8:42 a.m., March 4, 2008--The sixth Delmarva Charter Boat Operators Workshop will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday, March 20, at Harrison's Chesapeake House on Tilghman Island, Md. Organized jointly by the Sea Grant programs at the universities of Maryland and Delaware, the workshop will focus on business management, marketing, safety and fishery resource issues pertaining to the charter- and head-boat industry and also to ecotourism-based charter businesses.

“We encourage all charter captains and business owners to attend, as well as those individuals interested in entering the charter industry,” said John Ewart, aquaculture and fisheries specialist with the Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service. “The workshop will provide a great opportunity for boat owners to learn about improving the management of their businesses and to discuss mutual issues and challenges.”

The daylong workshop will offer a variety of presentations from regional leaders in their respective fields. Important topics for the charter boat operator will be covered, including legal issues, business management, marketing, customer relations and insurance needs. Program topics will also focus on current Coast Guard issues, seafood handling safety and sport fish species management.

“This is a great opportunity to participate in a program dedicated to helping the charter boat operator deal with current and anticipated challenges in small business management,” Ewart said.

Registration for the workshop, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and resource materials, is $40 per person. Registration the day of the event is $50, though attendance will be held to 50 participants, and available seating is expected to fill quickly.

Workshop attendees will receive a special rate for overnight accommodations ($65) at Harrison's Chesapeake House, located at 21551 Chesapeake House Dr. Visit [www.chesapeakehouse.com] or call (410) 886-2121 for reservations.

To register for the event, make your check payable to the University of Delaware, and mail it to Rita Baty, University of Delaware Sea Grant Program, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958-1507 ATTN: Charter Boat Workshop. The registration deadline is Thursday, March 13.

For more information about the program agenda, contact Ewart at (302) 645-4060 or [ewart@udel.edu] or visit the workshop Web site [http://darc.cms.udel.edu/charterboat/cbw08.html].

To learn more about the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, visit [www.deseagrant.org]. For more about UD's College of Marine and Earth Studies, visit [www.ocean.udel.edu].

Article by Elizabeth Boyle