Releases – August 9, 2012
State officials are looking for ideas from the public on how three different agencies can cooperatively provide more efficient, productive, and enjoyable uses of the state’s fisheries resources. The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will accept comments on this subject at its August meeting in Raleigh on behalf of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, and N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Legislation passed and signed into law this summer directs these agencies to study the current organization of the state’s fisheries management agencies and whether these agencies should be reorganized. Currently, the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries manages coastal fish species while the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission manages inland fish species.
The commission will take public comment at 6:00 p.m. Aug. 22 and 9:00 a.m. Aug. 23 at the Brownstone Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, 1707 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. The chairman will allow each commenter to speak for five minutes during the Aug. 22 session and three minutes during the Aug. 23 session. Due to time constraints, those making comments will be asked to speak only once, either at the Aug. 22 or Aug. 23 sessions. Individuals will not be allowed to speak during both public comment periods.
The Wildlife Resources Commission will also receive public comment on these issues during its Aug. 29 committee meetings at the Wildlife Resources Commission Headquarters Conference Room, 1751 Varsity Drive, N.C. State University Centennial Campus, Raleigh. Additionally, the agencies will hold two joint meetings in coastal areas for the sole purpose of taking comments on this issue. The meetings are scheduled for: 6:00 p.m., Sept. 5 at the Craven County Cooperative Extension Office, 300 Industrial Drive, New Bern: and 6:00 p.m., Sept 6 at the Dare County Administration Building, Commissioners Meeting Room, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo.
The public may comment in writing online at www.ncsenatebill821.org/default.htm or by mail to S821 Comments, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1701. Deadline for receipt of written comments is Sept. 7.
All comments offered on this issue will be presented for joint consideration by all three agencies.
Local officials are invited to attend a one-day program designed to help governing boards integrate community water quality goals with sound strategies for growth and redevelopment. This leadership training is scheduled for Aug. 16 at the Western Park Community Center in Cedar Point. It is organized by North Carolina Sea Grant, the North Carolina Coastal Federation, and several other coastal partners.
“We are thrilled to be able to provide a venue for local officials to share coastal growth management experiences and resources with one another. There are some really exciting initiatives out there, and we are bringing people together to showcase them,” says Lauren Kolodij, NCCF deputy director.
This course aims to improve participants’ understanding of the connection between land use and water quality, highlight benefits of stakeholder and public involvement in environmental decision making, and illustrate ways to integrate water resource protection and restoration into public policies and programs.
“This event is a unique opportunity for local governments to spend time with and learn from neighboring communities about not only similar environmental issues—but also solutions,” notes Gloria Putnam, Sea Grant coastal resources and communities specialist.
The discussions will focus on programs, projects, and innovative regional planning efforts that are being implemented in North Carolina coastal communities.
Local government-elected officials will receive recognition for attendance through the Local Elected Leaders Academy (www.sog.unc.edu/programs/lela/), a program of continuous education, offered in partnership by the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government, the N.C. League of Municipalities, and the N.C. Association of County Commissioners.
To register, provide your name, local government affiliation, address, telephone number, and email address to Lauren Kolodij at laurenk@nccoast.org or call (252) 393-8185. The $20 fee covers breaks, lunch, and meeting materials.
For more information, visit www.ncseagrant.org/cgs.
Scott Baker, North Carolina Sea Grant fisheries specialist, was selected for the 2012 South Atlantic Sea Grant Regional Outreach Award.
He was recognized for leading a study that resulted in Community Supported Fisheries, or CSFs, and other promising new business models. The project has helped to enhance sustainable incomes for fishermen, while educating consumers about the seasonality, quality, and diversity of local seafood, as well as the traditions of fishing communities.
“Scott has been a leader in the development of innovative methods for North Carolina fishing families to market their wild-caught products. His ideas and concepts are making a difference, not only here in our state, but around the country as well,” says Jack Thigpen, Sea Grant extension director.
Baker first envisioned a direct-marketing arrangement for local seafood, similar to Community Supported Agriculture. He helped guide a pilot project supported by the N.C. Fishery Resource Grant Program, which is funded by the N.C. General Assembly and administered by Sea Grant.
Although the study ended in 2008, results are ongoing. Communities in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, South Carolina, Australia, and Canada have embraced the CSF model.
Fishermen who operate or belong to CSFs can sell seafood at premium prices to customers. Direct sales also mean more money returns to fishing communities, which enhances their economic vitality. Above all, CSFs have demonstrated how commercial fishermen, communities, and consumers can connect over locally harvested seafood.
This CSF work was featured in the Winter 2010 issue of Coastwatch at: www.ncseagrant.org/home/coastwatch/coastwatch-articles?task=showArticle&id=645.
Every two years, each of the six Sea Grant regions sponsors outreach awards. The South Atlantic region covers North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Baker now will compete with other regional recipients in the national competition, with the overall winner being announced in September.
NOAA is proud to announce a new standard language for characterizing habitats that has the potential to revolutionize how scientists study and manage our coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes. NOAA teamed with federal and non-federal partners to develop the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard—a type of dictionary of marine habitat terminology—for use in planning, monitoring, and managing our natural resources.
Whether we’re working to protect coral reefs, researching how marine life uses its environment, or restoring coastal areas, we need to know that we, and our fellow habitat scientists, are speaking the same language. With adoption of the new classification standard, we can be assured that local, state, federal, and international entities can make apples-to-apples comparisons among data collected from different sources, locations, and tools.
The Federal Geographic Data Committee recently endorsed this standard—a sort of “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval,” as data standards goes. It is the first such national standard endorsed for coastal and marine ecosystems.
As a “dynamic standard,” this classification system will continue to be updated and refined over time and as new information is collected.
The Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard is the result of collaboration between NOAA, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, University of Rhode Island, and NatureServe.
