Contact: Nancy Fish, Marine Fisheries

Date: July 1, 2005

Phone: (252) 726-7021

SHRIMP MEETINGS PLANNED THIS SUMMER

MOREHEAD CITY – Closing additional North Carolina inshore waters to trawling and establishing a recreational limit for shrimp harvest are among a list of actions proposed in the draft Shrimp Fishery Management Plan being discussed during a series of public meetings in July and August.

Since January 2004, an advisory group of commercial fishermen, recreational anglers and scientists, along with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, have been developing a fishery management plan for shrimp. Management plans are required for all of the state’s significant fisheries. These plans describe the nature and problems of a fishery along with long-term regulatory recommendations to address any problems and ultimately conserve that fishery. Fishery management plans use all available scientific information that applies to the species and its fisheries.

Shrimp support a significant Tar Heel fishery, bringing in 4.8 million pounds to state docks, valued at $9.4 million. While the actual stock is viable, there is concern about the environmental impact of otter trawls, bycatch of other species, effect of imports and competition among user groups. The advisory group and the NCDMF were able to reach consensus on the majority of management recommendations

Highlights of the proposed management changes include:

Two-year phase out of otter trawls in New River and replace with skimmer trawls

• Area and/or season closures in the Pungo, Pamlico, Neuse, and White Oak rivers, Masonboro Sound, bays and creeks near the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and areas in Brunswick County;
• Two-year phase out of otter trawls in the New River, to be replaced with skimmer trawls;
• 90-foot headrope limit for otter trawls in internal waters, expect Pamlico Sound and portions of the Neuse, Pamlico and Pungo rivers;
• Allow skimmer trawls to be used by Recreational Commercial Gear License holders;
• Continue the use of otter trawls by Recreational Commercial Gear License holders;
• Establish a 48-quart limit per day limit for Recreational Commercial Gear License holders;
• Define dimensions of a shrimp trap for use by Recreational Commercial Gear License holders; and
• Increase the minimum shrimp size at which some water bodies are opened to trawling to increase the value of the product.

All meetings begin at 6 p.m.

July 12

Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources' Regional Office
127 Cardinal Drive Ext.
Wilmington

July 18

Craven County Agricultural Extension Center

300 Industrial Drive

New Bern

July 20

Hyde/Davis Business Enterprise Center

33460 U.S. 264

Engelhard

July 21

One Festival Park

Manteo

July 26

Duke Marine Lab Auditorium

Pivers Island

Beaufort

July 27

Cooperative Extension Training Room

Building N, Boliva Government Complex

Boliva

July 28

Sneads Ferry

August 2

Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources' Regional Office

943 Washington Square Mall

Washington

August 4

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Ground Floor Hearing Room, Archdale Building

Raleigh

August 15

Wayne Center

Goldsboro

The Marine Fisheries Commission will vote on which proposals to include in the draft Shrimp Mullet Fishery Management Plan at its August 30-31 business meeting in Atlantic Beach.

For more information about these meetings, please contact Jess Hawkins by e-mail at Jess.Hawkins@ncmail.net or by calling 1-800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.