Releases – July 5, 2012
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed renovations to the Sneads Ferry Boating Access Area and it is now open to the public.
The renovations included increasing the ramp from a single launch lane to two launch lanes. It also has 35 vehicle-trailer parking spaces and 10 single-car spaces. This includes both a main asphalt parking lot and a gravel overflow parking lot. There are also three ADA parking spaces.
“The Snead’s Ferry Boating Access Area is popular with fishermen headed out to the inlet to fish offshore, but many also stay inshore to fish for speckled trout, flounder, puppy drum, and other species,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “We are grateful for the partnerships that allowed us to renovate this popular site on the New River.”
The bulk of construction was paid for with motorboat registration receipts. Onslow County purchased land for additional parking and the second launch lane with a grant from the Waterfront Access and Marine Industry Fund.
For more information on boating in North Carolina, including an interactive map of more than 200 free, 24-hour boating access areas, visitwww.ncwildlife.org and click on “boating.”
The North Carolina Legislature overwhelmingly passed SB 821 after a concurrence vote in the N.C. Senate. The bill, which now goes to the governor for signature, mandates the following:
Prohibits the use of a mother-ship/multi-vessel purse seining operations for menhaden reduction in state waters (out to 3 miles from shore)
Requires the MFC to have a “super majority” (6 out of 9 votes) to go against the Division of Marine Fisheries’ (DMF) recommendations in managing any species that is overfished or experiencing overfishing.
Reduces the number of DMF Advisory Committees (AC) by combining some committees and reducing the Regional AC’s from three to two
CCA NC introduced the legislation and is very pleased with the efforts of the Legislature. “It is an outstanding day for the resource,” stated CCA NC Executive Director Stephen Ammons. “With the passage of this bill, a vital forage stock has been protected from overfishing, and just as important, the management of our state’s fisheries is strengthened.”
In addition to those above, the bill also directs two studies to take place that could be beneficial to the future of our state’s resource along with its anglers. The bill calls for a study of potential funding sources for inlet dredging, in addition to a study of the state’s fisheries management agencies and to consider reorganization to increase efficiency and productivity by the Wildlife Resource Commission and DMF Directors.
Greg Hurt, CCA NC President, stated, “CCA’s primary goal is to protect our state’s coastal resources, and SB 821 does just that and it does it in a number of ways. As the largest organization representing the interest of recreational fishermen in the state, CCA NC greatly appreciates the actions of our elected officials and their support for the future of our coastal resources.”
If you are an avid fisherman with experience in fishing for gray triggerfish or blueline tilefish, you may be eligible to participate in the upcoming 2013 stock assessment for these species. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting volunteers to participate in stock assessments for the two species scheduled to begin in early 2013. The benchmark assessments will be conducted through the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) stock assessment program.
“Knowledgeable fishermen play a key role in the stock assessment process,” explained John Carmichael, Science and Statistics Program Manager for the Council. “Fishermen chosen to serve as panelists bring their on-the-water experience and observations to the table, especially during the Data Workshop. Their participation helps us to better understand trends in fishing activity and other factors that are considered during assessment.” Recreational, commercial, and for-hire (charter/headboat) fishermen are encouraged to apply.
The SEDAR assessment process consists of a Data Workshop, Assessment Workshop, and Review Workshop. Representatives may be appointed to serve as panelists at the Data Workshop and observers at the Assessment and Review Workshops. Computer and internet access is required in order to participate during the Assessment Workshop component.
The Data Workshop is scheduled for February 11-15, 2013, in Charleston, SC. The Assessment Workshop will be held via a series of webinars between May and July and the final Review Workshop will be held in Beaufort, NC, on August 26-29, 2013.
Please contact Kim Iverson at kim.iverson@safmc.net or call (843) 571-4366 or toll free (855) SAFMC-10 if you are interested in applying to the SEDAR Pool and participating in this or other stock assessment workshops. The application deadline is August 15, 2012, for fishermen interested in serving as a panelist for SEDAR 32.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils, conserves and manages fish stocks from three to 200 miles offshore of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida.
NC Camo, with the support of Camo members and our sportsmen partners, has been hard at work in the NC General Assembly. Several bills affecting fish and wildlife programs were considered in the Short Session of the NCGA. Given herein are those bills and the final actions on them.
Senate Bill 868: An act to eliminate the unintended penalty when a hunting or fishing license is renewed before its expiration date. This bill passed and is now law. Previously, a person would lose several days on a hunting or fishing license when it was renewed early because the law specified that all licenses are valid for one year from the date of issue. Under this new law, hunting and fishing licenses are valid for one year from the date on the face of the license so the time overlap from the previous license is not lost. This is a minor thing in most cases, but a good move for the sportsman.
Senate Bill 850: An act to create an oversight committee of 16 legislators to oversee fish and wildlife management programs. This was a very bad idea, which never got any legs due to conversations with Senate leaders. Once the problems were explained to sponsors, they decided not to move this bill. Fish and wildlife management programs do not need legislative oversight. In fact, a system like that would have serious negative effects. This is another good move for sportsmen.
With regard to budget issues, the Wildlife Resources Fund was not cut from last year’s level. In fact, funds for the wildlife conservation program were restored. The Clean Water Management Trust Fund was further cut to $10.75 million, a level far below that needed to meet the land conservation program for North Carolina. The Natural Heritage Trust Fund was not cut. It is funded from specific sources and not from general revenues.
NC Camo will continue to monitor developments in the General Assembly and report happenings in the interim between now and next January, when the 2013-14 Session will convene.
