SEPTEMBER 2010 NEWS RELEASES

Contact: Patricia Smith
Phone: (252) 726-7021
Date: Sept. 20, 2010

Fishermen Need to be Aware of Observer Requirements

MOREHEAD CITY – Individuals fishing in North Carolina’s coastal waters may be monitored by state and/or federal observers and are required to carry observers on their vessels if requested.

Observers monitor various types of fishing gear and activities collecting information on catch, discards, bycatch and protected species interactions. Much of the observer effort at this time is focused on the inshore gill net fishery.

State observers work with the Division of Marine Fisheries and are either biological technicians or Marine Patrol officers. Fishermen holding any division-issued fishing license are required to cooperate with observers.

State observers monitor both commercial and recreational fisheries.

For more information on the Division of Marine Fisheries’ observer program, contact Red Munden at (252) 808-8009.

Federal observers with the National Marine Fisheries Service are also working in North Carolina coastal waters. Vessels selected to be monitored by federal observers must successfully complete the U.S. Coast Guard Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination and display a current safety decal issued within the last two years. Vessels that do not have a current safety decal are deemed unsafe for purposes of carrying a federal observer and are prohibited from fishing. Federal enforcement action may result when a vessel required to take a federal observer does not meet the safety requirements and embarks on a fishing trip without that observer.

Federal observers primarily monitor commercial fisheries.

For more information on the National Marine Fisheries Service’s observer program, contact Amy Van Atten at (508) 495-2266.

For more information on the Commercial Fishing Safety Examination and safety decal, contact the Coast Guard’s Fishing Vessel Safety Office at (252) 247-4526.

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Contact: Kim Iverson
Phone: 866/SAFMC-10 or 843/571-4366
Date: Sept. 20, 2010

Council Reviews Options for Future Management of Red Snapper
New stock assessment due for completion in December may prompt changes in regulations

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council met last week in Charleston, South Carolina to discuss several amendments currently under development that may impact fishermen in the future who target species such as snapper, grouper, dolphin, and mackerel. An issue of special interest to both commercial and recreational fishermen is the ongoing closure of the red snapper fishery in the South Atlantic and the possible implementation of a large area closure off the central and northeastern coast of Florida and southern coast of Georgia. Within the proposed area closure, fishing for all snapper grouper species in water depths ranging from 98 feet to 240 feet would be prohibited (with the exception of spearfishing and use of black sea bass pots).

The red snapper fishery has been closed to all fishermen in South Atlantic federal waters since January 4, 2010 as part of an effort to end overfishing of red snapper and meet the mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The interim rule used to close the fishery is set to expire on December 5, 2010. However, new measures proposed in Amendment 17A to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan would extend the closure indefinitely, create the new area closure noted above, require the use non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing for snapper grouper species north of 28 degrees N. latitude, and develop a fishery-independent monitoring program to help track the rebuilding and recovery of red snapper. The amendment is currently under review by NOAA Fisheries Service and a public comment period for Amendment 17A and proposed regulations is open until September 27, 2010. The final decision for implementation of Amendment 17A will be made by the Secretary of Commerce by October 27, 2010. If approved, the final rule implementing management measures could be issued as early as December 1, 2010.

A new stock assessment is underway for red snapper through the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) stock assessment program. According to Dr. Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries Service’s Southeast Regional Office, the preliminary stock assessment indicates more positive findings for the red snapper stock, but he cautioned that the final assessment must go through further review before being presented to the Council in December. During last week’s meeting, the Council discussed options for modifying the measures in Amendment 17A if the amendment is approved. It is likely the closure of the red snapper fishery will continue, but modifications may be made to the area closure to reduce the size and configuration or allow fishing for snapper grouper species other than red snapper during a portion of the year. The Council’s intent is to use the quickest means possible within the management process to implement such changes if they are warranted. Any necessary changes to regulations will be determined by the Council during its December meeting in New Bern, North Carolina after reviewing the final stock assessment results.

Other Actions

As management measures for some species in the snapper grouper management complex become more restrictive, there is concern that fishing effort may shift to the commercial golden tilefish and black sea bass fisheries. The Council is developing management alternatives through Amendment 18A to the Snapper Grouper FMP to help address these concerns, including measures to limit participation in the commercial golden tilefish fishery through the use of an endorsement program, changes to trip limits, and modifications to the fishing year. Management alternatives are also being developed to limit participation in the black sea bass fishery, reduce bycatch, change the fishing year, and split the quota between seasons. The amendment will also include measures to improve the accuracy, timing, and quantity of fisheries data. Measures to extend the snapper grouper management unit as far north as New England were removed from the initial Amendment 18 and will be included in Amendment 18B. The Council approved Amendment 18A for public hearings to be held later this fall. The dates and locations for the hearings will be publicized one they are finalized.

