DOVER – Delaware residents as well as anglers visiting the First State can now use the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s new responsive website, Delaware Fish Facts for the Recreational Angler, to access information from most personal devices on more than 180 species of fish and shellfish that reside in, frequent or occasionally visit Delaware’s fresh, estuarine, coastal or offshore waters.

“Almost any fish a recreational angler might catch in Delaware is included, from the shallow waters of a small backyard pond to the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean, from bluegills to blue marlin,” said Fisheries Biologist Bruce Cole, who spearheaded the new website. “Designing Delaware Fish Facts for the Recreational Angler as a responsive website resulted in webpages that not only look good, but are also easy to use on all devices, from desktops and laptops to tablets and smartphones.”

The new site features fish or fishing information on:

• High quality illustrations and descriptions to help identify species
• Seasons, size limits and daily limits
• Ranges and abundance in Delaware waters
• Habitat and food preferences
• Common fishing lures and baits
• Did You Know? fun facts
• Typical sizes caught of the many species depicted
• Minimum requirements for citations in the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament
• Delaware State Records for species included in the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament

“While still on the water, and with the aid of a smart phone, anglers can use the new responsive website to instantly help identify what kind of fish they caught and find out if it is in season, how big it needs to be, how many they can keep and much more. Even non-anglers can enjoy the information, from the high quality art work to the “Did You Know” fun fact sections,” said DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Director and avid angler David Saveikis.

For more information about fishing in Delaware, visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/fisheries.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 16

DOVER – With possible heavy snow in the weekend forecast, the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation is asking the public to help protect the dunes in Delaware’s ocean parks by reminding residents and visitors that sledding in the dunes at Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore and Fenwick Island State Parks is prohibited.

“The dunes are the state’s first line of defense during coastal storms, providing protection for the beaches and the communities that border them,” said Parks & Recreation Natural Resources Police Chief Wayne Kline. “We want the public to know any activities that degrades or damages them – as sledding can – is against the law.”

Dunes also help to protect Delaware’s fragile coastal ecosystem. Sledding down the dunes can not only destroy the dune, but also hurts vegetation on the dunes that helps trap sand and ultimately stabilizes the dunes.

Media Contact: Chief Wayne Kline, Delaware Natural Resources Police State Parks Enforcement, 302-739-9220

Vol. 46, No. 15

DOVER – The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance (NWA) seeks enthusiastic, energetic volunteers to join the 2016 Nanticoke Creekwatchers Citizen Water Monitoring Program, which is set to launch its ninth season with a volunteer training and kickoff event Saturday, March 12 at Trap Pond State Park’s Baldcypress Nature Center in Laurel. This year’s kickoff will be held as part of the Reclaim Our River Program, which is cosponsored by DNREC and the Division of Watershed Stewardship to provide opportunities for Delawareans to learn about water quality and techniques that can be used to improve it.

Creekwatchers must attend the season kickoff for training or go to an alternate training session Sunday, March 20 at the NWA office in Vienna, Md. Training will provide an in-depth look at the program’s water quality monitoring protocol and an opportunity for hands-on experience with water quality monitoring equipment. Further, the training offers insight into the Creekwatchers program and its history, water quality issues and indicators. Since the inception of the program, more than 90 citizen scientists have participated, acting as the eyes and ears of the Nanticoke River and its connected waterways. No previous experience in water quality monitoring is required to become a Creekwatcher.

Every other week from late March through early November, Nanticoke Creekwatchers visit their adopted sites, make observations about sites and weather conditions, take measurements such as water clarity and dissolved oxygen, and obtain three water samples, which they deliver to designated drop-off locations. Samples are processed by Envirocorp Labs Inc. and Horn Point Lab. Envirocorp is a key program partner and provides $70,000 in free lab analyses each year.

Other 2016 program partners include DNREC, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Science’s Integration and Application Network, Town Creek Foundation, Salisbury University’s Bacterial Source Tracking Lab, Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth, Delaware Technical Community College, RSVP Lower Shore and Delaware 50+. The NWA provides training, all water monitoring equipment and ongoing support for volunteers.

