August 11, 2015 — The following was released by the North Carolina Fisheries Association:
MFC BRIEFING BOOK AVAILABLE ONLINE
The briefing book is now available for the MFC Aug. 19-21 business meeting at the DoubleTree by Hilton Raleigh Brownstone University Hotel, 1707 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. The commission is scheduled to:
- Select and approve management measures for the southern flounder supplement
- Receive the 2015 Stock Status Report presentation
- Hear an update on the adaptive management measures for the blue crab fishery
- Vote on posting information updates for the Interjursidictional and Kingfish fishery management plans online for public review
- Approve a five-year fishery management plan schedule
NOTE: The commission will deliberate on southern flounder issue 8:30 a.m. Friday. Please plan to attend if at all possible.
GOVERNOR MCRORY SIGNS S-374
The legislation repeals the logbook requirement for the for-hire fishing industry and prohibits the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from entering into a joint enforcement agreement with NFMS.
FACT SHEET: 2016 SUMMER FLOUNDER CATCH AND LANDINGS LIMITS
NMFS ANNOUNCES 2015 ACL FOR ATLANTIC BLUEFISH
Annual catch limits for the 2015 bluefish fishery:
- 2015 commercial quota: 5.241 million lb. This is a 35 percent decrease from 2014.
- 2015 recreational harvest limit: 12.951 million lb. This is a 4.3 percent decrease.
Together, the total allowable landings for 2015 is 18.19 million lb. This is a 13.7 percent decrease from the 2014 total allowable landings. Although the bluefish stock is not overfished, and overfishing is not occurring, the most recent stock assessment update indicates the size of the stock has declined, which triggered the reductions. In recent years, states’ landings of bluefish have been below their allocated quota, and the quota reductions may be partially mitigated by the states’ ability to transfer quota. Read the final rule and get more information from the permit holder bulletin.
RECREATIONAL SECTOR EXCEEDS 2015 FOR GOLDEN TILEFISH, NMFS CLOSES FISHERY
Recreational harvest of golden tilefish in South Atlantic federal waters will close 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 11, 2015. Recreational harvest in federal waters will reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2016. The recreational annual catch limit for golden tilefish is 3,019 fish. Reports indicate that landings have exceeded the 2015 annual catch limit for the recreational sector for golden tilefish.
AGENCIES SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT ON RESTORING THE CAPE FEAR RIVER NEAR WILMINGTON
State and federal agencies are seeking public participation to identify opportunities to restore natural resources damaged due to decades of contamination from a former wood treatment operation near Wilmington. The agencies will host a public meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Navassa Community Center, 338 Main St., Navassa, N.C., to describe their efforts and solicit restoration ideas from the public. Comments on the restoration scoping document will be accepted through Sept. 4, 2015.
TRADEWINDS
Last week’s email link to Maureen was incorrect. If you’re interested in advertising for the upcoming Sept./Oct. issue – which will be distributed to thousands at Fishermen’s Village and the State Fair – you can contact her at editor@nctradewinds.com.
STATE FAIR/FISH VILLAGE
Fishermen’s Village at the N.C. Seafood Festival and the State Fair will be here before you know it. Fishermen, we need you to come out for both events to tell your story. No one can do it better than you. Fishermen’s Village is Oct. 3 and the State Fair begins mid-October. If you cannot attend, please consider donating seafood. We will be providing samples again this year in Raleigh. It’s a big hit and great way to show people why it’s “Got to be NC.”
REGULATION AND RULE CHANGES:
–Coral Amendment 8 in the South Atlantic Effective Aug. 17
-USCG Mandatory Dockside Inspections Required Effective Oct. 15
DEADLINES:
Aug. 26 – Green Sea Turtles ESA Uplisting Comments
Sept. 1 – SAFMC Snapper-Grouper Draft Vision Blueprint Comments
Sept. 4 – Cape Fear River Restoration Scoping Document Comments
Sept. 10 – NMFS Updated Draft Acoustic Guidelines Comments
Sept. 14 – NMFS Generic Amendment to Snapper-Grouper, Golden Crab and Dolphin-Wahoo FMPs Comments
Sept 21 at 5 p.m. – 2016-2018 Atlantic Herring Research Set Aside Applications
Oct. 2 – MFC Proposed Rules Comments
MEETINGS:
If you are aware of ANY meetings that should be of interest to commercial fishing that is not on this list, please contact us so we can include it here.
Aug. 11-13 – Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council Meeting
Aug. 12 – Correction – SAFMC Snapper-Grouper Regulatory Amendment 16 Public Hearing, Jacksonville, NC
Aug. 13 – Correction – SAFMC Snapper-Grouper Amendment 36 Public Hearing, Morehead City
Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.– Cape Fear River Restoration Public Meeting, Navassa Community Center, 338 Main St., Navassa
Aug. 19 at 1:30 p.m. – MAFMC Spiny Dogfish Advisory Panel Meeting via webinar
Aug. 19-21 – Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting, Raleigh
Aug. 31-Sept.1 – ASMFC Menhaden Ecosystem Management Workshop
Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. – MFC Rules Public Hearing, DMF Central District Office, 5285 Hwy 70 W, Morehead City
PROCLAMATIONS:
SNAPPER-GROUPER COMPLEX – RECREATIONAL PURPOSES
View a PDF of the release here