Ahab's Journal

COMMERCIAL OCEAN STRIPED BASS FISHERMEN NEED NEW PERMIT

MOREHEAD CITY – Commercial fishermen wishing to participate in the ocean striped bass fishery this winter need to purchase an Atlantic Ocean Striped Bass Commercial Gear Permit.

 

This new permit costs $10 and is available at any N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries license office. Fisherman can also call the division to request a mail-in application.

 

The permit must be obtained before Nov. 1 for fishermen to be eligible to participate in the fishery.  Fishermen will be allowed to obtain only one permit per person.

Traditional use of waters colliding with recreation

Eastern Pamlico Sound doesn't look congested, but disagreement over the use of some parts of the estuary has erupted on Hatteras Island.

Commercial fisherman Todd Ballance planned to set flounder pound nets in two locations off the southern end of the island, one off Sandy Bay near Hatteras village and one offshore of Sunset Village in Frisco.

But some soundside property owners and recreational watercraft users objected, saying Ballance's fishing nets would impede boating, kiteboarding, windsurfing, kayaking, and sport-fishing on the sound.

Continue reading Traditional use of waters colliding with recreation »

NEWSLETTER PROFILES FISHERIES SOCIAL SCIENTIST

MOREHEAD CITY – Fisheries management takes more than studying fish; it takes studying the fishermen, too.

 

The summer edition of Fish Eye News introduces readers to a man who researches the social and economic aspects of fisheries.

 

GRADES IMPROVE FOR FOUR SPECIES ON STOCK STATUS REPORT

But status of king mackerel, croaker, and spotted seat trout fall.

 

MOREHEAD CITY – The stock status of four species improved in this year’s North Carolina Stock Status Report of Important Coastal Fisheries.

 

Merger of MFC and WRC; Common Sense and Fiscal Responsibility Demand Action

From the Coastal Fisheries Reform Group:

"Jim Holshouser and Jim Martin both commissioned efficiency studies when they were elected Governor in an attempt to improve the way state government delivered services. One of the conclusions of both studies was that the WRC and MFC should be merged to save significant funds and to improve efficiency.

Most coastal states have merged Marine and Fresh Water Fish and Wildlife agencies. The reasons are powerful and obvious."

Read "MFC and WRC; Common Sense and Fiscal Responsibility Demand Action"

STUDY FINDS DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN OCEAN AND ESTUARINE FISHERMEN

MOREHEAD CITY – Commercial fishermen that work in the Atlantic Ocean tend to make more money and express more optimism about the future of the industry than their estuarine counterparts, according to an economic analysis of a survey by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.

 

Virginia menhaden boats spill fish

MOREHEAD CITY — A Virginia-based menhaden fishing vessel spilled fish off the coast of Cape Lookout Monday, and that incident, coupled with complaints about bycatches of red drum and commercial operations near recreation areas has caused concern for state Division of Marine Fisheries officials.

The spill involved a vessel owned by Omega Protein of Reedville, Va. DMF is in contact with the company and plans to discuss this incident and what can be done to avoid future user conflicts and bycatch issues.

DMF Socioeconomic Reports Now Available On-Line

NC DMF adds a socioeconomic section to their website.

Visit the website here

Specks in nets

"While other fish are caught in the speckled trout gill net fishery, Beth Burns, the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries' spotted sea trout biologist, said the nets don't snare undersized speckled trout."

Read "Specks in nets"

Dead and red

"To restore its overfished red drum population, North Carolina capped commercial landings at the historic harvest, said Lee Paramore, the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries' red drum biologist."

Read "Dead and red"

MARINE FISHERIES RELEASES 2008 LANDINGS REPORT

MOREHEAD CITY – North Carolina commercial seafood landings rose by 13 percent in 2008, bolstered by the best hard blue crab harvest since 2003. The increase ends a previous five-year decline for the state’s seafood industry.

 

Statement from DMF Director Daniel regarding spotted seatrout interim rules

Recently I sent an e-mail to Marine Fisheries Commission members updating them on the status of House bill 918, which seeks game fish status for spotted sea trout and red drum. In this e-mail I asked the members’ opinions on discussing interim rules for spotted sea trout at the board’s May meeting.

New 30-acre, man-made reef is under way

"Off the coast of Englehard, 30 acres of ocean floor is being prepared for a man-made reef that will upgrade shellfish habitat and in turn supplement game fish populations.