Data collected by Nanticoke Creekwatchers is used to produce an annual report card that details the health of the river and its tributaries and examines steps residents can take to reduce pollution. The 2015 Nanticoke River Report Card will be released in July 2016 at the annual Nanticoke River Wade-In. In addition, Creekwatchers data helps the NWA pinpoint water quality issues and informs outreach and restoration activities.

Interested volunteers may register for Nanticoke Creekwatchers training at creekwatchers2016.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Beth Wasden at bethwasden@nanticokeriver.org or call 443-944-1175.

The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance is a consensus-building organization that works through partnerships to conserve the natural, cultural and recreational resources of the Nanticoke River Watershed. Partnership representation includes academia, industry, agriculture, development professionals, conservation groups, government and more.

The Reclaim Our River – Nanticoke Series is devoted to bringing monthly events, workshops and recreational activities to the Nanticoke River Watershed. The series offers participants fun opportunities to connect with Delaware’s waterways and provides important information on water quality that can help in protecting aquatic resources.

Media Contact: Phil Miller, DNREC Watershed Assessment and Management Section, 302-739-9939, philip.miller@delaware.gov

Vol. 46, No. 14

DOVER – Remaining copies of the 2016 Division of Fish & Wildlife calendar have been marked down to $3 while supplies last – $4 by mail, which includes shipping and handling.

Calendars can be purchased at DNREC’s licensing desk at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901; Owens Station Shooting Sports & Hunter Education Center, 12613 Hunters Cove Road, Greenwood, DE 19950; and Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center and Public Shooting Range, 1205 River Road, New Castle, DE 19720.

Calendars may be ordered by mail for $4 by calling the Division of Fish & Wildlife at 302-739-9910, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or by sending a check made out to “Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife” to Jennifer Childears, Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

Each month of the calendar features seasonal photos depicting the natural beauty of Delaware’s wildlife areas, fishing ponds and boat ramps, taken by DNREC staff members Jesse Baird, Chris Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Larry Horan, Bill McAvoy, Scott Newlin, Craig Rhoads and Joanna Wilson. The calendar also includes monthly seasonal reminders related to outdoor activities and a Division of Fish & Wildlife contact directory.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 12

DOVER – The Jan. 31 deadline is fast approaching to enter your best image in the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife’s 2015/16 Delaware Hunting Photo Contest. The winning photo will be featured on the cover or inside of the 2016/2017 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide to be published later this year.

A judging panel comprised of DNREC staff will be looking for photos that best portray the contest theme, “Hunters in Action.” Judges also will look at technical criteria including resolution, clarity and composition.

“After the success of last year’s contest, we are hoping that once again photographers from all over the state will share some of their best images with us, so we can share them with the hunting public,” said Division of Fish & Wildlife Director David Saveikis. “This year we look forward to photos that capture the contest theme of ‘Hunters in Action’ as they enjoy our great outdoors.”

The contest is open to Delaware residents of all ages, with a maximum of three entries per person. To be eligible, photographs must have been taken in Delaware. Portrait orientation is preferred; landscape photos, if chosen among contest winners, may be cropped for presentation.

Entries may be mailed to the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Photo Contest, Attention: Lynne Pusey, 6180 Hay Point Landing Rd., Smyrna, DE 19977. All entries must be postmarked or delivered by Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, and must include a completed and signed entry form. A photo release form is also required for photos that include images of children younger than 18. Information and forms are available on the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s website or may be requested by calling Lynne Pusey at 302-735-3600, or email lynne.pusey@delaware.gov.

Photos must be submitted as 8 x 10-inch photo quality prints, with no frames or mats and no markings or signatures on the front or back. Winning entries must be available in a digital version with resolution of 300 dpi or greater (when enlarged to 8 x 10 inches).

Normal processing of RAW image files, minimal cropping and minor adjustments to color and contrast are acceptable. HDR and focus stacking are permitted as long as manipulation is disclosed upon entry. Nothing should be added to the image or, aside from dust spots, taken away. The entrant must hold all rights to the photograph and must not infringe on the rights of any other person. Images that involve unlawful harm to wildlife or damage to the environment should not be submitted and will not be accepted. Entries will not be returned. For more information, please visit the Fish & Wildlife photo contest page on the DNREC website.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 13