MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION (MFC) BUSINESS AND PLANNING MEETING

GREENVILLE HILTON INN, GREENVILLE, NC

FEBRUARY 2-3, 2004

February 2 Business Meeting

1 p.m. Call to Order/Invocation

Roll Call

Approval of Agenda and Minutes*

Public Comment

Issues from Commission Members

1:15 p.m. Chairman’s Report

-Flounder Size Limit in Internal Waters Rule Suspension

-Primary Nursery Area Rule Suspension

-Menhaden Rule Suspension

1:30 p.m. Committee Reports

1:45 p.m. Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan (FMP)

5 p.m. Blue Crab Tagging Rewards

5:30 p.m. Review of Spiny Dogfish Management Options

6:30 p.m. Adjourn

February 3 Joint Meeting with MFC Committee Advisors

10 a.m. Welcome – Jimmy Johnson, Chairman, N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission

10:15 a.m. Genesis of the 1994 License Moratorium - Willy Phillips

10:45 a.m. The Moratorium Steering Committee Process – Dr. B.J. Copeland, N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission and the Moratorium Steering Committee

11:15 a.m. The 1997 Fisheries Reform Act, Overview and Update – Pres Pate, Director, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries

Noon Working Lunch

Luncheon Speaker – Bob Lucas, Chairman of the Moratorium Steering Committee and former Chairman of the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (1993-1997)

1:30 p.m. Regional Fisheries Management – Vince O’Shea, Director, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

2 p.m. Advisors’ Role in Fisheries Management – Mac Currin, N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission and the South Atlantic Marine Fishery Management Council

2:30 p.m. Looking to the Future – Jimmy Johnson

3 p.m. Round Table Discussions - How to Improve N.C.’s Fisheries Management Process – Dr. Mike Orbach

5 p.m. Adjourn

* Times indicated are merely for guidance. The Commission will proceed through the agenda until completed.