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MARINE PATROL FILLS POSITIONS
MOREHEAD CITY - Four new officers have joined the ranks of the North Carolina Marine Patrol.
According to Colonel Joe Lynch, head of the Patrol, these officers are a welcome addition to the conservation law enforcement group. "We have had several positions frozen due to the state budget crisis, leaving vacancies unfilled. To say we are delighted to have these new officers aboard is an understatement," said Lynch.
Officer Mark Daniels, 27, a former Marine Patrol Officer, will be assigned to the Beaufort area of Carteret County. Daniels is a certified Commercial Airplane Pilot and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.
Officer Scott Blythe, 25, a reserve police officer with Washington County Sheriff's Office, will be assigned to the Currituck County area. Blythe holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science.
Officer Garland Yopp, 31, a former police officer with Surf City Police Department, will be assigned to the Holden's Beach area of Brunswick County. Yopp holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.
Officer Kevin Conner, 23, a former police officer with Lumberton Police Department, will be assigned to Sea Level in Carteret County. Conner holds an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice.
The Marine Patrol has 59 sworn law enforcement officer positions along the coast and it's jurisdiction includes all coastal waters extending to 3 miles offshore, and out to 200 miles offshore for some federally regulated species. Officers monitor 2.5 million acres of water and over 4,000 miles of coastline. Along with inspecting commercial and recreational boats, Marine Patrol officers also check seafood markets, fish dealers, restaurants, piers, beaches and vehicles carrying seafood.
For more information, please contact Col. Joe Lynch at 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632.
CRAB CHECKS IN THE MAIL
MOREHEAD CITY - Help is on the way for North Carolina's hard-hit crabbing industry thanks to federal disaster relief money allocated by Congress.
Crabbers, along with seafood dealers and processors who handled or caught blue crabs will soon receive a check from the state Division of Marine Fisheries to compensate for economic losses and declining landings.
Earlier this year, Congress authorized a federal aid package for the crab industry impacted by excessive foreign imports and reduced harvest for 2000, 2001 and 2002. Funding was divided among states based on historical landings, with N.C.'s portion of the aid package amounting to $1.8 million.
While crabbing is still the state's most profitable fishery, with 36.4 million pounds landed in 2002, harvest numbers are still well below the 47.8 million pound five-year average and the record high of 65.6 million pounds caught in 1996. The price crabbers, dealers and processors have gotten for their product has also sharply declined in recent years due to the surge of cheap foreign imports.
The economic assistance is being divided in the following manner:
-$500,000 to crabbers who legally landed blue crabs at Tar Heel docks in 2000, 2001 and/or 2002;
-$500,000 to licensed dealers who purchased crabs in 2000, 2001 and/or 2002;
-$500,000 to N.C. processors who processed blue crabs in 2000, 2001 and/or 2002;
-$221,00 (12 percent) for dispute resolution with remaining funds going to the N.C. Depart. of Agriculture and Consumer Services to promote and market N.C. crabs; and
-$92,000 (5 percent) for program administration.
Along with the check, there will also be a letter containing a summary of crab landings for the fishermen, the amount of crabs purchased for the dealers, and the number of employees for the crab processors, for the indicated timeframe. Recipients are asked to review the information and contact the DMF immediately if there are discrepancies.
If a crabber, dealer or processor who caught, purchased or processed crabs in 2000, 2001 and/or 2002 does not receive a letter from the DMF by Nov. 10, they should contact Grace Kemp, DMF-Morehead, at 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632.
INPUT NEEDED ON RIVER HERRING CLOSURE
MOREHEAD CITY - The public is invited to attend a meeting Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Hatchery, 1104 West Queen Street, in Edenton, to comment on a petition received by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) to prohibit the harvest of river herring.
The MFC has asked its Northeast Advisory Commission to review the petition for rulemaking from the Coastal Conservation Association on North Carolina. The petition asks the MFC to enact a rule to prohibit the harvest of river herring. The advisory committee will also review the draft Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan recommendations at this meeting.
For more information, please contact Jess Hawkins by e-mail at jess.Hawkins@ncmail.net or by calling 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632.
MARINE PATROL PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCED
MOREHEAD CITY - Colonel Joseph Lynch, head of the North Carolina Marine Patrol, has announced the following promotions within his organization:
"We are privileged to have these fine officers in critical leadership positions," said Colonel Lynch. "Their extensive knowledge of North Carolina's coastal fisheries and their management skills make them excellent leaders for 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.
The Marine Patrol has 59 sworn law enforcement positions along the coast and it's jurisdiction includes all coastal waters extending to 3 miles offshore, and out to 200 miles offshore for some federally regulated species. Officers monitor 2.5 million acres of water and over 4,000 miles of coastline. Along with inspecting commercial and recreational boats, Marine Patrol officers also check seafood markets, fish dealers, restaurants, piers, beaches and vehicles carrying seafood.
For more information on these promotions, or on N.C. Marine Patrol, please contact Major Mike Davis by e-mail at mike.davis@ncmail.net or by calling 252-726-7021 or 800-336-7021.
 Capt Anthony |
 Capt. Lanier |
 Lt. Knudsen |
 Lt. Kelley |
Click on either of the photos above to download a high resolution version of the image.
MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION SEEKS SHRIMP ADVISORS
MOREHEAD CITY - The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission is looking for interested individuals to serve as advisors in developing the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
The advisory committee will be composed of representatives from the commercial, recreational and scientific communities to assist in developing long-term management goals for shrimp.
FMPs include information on the nature and concerns of the fishery, habitat and water quality issues, and status of the stock. The goal of the FMP will be to develop management options for the stocks to address issues and concerns. Options may include restrictions on gear, harvest, and when and where shrimping can occur. The FMP will be prepared by the Division of Marine Fisheries.
Individuals interested in serving as advisors should be willing to attend meetings at least once every two months and actively participate in the committee process. Advisors will be reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in relation to their official duties.
Advisor applications are available at Division of Marine Fisheries' offices or by calling 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632. The advisory committee is scheduled to begin meeting in early December. Applications should be retuned by Nov. 7 to the Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, North Carolina 28557, Attention: Jess Hawkins.
For information about shrimp and the advisory committee process, please contact Rich Carpenter by e-mail at rich.carpenter@ncmail.net or by calling 910-395-3900 or 800-248-4536 or Jess Hawkins by e-mail at jess.Hawkins@nc.mail.net or by calling 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632.