numberof juvenile croaker that will be caught per10-minute tow by the VIMS York Rivertrawl survey from April to September, 1981is predicted to be 3.69."

What does this mean in terms of relative croakerabundance? "That's a pretty low number,"Norcross said, "and so far, the trawl results arewell within the accuracy limits predicted by themodel. The April through July average numberof croaker per 10-minute tow in the York Riveris 1.15.

The historical data show a low of 0.09 croakerper trawl in 1968 and a high of 142.6 in 1974.No croaker were caught in the April 1981 samples.Norcross says that in the past, there were 8 yearsin which no croaker were caught in April, and thatthose years, between 1959 and 1969, coincidedwith the decline of the commercial croaker fisheryin Virginia.

"Based on the model prediction and what weare seeing in the trawls so far, it appears the coldsnap we experienced at the beginning of 1981will result in a small croaker year class, and pos-sibly reduced sport and commercial catches in1982-82," Norcross said.

That isn't the best news for Bay area fishermen,but if the prediction model continues to proveaccurate, it will give advance notice not only ofpoor years, but of bumper years for this sought-after fish as well. Any such information on im-portant fish species will help those who utilizethe fish plan ahead, and that IS important.

3

by Kym Young

With Sea Grant backing,researchers at VIMSand Old Dominion

University are takinga close look at the

"buffer zone" conceptof quarantining shellfish

beds near marinas.

TWO OF VIRGINIA'S major industries, shell-fishing and recreational boating, share the samewaters of Chesapeake Bay. The extent of impactthat boating and marina activity have on thecleanliness of adjacent waters supporting (or cap-able of supporting) shellfish is an issue now beingstudied by scientists from the Virginia Institute ofMarine Science (VIMS) and Old Dominion Uni-versity (ODU). VIMS Sea Grant Marine AdvisoryServices encouraged the scientists to undertake thestudy as a result of concern expressed by theaffected industries and resource managementagencies. The study is now being coordinatedthrough Virginia's Graduate Marine Science Con-sortium.

The primary objective of this three-phasestudy, funded by the National Sea Grant Programand the State of Virginia, is to provide informationon the impact of selected marinas on the bacterio-logical quality of adjacent waters. The work ofDr. Howard Kator, VIMS Department of Micro-biology -Pathology, involves bacteriological studiesof fecal coliforms in the vicinity of estuarinemarinas. Dr. Paul Hyer, VIMS Department of

Oceanography, is working on computerized mathe-matical models of marina flushing, and Dr. CarvelBlair, ODU Department of Oceanography, is usingthe Chesapeake Bay Model in Stevensville, Mary-land, to compare the flushing rates to tidal creekmarinas with those predicted by Hyer's field-calibrated computer models.

For public health reasons, the Commonwealthestablishes "buffer zones" around marinas. Bufferzones are primarily established because of thepossibility that oysters or clams taken from watersadjacent to marinas could contain bacterial or viralpathogens derived from sewage water dischargedfrom boats in marinas or marina sewage facilities.Shellfish within these zones are assumed to bepolluted and their direct harvesting and marketingis prohibited except under special Virginia MarineResources Commission proVisions whereby theycan be relayed, cleansed and re-harvested fromapproved depuration areas.

In response to a 1972 U.S. Food and DrugAdministration Shellfish Sanitation Program re-View, Virginia's Health Department imposed manynew buffer zones in shellfish growing waters, con-

4

1/4 mile buffer zone around one Mobjack Baymarina, indicate that marina-related activities havenot produced measurable changes in water qualitywith respect to fecal coliforms. No consistentrelationship between distance from the marinaand fecal coliform density has yet been observed.A second creek containing three marinas and re-presenting a more complex situation is currentlybeing studied.

