Ahab's Journal

Joe Smith appointed to MFC

Joe Smith from Atlantic Seafood has been appointed by Governor Perdue to the NC Marine Fisheries Commission to replace David Beresoff.

MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION TO MEET NEXT WEEK

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet Dec. 2-4 at the Clam Digger Inn in Pine Knoll Shores.

 

Agenda items include final approval of 2010 Coastal Recreational Fishing License grants, as well as decisions regarding management measures for southern flounder, spotted seatrout and bay scallops. The commission will also receive several presentations about how stock assessments are developed.

Coastal Conservation Association North Carolina is Disappointed in the Marine Fisheries Commission’s Decision to Extend the Southern Flounder Season

CCA North Carolina is extremely disappointed with the decision by the Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) to extend the flounder season for pound nets in all inland waters. Under state management measures adopted by the MFC in 2005, the flounder season should close November 30^th. The MFC voted 5-2 to instruct the Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) Director, Dr. Louis Daniel, to extend the commercial pound net flounder season until December 15th. The MFC has once again decided to ignore NCDMF data stating flounder are being overfished and overfishing continues to occur.  No data was presented that justified this decision.

CONSERVATION FUND COMMITTEE MEETING SET

MOREHEAD CITY – The Conservation Fund Committee of the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 in the conference room of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries headquarters, 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City.

 

Flounder season extended

MOREHEAD CITY – The commercial southern flounder fishing season has been extended for two weeks but only for the pound net fishery.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission voted 5-2 Monday to direct Marine Fisheries Director Louis Daniel to extend the season for pound nets only until 6 p.m. Dec. 15. The board discussed the issue via a conference call.

The southern flounder season for gill nets will close after Nov. 30 as normal under state management measures adopted in 2005. 

Read more

MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING SET

MOREHEAD CITY – The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission will hold a meeting via conference call at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23 in the upstairs conference at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries headquarters, 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City.

 

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a proposed two-week extension of the commercial southern flounder fishing season. The southern flounder season normally closes after Nov. 30, under state management measures adopted in 2005.

SITES ADDED FOR ACCESS TO MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION MEETING

MOREHEAD CITY – More sites have been added for the public to listen to a N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission conference call Monday morning.

 

THE MFC ADVISOR - September 23-25, 2009

The Marine Fisheries Commission and the Division of Marine Fisheries continue to look for ways to keep committee advisors and the public informed about commission activities. It is our intent to publish the MFC Advisor after each business meeting, summarizing the meeting, and providing a list of motions and rulemaking proceedings. Hopefully this bulletin will keep you better informed about commission activities. Visit http://www.ncdmf.net/mfc/advisor.html to view this and past issues of the Advisor. Your comments regarding this update are always appreciated – please contact Nancy Fish by e-mail at nancy.fish@ncdenr.gov or by phone at 252-808-8021 or 1-800-682-2632.

The commission held a public meeting on the evening of September 23, followed by a business meeting September 24-25 at the Clam Digger Inn at Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina. The following commission members were in attendance: Mac Currin, Anna Beckwith, David Beresoff, Rob Bizzell, B.J. Copeland, Mikey Daniels, Edward Lee Mann, Bradley Styron and Darrell Taylor.   

Read more 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE TO MEET

MOREHEAD CITY – The Nominating Committee to the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet via conference call at 10:00 a.m. Nov. 10 in the second floor conference room at the Division of Marine Fisheries, 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City.

MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION SEEKS ADVISERS

MOREHEAD CITY - The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is looking for commercial and recreational fisherman and scientists to advise them on various fisheries issues.

Four regional advisory committees – Northeast, Central, Southeast and Inland – and four standing advisory committees – Crustacean, Shellfish, Finfish and Habitat and Water Quality – review matters referred to them by the commission, such as draft fishery management plans, and recommend management strategies. Committees may also bring issues pertaining to their region or subject matter to the commission’s attention.

Flounder decision postponed

After extensive public comments and requests that a decision wait until after the upcoming Southern Flounder Advisory Committee meeting, the Marine Fisheries Commission agreed Thursday to wait until at least December to consider the interim rules.

Rob Bizzell, who took over as chairman on the final day of the commission’s meeting, made the motion to delay, noting that the regulations won’t be implemented until 2010. 

Read "Flounder decision postponed"

MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION MEETS

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet Sept. 23-25 at the Clam Digger Inn in Pine Knoll Shores.

 

Agenda items include the discussion and possible adoption of interim management measures for southern flounder and spotted seatrout. The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is developing fishery management plans for both species that will recommend permanent rules when completed. The commission will discuss adopting temporary measures until permanent rules are completed.

 

Proposed interim measures for southern flounder include recommendations for gear specific commercial season closures and increased size and decreased bag limits for recreational fishermen.

