May 14, 1996 ~May 7, 1996 ~ May 3, 1996

MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION TO HOLD MEETING MAY 23 AND 24

May 14, 1996 MOREHEAD CITY - The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will hold a business meeting on May 23 and 24, 1996 at the Sheraton Resort, Atlantic Beach, N.C.

The meeting is open to the public and will begin with a one-hour public comment period, followed by a review of shellfish leases in Core Sound and reports given on various activities conducted by the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and the MFC. The MFC will also discuss proposed rule changes for recreational size and bag limits for several species of fish and they will also receive an update from Moratorium Steering Committee members.

For more information, contact Jess Hawkins, DMF - Morehead City, at (800)682-2632 or (919)726-7021.

PROPOSED TUNA REGULATIONS TO BE AIRED AT MEETING ON MAY 14

May 7, 1996 MOREHEAD CITY --Officials with the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) will hold a meeting on May 14, 1996 at 7 p.m. at the North Carolina Aquarium in Manteo, to discuss proposed federal regulations for tunas.

The meeting is open to the public.

At the request of the DMF, Bill Hogarth, of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), will lead the discussion which will focus on 1996 bluefin tuna category quotas and increasing the minimum size limits for yellowfin and bigeye tunas. Interested fishermen should plan to attend to comment on these potential federal changes.

The NMFS will be accepting verbal and written comments until May 22, 1996. In order to share your views, please contact Bill Hogarth at the address and phone number listed below:

National Marine Fisheries Service
Highly Migratory Species Management Division
Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Springs. MD 20910-3282
(301)713-2339

For more information about tuna catches in North Carolina, please contact Paul Phalen, DMF - Morehead City, at (800)682-2632 or (919)726-7021.

FISHERIES MORATORIUM STEERING COMMITTEE TO MEET ON MAY 9

May 3, 1996 MOREHEAD CITY -- The Fisheries Moratorium Steering Committee (MSC) will meet at 8:30 a.m. on May 9, 1996 at the Crystal Coast Civic Center, Highway 70 East, 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City, N.C. The meeting is open to the public.

An open forum is held at the beginning of each MSC meeting so that committee members can answer questions and receive public comment. During the May meeting, several studies will be delivered and the scheduling of public meetings will be discussed.

The MSC was created by the 1994 General Assembly to make recommendations regarding the restructuring of North Carolina’s fisheries management system. The committee has been meeting for the last 19 months to put together a set of draft proposals that would bring widespread changes to both commercial and recreational fishing. Primary areas of focus include licensing, Marine Fisheries Commission structure, gear, law enforcement and habitat. The MSC will continue to meet monthly until June, when they will complete their draft recommendations. Throughout the summer, 15-20 statewide public meetings are planned. Final MSC recommendations should be completed by September and presented to the Joint Seafood and Aquaculture Legislative Study Committee. The General Assembly should vote on the recommendations during the 1997 legislative session.

To learn more about the Moratorium Steering Committee or to receive a copy of the committee’s preliminary recommendations, contact Mike Street, Division of Marine Fisheries, at (919)726-7021 or (800)682-2632.