Releases – July 18, 2013
Internal waters from the N.C. 58 Bridge in Bogue Sound to the South Carolina state line have recently been closed to large-mesh gill net fishing.
The action is being taken to protect threatened and endangered sea turtles during the summer season.
Since late May, the division’s Observer Program has observed six interactions between large-mesh gill nets and sea turtles in these waters. The interactions include two live endangered Kemps Ridley sea turtles, three live green sea turtles, and one live sea turtle of unknown species (it fell out of the net before it could be identified).
The interactions were observed in Topsail and Stump sounds and in the New and White Oak rivers.
Large-mesh gill net fishing in these waters is subject to management measures resulting from a lawsuit settlement agreement between the state and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.
The state is also seeking a statewide Incidental Take Permit under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act for the gill net fisheries in internal waters. These permits allow for limited takes of threatened or endangered species in an otherwise lawful activity.
The closure applies to set gill nets between 4 inches and 6½ inches stretched mesh. For more specific regulations, see Proclamation M-20-2013 at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/proclamations.
The closure does not apply to run-around, strike, or drop nets used to surround a school of fish that are immediately retrieved.
The closure will remain in place until at least Sept. 1.
For more information, contact the division’s Protected Resources Section Chief Chris Batsavage at (252) 808-8009 or Chris.Batsavage@ncdenr.gov.
In his 24 years with the N.C. Marine Patrol, Jim Kelley has worked all over coastal North Carolina. This is one of the reasons he is the perfect choice for the new Marine Patrol major.
“Jim’s been stationed in all three Marine Patrol districts of the state, which means he understands the fishing activities statewide,” said Marine Patrol Col. Rex Lanier.
Kelley, most recently captain in the Wilmington Marine Patrol District, received the golden oak leaves of a major in a pinning ceremony at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Headquarters in Morehead City.
The major is second in command in Marine Patrol ranks. The position supervises all Marine Patrol field operations for the state, which cover 2.7 million acres of ocean and coastal waters and 4,000 miles of shoreline in 21 counties.
Kelley began his career with Marine Patrol in 1989 as a field officer patrolling the Belhaven area. He was promoted through the ranks to sergeant, then lieutenant, moving to Dare County and then the Wilmington Area. In November 2008, he was promoted to captain.
In addition to his extensive knowledge of fisheries across the state, Kelley is also known for going out of his way to help the fishing public understand and abide by regulations, Lanier said.
Lanier recalled a time several years ago when Marine Patrol cited a charter boat owner for operating without a for-hire fishing license. Afterward, Kelley learned that the charter boat operator could not read well, and, therefore, didn’t think he could pass the test to get his U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License, which was a requirement of the state for-hire license.
“Jim helped him get through it,” Lanier said. “He helped him get set up in a special class, and he (the charter boat operator) was able to get his captain’s license.”
Kelley said helping the public understand regulations is just a common sense way to get the public to comply with the rules.
“Anytime that there are changes, and the public doesn’t understand what’s going on, it makes it difficult for them to accept it,” Kelley said. “Once they understand why a regulation is needed and what is required of them, it makes our job easier.”
Kelley replaces Major Harold Knudsen, who retired May 1.
He will relocate to the Morehead City area with his wife, Bonnie. He also has two grown children: stepson Jason Wheeler, of Wilmington, and daughter Kandice Dean, of Greenville.
The Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project (PISTP) is seeking photographs of sea turtle hatchlings in the Cape Fear River from Snow’s Cut south to New Inlet. This request is part of the organization’s efforts to better understand sea turtle habitat and behavior in our area.
Anyone who sees one or more sea turtle hatchlings on the river is requested to email photos of them to riverbabies1@gmail.com. Please include the date and time when the photo was taken, and the photographer’s contact information.
For more information about the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project, visit their website at www.Seaturtleproject.org, or visit them on Facebook.
Organizations joining PISTP in this effort include North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Fort Fisher AF Recreation Area, and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
The world’s largest sportfishing trade show, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, was held July 9-12, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the industry’s trade association, ICAST–in its 56th year as the industry’s trade show–is the catalyst that drives the global recreational fishing industry year-round. More than 9,000 industry representatives from the global sportfishing industry were in Las Vegas to see the latest innovations in tackle, gear, accessories, and apparel.
The single most important feature for ICAST exhibitors and attendees alike is the New Product Showcase. The New Product Showcase embodies the sportfishing industry’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and rewards that ingenuity through the “Best of Show” new product awards competition.
This year the JL Marine Systems’ Power-Pole Micro Anchor was voted by buyers and media as the best product in both the Boating Accessory category and the overall “Best of Show.”
Some of the other top finishers are as follows:
Best of Show – Saltwater Reel – Shimano American Corporation, Stella SW 30000
Best of Show – Saltwater Rod – St. Croix Rods, Legend Xtreme Inshore
Best of Show – Line – PowerPro, PowerPro Zero-Impact
Best of Show – Tackle Management – Plano Molding Company, 3700 Guide Series Tackle Bag
Best of Show – Terminal Tackle – Mustad, Grip-Pin Swim
Best of Show – Apparel – Shimano American Corportion, Dryfender Insulated Raingear
Best of Show – Boating Accessory – JL Marine Systems, Inc., Power-Pole Mirco Anchor
Best of Show – Boats – Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, Inc., Predator 13
Best of Show – Electronics – Johnson Outdoors, Humminbird Bow Mount 360 Imaging
Best of Show – Eyewear – Costa, Tuna Alley
Best of Show – Fishing Accessory – American Tackle Company, Tidal Wave-Micro Wave System
Best of Show – Fishsmart Tackle – Foreverlast, Inc., G2 Floating Wading Net
Best of Show – Fly Fishing Accessory – Columbia Sportswear, Henry’s Fork V Vest
Best of Show – Fly Fishing Reel – Beam Outdoors, Elite 21 Reel
Best of Show – Fly Fishing Rod – G. Loomis, Inc., PRO4x
Best of Show – Giftware – Rapala, Original Floating Bottle Opener
Best of Show – Kids’ Tackle – Pure Fishing, Inc., Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Youth Combo
For complete ICAST information, visit ICASTfishing.org.