 

Proposed interim measures for spotted seatrout include increasing the size limit from 12-to-14 inches for recreational and/or commercial fisheries.

 

Other agenda items for the meeting include:

· An agreement with Omega Protein regarding measures to help avoid user conflicts between the menhaden purse seine fishery and recreational fishermen;

· Measures taken to avoid sea turtle interactions with flounder gill nets.

 

Beckwith, Taylor tapped by Perdue

Gov. Bev Perdue appointed Darrell L. Taylor of Jacksonville and Anna Barrios Beckwith of Morehead City to the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission. 

Read "Beckwith, Taylor tapped by Perdue"
 

New NC MFC Members

Anna Beckwith of Morehead City and Darrell Taylor of Jacksonville have been appointed to the MFC seats previously held by Jess Hawkins and Rusty Russ.

Southern Flounder Meeting in Manteo August 6

MOREHEAD CITY – Several advisory committees to the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will discuss possible interim rules for southern flounder at meetings scheduled for August.

 

Spotted Sea Trout Meeting in Manteo July 16

MOREHEAD CITY – Several advisory committees to the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will discuss possible interim rules for spotted seatrout at meetings scheduled for July.

 

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"

The MFC Advisor

The MFC held a business meeting May 28 at the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina. The following commission members were in attendance: Mac Currin – Chairman, David Beresoff, Rob Bizzell, Mikey Daniels, Jess Hawkins, Edward Lee Mann, Rusty Russ and Bradley Styron. Dr. B.J. Copeland had an excused absence for this meeting. 

Read "The MFC Advisor"

Seatrout, flounder actions approved

"PINE KNOLL SHORES — The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) is considering raising the minimum length for spotted seatrout from 12 inches to 14 and for southern flounder from 14 inches to 15.

MAY FISHERIES MEETING SHORTENED, LOCATION CHANGED

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet May 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. The commission will not meet May 27-29 in Kitty Hawk, as previously scheduled.

 

Travel limit curtails MFC meetings

MOREHEAD CITY — The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) is caught between a rock and a hard place. It doesn’t have any travel funds for meetings for the rest of the fiscal year.

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.

The MFC Advisor

The MFC held a business meeting January 22-23 at the Courtyard Marriott in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. The following commission members were in attendance: Mac Currin – Chairman, Dr. B.J. Copeland-Vice Chairman, David Beresoff, Rob Bizzell, Mikey Daniels, Jess Hawkins, Edward Lee Mann, Rusty Russ and Bradley Styron.

Read "The MFC Advisor"

HB 106 - Implement Shellfish FMP Recommendations - Filed Today

AN ACT TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OYSTER AND HARD CLAM FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON SEAFOOD AND AQUACULTURE.

HB 107 - Authorizing IFQs in Striped Bass Fishery - Filed Today

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH INDIVIDUAL TRANSFERABLE FISHING QUOTAS TO TAKE STRIPED BASS, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON SEAFOOD AND AQUACULTURE

HB 108 - Suspension and Revocation of Fishing Licenses - Filed Today

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION TO STUDY ISSUES AND ADOPT RULES RELATED TO THE SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, AND REISSUANCE OF LICENSES AND TO STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT OFCERTAIN LAWS RELATED TO MARINE RESOURCES, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON SEAFOOD AND AQUACULTURE.       

Group wants more regulation of spotted seatrout fishery

"A newly formed Coastal Fisheries Reform Group is pushing for more regulations on the harvest of spotted seatrout.

"At this time we are not pursuing an all out strike-netting ban ... our goal is not to put anybody out of commercial fishing," said Dean Phillips a Surf City resident and one of CFRG's founders."

Read "Group wants more regulation of spotted seatrout fishery"

 

MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION SEEKS FLOUNDER ADVISERS

MOREHEAD CITY - The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is looking for people interested in serving on a Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee.

This committee will assist the commission in reviewing and updating the state’s Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan, or FMP, originally adopted in February 2005.

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.

MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION SEEKS ADVISERS

MOREHEAD CITY - The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is looking for commercial and recreational fisherman and scientists to advise them on various fisheries issues.

Four regional advisory committees – Northeast, Central, Southeast and Inland – and four standing advisory committees – Crustacean, Shellfish, Finfish and Habitat and Water Quality – review matters referred to them by the commission, such as draft fishery management plans, and recommend management strategies. Committees may also bring issues pertaining to their region or subject matter to the commission’s attention.

MFC Meets Jan. 21-23 in Carolina Beach

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet Jan. 21-23 at the Courtyard Marriott, 100 Charlotte Ave., Carolina Beach.

 

The MFC is scheduled to vote on Coastal Recreational Fishing License grants for 2009. The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries received 19 applications for grants totaling $2.2 million. A joint committee consisting of members of both the MFC and Wildlife Resources Commission has recommended approval of 11 of the proposals totaling $1.7 million.