"Application of a buffer zone, while under-standable from an administrative point of view,must ultimately be replaced by classification ofeach marina in terms of its unique characteristics,"says Kator. "Of course, results obtained from onemarina-estuarine system cannot necessarily applyto another. Each marina will vary with respectto hydrography, boat usage patterns, shorelineinputs, boat composition and sanitary deviceinstallations, and therefore must be examinedindividually. "

As part of the marina pollution study, Hyerand VIMS scientist Albert Y. Kuo are conductingdye studies in the creeks from which mathematicalmodels are developed to simulate how tidal flush-ing within marinas distributes pollutants, an im-portant consideration in determining buffer zones.Comparisons between the models and bacterio-logical field samples provide the scientists withclues as to where waste discharges, if any, areentering the creeks and what most significantlyaffects their distribution. Also, the models can beused to predict the results of simulated wastedischarges.

Hyerfeels that the subject of modeling marinashas been neglected. "In view of legislative turmoilthat has developed around marinas, boats andtheir potential discharges, the time is right todevelop mathematical models for use in studyingthese problems," says Hyer.

Blair and ODU scientist Dr. George M.-Heckerare investigating the possibility that the Chesa-peake Bay Model in Stevensville, Maryland, can beused to determine marina flushing characteristics.Blair explains that a dye tracer released in the BayModel will spread nearly the same way in spaceand in time as would the same tracer, or undercertain circumstances a pollutant, released at thesame location in an actual marina. For anevaluation of a large number of marina sites, theBay Model, like Hyer's mathemtical model, offersthe advantage of being less expensive and lesstime-consuming than in-the-field studies.

"Since the model shrinks time as well as space,"Blair says, "a few technicians using this procedurecould, in a matter of weeks, provide concentrationcontours for most of the Commonwealth's ma-rinas. Coupled with a knowledge or estimate of

demning a 1/8 mile radius around marinas with1-50 boat slips, a 1/4 mile radius for marinas with51-100 boats slips and a 1/2 mile radius for thosewith more than 100 boat slips. Either seasonal(effective from April 1 through October 31) oryear-round in nature, these buffer zones wereestablished with the intention of later determiningfor each marina whether they were adequate.For lack of funds and manpower, the HealthDepartment has never been able to make theseevaluations.

Scientists involved in the marina pollutionstudy hope that their research results will providethe scientific basis and tools for establishingadequate limits of shellfish buffer zones specificto given marinas.

Kator feels that implementation of bufferzones based solely on the number of marinavessel slips, without regard to vessel composition,presence of sanitation devices and considerationof tidal flushing, is not the most equitable wayof dealing with possible marina-related pollution.The scientist points out that the absence of scien-tific information pertaining to marinas is reflectedin the diversity of buffer zone standards foundamong coastal states. Marinas with similar boatcapacities in different states may have: (1) Noshellfish buffer zones, (2) Zones including onlythe marina power or (3) Zones extending out-ward from the marina for distances varying from1000 feet to 1/2 mile.

"Although we are sympathetic to state govern-ment manpower and funding limitations whichhave provided impetus for adoption of the bufferzone management strategy ," says Kator, "it is ourcontention that blanket application of a bufferzone standard is inappropriate, owing to realdifferences in marina usage patterns, boat com-position and unique hydraulic characteristics."

Kator, assisted by VIMS scientist MarthaRhodes, has selected for a comparative study twomarina settings of differing complexity repre-sentative of the dominant marina type in Virginia--the tidal creek marina.

The immediate objectives of Kator and Rhodes'research are to conduct regular intensive bacterio-logical surveys to determine if the marinas arecontributing fecal pollution, and to determine atwhat distances from the marina significant levelsof fecal coliforms attributed to marina activitiescan be found. Intrinsic to the work is the se-paration of input of fecal coliforms from themarina and fecal coliforms from other sourcesbesides the marina, such as faulty home septictanks or storm runoff.

Research results to date, based on 440 watersamples and 48 oyster samples collected within the

5

Virginia shellfish, suchas these oysters, may not

be taken from marinabuffer zones except by

special permit, and thenonly to be relayed

elsewhere to grow out inunrestricted waters

for later harvest.

indicate that Virginia needs more stringent bufferzone regulations."

