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FISHERIES HEARINGS SCHEDULED

MOREHEAD CITY - The Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will be holding a series of four public hearings in eastern North Carolina during the next several months.

The MFC will receive public comment on the following proposed rules at these hearings:

  • Change to the recreational bag limit for bluefish to allow retention of up to 15 bluefish, with only five bluefish larger than 24 inches;

  • Implement rules for fyke and hoop nets;

  • Implement recommendations in the Oyster and Clam Fisheries Management Plans, which includes new permitting requirements and new standards for shellfish bottom leases; and

  • Make technical corrections.

    All hearings begin at 7 p.m.

    Feb. 6  Hilton Wilmington Riverside
    301 N. Water St.
    Wilmington

    Feb. 26   Duke University Marine Lab
    Pivers Island
    Beaufort

    March 19   College of the Albemarle
    Room 202, B Building
    Elizabeth City

    April 22   Bob Martin Agriculture Center
    2900 Hwy. 125 South
    Williamston

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

    MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION TO MEET FEBRUARY 7 AND 8

    MOREHEAD CITY -- The Marine Fisheries Commission will hold a business meeting February 7 and 8 at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside in Wilmington.

    The meeting is open to the public.

    A public hearing and meeting will also be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6 at the same location. At the hearing, the MFC will receive public comment on the following proposed rules at these hearings:

  • Change to the recreational bag limit for bluefish to allow retention of up to 15 bluefish, with only five bluefish larger than 24 inches;

  • Implement rules for fyke and hoop nets;

  • Implement recommendations in the Oyster and Clam Fisheries Management Plans, which includes new permitting requirements and new standards for shellfish bottom leases; and

  • Make technical corrections.

    For more information, contact Jess Hawkins by e-mail at Jess.Hawkins@ncmail.net or by calling 1-800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021. Click on http://www.ncdmf.net/mfc/advisor.html to review meeting summaries of past commission meetings.

    OYSTER MEETINGS TO BE HELD IN FEBRUARY

    MOREHEAD CITY - Do the rivers and bays around the Pamlico and Roanoke sounds need to be closed to the mechanical harvest of oysters? The Division of Marine Fisheries is holding a series of public meetings, Feb. 12 -28, to receive comments on proposed closures.

    Mechanical harvesting can have adverse impacts on oyster habitat, especially oyster rocks. The proposed closures were recommended in the Oyster Fishery Management Plan (FMP), recently adopted by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission. FMPs look at the status of a fishery and map out recommendations for the long-term recovery and management of the fishery. Under these proposals, fishermen would still be able to hand-harvest oysters from these areas.

    The public is invited to comment on the proposed closures to the use of mechanical gear to harvest oysters. The meeting dates and locations are:

    Feb. 12 Roanoke Island Festival Park 6 p.m.
    Auditorium
    Manteo

    Feb. 19 Hyde County Courthouse 6 p.m.
    Agriculture Auditorium
    35 2nd Street
    Swan Quarter

    Feb. 26 Duke University Marine Lab Auditorium Immediately following MFC public hearing which begins at 7 p.m.
    Beaufort

    Feb. 28 Pamlico County Courthouse 6 p.m.
    Upstairs Courtroom
    202 Main Street
    Bayboro

    For more information on these meetings or to receive a copy of draft maps of the areas, please contact Mike Marshall or Craig Hardy, Division of Marine Fisheries, at 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.