The N.C. Department of Marine Fisheries has recently taken the next step in its oyster shell redistribution program and has laid out a tract of 7.5 acres that will be developed during the summer months as part of the 30-acre grid along Gibbs Shoal.

The project is being funded by a $445,000 grant that has been provided by the Coastal Recreational Fishing License revenue."

Read "New 30-acre, man-made reef is under way"

   

N.C. fish biologists duck ban, resume field work

"State Division of Marine Fisheries field survey work, halted last week because of state budget restraints, will resume today.

Sara Winslow, the division's Northern District manager in Elizabeth City, said her group will be setting gill nets, putting out fish pots for white and yellow perch and taking water-quality and fish-house samples."  

Read "N.C. fish biologists duck ban, resume field work" 

Tight budget affects work at N.C. division of fisheries

"State budget constraints have halted field survey work by the Division of Marine Fisheries, potentially jeopardizing data collection at the height of the herring spawning season.

At the same time, multiple Marine Fisheries committee meetings have been canceled for economic reasons, including a two-day session scheduled for Kitty Hawk next month.

Gov. Bev Perdue this month instructed state offices to stop buying goods and services and to cease all travel not approved for public safety, public health or economic development."

Read "Tight budget affects work at N.C. division of fisheries"

MARINE PATROL SEIZES ILLEGAL GROUPER CATCH

MOREHEAD CITY – N.C. Marine Patrol officers seized 12 illegally-caught grouper Friday night, after staking out a Brunswick County fish house, waiting for the commercial fishing vessel Capt. Star.

 

Marine Patrol Officers Jonathan Weaver and Jonathan Hall charged the boat’s captain, Milton Muellerweiss, 50, of Ocean Isle Beach, with engaging in a commercial fishing operation without being properly licensed and with exceeding the harvest limit for black and gag grouper.

 

NEW LOCATION FOR DMF WANCHESE OFFICE

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Wanchese office, including the license sales office, will close April 13 to move to a new location in Manteo.

 

 The office will reopen at 8 a.m. April 14 at 1021 Driftwood Drive, Manteo. All office telephone numbers will remain the same.

 

Wanchese area fishermen needing license assistance during the move may go to DMF’s Columbia office at 3727 U.S. 64 West, Columbia or call (252) 796-1322.

FISH EYE NEWS GETS DOWN TO DOLLARS AND CENTS

MOREHEAD CITY – With commercial license renewal season approaching, springtime bringing out the recreational anglers and all the news about the nation’s economy, it’s a good time to look at where the fishing license money goes.

 

STATE IMPOSES STRIPED BASS GEAR RESTRICTIONS

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries took action Monday to protect the striped bass brood stock in the central and southern waters of the state.

 

Division of Marine Fisheries Director Louis Daniel issued a proclamation that implemented a 6.5-inch gill net maximum mesh size limit in these waters to allow large, migrating females – some reported to be as large as 40 pounds – to  escape capture and continue to upriver spawning grounds.

Speckled Seatrout FMP Public Information Brochure

"North Carolina’s recreational landings increased from an all time low in 2003 (175,521 pounds) to a record high in 2007 (961,167 pounds)."

Read Public Information Brochure

State budget shortfall stalling some projects

BY SUSAN WEST, OUTER BANKS SENTINEL | A ballooning revenue shortfall is stalling some state coastal fisheries projects and scaling back others.

Purchase of waterfront property at the Manns Harbor bridge has been placed on hold, according to Lisa Schell, spokesperson for the state Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

STATE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY NAMES LEADERSHIP TEAM

RALEIGH – N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Dee Freeman today announced his selection of a new chief deputy/chief operating officer and new assistant secretary for natural resources, and the reorganization of the department’s information systems function, effective March 2, 2009.

HB 105 - Clarify Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact - Filed Today

AN ACT TO CLARIFY THAT THE INTERSTATE WILDLIFE VIOLATOR COMPACT INCLUDES VIOLATIONS OF MARINE RESOURCES LAW, AS RECOMMENDEDBY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON SEAFOOD AND AQUACULTURE.

Scallops back on the menu

BY SUSAN WEST, OUTER BANKS SENTINEL | Outer Bankers and their Core Sound neighbors are allowed to harvest bay scallops from now until April.