Ultimately, research results could provideboth regulatory and enforcement officials fromall coastal states with better analytical tools todevelop more scientific buffer zone standards.Both Maryland and North Carolina Health De-partment officials have expressed interest in theoutcome of Virginia's study. Through in-the-fieldbacterial analysis, mathematical models andhydraulic models, scientists at VIMS and ODUhope at least to improve resource managementagencies' understanding of the relationship be-tween marinas, boating and the environment.

pollutant discharge and bacteriological decay r~tes,this would permit regulatory agencies to redrawbuffer zones on a more scientific and specific basisthan is now possible."

Findings from Blair and Hecker's initial dye-release studies in the Chesapeake Bay Model arenow being analyzed. The results will be comparedto Hyer's field-calibrated mathematical modelsto determine which method most accurately andeconomically provides realistic buffer zone con-tours. Kator emphasizes that research results todate are not conclusive for the entire marinapollution problem. "We cannot generalize onthe results we've obtained so far from analysisof just two creeks. Further results may even

6

The spot, so-named because of the black smudgebehind its gill flap, is the Number One marine panfish inVirginia. Spot, plentiful all summer, are most abundantright now in Chesapeake Bay and in the mouths of itstributary rivers. Whether you catch your own or patronizea neighborhood seafood market, be sure to plan a few mealsaround this small but delicious fish.

GRillED SPOT SPOT SALAD

Cleaned, whole spot, "tails on"Lemon-pepper Marinade (not lemon-p'epper seasoning)SaltPepperLemon juiceSeasoned salt

Allow two or three spot per person, depending onthe size of the fish and the appetites of the diners. Fireup a charcoal grill or hibachi and If~t the coals burn low.Don't use too many-this process is "half smoke, halfcook." While the charcoal is burning ,jown (a process whichmay well take an hour) wipe the fish dry and stack them inthe bottom of a mixing bowl. Siprinkle liberally withmarinade and lemon juice. Add salt, pepper and seasonedsalt to taste, turning the fish to ensure full exposure. Coverbowl and leave at room temperature for 30 minutes. Un-cover bowl and stir fish around in seasoning. Recover bowland check coals. When coals have bu,rned down past maxi-mum heat, level them out and place fish on rack. Positionrack for slow cooking and cover with lid or piece of foil.After 30 minutes, carefully lift and turn each fish with aidof spatula and fork. Cook 20-25 more minutes. The skinwill darken, some may stick to grill, but if cooked slowlyenough, fish will remove easily, be moist and tangy insidewith a hint of smoke flavor. For a.:lded flavor, add a fewwet hickory chips to coals while cooking.

1 Y2 cups cooked, flaked spotY4 cup mayonnaiseY4 cup French dressingYo cup chopped tomatoY4 cup diced celery1 tablespoon finely chopped onion1 avocado, peeled and dicedY4 cup diced cucumber -paredSalt, pepper and dash of salad seasonings to taste2 eggs, hard-boiledLettuce

Combine all ingredients. Chill before serving onlettuce, then garnish with sliced, hard-boiled eggs. Serves4.

SOUTHERN FRIED SPOT

Cleaned, whole spot, "tails on"ShorteningWhite stone-ground cornmealButter or substituteLemon juiceSeasoned saltSaltPepper

Remove excess moisture from fish by patting brieflywith paper towl. Place handful of cornmeal in strong paperor plastic sack. Add liberal doses of salt, pepper andseasoned salt. Shake mixture up. Add spot (8 or 10 will dofor a start). Heat % inch of shortening or cooking oil inskillet until it starts to smoke. Cut heat back to mediumand place spot in skillet after shaking off excess cornmeal.Adjust heat so that fish fry quickly but do not burn. Donot touch fish too soon or they will fall apart. Carefullyshake skillet from side to side to avoid sticking. When thetails curl up and turn crisp, turn fish over. Cook 2-3 moreminutes (this should brown second side) and remove topaper towels to drain. Immediately run a butter pattie ordab of margarine over each fish, sprinkle with salt, pepperand lemon juice. Serve as soon as possible.

