Advisory committees consider interim rules for seatrout, flounder

MOREHEAD CITY – Several advisory committees to the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will discuss possible interim rules for spotted seatrout and southern flounder this summer.

At its May meeting, the MFC asked its regional advisory committees and its Finfish Advisory Committee to review and comment on a proposal to raise the minimum size limit for spotted seatrout from 12 to 14 inches.

The committees were also asked to review whether the state should implement interim measures for a southern flounder season closures for both commercial and recreational fisheries and a recreational size limit increase and creel limit decrease.

The MFC also asked the advisory committees to consider how to address user conflicts in both the spotted seatrout and southern flounder fisheries.

State law allows the MFC to implement temporary management measures while a fishery management plan is being developed if it determines the regulations are necessary to ensure the viability of a species or fishery. State law also requires such interim measures to be reviewed by the MFC’s regional advisory committees.

For a list of meeting dates and locations, go to http://www.ncfisheries.net/mfc/mtgsch.htm.