Louis Daniel, director of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, issued a proclamation authorizing a limited fishery, after the state Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) approved the opening at their Jan. 22 meeting in Carolina Beach.

Down East petitions for scallop season

MOREHEAD CITY — Fishermen in the Down East area of Carteret County want to harvest bay scallops, but first the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) must open the season again after about three years of continually closed seasons.

The bay scallop fishery in North Carolina has been closed since January 2006. Patricia Smith, DMF public information officer, said Friday it has been closed due in an effort to rebuild the bay scallop population. Marine scientists say due to overfishing of sharks, cownose rays, which are known to eat scallops, have few predators and are decimating the scallop population.

State moving forward on waterfront projects

BY SUSAN WEST, OUTER BANKS SENTINEL | Twelve of 13 public projects designed to provide access to coastal waters, including one in Manns Harbor, are very likely to happen, according to Louis Daniel, director of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.

Marine patrol proposal pulled from legislative agenda

"RALEIGH - A proposal that would allow marine patrol officers to be deputized to enforce federal marine fisheries laws was abruptly pulled from a legislative commission's agenda on Monday.

Rep. William Wainwright of Craven County, co-chairman of the Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture, requested that the commission not consider the proposal. After the meeting, Wainwright said that he was facing political reality."

Read "Marine patrol proposal pulled from legislative agenda"

Freeman promises to 'get it right'

"When Dee Freeman announced his retirement as executive director of Triangle J Council regional planning organization last May, he said he wanted to pursue public policy on the state level.

On Tuesday, Freeman was named a Cabinet secretary for the department charged with protecting the state's land, water and air quality.

"We are talking about the legacy of our children and grandchildren," Freeman said about his new job Tuesday. "We have to get it right." "

Read "Freeman promises to 'get it right' "

 

New Environment Secretary Named

Governor-elect Perdue announced today the selection of Dee Freeman, former executive director of the Triangle J Council of Governments, as the new Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources. 
 

State buildings go on fast track

RALEIGH -- The state's top elected officials this morning approved an expedited schedule to sell $742 million in bonds for university buildings, prisons, museums and a polar bear exhibit at the N.C. Zoo. The projects include $4.3 million for a research oyster hatchery under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Read "State buildings go on fast track"

 

Another name for Environment

Under the Dome is reporting two more names under consideration by Governor-elect Bev Perdue for Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources - Sandy Sands and Tim Toben. 

Read "Another name for Environment"

 

Fishermen at odds on future of rockfish fishery

BY SUSAN WEST, OUTER BANKS SENTINEL | If fishermen and fisheries managers agree on anything, it's that management of the commercial striped bass fishery should be improved, but consensus over how to do that remains elusive.

"We can continue with the status quo or find a better way to manage the fishery," said Scott Crosson, socioeconomic program manager at the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, Tuesday evening at a meeting of the Dare County Commission for Working Watermen.

Who will head up DENR?

"Under the Dome has heard one more name for the secretary of Environment and Natural Resources. (http://projects.newsobserver.com/dome)

Sen. Dan Clodfelter, a five-term Charlotte Democrat who currently sits on the Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, is reportedly interested in the job.

He joins a long list of names, including current Secretary Bill Ross, parks director Lewis Ledford, former Secretary Bill Holman, Creedmoor Mayor Darryl Moss, conservationist Reid Wilson, transportation board member Nina Szlosberg and consultant Freda Porter."

MARINE FISHERIES RELEASES WINTER FISH EYE NEWS

’Tis the season for illegal oyster sales, so the N.C. Marine Patrol has stepped up enforcement.  The winter edition of Fish Eye News will tell citizens how they can and why they should help.  The newsletter will also explain the reason for a new circle hook requirement adopted by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission in November, review the history of red drum management in the state, look at how the agency gathers recreational statistics, and celebrate a victory for dogfish fishermen.

State's environmental agencies hope budget cuts won't affect public programs

"The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been told to reduce its spending by 5 percent, which constitutes about $10.7 million, said spokeswoman Diana Kees."

Read "State's environmental agencies hope budget cuts won't affect public programs"

Shrimp harvest report varies

   Local seafood dealers have had varying amounts of success with shrimp harvesting so far this year; some have had a good year so far, while others are seeing fishermen quitting.

COMMERCIAL RED DRUM HARVEST LIMIT REDUCED

N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Director Louis Daniel has reduced the commercial red drum harvest limit by more than half this year to pay back overages from last year.