New Chair and Vice-Chair Elected

The Council elected at-large member, David M. Cupka of Charleston, South Carolina as its new Chairman during last week’s meeting. Mr. Cupka has served several terms on the Council, including his appointed position as the representative for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Marine Fisheries before his retirement. He previously served as Chairman of the Council from 1995-1996, and again in 2002-2004. His election as Chairman gives him the distinction of being the only member of the Council to be elected to serve in that role three separate times. Dr. Brian Cheuvront, the Council representative for the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries was elected to serve as Vice-Chair.

The Council will meet again December 6-10, 2010 in New Bern, North Carolina. Meeting information, including Summary Motions from the September meeting in Charleston, will be posted on the Council’s Web site at www.safmc.net as it becomes available.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils, conserves and manages fish stocks from three to 200 miles offshore of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida.

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Contact: Patricia Smith
Phone: (252) 726-7021
Date: Sept. 14, 2010

Virginia Angler Sets State Record for Golden Tilefish

MOREHEAD CITY – A Virginia angler established a state record with the 45-pound golden tilefish he caught off Cape Hatteras this summer.

Guy R. Jones of Newport News, Va., caught the fish using cut bait on 60-pound line test with a Shimano Torium 20, Offshore Angler Model Power Stick.

The fish measured 43.5 inches from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail and had a 30-inch girth.

Jones caught the fish July 3 while fishing with Captain Derek Taylor aboard the charter boat The Carolina Girl.

North Carolina previously did not have a state record golden tilefish. To establish a state record fish, the angler must submit an application that is then reviewed by N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries staff and a N.C. Saltwater Fishing Tournament Advisory Board.

“The fish must be exceptionally large for North Carolina waters and within a reasonable range of the world record,” said Carole Willis, sportfishing specialist with the Division of Marine Fisheries.

The world record golden tilefish, caught in 2007 off Maryland, stands at 59 pounds, 3 ounces.

For more information, contact Willis (252) 808-8081 or carole.y.willis@ncdenr.gov.

To download photographs of the state record golden tilefish go to:
http://www.ncfisheries.net/news/images2010/fish.jpg and http://www.ncfisheries.net/news/images2010/anglercatch.jpg.

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Fisheries Commission Considers Authorizing Higher Oyster Harvest Limits in Pamlico Sound

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is considering allowing a higher oyster harvest limit for mechanical harvest in Pamlico Sound.

A 30-day comment period on this proposal begins Wednesday and includes a public comment session at a Shellfish Advisory Committee meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 4. The meeting will be held at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office, 5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City.

Currently, the director of the Division of Marine Fisheries opens oyster harvest and sets harvest limits by proclamation. However, the Oyster Fishery Management Plan limits mechanical oyster harvest to 15 bushels per operation per day.

A recent resurgence of oyster landings to levels pre-dating the red tide of the late 1980s and higher market demand for oysters have resulted in increased requests for raising the daily harvest limit for mechanically harvested oysters.

Additionally, oyster dealers and fishermen from Hyde County have formally petitioned the Marine Fisheries Commission to change the oyster harvest limits to allow two commercial fishermen, working together on one boat, to each take a daily harvest limit. The fishermen argue this will help them with operating expenses. The fishermen also say there are safety issues because one fisherman’s limit does not allow enough income for boat owners to hire a crewman to help with the harvest and provide first aid or rescue in the event of an accident. Hyde County Commissioners support this petition.

The Marine Fisheries Commission is considering changing the fishery management plan to allow the director to determine the mechanical harvest limit, at his discretion, up to a set amount selected by the commission. Information collected by division staff indicate mechanical harvest could be as high as 25 bushels per operation per day, in periods of high abundance, without significantly impacting the sustainability of the stock.

As another option, the Marine Fisheries Commission is considering allowing two fishermen, fishing on one vessel, to each keep a daily harvest limit.

The changes would only apply to Pamlico Sound. Harvest limits in the bays around Pamlico Sound would not change.

More information on the proposal can be found on the Division of Marine Fisheries website at http://www.ncfisheries.net/fmps/downloads/10-03-2010_DraftOysterFMP_Supplement.pdf.

The changes are proposed under a new supplement process approved by the N.C. General Assembly this summer that allows the Marine Fisheries Commission to more quickly revise fishery management plans. The Marine Fisheries Commission will vote on the supplement at its Nov. 3-5 business meeting in New Bern. If approved, the harvest limits could change by proclamation as soon as 48 hours after approval.

Written comments may be submitted to Mike Marshall, Central District Manager, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, 5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City, 28557 or to Mike.Marshall@ncdenr.gov. Written comments must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 15.

For more information, contact Marshall at (252) 808-8077.

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Public Comments Sought for Southern Flounder Management Proposals

MOREHEAD CITY – Fishermen will get a chance to comment on the future of southern flounder fishing in North Carolina at a series of public meetings to be held in the coming weeks.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will hold six meetings to receive public comments on a draft amendment to the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan. The draft amendment includes proposals to increase the size limit, decrease the recreational bag limit, implement season closures and stiffen commercial gear restrictions.

