WEEKLY UPDATE: 10/19/2007
NORTH CAROLINA FISHERIES ASSOCIATION
“Serving Commercial Fishing Families of North Carolinaâ€ÂÂ
RED DRUM STRIPED BASS: We heard minutes ago the following: 1) Exec order directs Secretary to promulgate regulations to give gamefish status in EEZ for Striped Bass and Redfish
2) "Encourages" states to do same-no mandate.
3) It is believed this will NOT change anything re: SB and RF bycatch- just keeps no possession in place. (We'll see)
4) No exec order on the MPA Islands in the Stream/Monument proposal this weekend.
Very disappointing if President (KING) Bush has done this already; he is taking two species of fish away from the vast majority of Americans, those who fish for a living and those who eat them as food, in order to give them to a small group of elites so they can have more fun fishing, disgraceful is all I can say.
Most disturbing for NC purposes is absolutely no word from our state officials on this. Where is Secretary Bill Ross? He should be outraged and so too should our elected officials in this state. NC resource managers continue the complacent attitude, and go-along-to-get-along attitude that is destroying this industry. NCFA requested a meeting with Secretary Ross more than a month ago and followed up that request with another one when he did not reply. He still has not even acknowledged our request to meet with him to discuss some of these issues. In case someone gets this to him here’s our number: 252-633-2288
Menhaden: A ban on all menhaden fishing (except for bait) is also in the works thanks to Representative Gilchrest from NJ; also in NJ a ban on commercial activities at artificial reefs. This is getting to be a little much.
PROCLAMATION
RE: 2007 OYSTER RESTRICTIONS
Effective at sunrise, Monday, November 12, 2007 mechanical harvest of oysters shall be allowed and the following restrictions will apply: I. MEANS AND METHODS MECHANICAL HARVEST RESTRICTIONS: 1. Oysters may be taken by mechanical methods (See General Information Section VI. E., G. and H. for other gear restrictions). Oysters may not be transferred from the catching vessel to any other vessel during oyster harvesting operations or be transported by any vessel other than the vessel in which they are harvested. II. HARVEST DAYS AND TIME PERIOD Mechanical oyster harvest will be allowed Monday through Friday from sunrise until sunset each day. (See General Information Section VI. C. and F.) III. QUANTITY Properly licensed persons may take or possess no more than fifteen (15) bushels of oysters per fishing operation per day, regardless of the number of persons or vessels involved. (See General Information Section VI. I.) IV. MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT The size limit will be three (3) inches shell length for oysters taken on public or private grounds. (See General Information Section VI. I.) http://www.ncfisheries.net/procs/procs2k7/SF-12-2007.html
RE: 2007 SHRIMPING AND CRAB TRAWLING The following area will close to shrimping and crab trawling, effective at 12:01 A.M., Thursday, October 18, 2007: I. AREA PAMLICO COUNTY (See attached map) A. Swan Creek as described in Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03R.0107 (b) (13) (A) Gum Thicket Shoal as described in Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03R.0107 (b) (13) (C).Orchard Creek as described in Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03R.0107 (b) (13) (D). http://www.ncfisheries.net/procs/procs2k7/SH-16-2007.html
MEETINGS:
October 25, 2007 6 p.m.
NCMFC Kingfish FMP Advisory Committee
NCDENR Regional Office - 943 Washington Square Mall - Washington, NC
Contact John Schoolfield or Chip Collier 910-796-7215 or 800-348-4536
October 29 - 11/1:
ASMFC 66th Annual Meeting, Loews Annapolis Hotel, 126 West Street, Annapolis,
Maryland; (410) 263-7777
