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ADDITIONAL FISHERIES HEARING SCHEDULED

MOREHEAD CITY - An additional hearing has been scheduled by the Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) on June 30 at 7 p.m. at the Carteret Community College, C-MAST Building, Room 306 in Morehead City, to give area residents another opportunity to discuss a proposed gill net ban in Spooners Creek subdivision.

Spooners Creek residents have requested a year-round gill net ban because they claim mullet fishermen keep them awake at night, trespass in their yards and on their docks, and the gill nets obstruct resident's navigation. The MFC is considering this request, along with an additional option of a nighttime ban on gill nets in the area.

This issue, along with several other proposed fisheries rules, was discussed at an earlier hearing on June 10 in Morehead City; but turn out for the meeting was light, with only one person speaking on the subject. Spooners Creek residents say they were unaware of the meeting and want to share their concerns with the MFC, so the additional hearing was scheduled, just to discuss the proposed gill net ban.

Written comments may be submitted by mail to Belinda Loftin, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557 or by e-mail at belinda.loftin@ncmail.net until July 19, 2004. The MFC will vote on these proposed rules at their July 20-21 business meeting in Jacksonville.

NEW SOUTHERN FLOUNDER REGULATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED

MOREHEAD CITY - The public will have the opportunity to learn about proposed restrictions to conserve southern flounder at a series of public meetings planned this summer.

Since 2001, an advisory group comprised of commercial and recreational fishermen and scientists, have been working to develop a fishery management plan to conserve and restore the overfished stock of southern flounder. Southern flounder is the species of flounder found predominately in the North Carolina's inshore waters. During the public meetings, numerous proposals will be discussed, including a 14-inch size limit for both commercial and recreational fishermen, a recreational bag limit of eight fish per day and a commercial season closure.

Anyone associated with the inshore flounder industry and interested public are strongly encouraged to attend the meetings at the following locations:

June 22 - 4 p.m.
Washington Regional Office
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington

July 13 - 6 p.m.
Washington Regional Office
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington

July 14 - 6 p.m.
Duke Marine Lab - Pivers Island
135 Duke Marine Lab Road
Beaufort

July 15 - 6 p.m.
Craven County Cooperative Extension Office
300 Industrial Drive
New Bern

July 26 - 6 p.m.
Fessenden Center
Buxton

July 27 - 6 p.m.
Swain Auditorium
107 Court Street
Edenton, NC

July 28 - 6 p.m.
Dare County Board of Commissioners Meeting Room
204 Ananias Dare Street
Manteo

August 3 - 6 p.m.
N.C. Department of Transportation
Highway Building Auditorium
1 South Wilmington Street
Raleigh

August 4 - 6 p.m.
UNC Wilmington - Cameron Auditorium
601 College Road
Wilmington

The Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will vote on which recommendations will be included in the draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan at its September business meeting at Kill Devil Hills. The final adoption of the plan will be voted on at the MFC's business meeting December 1-3 in Morehead City.

For additional information or for a copy of the plan, please contact Jess Hawkins, Division of Marine Fisheries, by e-mail at jess.hawkins@ncmail.net or by calling 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.

June 11, 2004

FISHERIES HEARING SCHEDULED

MOREHEAD CITY - The Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will be holding a public hearing on June 15 at 7 p.m. at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office located at 943 Washington Square Mall, in Washington.

The MFC will receive public comment on a proposed rule to give the Division of Marine Fisheries director proclamation authority to implement provisional management measures to ensure the sustainability of southern flounder in North Carolina waters until a fisheries management plan is in place. Proclamation authority would allow the director the ability to impose harvest limits, seasons and area restrictions.

Written comments may be submitted by mail to Belinda Loftin, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557 or by e-mail at belinda.loftin@ncmail.net until July 20, 2004. The MFC will vote on these proposed rules at their July 20-21 business meeting in Jacksonville.

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.

PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS CLOSED CRAB POT AREAS IN CORE SOUND

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public meeting at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 at the Sea Level Fire and Rescue Squad Building, Sea Level, NC. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss a request by long haul seine operators to set aside four areas, three in Core Sound and one in southeastern Pamlico Sound, for the exclusive use of long haul seines during portions of the year. Crab pots would be excluded from these areas during those times.

Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) Rule 15A NCAC 3J .0301 (j) allows the Director to issue a proclamation, with prior consent of the MFC, that prohibits crab pot use in an area in order to resolve conflict. The proliferation of pots has prevented long haul seine operators from being able to haul some of the traditional haul areas and two individuals have requested that areas be set aside for their use. These proposed areas include Barry Bay, Nelson Bay, Cedar Island Bay in Core Sound, and Evergreen Slough in southeastern Pamlico Sound. Crab pots would be prohibited in Barry Bay from April 1 through June 1 each year. Pots would be prohibited in Nelson Bay from April 15 through June 1. No pots would be allowed in Cedar Island Bay from April 1 through April 30, and in Evergreen Slough from May 1 through October 20. Maps of these areas will be available at the meeting.

In the past, crab potters agreed to move their pots on days the long haul crews wanted to work. Over the years, increased numbers of crab pots from local potters and more and more that do not live in the surrounding area have made this cooperation very difficult and the haul seiners have been forced to abandon some traditional haul areas. This process is an attempt to bring the parties together and discuss a solution.

Following the meeting, the Director has the option to deny the request or submit a proposed proclamation granting the request to the MFC for their approval. The next scheduled meeting of the MFC is July 20 and 21, 2004 in Jacksonville, NC.

For further information call Fisheries Management Chief David Taylor at 252-726-7021 or 1-800-682-2632.