The meetings will be held in conjunction with Marine Fisheries Commission advisory committee meetings set for:

Comments may also be submitted in writing until 5 p.m. Oct. 8. Send written comments by mail to Chris Batsavage, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, 5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City, N.C. 28557 or by e-mail to Chris.Batsavage@ncdenr.gov.

The draft amendment is an update to the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan adopted by the Marine Fisheries Commission in 2005. That plan was developed after a 2004 southern flounder stock assessment found the stock was overfished and overfishing was occurring.

While the terms “overfished” and “overfishing” are similar, they have distinctly different meanings in fisheries management. “Overfished” refers to the actual condition of the stock when the population falls below an acceptable level. “Overfishing” means that fish are being removed from the fishery at a rate that the fishery cannot sustain or rebuild itself.

Under a new state law passed this summer, the Marine Fisheries Commission must end overfishing within two years of adopting a fishery management plan for an overfished species. Another state law, on the books since 2004, requires the commission to rebuild overfished fish stocks within 10 years of adoption of a plan.

The 2004 stock assessment called for a 30 percent overall harvest reduction to rebuild the southern flounder stock, but the commission adopted measures in 2005 that were projected to achieve only a 17.2 percent reduction, with the intent of reassessing the stock after three years.

A 2009 stock assessment found that while the southern flounder stock had improved since 2005, it is still overfished, and further harvest reductions of 20.5 percent are needed to end overfishing and achieve sustainable harvests within the legally required timeframes.

Both a Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee and the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries are recommending that the Marine Fisheries Commission make no changes to existing commercial fishing regulations on southern flounder because recently implemented management measures to protect sea turtles are projected to result in an overall commercial southern flounder harvest reduction of 22.2 percent.

For the recreational fishery, both the advisory committee and the Division of Marine Fisheries are recommending an increase in the minimum size limit to 15 inches and a decrease in the creel limit to six fish per day, which will result in an overall recreational harvest reduction of 20.2 percent.

The advisory committee will meet with division staff again, after all the meetings, to consider public comment received before making their final recommendations to the Marine Fisheries Commission in November. The commission will then tentatively approve the plan and send it to the secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture for review.

A copy of the draft amendment can be downloaded at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries website at: http://www.ncfisheries.net/fmps/downloads/DRAFT-Amendment%201_%20SouthernFlounderFMP_PublicMeetings.pdf.

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Contact: Patricia Smith
Phone: (252) 726-7021
Date: Sept. 1, 2010

Southern Core Sound Closes to Flounder Gill Net Fishing

MOREHEAD CITY – The southern portion of Core Sound will close to flounder gill net fishing Friday to protect threatened and endangered sea turtles.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries issued a proclamation today that prohibits the use of large-mesh gill nets (4-inch to 6.5-inch stretch mesh, inclusive) in Core Sound and its tributaries between Drum Inlet and the east end of Harkers Island. The closure begins one hour after sunrise Friday and will remain in effect until further notice.

The official regulation can be found on the division website at http://www.ncfisheries.net/procs/procs2k10/M-16-2010.html. A map of the closed area can be found at http://www.ncfisheries.net/procs/procs2k10/M-16_attachments/MAP_psgnra-2010-08MAPv2.pdf.

Core Sound reopened Wednesday to large-mesh gill net fishing after it was closed June 28 due to sea turtle interactions. In these first overnight hours, division observers witnessed interactions with one live Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle and one live loggerhead sea turtle.

The turtles were caught in separate nets set near Ophelia Inlet. Ophelia Inlet was formed by Hurricane Ophelia in 2005, about three miles south of Drum Inlet.

“Southern Core Sound has been the main problem area for interactions with sea turtles since the division began a statewide sea turtle observer program in May,” said division Director Louis Daniel. “The intent of closing this area is to prolong the Core Sound flounder gill net fishery in waters north of Drum Inlet, where few interactions have occurred.”

Northern Core Sound will remain open under restrictions implemented as part of a lawsuit settlement agreement with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. The official regulations can be found on the division website at http://www.ncfisheries.net/procs/procs2k10/M-14-2010.html.

Under these restrictions, fishermen who set large-mesh gill nets (4-inch to 6.5-inch stretch mesh, inclusive) must use low-profile nets of no more than 15 meshes in height. The nets may be set only on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, no sooner than one hour before sunset each night, and retrieved no later than one hour after sunrise the following morning. Fishermen must use a lead core or leaded bottom line, but they may not use cork, floats or other buoys, except those required for identification.

The regulations limit fishermen to 100-yard sets with at least 25 yards between the separate lengths of net. Fishermen may not use more than a total of 2,000 yards of large mesh gill net per vessel.

The restrictions will not apply to run-around, strike or drop nets that are used to surround a school of fish and then are immediately retrieved.

For more information, contact David Taylor, division Fisheries Management Section chief, at (252) 808-8074 or (800) 682-2632 or David.L.Taylor@ncdenr.gov.

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