Releases – May 26, 2016
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has issued a proclamation consistent with the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission’s decision to impose restrictions on the recreational cobia fishery. The commission voted to impose the following restrictions on recreational cobia:
- A 37-inch fork length (measured from the tip of the snout to the fork in the tail) minimum size limit for all recreational fisheries.
- Anglers fishing from private boats may only fish on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays under daily possession limit of two fish per vessel or one fish per person if only one person is on board.
- Those fishing from the shore or shore-based structures (pier or surf) may fish seven days a week with a daily possession limit of one fish per person.
- Those fishing on a for-hire boat (charter or guide) may fish seven days a week with a daily possession limit of four fish per vessel or one fish per person if fewer than four people are on board.
- Those practicing catch-and-release may fish seven days a week.
The commission’s decision was in response to a federal announcement that, because the annual catch limit was exceeded last year, it intends to close the recreational cobia season in federal waters north of the Georgia-Florida border on June 20. In order to remain consistent with the federal fishery management plan, the federal government encouraged states close state waters for recreational cobia season on June 20. The commission did not approve the division’s recommendation to either close state waters on June 20 or select one of eight size and vessel limit combinations already analyzed by federal government that would have resulted in a lengthened season if adopted by both North Carolina and Virginia.
The commission’s decision to impose these additional restrictions is an effort to extend the recreational cobia season in state waters. These new restrictions go into effect on Monday, May 23.
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will submit these new restrictions to the federal government and request an expedited review to determine whether these actions will be sufficient to allow the season to be extended in state waters beyond June 20. If the federal government determines that these restrictions are not sufficient to remain consistent with the federal fishery management plan for the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic regions, additional restrictions may be necessary.
For more specifics on the regulations, see Proclamation FF-25-2016 at http://ncmarinefisheries.net/proclamations.
The recreational black sea bass fishing season opened May 15 in both federal and North Carolina waters north of Cape Hatteras.
During the open season, the minimum size limit will be 12.5 inches total length (tip of the snout to the tip of the tail), and the bag limit will be 15 fish per person, per day. The season will close Sept. 21, and will reopen again from Oct. 22 through Dec. 31.
The recreational black sea bass regulations north of Cape Hatteras comply with the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Plan.
The recreational black sea bass fishery south of Cape Hatteras is managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. South of Cape Hatteras, the minimum size limit is 13 inches total length and the bag limit is five fish per person per day. The recreational black sea bass season begins April 1 each year and closes when the quota is met. The 2015-2016 season is open.
For more specific regulations on black sea bass, see Proclamation FF-24-2016 for North of Cape Hatteras or Proclamation FF-71-2015 for South of Cape Hatteras at http://ncmarinefisheries.net/proclamations.
For more information, contact Chris Batsavage at (252) 808-8009 or Chris.Batsavage@ncdenr.gov.
The Joint Law Enforcement Agreement Advisory Group will meet at 5:00 p.m. on June 1 at the Craven County Agricultural Center, 300 Industrial Drive, New Bern.
The advisory group will discuss whether the state should enter into a joint law enforcement agreement with the federal government.
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is conducting a 12-month study to determine the possible impacts, costs, and benefits of a joint law enforcement agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service, and whether the N.C. General Assembly should authorize the division to enter into an agreement. The division is required, by law, to submit findings of a study on this topic to the General Assembly by Oct. 15. Consultation with an advisory group is part of this process.
In a joint enforcement agreement, the N.C. Marine Patrol would contract with the National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Law Enforcement to supplement and enhance federal fisheries law enforcement capabilities. The agreement would be accompanied by an enforcement plan in which both the state and federal agencies agree to a list of priorities and activities to be enforced by state officers. In return, Marine Patrol would receive monetary compensation and training about federal regulations.
A joint enforcement agreement also would allow N.C. Marine Patrol officers to charge fishermen with minor federal offenses, and adjudicate those charges through state district court.
For more information, contact N.C. Marine Patrol Col. Jim Kelley at (252) 808-8130 or Jim.M.Kelley@ncdenr.gov.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission announces a new program that could reward members of the public who report suspicious activity or provide knowledge related to wildlife poaching violations that results in a conviction. The Turn-In-Poachers (TIP) program was created to encourage any concerned citizen to report information on wildlife violations.
“Wildlife crimes affect us all, whether we are hunters, anglers, trappers, bird watchers, or just someone who enjoys walking in the woods,” said Lt. B.J. Meyer, assistant training director and communications supervisor for the Commission’s Law Enforcement Division. “Despite our constant efforts, it is not possible for our officers to apprehend all violators on their own. We need the guidance and support of the public to be most effective, so we rely on our citizens to assist in the reduction of wildlife crimes.”
The Turn-In-Poachers program was developed in partnership with the N.C. Bowhunters Association to implement Session Law 2013-380, which established the Wildlife Poacher Reward Fund. The fund receives at least 10% of replacement and investigative costs (by court order) from adjudicated cases. Additional money to support the fund comes from wildlife law violators themselves, who are required to pay restoration fees directly to the NCWRC. The restoration fee replenishes the fund in the amount of the reward paid out to capture the poacher.
“Poaching includes the illegal take of game, fish, plants, trespassing, littering, theft, and destruction of property,” Lt. Meyer added. “With this new program and partnership, we can work together to protect our resources for the future enjoyment of all North Carolinians.”
These rewards range from $100 to $1,000, depending on the severity of the crime and the fines assessed by the court.
All tips received through the program will remain anonymous. However, to be eligible for the reward, you must provide the NCWRC with your name and contact information.
Tips can be submitted in four ways:
(1) Via the internet: at www.tipsubmit.com;
(2) Via mobile app: To install the free app, search for “TipSoft” or “TipSubmit” in the Google Play store (Android) or the Apple App Store (iOS);
(3) Via text: To submit an anonymous tip through text messaging, type WILDTIP and your message, then send it to 274637 (CRIMES on most cell phones). Texts are anonymous, so senders must identify themselves in the body of the text in order to claim a reward. Message and data rates may apply; and
(4) Via phone: To submit a tip via phone, for reward or anonymously, dial 1-855-WILDTIP. The hotline is available 24 hours a day to handle calls from concerned citizens. This phone number is only for poaching-specific violations. For all other wildlife violations, questions, and concerns, call (800) 662-7137.
