Releases – September 12, 2013
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission took action last week on several issues impacting commercial and recreational fishermen, including votes on two petitions for rulemaking.
The commission voted to:
(1) Deny a petition for rulemaking that proposed reclassifying most internal coastal waters as secondary nursery areas. The effect of the proposed rule would have been to halt shrimp and crab trawling in North Carolina inshore waters. The petitioner has the right to seek judicial review of the decision.
(2) Approve a petition for rulemaking that sought to prohibit the use of commercial fishing gear and certain types of recreational fishing gear on and around the Oriental Artificial Reef in the Neuse River. The decision begins a rulemaking process that will include fiscal analysis, notice of text in the state register, a public comment period, and at least one public hearing. If approved, a final rule would not become effective until the spring of 2015.
(3) Instruct the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ director to implement recommendations from a Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Team, endorsed by the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office, that prohibit setting small mesh gill nets within 100 yards of the beach at any tide. Two areas are to be exempted from the regulation: Cape Lookout to Bogue Inlet and from Carolina Beach Inlet to the South Carolina line. Strike nets also are to be exempted from the restriction.
(4) Keep the current recreational and commercial size and possession limits for spotted seatrout pending a scheduled review of the Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan. The plan, adopted in February 2012, included a provision for implementing stricter regulations in February 2014, if needed, to reduce the daily recreational bag limit to three fish per person, implement a Dec. 15-Jan. 31 recreational closure, reduce the commercial trip limit to 25 fish, and eliminate commercial closures.
(5) Send a proposal for a Jan. 1, 2014 moratorium on commercial and recreational harvest of American and hickory shad to the Finfish and regional advisory committees for review.
(6) Ask the Division of Marine Fisheries to design a study that compares closed trawling areas, specifically the Newport River, to open areas to determine the impact trawling has on sedimentation in primary and secondary nursery areas.
(7) Delay review of the N.C. Red Drum Fishery Management Plan by one year, from July 2014 to July 2015, so the state may use the results of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southeast Data, Assessment and Review stock assessment slated for 2015.
The commission also heard an update on the state Division of Marine Fisheries’ application for an incidental take permit for sea turtles in the gill net fishery. The division is waiting to receive this permit from the National Marine Fisheries Service before deciding when to reopen waters to large mesh gill nets. The division hopes to receive the permit by mid-September, and requirements of the permit will impact the division’s decision on when to reopen the waters, including the Pamlico Sound Gill Net Restricted Area.
U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre, Chairman of the Congressional Waterways Caucus, recently announced that plans are in place to dredge the Shallotte River by the end of the year.
Congressman McIntyre said, “This is a great victory for the Town of Shallotte and Brunswick County. Dredging the Shallotte River is essential to the wellbeing of our boaters, fishermen, and local economy. This is an excellent example of the great things we can accomplish when federal, state, and local officials work together to solve a problem!”
Shallotte Mayor Sara McCullough stated, “We are thrilled that the River will soon receive much-needed dredging. The Shallotte River is a lifeline to our town, and we will continue to work hard to ensure its proper upkeep and navigability. Thanks to all those who made this priority a reality.”
The dredging will address the shoaling of the river that has become a threat to public safety and the navigability of the waterway. The USACE plans to remove 3,600 cubic yards of beach quality sand from the riverbed and use the material for near-shore renourishment of Ocean Isle Beach.
In April, Congressman McIntyre helped to convene a coalition of local, state, and federal officials to find a solution to the dangerous shoaling that has occurred at the nexus of the Shallotte River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Participants in the meeting included representatives from the Town of Shallotte, USACE Wilmington District, NC Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, and Congressman McIntyre’s staff, among others.
The Town of Shallotte’s Board of Aldermen unanimously approved the proposed project. Before dredging can begin, a Memorandum of Agreement between the USACE, the State of NC, and the Town of Shallotte must be finalized. Congressman McIntyre contacted USACE headquarters, requesting that this MOA be expedited and implemented immediately.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 28 with special events and an urgent message to get more people involved in the outdoors.
The Commission is hosting four family-oriented events and assisting three others that highlight our state’s extraordinary hunting and fishing heritage that has supported remarkable conservation efforts through the years. Through interactive activities and demonstrations, participants can connect with nature and learn outdoor skills.
Some of the activities, which vary for each event, include: (1) Fishing, with bait and tackle provided; (2) Shooting archery and pellet rifles with qualified instructors; (3) Observing live animals, such as reptiles, amphibians and raptors; (4) Cooking over a campfire—and tasting the results; and (5) Learning about North Carolina’s hunting and fishing heritage.
Gov. Pat McCrory has proclaimed Sept. 28 as Hunting and Fishing Day in North Carolina. National Hunting and Fishing Day was created by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to celebrate conservation successes of hunters and anglers. In addition to providing healthy lifestyles and maintaining conservation efforts, hunting and fishing activities support upwards of 29,000 jobs in North Carolina.
“This is a perfect opportunity to increase awareness of hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-related skills, and to highlight the important role that hunters and anglers have played in conserving our natural resources,” said Margaret Martin, the Commission’s field outreach manager and the state’s National Hunting and Fishing Day coordinator. “Day-in, day-out, the Wildlife Commission takes active steps to involve people in hunting, fishing, and wildlife-watching. National Hunting and Fishing Day is a fun way to honor the contributions of the many conservationists who hunt and fish.”
This year’s regional schedule:
Coast: Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education at the Currituck Heritage Park, 1160 Village Lane, Corolla, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. For more information, call (252) 453-0221.
Coastal Plain: John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center, 7489 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. For more information, call (910) 868-5003.
Piedmont: Lake Wheeler Park, 6404 Laker Wheeler Road, Raleigh, coordinated by the Centennial Campus Center for Wildlife Education, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. For more information, call (919) 707-0205.
Mountains: Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, 1401 Fish Hatchery Road, Pisgah Forest near Brevard, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. For more information, call (828) 877-4423.
Commission staff and volunteers will assist at three events coordinated by our conservation partners:
National Wild Turkey Federation, Tar River Chapter’s 11th Annual Jakes Day at Rose Hill Farm, 3815 Rose Hill Lane, Nashville, beginning at 9:00 a.m. For more information, call (252) 442-0858.
Ducks Unlimited, Greenwing Event at Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, 615 South Knotts Island Road, beginning at 8:00 a.m. with $25 pre-registration required. For more information, call (252) 619-0575.
Roanoke-Chowan Wildlife Club, Hunting and Fishing Day, 126 Hare’s Mill Road, Winton, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. For more information, call (252) 794-3316 or (252) 724-0707.