7

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i

~The publications listed in this section are results of projectssponsored by the VIMS Sea Grant Mari/1e Advisory Service.Order publications from Sea Grant Marine AdvisoryService, Publications Office, Virginia Institute of MarineScience, Gloucester Point, VA 23062. Make checks payableto; VIMS Sea Grant.

CLAMKraeuter.

MANUAL FOR GROWING THE HARD(mercenaria) -Michael Castagna, John N.SRAMSOE No. 249, 110 pages. $3.00

A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIALFOR A SHARK FISHERY IN VIRGINIA -J.A.Colvocoresses and J.A. Musick. SRAMSOE No. 234, 39pages. First copy free to Virginia residents; all other $1.00

THE PRESENT AND POTENTIAL PRODUCTIVITY OFTHE BAYLOR GROUNDS IN VIRGINIA Vols. I and II) -

Dexter S. Haven, James P. Whitcomb and Paul C. Kendall.SRAMSOE No. 243, Vol. I, 167 pages, Vol. II 154 pagesplus 64 charts. $10.00 for both volumes

COMMERCIAL FISHING NEWSLETTER. Publishedquarterly. Free subscription obtained by written request.

TIDE GRAPHS FOR HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA andTIDE GRAPHS FOR WACHAPREAGUE, VIRGINIA.Published quarterly. Free subscription obtained by written

request.

AUDIOVISUAL AIDS AND PUBLICATIONS AVAIL-ABLE FROM THE VIMS SEA GRANT MARINEEDUCATION CENTER. 40 pages. $1.00

J.A. MusickTHE MARINE TURTLES OF VIRGINIAEducational Series No. 24,17 pages. $1.00

FISHY ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR SMALL FRY -Mary E.Sparrow and Frances L. Lawrence. Educational Series

No. 28, 36 pages. $2.00

POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF THE 1980-81 DROUGHT ONOYSTER DISEASES AND PREDATORS -J.D. Andrews.Advisory No. 20. Free

VIRGINIA'S CHARTER AND HEAD BOAT FISHERY:analysis of catch and socioeconomic impacts -Anne R.Marshall and Jon A. Lucy. SRAMSOE No. 253, 90 pages.

$2.00This publication represents the first documentation of

the charter and head boat industry in Virginia, a $6 millionplus business. Vessels and equipment, economics structure,effort and catch and factors affecting the future are ex-plored. Valuable to fisheries and resource managers.

SALINITY PROJECTIONS FOR THE JAMES, YORK, andRAPPAHANNOCK RIVERS -Dr. Albert Kuo and MichaelJ. Oesterling. Advisory No. 21. Free

Six new FISH PROMOTIONAL LEAFLETS! -ChesapeakeKing THE BLUE CRAB, Bountiful Bivalve...THE HARDCLAM, Pearl of the Chesapeake...THE AMERICANOYSTER, Succulent Seafare...THE SOFTSHELL CRAB,Poor Man's Lobster THE MONKFISH, and Making theMost of Your Catch THE BLUEFIN TUNA. Free

FEASIBiliTY OF CRAB MEAL PROCESSING IN THECHESAPEAKE BAY REGION -Thomas J. Murray andWilliam D. DuPaul. SRAMSOE No. 248,63 pages.

Hard crab waste disposal generated by Chesapeake Bayblue crab picking operations became an acute industryproblem in early 1980. This Sea Grant report explores theviability of continuing to process crab scrap into poultryand livestock feed in Virginia and Maryland. SHORELINE EROSION IN VIRGINIA -S. Hardaway and

G. Anderson. Educational Series No. 31, 25 pages. $1.00

HANDLE WITH CARE: SOME MID-ATLANTIC MARINEANIMALS THAT DEMAND YOUR RESPECT -Jon Lucy,Educational Series NO. 26, 13 pages. $1.00

RECREATIONAL BOATING IN VIRGINIA: a preliminaryanalysis -Tom Murray and Jon Lucy, 63 pages. All $1.00

This report provides an overview of the status andsignificance of recreational boating in the state. Activitiesassociated with Virginia's nearly 140,000 registeredpleasure boaters generated $120 million in direct economicimpact during 1980.

