Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: May 7, 2008
Phone: (252) 726-7021

HEARINGS SET FOR OYSTER, CLAM AND OTHER FISHERIES RULES

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will hold a series of public hearings, beginning next week, on rules to implement updated Oyster, Clam and Interjurisdictional Fisheries Management Plans.

If implemented, the proposed rules would:

Change the oyster season closure date from May 15 to March 31 to reflect current management practices;
Modify menhaden rules to clarify that bycatch must meet species size and possession limits;
Designate oyster sanctuaries where no bottom disturbing gear or oyster or clam harvest is allowed;
Broaden the fisheries director’s proclamation authority to comply with federal regulation;
Adopt rules for tuna to provide state enforcement of minimum size and creel limits;
Strengthen production requirements and other rules pertaining to shellfish leases;
Identify designated seed oyster management areas;
Codify oyster sanctuaries currently designated by proclamation.

There are also several proposed rules to correct typographical errors, reorganize and otherwise clarify existing rules in an ongoing division effort to make the state fisheries rulebook more user-friendly.

Public hearings are schedule for 7 p.m. as follows:

Monday, May 12
Roanoke Island Festival Park
One Festival Park
Manteo


Tuesday, May 13
Pitt Community College
Reddrick Building, Room 242
1986 Pitt Tech Road
Winterville

Wednesday, May 14
DENR Wilmington Regional Office
127 Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington

Monday, May 19
Center for Marine Science and Technology
303 College Circle
Room 306
Morehead City

A complete list of the proposed rules can be found at the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearings Web site in the N.C. Register at http://www.ncoah.com/rules/register/Volume22Issue20April152008.doc.

For more information, on proposed oyster and clam rules, contact Tina Moore, a biologist with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries or the division’s Central District Manager Mike Marshall at (252) 726-7021 or (800) 682-2632. For information on other proposed rules, contact division biologist Katy West at (252) 946-6481 or (800) 338-7804.