Saving Seafood

NORTH CAROLINA: Commercial-recreational flounder fishery dispute flares in North Carolina

August 23, 2024 — A conflict between commercial and recreational fishermen in the U.S. state of North Carolina may be resolved at the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission meeting, which runs through Friday, 23 August.

Tensions between the two groups flared after NCMFC Chair Rob Bizzell insisted his panel will not open the state’s southern flounder fishery to recreational anglers this year. However, a July vote by the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC) approved a hook-and-line recreational season for 1, 2, 7, and 8 September, with a daily limit of one fish per angler and a minimum size of 15 inches within the waters that fall under the commission’s jurisdiction, which include waters that the MFC also oversees.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Flounder fishery dispute grows as August meeting approaches

August 15, 2024 — The flounder conflict continues into next week’s North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) meeting, which will be held in Raleigh from Aug. 21-23. The bone of contention is between the MFC and the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC) about this year’s recreational flounder season.

The only agenda items for the meeting mention flounder, including a report from the state’s Division of Marine Fisheries staff on the Southern Flounder Stock Assessment Update and the 2023 Southern Flounder landings. According to Island Free Press, the report is expected to be the basis for deciding how much quota is available for a commercial season in the sounds and coastal rivers that has previously taken place in September and October.

The MFC chairman, Rob Bizzell, insists that his panel will not open the flounder fishery to recreational anglers this year. However, a vote last month by the NC WRC would allow recreational fishing, which would be a hook-and-line season for Sept. 1, 2, 7, and 8 with a daily limit of one fish per angler and a minimum size of 15 inches within the waters that fall under their jurisdiction. The areas would include joint waters that the MFC also oversees, creating controversy over whether or not to open the recreational season.

WRC chair Monty Crump has been trading letters with Bizzell to hold an emergency meeting to reconsider how southern flounder is allocated between commercial and recreational sectors to allow the recreational season in all waters. Bizzell said in letters, “MFC will be sticking to its plan adopted this spring to not allow a recreational season for flounder this year.” He also stated that fishermen who try to keep flounder caught in or transported through both coastal and joint waters will be subject to enforcement efforts of the NC Marine Patrol.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

NORTH CAROLINA: The Striped Mullet Supplement

February 21, 2023 — The following was released by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission:

The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) is meeting this week to vote on a supplement to the current Striped Mullet Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) which would close mullet harvest during the middle of the roe season. 

At the November MFC meeting staff at the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) presented Supplement A to the Striped Mullet FMP. In Supplement A the DMF recommends a 20-33% reduction in mullet landings by closing the harvest season in late October or early November through December 31st for at least one year. The preferred option of a November 7th to December 31st closure was selected by the MFC at this meeting.

In December and January DMF held several public meetings giving people the opportunity to ask questions and give public comment on the end of season closure. Overwhelming public comment during these meetings suggests that mullet are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. Definitely not to the extent that a 20-33% reduction in harvest is needed! 

 In fact, mullet abundance this past season seemed to be at a level not seen in decades! Many mullets left the sounds before the roe season and large numbers of mullets are still up the rivers right now. Furthermore, there is still plenty of time for the DMF to collect more data before this decision has to be made, if a closure is even necessary at all.

 It is not too late to comment and tell the MFC why reducing the Striped Mullet season is not necessary. 

 Come out and be seen and heard!

 Written comments are accepted until today (February 20th) at 4pm at this link:

https://deq.nc.gov/nc-marine-fisheries-commission-comment-form

 You can also comment in person at the Doubletree Hotel in New Bern, NC Wednesday night at 6:00pm or Thursday morning at 9:00am at the meeting this week. 

 (Important to note, no online comments will be accepted during the live meeting comment session.)

 The discussion and vote on the Striped Mullet Supplement will begin at approximately 2:30pm on Thursday (Feb. 23rd). Listen live on YouTube at this link once the meeting starts:

 https://youtube.com/live/QNrjWEW11z8?feature=share

 From my personal experience, the meeting streams much better on the YouTube app versus watching it from your web browser. You can download the YouTube app in the App Store or Google Play.

 As always, contact me with any questions or if you need help accessing any of the meeting materials.

 Thomas Newman 

Fisheries Liaison 

Thomasnewman@ncfish.org

North Carolina: SAVE THE DATE/EVTR Questions Workshop/Legislative Update

November 5, 2021 — The following was released by the North Carolina Fisheries Association:

SAVE THE DATE

NCDMF MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION WILL MEET NOV. 17-19, 2021

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON NOVEMBER 17 ATTEND IN PERSON FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON NOVEMBER 18, 2021 IF YOU CARE ABOUT NC SHRIMP AND SHRIMPING IN NC.