 

Grants from the N.C. Marine Resources Fund, which receives funds from the sale of Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses, must be approved by both the MFC and WRC. However, the WRC has delegated its decision to the joint committee. If the MFC agrees with the joint committee recommendations, the approval process is complete. If not, the two commissions must come to terms.

 

Other issues on the MFC meeting agenda include:

·        Discussion of a new fishing license suspension, revocation and re-issuance proposal. At its November meeting, the MFC asked the Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture to pursue legislation to allow revision of the schedule against both commercial and recreational license holders. Discussion of the issue is on the Jan. 12 Seafood and Aquaculture Commission meeting agenda.

·        An update on stock assessments for spotted seatrout and Southern flounder that the Division of Marine Fisheries will use in developing a Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan and reviewing the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan.

·        Information on the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council Amendments 16, 17 and 18 to the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan.

 

The MFC business meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Jan. 22 and 8:30 a.m. Jan. 23. A public comment period will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at the same location.

 

A meeting agenda is attached. For more information, contact DMF’s MFC office at (252) 808-8021.

 

 

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.

The MFC Advisor

"The MFC held a business meeting November 6 - 7 at the Ramada Inn in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The following commission members were in attendance: Mac Currin – Chairman, Dr. B.J. Copeland-Vice Chairman, David Beresoff, Rob Bizzell, Mikey Daniels, Jess Hawkins, Rusty Russ and Bradley Styron.  Rob Bizzell had an excused absence the second day of the meeting. Marshall Williford resigned from the MFC in June and the governor had not appointed his replacement at the time of the meeting."

Read "The MFC Advisor"

The MFC Advisor

The MFC held a business meeting September 25 - 26 at the Clamdigger Inn in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina. 

Read "The MFC Advisor"

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.

The Gill Net Quandry: Part Two (More Nets, Problems)

“We’ve asked for that in the red drum fishery plan,” he said. “We will show the commission that nets are hurting the fishery and we need a change in the management plan to keep the resource healthy. That’s our first priority.” 

Read "The Gill Net Quandry: Part Two (More Nets, Problems)"

The MFC Advisor

The MFC held a business meeting June 26 and 27 at the Brownstone Hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina. The following members were in attendance: Mac Currin – Chairman, Dr. B.J. Copeland-Vice Chairman, David Beresoff, Rob Bizzell, Jess Hawkins, Rusty Russ and Bradley Styron.  Mikey Daniels had an excused absence from the first day of the meeting and was present on the second day. Marshall Williford resigned from the MFC and the governor had not yet appointed his replacement at the time of the meeting.

Advisory panel eyes cinderblocks, bloodworms

BY SUSAN WEST, OUTER BANKS SENTINEL | An advisory panel to the NC Marine Fisheries Commission voted Thursday to support a permitting requirement for all types of live bait, other than bloodworms, imported into the state.

Under the permit, suppliers would need to have live bait shipments from other states or other countries tested and certified as disease-free.

THE MFC ADVISOR

The MFC held a business meeting April 22-23 at the City Hotel and Bistro in Greenville, North Carolina Visit http://www.ncdmf.net/mfc/advisor.html to view The MFC Advisor, a summary of the meeting.

MFC plans to alter rules

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) is considering rules to increase the authority of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) director, shorten the oyster season and change regulations on shellfish leases.

MFC Seeks Finfish Advisor

The NC MFC is looking for a commercial fisherman to serve on its Finfish Advisory Committee. Read "MFC Seeks Finfish Advisor"

No drum stew this year!

BY SUSAN WEST, OUTER BANKS SENTINEL | Villagers on the Outer Banks shouldn't expect to see that traditional favorite, old drum stew, on their dining room tables anytime soon. A fisheries advisory committee recommended Thursday that the state retain the no-harvest provision for red drum longer than 27 inches that went into effect in 1998.

MFC Musical Chairs

Rob Bizzell, president of Realo Discounty Drug Stores, is the newest member of the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission. Bizzell lives in Kinston in Lenoir County. Bizzell was appointed to the at-large seat (#8) left vacant in January when Jim Leutze resigned. Only problem was seat #8 is one of the commission spots that can only be filled by a resident of one of the three coastal regions identified in GS 143B-289.54 (b), and Lenoir County is not in one of those coastal regions.

Commercial Fishermen address Dare County Board

Scroll down about midway in the summary of the February 18 meeting of the Dare County Board of Commissioners to watch a video of county fishermen addressing the board. Watch "Fishermen address Dare County Board"

Leutze leaves MFC position

BY SUSAN WEST, OUTER BANKS SENTINEL | With the resignation of Jim Leutze last week, the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission will most likely be short one member at its Jan. 23-25 meeting in Carolina Beach. "It's highly doubtful that a new commissioner will be appointed prior to the upcoming meeting," said Sara Allen, director of boards and commissions for Governor Mike Easley.