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POT ROUNDUP NETS BIG REWARDS

MOREHEAD CITY - The North Carolina Marine Patrol located 4,121 abandoned crab pots and 953 ghost crab pots during the recent clean-up period for fishing pots in Tar Heel coastal waters.

Crabbing is one of the state's most important commercial activities, bringing in approximately $25 million in 2001, and it is also an important recreational pastime. There are an estimated 1.3 million crab pots fished in state waters each year.

Abandoned pots still have the fisherman's identification on either the buoy or the pot, while ghost pots have no identification or buoy. If left in the water, these pots continue to catch crabs and other marine life, presenting a conservation problem. In order to locate abandoned and ghost pots, fishermen are required to remove all their pots from the water Jan. 24 - Feb. 7.

Locating and then removing such a large number of pots from the water is both labor intensive and time consuming. Marine Patrol is in the final stages of pulling the pots from the water and arranging disposal, and, so far, has issued 34 citations.

The state Division of Marine Fisheries is in the process of looking for solutions in dealing with the large number of abandoned and ghost pots. Options being considered during the revision of the Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan are shorter attendance periods, biodegradable panels and additional clean-up weeks.

Fishermen are required to fish their pots a minimum of every seven days and it is the fisherman's responsibility to keep track of their pots and remove them from coastal waters when pots are not tended regularly.

For more information about Marine Patrol, please contact Colonel Joe Lynch, N.C. Marine Patrol, by e-mail at joe.lynch@ncmail.net or by phone at 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632.

To learn more about the Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan, please contact Lynn Henry, by e-mail at lynn.henry@ncmail.net or by calling 252-796-1322 or 800-405-7774.

NEW LIMITS FOR RECREATIONAL ANGLERS

MOREHEAD CITY - As fishing season gets underway in Tar Heel waters, the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries would like to update anglers about changes in the recreational limits for weakfish, bluefish and ocean-caught founder.

Effective March 22, the new minimum size limit for weakfish, also commonly known as gray trout, will be seven fish per day at a minimum size limit of 12 inches, in all coastal and ocean waters.

Beginning April 1, again in all coastal and ocean waters, anglers may keep up to 15 bluefish, but only five of those fish may be over 24 inches. There is no minimum size limit.

And, earlier in March, the size limit for ocean-caught flounder was reduced to 15 inches minimum size and anglers can keep up to eight of these fish. The size limit remains at 14 inches, with no bag limit, for flounder harvested in internal waters, except for the Pamlico and Neuse rivers where the size limit is 13 inches.

Visit http://www.ncdmf.net/recgide.htm to view or download a copy of the most recent recreational fishing guide.

ANGLER PLEADS "NO CONTEST" IN UNDERSIZED MARLIN CASE

MOREHEAD CITY -Hunter Clark, captain of the Greenville-based fishing vessel First Down Pirates, entered a plea of no contest to a charge of possessing an undersized blue marlin while participating in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament held in Morehead City on June 2002, announced North Carolina Marine Patrol.

Clark, 33, was charged after bringing in an undersized blue marlin measuring just under 94 inches - well below the tournament specifications of 110 inches, and the minimum state and federal size limit of 99 inches.

The state sought a conviction and fine for the misdemeanor violation, as well as recovery of investigative costs, and replacement costs for the billfish. Federal authorities declined to prosecute.

Clark, of 1605 Bloomsbury Rd., Greenville, did not appear in court, but his attorney, John Nobles, entered a plea of no contest in Carteret County District Court on February 24, 2003. Clark was assessed court costs of $100 and fish replacement costs of $316.88.

For more information about the case, please contact Colonel Joe Lynch, N.C. Marine Patrol, by e-mail at joe.lynch@ncmail.net or by phone at 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632.

March 18, 2003

MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION TO MEET MARCH 27 and 28

MOREHEAD CITY -- The Marine Fisheries Commission will hold a business meeting March 27 - 28 at the Pitt County Agricultural Center in Greenville.

The meeting is open to the public.

A public meeting will also be held on March 26, 7 p.m., at the same location for anyone wanting to address the commission regarding fisheries issues.

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.

Lt. Johnny Barnes

Officer Don Twyne

March 6, 2003

BARNES AND TWYNE NAMED TO KEY POSITIONS WITH MARINE PATROL

MOREHEAD CITY - Colonel Joseph Lynch, head of the North Carolina Marine Patrol, today announced that Lt. Johnny Barnes has been promoted to captain of the patrol's enforcement District 1, headquartered in Columbia and Officer Don Twyne has been promoted to sergeant of the northern portion of the same district. Their new responsibilities begin immediately.

"We are very excited and fortunate to have Captain Barnes and Sergeant Twyne in these critical leadership positions," said Colonel Lynch. "Their management skills and extensive knowledge of northern coastal fisheries make them excellent choices to help lead Marine Patrol."

Marine Patrol is the law enforcement component of the state Division of Marine Fisheries and enforces regulations and laws to protect North Carolina's coastal and ocean fisheries.

Barnes, a 13-year veteran with the Marine Patrol, replaces Captain Doug Sawyer who passed away last April. A native of Washington County, Barnes, 42, will oversee law enforcement operations in District 1 which includes 13 counties stretching from the Virginia state line down through Hyde County, encompassing all of the Albemarle, Currictuck, Croatan and Roanoke sounds, the Chowan, Roanoke, Alligator, and Pungo rivers, along with a significant portion of the Pamlico Sound.

Barnes is a member of the Law Enforcement Committee of the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, Plymouth Baptist Church, Fraternal Order of Police-Lodge 71, Ruritan Club-Creswell Chapter, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Waterfowl U.S.A., Delta Waterfowl, and the National Rifle Association. He and his wife, Jolie, reside in Creswell and have two children, Chris, 21, and new-born daughter, Hailey. Barnes' parents, Ray and Glenda Barnes live at Lake Phelps.

Twyne, 37, is a life-long resident of Dare County and has been with the Marine Patrol for 10 years. He was recently promoted from field officer III to sergeant of the northern areas of District 1. Twyne is a member of the Manteo Baptist Church, Masonic Lodge 521 and Ducks Unlimited. He and his wife Beverly live in Manteo with their two children, Paige, 7, and Don Twyne III, who is 3-years-old.