WE HAVE ATTACHED BELOW THE SHRIMP FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT 2 DECISION DOCUMENT WHICH CONTAINS NCDMF RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR YOUR REVIEW

STAY TUNED FOR IMPORTANT UPDATES ON THIS ISSUE.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Marine Fisheries Commission to meet Nov. 17-19 in Emerald Isle

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in-person Nov. 17-19 at the Islander Hotel & Resort, 102 Islander Dr, Emerald Isle. The commission office will also livestream the meeting online.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17; at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18; and at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 19. In accordance with current guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the chairman asks that everyone attending the meeting wear a mask at all times, except when giving public comment to the commission.

The commission will hold a public comment session at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17. The commission will also hold a 30-minute public comment period near the beginning of the meeting on Thursday, Nov. 18.

The following information pertains to in-person public comment:

· To accommodate as many speakers as possible, the chairman will limit each speaker to 3 minutes.

· Those making comments will be asked to speak only once, either Wednesday night or Thursday morning, but not during both public comment periods.

· Members of the public are encouraged to speak at the Wednesday night session, because the Thursday morning session is limited to 30 minutes (10 people).

· Preregistration by an online form is required to speak at the Thursday morning session. Registration will end once 10 people have signed up to speak.

· Preregistration is available, but not required, for the Wednesday night session. The online registration deadline for this session is 10 a.m. Wednesday; however, the public may also register to speak for the Wednesday night session in-person beginning at 4:30 p.m. There is no speaker limit for the Wednesday night session.

· Speaker registration will begin at noon on Nov. 3 and can be accessed through a link on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting webpage.

· Those who wish to submit handouts to the commission during a public comment period should bring at least 12 copies to the meeting.

· The commission will only hear from speakers attending the meeting in-person.

The public may also submit written comments:

· Written comments may be submitted through an online form accessible through the Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting webpage.

· Written comments may be mailed to November 2021 Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting Comments, P.O Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

· Written comments may be dropped off at the Division of Marine Fisheries’ Morehead City Headquarters Office at 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City.

· Written comments must be posted online or received in the Division of Marine Fisheries Office by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 15.

· The Marine Fisheries Commission Office will not accept public comment for this meeting through email.

Due to space constraints, those who do not wish to speak at the meeting are encouraged to watch the meeting online. Links to the livestream will be posted on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting webpage. After the meeting, an audio recording will be posted online.

Agenda items include:

· Approving the draft Coastal Habitat Protection Plan 2021 Amendment.

· Selecting preferred management options for the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2 and sending the draft plan for departmental review.

· Reviewing the draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 and sending it out for public comment and advisory committee review.

· Approving the goals and objectives of the draft N.C Fishery Management Plan for Interjurisdictional Fisheries Amendment 2.

· Final approval of amendments and re-adoption of a slate of rules under a mandatory periodic review schedule (G.S. 150B-21.3A), including rules prohibiting the repacking of foreign crab meat in North Carolina.

· Discussion of additional labeling requirements for repacked foreign crab meat, including selection of preferred management option and approval of associated proposed language for rulemaking.

· Approving a slate of nominees for the North Carolina Obligatory Seat on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

A full meeting agenda and briefing book materials will be posted on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting webpage as they become available.

WHO:

N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission

WHAT:

Quarterly Business Meeting

WHEN:

Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.
Nov. 18 at 9 a.m.
Nov. 19 at 9 a.m.

WHERE:

The Islander Hotel & Resort
102 Islander Dr, Emerald Isle

Livestream:
Click here  for links

 

NORTH CAROLINA: Environment commission to review coastal protection plan

August 26, 2021 — The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission is set to review next month the draft amendment to the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan, which is revised every five years to reflect changes in the status of habitat protection in the state.

Committee meetings begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 8 for the Air Quality Committee, Groundwater and Waste Management Committee and Water Quality Committee. The virtual, full commission meeting begins at 9 a.m. Sept. 9. The public is invited to attend the meeting online or by phone. Access the EMC meetings through the state Department of Environmental Quality website.

The commission when it meets remotely also will look at approving the 2021 Pasquotank River Basin Water Resources Plan and rule changes to address a permitting gap created by recent changes to Clean Water Act Federal Jurisdiction for wetlands in certain landscape positions.

