25 October MOREHEAD CITY – Waters in the southeastern portion of the Pamlico Sound are being closed to commercial large-mesh flounder gill nets in an effort to curtail any further strandings of endangered or threatened sea turtles. The closure takes effect at 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27.

The closure comes amid discussions between the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) seeking ways to protect Kemp’s ridley, loggerhead and green sea turtles while still allowing a limited fishery for southern flounder. The state and feds had just agreed on details of a Section 10 Permit to the Endangered Species Act, allowing the incidental take and handling of sea turtles just prior to the closure.

Last fall, an unusually high number of turtle strandings occurred in Pamlico Sound - 97 sea turtles were found washed ashore in November and December 1999. After investigations by state and federal agencies, the deep-water, large-mesh gill net fishery for southern flounder was considered the most likely cause for a significant portion of the strandings. NMFS closed the fishery in late 1999, before fisheries scientists were able to gather any significant data directly linking the turtle deaths to a specific fishery.

NMFS held several meetings with the DMF and fishermen throughout the winter and early spring to discuss escalating strandings and determine the best approach to protect sea turtles during the upcoming fall fishing season. Beginning Sept. 15, the DMF implemented new management measures with a number of permit requirements and restrictive gill net provisions allowing a limited fishery to occur so data could be gathered better characterizing interactions between gill nets and turtles.

The intent of both fishery management agencies was to reduce strandings by at least 50 percent from last year, so a threshold of 45 turtle strandings was established for the 2000 season. Additionally, the Section 10 Permit contains detailed tables establishing the number of live and lethal gill net interactions allowable for each individual turtle species. The permit specifies the fishery will be shut down when the maximum threshold is met for strandings or any interactions with individual species.

Since Sept. 15, there have been 17 gill net interactions reported by DMF observers aboard flounder vessels. Ten turtles were released alive (one Kemp’s, three green and six loggerheads) and seven turtles were found dead or injured (two Kemp’s, three green and two loggerheads). There have also been 15 strandings (turtles washed ashore) reported in the affected area.

Because observer coverage is limited to about five percent of all permitted fishing vessels, the DMF extrapolates the number of observed interactions with the amount of gear set in the water to estimate the number of overall interactions. Based on these extrapolations, the DMF and the NMFS have determined the closure threshold has been met for green sea turtles and the fishery must be closed.

As turtle populations recover, human interactions will continue to expand. The DMF plans to continue working with the NMFS and other federal and state agencies to look for ways to protect sea turtles, while allowing commercial and recreational fishermen the ability to harvest seafood.

For more information on this closure contact Fentress Munden by e-mail at Red.Munden@ncmail.net or Jeff Gearhart by email at Jeff.Gearhart@ncmail.net or call either of them at 252-726-7021 or 1-800-682-2632.

16 October MORHEAD CITY – Officials with the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) are concerned that many fish dealers have not obtained the proper permits to harvest fish commercially in North Carolina.

Records indicate that only about half of the dealers in the state have obtained the required permits to possess, buy, sell, or offer for sale fish managed under a quota monitoring system. These fisheries include striped bass, shad, summer flounder, and river herring.

Fisheries with quotas need to be monitored closely to ensure the state does not exceed established harvest limits. Permits contain reporting requirements for dealers that allow the DMF to keep daily totals on the amount of certain fish being harvest.

Quota monitoring permits are not a new concept for fish dealers, striped bass and summer flounder dealer permits have required for several years. Earlier this year, river herring and shad permits were added because new harvest quotas have been implemented for these fisheries.

Fish dealers are encouraged to obtain the required quota monitoring permits as soon as possible. Permits can be obtained at all DMF license offices along the coast. For more information about DMF permits, please Sara Winslow or Kim Hewitt at 1-800-338-7805 or 252-264-3723.

17 October MOREHEAD CITY - The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) is extending the deadline to fill vacancies on the Crustacean Standing Advisory Committee.

The deadline for accepting applications for this committee was originally Sept. 30 – the new deadline is now Nov. 7.

The Crustacean Committee advises the MFC on issues affecting crabs and shrimp, North Carolina’s top-two most economically important seafoods. In 1999, crabs landings netted $33.4 million and shrimp were worth $21.6 million.

Individuals interested in serving as advisors should be willing to attend monthly meetings and actively participate in the committee process. Advisors are reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in relation to their official duties.

Applications are available at Division of Marine Fisheries offices or by calling the MFC staff at 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632. Applications should be returned to Jess Hawkins, Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557.

11 October MOREHEAD CITY -- Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) Director Preston Pate, Jr. today announced that Sara Winslow has been named District Manager of the division’s Northern District Office, headquartered in Elizabeth City. Her new responsibilities will begin immediately.

"We are very excited and fortunate to have Sara in this critical position," Pate "Her management skills and extensive knowledge of northern coastal fisheries make her an excellent choice to help lead our fisheries management into the next century."

Winslow is a 21-year veteran with the DMF and replaces Harrel Johnson who retired last August. A native of Perquimans County, Winslow, who is 45-years-old, will oversee a 24-member staff that is responsible for conducting fisheries research, gear research, resource monitoring, and collection of biological information along North Carolina’s northeastern coast.

The northern district encompasses Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Gates, Hertford, Chowan, Bertie, Martin, Washington, Tyrrell and Dare counties and Ocracoke Island. Predominant fisheries for the area include striped bass, river herring, blue crabs, flounder, bluefish, red drum, oysters, tuna.

During her DMF career, which began in 1979, Winslow has had broad experience in fisheries issues. She has held various biological and research positions, including fisheries technician, marine biologist and served as biological supervisor for the northern district for over 12 years. Winslow was the lead biologist for the River Herring Fishery Management Plan, which was finalized in February 2000.

Winslow is a 1978 graduate of the University of North Carolina - Wilmington, with a B.S. degree in Marine Biology. She is a member of the American Fisheries Society and an avid recreational angler.