Releases – October 23, 2014
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a series of stakeholder meetings to provide information on a proposed for-hire logbook reporting requirement.
The meetings will be held:
Nov. 4 at 6:00 p.m.—N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Wilmington Regional Office, 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington
Nov. 6:00 at 6 p.m. —N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Morehead City Central District Office, 5285 U.S. 70 West Morehead City
Nov. 12 at 6:00 p.m. —Dare County Administrative Building, County Commissioners Meeting Room, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo
At these meetings, division staff will discuss the logbook reporting process and give demonstrations of potential reporting systems, such as an Internet web tool, tablet application, and paper logbooks.
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will hear a presentation on the proposed logbook reporting requirements at its Nov. 19-21 meeting in Kitty Hawk. The commission is scheduled to vote on rules to implement the proposed for-hire logbook at its Feb. 18-20 meeting. The rules could take effect as early as May 1.
For more information on the proposed for-hire logbook reporting requirements, contact Doug Mumford, with the division’s License and Statistics Section, at (252) 948-3876 or Doug.Mumford@ncdenr.gov or contact Chris Wilson, also with the License and Statistics Section, at (252) 948-3885 or Chris.Wilson@ncdenr.gov.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently soliciting applicants for open advisory panel seats. Working at the grass roots level, advisory panel members provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans.
The Council has eleven advisory panels composed of individuals who are engaged in the harvest of managed species, or are knowledgeable and interested in the conservation and management of the fishery or managed species. Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scientists, and concerned citizens.
Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council and serve for three-year terms, based on the frequency of meetings. As those appointments expire, members currently serving on the AP may reapply for their positions. These seats also become open to new applicants. Term limits are also in place with limits set at three consecutive terms. During its September meeting, the Council approved changes to the structure of the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel allocating seats by state.
Advisory Panel members generally meet no more than once or twice each year and are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings. Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:
Coral Advisory Panel (1) Coral Scientist
Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel (1) NC Recreational; (1) NC Charter; (1) NC Commercial; (2) SC Recreational; (1) SC Charter; (1) SC Commercial/Dealer; (1) GA Recreational; (1) GA Charter; (2) FL Recreational and (1) FL Charter
Habitat Advisory Panel (2) SC Recreational; (1) SC Conservation; (1) GA Recreational; (1) FL Recreational; (1) FL Commercial; and (1) At-large Research
Mackerel Advisory Panel (1) NC Commercial; (1) SC Recreational; (2) FL Recreational, (1) FL Charter; (3) FL Commercial; and (1) Non-governmental Organizational (NGO) Seat
Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel (2) Open NC Seats; (2) Open SC Seats; (1) Open GA Seat and (1) Open NGO Seat
SEDAR Advisory Panel (Pool)* Open Seats
*Applicants appointed to the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Pool are eligible to serve on species-specific panels for future stock assessments.
If you are interested in serving as a member on the Council’s advisory panels, please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call the Council office at (843) 571-4366 (Toll Free (866) SAFMC-10). Application forms are available from the Council office and may also be downloaded from the “Advisory Panel” page of the Council’s website at www.safmc.net.
Applications should be mailed to Kim Iverson, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. Charleston, SC 29405. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact area Council representatives to discuss their interest in serving. Contact information for all Council members is available from the “About Us” section of the Council’s website at www.safmc.net or through the Council office. Advisory panel members will be selected during the Council’s December 1-5, 2014 meeting in New Bern, NC. Advisory panel applications must be received by November 6, 2014 for consideration by the Council during the December meeting.
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.
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Conservation Fund Committee will meet Oct. 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Headquarters, 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City.
The committee will review funding proposals from division staff for a circle hook outreach campaign and to develop an industry workgroup to reduce bycatch in North Carolina’s shrimp trawl fishery.
For more information, contact Randy Gregory at (252) 808-8078 or randy.gregory@ncdenr.gov.