THE CHESAPEAKE: A BOATING GUIDE TOWEATHER -Jon Lucy, Terry Ritter, and Jerry laRue.Educational Series No. 25, 22 pages. $1.00

A DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMERCIAL MARINEFISHERIES OF VIRGINIA -James Zaborski. SRAMSOENo. 233, 24 pages. First copy free to Virginia residents;

all others $1.00

VIRGINIA'S COASTAL MARINA INDUSTRY: ADESCR IPTIVE ANALYSIS -Jon A. Lucy. VIMS Contri-bution No. 957,8 pages. 25 cents

8

Marine Schoolhouse Series No. 14

a Whodunnit Mysteryby Mary E. Sparrow

were equally harmless.The large number of teenagers in the area,

juvenile spot, croaker and bluefish, only rarelyattacked small soft clams, so Sergeant Fish thoughtfurther on the incident. It was probable that thekiller was a visitor and not a resident.

That evening at the police station, Sergeant Fishwaited for a telephone call from Ann Chovy fora report on the survivor, Mya. In the meantime,he pulled the files on all known clam killers withthe same modus operandi, that is, the same methodof operation.

These included:Pagonias cromis, the Black DrumScianops ocellatus, the Red Drum orChannel BassLopholatilus chamaelonticeps, the TilefishOpsanus tau, the ToadfishTetraodon muculatus, the Puffer or SwellfishRhinoptera bonasus, the Cownose Ray

The sergeant drew a line through "tilefish."

That character was strictly a deepwater operator,

and the eelgrass beds were in the shallows. At

this time an assistant came in with information

gleaned from frightened residents that were hiding

in the grass bed. The information was spotty even Mr. Scallop with his forty eyes didn't see

enough to pinpoint the culprit. Still, there were

bits and pieces to go on. Here is what Sergeant

Fish heard from those who caught a glimpse of

the clam clan killer:

It was only a matter of minutes between theanonymous phone call and the arrival of SergeantFish and his squad of fish detectives at the sceneof the crime. It wasn't a pretty sight, what withbits and pieces of the clam clan scattered about.An entire clam community had been wiped out,except for a single survivor, Mya A. Renaria. Shewas being rushed to the fish hospital by seahorse-drawn ambulance, so the sergeant had no oppor-tunity to question her as yet.

"Ann Chovy" the sergeant called to his aide,"get over to the hospital in case that survivor isable to give us a description of the killer. Therest of you look around for clues and gather upthose shell remains: Perhaps Coroner Croaker canshed some light on this disaster."

With final instruction to his staff to comb thearea for eyewitnesses, Sergeant Fish sought aquiet eddy in which to reflect upon the facts,such as they were. The Chesapeake Bay eelgrasscommunity was fairly heavily populated. Densestands of eelgrass offered shelter and food toresidents and visitors, alike. The long ribbon-likeleaves poking out of the estuary's sand and mudsediments also afforded a ready hide-out to prac-tically any assassin.

It was unlikely that one of the community'sresidents was responsible for the death of the clamclan. Most of them, small crustaceans and worms,assorted mollusks and snails, would be incapableof such violence. The pipefish and sticklebacks

1. Olive green in color2. Dark bands and spots on side3. 10-14 inches in length4. Small mouth5. Chubby shape6. Yellow side7. Oval shaped eyes8. White belly9. Fan-shaped pectoral (side) fins10. Rounded caudal (tail) fin11. Scales, if present, very small

9

NOW READ ON!

This is a very "fishy" story. But interwovenwith the fiction are facts. In nature, the puffereating the clams would not necessarily be "good"or "bad." In nature, it is simply a matter ofsurvival. Many organisms are eaten by otherorganisms, which in turn are eaten by still others.This is called a food chain.

