April 13, 2015 — The prices of six commercial fishing licenses will increase by 60 percent this month under a plan approved last year to help pay for the fisheries observer program while also providing funds to enhance the state commercial fishing industry.
The increases take effect with the 2015-2016 license year, for which sales begin April 15, according to a North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries news release. Fees will go up for the Standard Commercial Fishing License, Retired Standard Commercial Fishing License, Shellfish License, Land and Sell License, Fish Dealer License and Recreational Commercial Gear License.
The Commercial Vessel Registration fee will not go up this year.
The new fees represent a 100 percent increase from two years ago under a plan to fund the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Observer Program that was proposed by the commercial fishing industry.
The plan proposed by the North Carolina Fisheries Association, a trade organization representing the commercial fishing industry, establishes a Commercial Fishing Resources Fund.
Read the full story from the Jacksonville Daily News