The draft habitat plan 2021 amendment focuses on the following five priority issues:

  • Submerged aquatic vegetation, or SAV, protection and restoration through water quality improvements.
  • Wetland protection and restoration through nature-based solutions.
  • Environmental rule compliance to protect coastal habitats.
  • Wastewater infrastructure solutions for water quality improvement.
  • Coastal habitat mapping and monitoring to assess status and trends.

Read the full story at Coastal Review Online

NORTH CAROLINA: Commercial fishermen have taken a nosedive in the past 20 years

August 16, 2021 — North Carolina commercial fishermen have complained for decades that government regulations and a variety of other factors threaten their livelihood and have them headed the way of endangered species.

Glenn Skinner of Newport, executive director of the North Carolina Fisheries Association an advocacy group of commercial fishermen, said statistics back that up.

According to the state Division of Marine Fisheries, the number of people with commercial licenses who sold seafood has dropped more than 50 percent since 2001.

The number was 4,273 in 2001 and it was 1,897 in 2020 — a decline of 2,376.

“These declines are the result of many different factors. with regulations, the fear of future regulations or outright bans on commercial fishing gears being a significant factor,” Skinner said.

Read the full story at The Free Press

NORTH CAROLINA: Commercial fishermen say they can’t stay afloat under biased regulations

May 13, 2021 — The commercial fishing industry is a lifeline for many coastal communities in North Carolina.

According to a study from NC State University, the fishing industry provides nearly $300 million to the state’s economy and employs more than 5,000 people.

However, many commercial fishermen feel like they’ve been playing defense for a decade, fighting for their livelihood.

“It’s a hard day to fight when you get up and you know you’re fighting for your survival every day, and you’re regulated to the point where you can barely make it,” said Doug Cross.

Cross runs Pamlico Packing Company with his brother. He grew up around the docks in Vandemere and started helping out at the family business when he was 13.

“I’ve seen years where the boats were a liability, and I’ve seen years where the boats were a blessing,” said Cross.

Read the full story at WNCT

NORTH CAROLINA: Nothing fishy about it: Seafood saves lives

May 13, 2021 — Fish literally saves lives: A North Carolina statewide public relations campaign will focus on promoting the health benefits of eating local seafood.

The campaign explores the health benefits of eating local seafood that directly affect the consumer, backed by well-documented scientific data from respected health professional and scientists.

The Science Behind Your Local Seafood uses a website and digital billboards to promote fish as among the healthiest foods on the planet, emphasizing its nourishment for both body and brain. This data will be used to educate con-sumers across generations.

For example:

  • Scientific Review indicates an average 7.7 IQ point gain in children whose mothers ate seafood during pregnancy compared to mothers who did not.

Read the full story at National Fisherman

Marine Fisheries Commission amends sector allocations for southern flounder plan amendment

April 7, 2021 — The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission voted to amend the previously adopted sector allocations for Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan to gradually equalize allocations between the commercial and recreational fisheries.

The commission voted to change the allocation to 70% commercial and 30% recreational in 2021 and 2022, 60% commercial and 40% recreational in 2023 and 50% commercial and 50% recreational in 2024, states a media release from Division of Marine Fisheries.

In February, the commission had selected sector harvest allocations of 70% commercial and 30% recreational for the duration of Amendment 3. That allocation was similar to the harvest landed by each sector in 2017, the terminal year of the stock assessment on which draft management measures in Amendment 3 are based.

Read the full story at The Coastland Times

NORTH CAROLINA: Commercial, recreational fishermen at odds over proposed limits to southern flounder catch

March 29, 2021 — The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission is making plans to protect and preserve the southern flounder population off North Carolina’s coast, but its decision on how it will allocate the supply between recreational and commercial fishermen is causing people to get upset.

“The stock is in trouble, big trouble,” said the chair of the commission, Rob Bizzell, “And we’re looking at an overall 72 percent reduction in the take, which is significant. Some people are scared that the stock is going to collapse, and when the stock collapses, there’s no hope for recovery. We’re trying to avoid that.”

The commission is working on limiting the amount of the catch in a single season to around 500,000 fish. A recent vote by the commission to give the commercial industry approximately 70 percent of that supply and the recreational fishermen 30 percent of that supply is upsetting some.

“I got almost 900 letters of concern about the 30/70 allocation,” Bizzell said. “And, you know, for every one letter you get, good gracious, probably 20 or 30 individuals who feel the same way, but just don’t take the effort to speak up.”

Read the full story at WRAL