This story illustrates how to identify fish.Look at the list of witness descriptions. Whatkinds of information does Sergeant Fish use toidentify the clam killer? Fish can be identifiedby a combination of characteristics:

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.

Body shapeShape and position of their finsSize and shape of the gillsColorEye shapeMouth (and teeth) shape and sizeScale shape and size

He looked over the list. Not bad. Now ifonly he could match it up with one of the sus-pects from the files. Still, there was a problem.Not one witness actually saw the killer clearly,and there was one tidbit of information thatjust did not seem to fit. Shortly after the crime,a witness noticed a yellowish globe floating atthe surface. She was too far away to get a goodlook, but she thought it was alive and that it hadbumps, maybe spines all over it.

Sergeant Fish was baffled. Perhaps, it was justan innocent bystander, or an accomplice (helper)to the killer's crime or maybe, even the killer indisguise! Sergeant needed more information. Hefed the suspects' names into the computer. Ifhe could learn their usual hangouts, maybe hecould place them in the area of the crime.

The phone rang, It was policewoman AnnChovy. The sturgeons had done all they could,but Mya didn't make it. And Ann Chovy didn'tget a final statement from her either.

Sergeant Fish hung up. He was sorry aboutMya, but he would not need her statement. Fi-nally he knew. He knew who the culprit waswhen he compared the witness accounts to thecharacterisitics of each suspect. If only the com-puter could give him a match to verify his con-clusion, he could clinch this case. He skimmedthe printout. There it was! The descriptionmatched, the time frame matched (April to No-vember) and the last known address matched:The Chesapeake Bay and its brackish water tri-butaries.

Who do you think did it? Are you sure? Howcan you find out? How did Sergeant Fish (XX)find out? Talk over a plan to identify the culpritwith your family, a friend or teacher. Follow yourplan, and when you think you know who did it,write the answer in the blank.

Knowing what kind of environmental con-ditions exist in an area may help you predictwhat kind of fish and other organisms you'llfind there. Most animals not only have a pre-ference, but are adapted to a certain habitat.

The shape of a fish's mouth, its location onthe head and the shape of the teeth gives cluesto what a fish eats. In the case of the clams, afish's teeth would have to break through theshell. The plate-like teeth of the puffer are wellsuited for this. Pointed teeth, good for graspingor breaking off chunks of flesh, would breakon the clam's shells.

There are many fascinating organisms that livein the Chesapeake Bay, and learning about themcan be fun. Writing a creative story is one way tolearn. You can use your imagination, but alsoinclude facts that you have learned by readingabout the setting and your cast of characters --the organisms.

(XX) Words in the story that are in italic typeare either "hidden" common names (Ann Chovy =anchovy) or scientific names of the organisms(Mya A. Renaria = Mya arenaria).

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10

make stolen boats easier to detect during transac-tions and easier to retrIeve by law enforcementpersonnel. The legislation was supported by theVirginia Bankers Association and various law en-forcement groups.

The Game Commission and Department ofTaxation are currently formulating the necessaryregulations to administer the boat titling law.Basic points, in general terms, include:

Boats principally kept in Virginia which are15 feet or more in hull length and weighing 400lbs. or more (including motor and accessories) pur-chased after January 1, 1982 must be titled ($7.00fee) at the time of purchase (documented vesselsexempted)

Boats upon which a lien exists must be titledno later than February 15, 1982 (documentedvessels exempted).

Boats purchased prior to January 1, 1982must be titled upon renewal of the Virginia reg-istration (documented vessels exempted).

Any boat, including documented vessels, maybe titled by the Commission upon requests of theowner; however, such titling does not changeexisting sales requirements on such boats whensold.

Effective January 1, 1981, the tax paid on boat salesthrough Virginia boat dealers will be changed

from a 4 percent sales tax to a~? percent titling tax,also required in casual sales jJetween individuals.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, in passing HouseBill 986 during its last session, addedV irginia to the ranks of eleven states requiringtitles for boats. Effective January 1,1982, the lawwill be administered by the Virginia Commission ofGame and Inland Fisheries along with its existingboat registration program.

