May 16, 2012 – MOREHEAD CITY — North Carolina will soon prohibit certain menhaden purse seine fishing operations in state waters.
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission voted last week to prohibit the use of purse seines deployed from a mother ship for the harvest of menhaden within the state’s three-mile jurisdiction. The action mirrors a draft bill approved by a legislative study committee on marine fisheries issues.
“This is a conservation measure we think needs to be put in place,” said commission Chairman Rob Bizzell.
Commission members said they were concerned about the amount of bycatch associated with large purse seine fishing operations, and the conflicts that arise with other fishing sectors.
The measure does not prohibit smaller purse seine operations that do not use multiple vessels.
The commission asked Division of Marine Fisheries Director Louis Daniel to implement the closure by proclamation. Daniel said he plans to issue the proclamationin the next two weeks.