Sleek new state book spares 'boring facts'

"The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources is planning to publish a coffee table-style book, the sort of thing normally plastered with images of covered bridges or Annie Leibovitz portraits.

This one, as yet untitled, will boast about how the agency has reduced waste, blazed new trails and protected rare species."

Read "Sleek new state book spares 'boring facts' "

Flounder regulations under review

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) is asking the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) to start looking into a revision of the southern flounder fishery management plan (FMP) to address issues with gill net bycatch.

DMF Hearing in Manteo October 13

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold three public hearings in October on a variety of proposed rules, including several impacting the red drum and pound net fisheries.

Who will catch the fish?

Young commercial fishermen have become about as rare as a blue moon rising in the night sky.

So, state fisheries officials were surprised to learn that the average age of a commercial fisherman in North Carolina is declining.

Scott Crosson, socio-economics program manager at the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), has told officials that the average age has declined by about six months every year since 2000.

Helping hand from Hanna

 

Local shrimp trawling crews hope Hanna did more than hit and run. They hope she brought the shrimp inland.

Signs are indicating she may have done just that.

Read "Helping hand from Hanna"

Fish woes: State looking at ASMFC for quota

BY SUSAN WEST, OUTER BANKS SENTINEL | Elected representatives and the chief state fisheries official agreed Thursday that the state must aggressively pursue changes in the way the spiny dogfish fishery is managed.

"The one thing that is critical is that North Carolina fishermen fish this winter, either at 1.3 million pounds or more," said Senator Marc Basnight at a meeting with Louis Daniel, North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) director.

FISH EYE NEWS FOCUSES ON EFFORTS TO SAVE TROUBLED FISHERIES

Biologists in the Elizabeth City office of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries have ramped up research on river herring.  In the Morehead City office, the Oyster Sanctuary program is preparing for six new positions to complement a new research oyster hatchery at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

 

The fall issue of Fish Eye News, which was posted today, takes an in-depth look at the expansions of these two programs and how DMF is working to improve the health of the fisheries.

New sanctuaries in N.C. reviving scallops threatened by rays

Breaking a link in the food chain may be the first step toward reviving a North Carolina scallop population decimated by millions of migrating cownose rays.

Scientists believe that three new sanctuaries in coastal sound waters will protect scallops during the summer onslaught of feeding rays, which have proliferated with the decline of great shark species.

Read "New sanctuaries in N.C. reviving scallops threatened by rays"

Oysters get $$ boost

BY SUSAN WEST, OUTER BANKS SENTINEL | Oyster restoration efforts got a boost in the state budget passed by legislators this summer. The budget includes $2 million for expansion of the oyster sanctuary program at the state Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF).

It also authorizes construction of a $4.3 million DMF research hatchery at the Center for Marine Science at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Sign of the times: Real estate appraisals less than expected

BY SUSAN WEST, OUTER BANKS SENTINEL | Appraisals of some waterfront properties slated for purchase by the state under the Waterfront Access and Marine Industry funding program are coming in at millions less than asking prices.

One appraisal valued the 12-acre tract and marina at the foot of the William B. Umstead Memorial Bridge in Manns Harbor at $2.7 million.

The owner, Outdoor Properties III, LLC of Greenville, is asking $5.75 million for the property, according to the NC Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), the agency in charge of administering the Waterfront Access and Marine Industry (WAMI) fund.

State budget backs efforts to restore oysters

North Carolina is about to throw big bucks at the humble oyster, long the poster child of what's wrong with the coast, to try to boost stocks of the depleted bivalve.

Read "State budget backs efforts to restore oysters"

Shrimpers want access to the river

Tony Ipock wants his nephew to replace him as a commercial fisherman someday. But right now the young man can’t make a living that way, even though there are plenty of shrimp in the Pamlico River, Ipock told Beaufort County commissioners Monday night.

Read "Shrimpers want access to the river"

 

Good shrimping season predicted for area waters

BY SUSAN WEST, OUTER BANKS SENTINEL | Seafood aficionado Lynne Foster hopes predictions for a good shrimping season in North Carolina prove to be right.

"The Pamlico Sound shrimp we enjoyed fresh last summer and frozen this winter so far surpassed the tasteless imports that they don't even seem to be the same creature," said Foster from her home in Hatteras.