The tax paid on boat sales through boat deal-ers will be changed from a 4 percent sales tax to a2 percent titling tax, significantly reducing thetotal purchase cost. However, for persons involvedin casual sales between individuals, a new 2 per-cent titling tax must now be paid by the buyer.Like boat registration fees, titling fees will go intothe Game Commission's Game Protection Fundwhere they will be used for the benefit of boaters.

The titling law was introduced into the Gen-eral Assembly by Delegate Thomas Moss of Nor-folk at the request of the V irginia Association ofMarine Industries, representing more than 100boating industry businesses throughout the state.The marine trades association felt the legislationwas needed to provide boat ownt~rs and financierswith a strong legal document that would serve bothas proof of boat ownership and as the appropriatevehicle to better secure financing the record lienson boats. It was also hoped that boat titling would

For casual sales between individuals, theseller must provide the buyer with a certified billof sale to be used by the buyer in either applyingfor a new title or transfering the existing titlethrough the Commission.

A 2 percent titling tax must be paid by thebuyer of a boat requiring titling, whether it isbought new or used from a boat dealer or a privateparty, the tax based upon the sales price of theboat and all attached accessories without de-ducting trade-in value.

No titling tax will be required for any boatpurchased prior to January 1, 1982, but a $7.00fee must be paid when the boat is titled.

No titling tax is required on boats built bycommercial watermen for their own use, but suchboats must be titled if they are 15 feet or longer,weigh more than 400 pounds and are not docu-mented.

Credit will be given for sales tax or other suchtaxes paid on a boat bought in another state.

Title fees and taxes can be paid to authorizedboat dealers or the Game Commission; titling taxescan also be paid at offices of the Virginia Depart-ment of Taxation and a receipt forwarded to theGame Commission with a title application.

11

statements to better use in evaluating a firm's pro-gress. 10 addition, a representative of DealerManagement Systems in Virginia Beach will out-line estate planning and employee benefit tech-niques for marina owners and boat dealers. Pro-fessional selling techniques and how the basics ofboat selling fit today's changing market will also beaddressed. Following the seminar a panel discus-sion will be convened on Virginia's new boat titlingrequirements.

A Marina/Boatyard/Boat Dealer ManagementSeminar and Workshop will be convened forVirginia's boating industry October 21 in VirginiaBeach. Cosponsored by the VIMS Sea GrantMarine Advisory Services and the Virginia Associa-tion of Marine Industries (V AMI), the day-longprogram will be held in conjunction with V AMI'sannual convention at the Virginia Beach Pavillion.

The purpose of the program is to provideboth large and small boating firms with practicalinformation on management tools that can betterserve their operations. Two University of RhodeIsland researchers will conduct a seminar and work-shop on how to put marina/boatyard financial

To register for the program contact PeterEaster, V AMI Executive Director, 301 East MarketStreet, Charlottesville, V A 22901 (804) 977-3716.

Virginia Institute of Marine ScienceGloucester Point, Virginia 23062

Address Correction Requested

I@(cif1.s.. Gro"t ~fthory ServiceVOL. XIII,NO. 3 SYMM9R/F~!;.L. .1~?1

Dick Cook , ,. ...Editor

The Marine Resource Bulletin is a Sea Grant; c

Marine Adv1soryServicepubilshedquarterJy.by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science,SchootofMarin~Sciertce of the CoUeg$ofWiJliam and Mary. Subscriptions are avaiJ-

abJewithQut charg$.Address allinqujr.iesand comments to the ooitor.

Dr. Fyank D. Perkins. .Di(~tpr9f VI~SDr. William Rickards. Directpf,

Virginia Sea Gr~nt

Dr..WiiliamD. DuPaul;. Head,

AdvispryServices

~ ~?[n.i~~1~c~t~~ !$$?rt:gat~Seve\~,VlrgllJla flstjhouse..Croaker .spot and weak.iishare stap!es.

;Dick Cook Photo