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Articles:    Nationwide Survey Shows Most Americans Support Hunting and Fishing (Dawg)
U.S. Senate Passes Marine Fisheries Bill (Dawg)
NRC Calls National Marine Fisheries Service Recreational Fisheries Data "Fatally (Dawg)
Grant Funding Available for Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts (Dawg)
Grant Funding Available for Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts (Dawg)
Grant Funding Available For Phys-Ed Fishing Programs (Dawg)
Future Fisherman Foundation Board Appoints New Executive Director (Dawg)
Government Affairs Update (Dawg)
$800,000 in Grant Funding Available for Fish Habitat Restoration (Dawg)
Sale of Public Land Proposal Withdrawn (Dawg)
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| Most recent article: Nationwide Survey Shows Most Americans Support Hunting and Fishing
by: Dawg
2006-10-23 06:25:44
Nationwide Survey Shows Most Americans Support Hunting and Fishing
by Mary Jane Williamson
National Hunting and Fishing Day was officially established in 1972 to celebrate sportsmen and their role in fostering conservation and the scientific management of natural resources and wildlife. This year those celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day will also be able to celebrate at least a decade of public support for their activities, according to a nationwide poll.
The nationwide survey, conducted by Responsive Management of Harrisonburg, Virginia, found that support for hunting and fishing has remained strong over the past decade with approximately every 3 out of 4 Americans approving of legal hunting and more than 9 out of 10 approving of recreational fishing.
"We have been seeing public support for hunting increase in several states over the past decade where we had data but this is the first nationwide study where we could verify that public support has increased over the past decade. In 1995, 73 percent of Americans approved of hunting while in 2006, 78 percent approved of hunting. Support for fishing nationwide, as well as in numerous states where we have conducted studies, remains very high," says Mark Damian Duda, executive director of Responsive Management. Although approval of fishing has decreased slightly, dropping only 1.7 percentage points from 95 percent in 1995 to 93.3 percent in 2006, most Americans approve of recreational fishing.
The results of this survey reflect the opinions of randomly selected U.S. adult residents based on a scientific telephone survey of 813 Americans conducted from August 31 to September 9, 2006. The sampling error is 3.44 percentage points.
The poll was conducted as part of two larger projectsâ€â€ÂÂa book being written on sportsmen’s issues by Duda, Marty Jones, and Andrea Criscione of Responsive Management that was commissioned by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and a study on the future of hunting and the shooting sports under a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
As Americans become more knowledgeable about the role of hunting in wildlife management as well as how much money hunting and fishing contributes to fish and wildlife conservation efforts, coupled with a visible increase in deer in urban areas and the need to actively manage their populations, Responsive Management’s research shows that the public continues to approve of hunting.
Officials in the hunting and fishing industries are encouraged by the public support, citing the important role that sportsmen play in a number of areas, including conservation and the economy. Steve Williams, current president of the Wildlife Management Institute and former director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, noted, "Sportsmen are essential to wildlife protection and management. Game management programs, which are funded by sportsmen’s dollars, have brought back numerous wildlife species from unhealthy population levels, such as wild turkey, wood ducks, white-tailed deer, beaver, pronghorn antelope, and Canada geese to name a few. In addition, sportsmen’s dollars have purchased and managed millions of acres of fish and wildlife habitat benefiting all fish and wildlife species and the public who enjoy them."
Matt Hogan, executive vice president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, pointed out, "Public support for hunting and fishing is crucial for conservation efforts. State fish and wildlife agencies have been and continue to be funded in large part by the contributions of sportsmen and women through license sales and excise tax payments on hunting and fishing equipment. To put it simply, without hunters and anglers, state fish and wildlife agencies would not be able to do their job conserving and managing wildlife for all Americans to enjoy."
Gordon Robertson, vice president of the American Sport Fishing Association, commented, "Hunting and fishing have major economic impacts on the U.S. economy. According to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, sportsmen and women spend more than seventy billion dollars on hunting and fishing each year. Spreading that out across other sectors of the economy, sportfishing alone annually contributes $116 billion to the U.S. economy. It’s gratifying to know that the American public supports these activities with such a strong cultural heritage."
Responsive Management is a Virginia-based public opinion polling and survey research firm specializing in natural resources, fisheries, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and environmental issues and has been assessing public attitudes on these issues for 18 years. Surveys are conducted with scientific rigor according to the standards of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations. For more information, please visit the firm’s Web site: www.responsivemanagement.com.
Poll Data:
Do you approve or disapprove of legal hunting? (2006)
45.4% Strongly approve and 32.2% Moderately approve (77.6% Approve)
4.9% Neither approve nor disapprove; 1.2% Don’t know
8.0% Strongly disapprove and 8.3% Moderately disapprove (16.3% Disapprove)
Do you approve or disapprove of recreational fishing? (2006)
68.5% Strongly approve and 24.8% Moderately approve (93.3% Approve)
1.5% Neither approve nor disapprove
2.0% Strongly disapprove and 3.2% Moderately disapprove (5.2% Disapprove)
Do you approve or disapprove of legal hunting? (1995)
40% Strongly approve and 33% Moderately approve (73% Approve)
5% Neither approve nor disapprove / Don’t know
11% Strongly disapprove and 11% Moderately disapprove (22% Disapprove)
Do you approve or disapprove of legal fishing? (1995)
65% Strongly approve and 30% Moderately approve (95% Approve)
2% Neither approve nor disapprove / Don’t know
1% Strongly disapprove and 2% Moderately disapprove (3% Disapprove)
The American Sportfishing Association is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, uniting more than 650 members of the sportfishing and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups, and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association safeguards and promotes the enduring social, economic, and conservation values of sportfishing.
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Articles: Aquarius Undersea Laboratory Wraps Up 2005 Mission Year with U.S. Navy Diving Pr (Dawg)
Aquarius Undersea Laboratory Wraps Up 2005 Mission Year with U.S. Navy Diving Pr (Dawg)
Lionfish adopt home away from home in Atlantic (Dawg)
UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS EX14 (Dawg)
UNDERSEA HABITAT BECOMES EXPERIMENTAL HOSPITAL FOR NEEMO 7 (Dawg)
| Most recent article: Aquarius Undersea Laboratory Wraps Up 2005 Mission Year with U.S. Navy Diving Pr
by: Dawg
2006-01-05 03:21:03
Aquarius Undersea Laboratory Wraps Up 2005 Mission Year with U.S. Navy Diving Projects
The 2005 hurricane season will be remembered throughout the south for the damage and disruption inflicted upon millions, but it’s fair to say that the Aquarius underwater laboratory staff saw the wrath of the storms from a unique perspective  underwater. Aquarius survived the storms and ends the 2005 field season with a partnership project to help train US Navy saturation divers and develop new tools for scientific diving. Aquarius is owned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and operated by the NOAA Undersea Research Center at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (NURC/UNCW). The habitat is located in sixty feet of water, 8 miles south of mission control in Key Largo. It is currently the only underwater laboratory operating in the world’s oceans.
It’s hard to imagine the underwater forces generated by 30 foot waves in 60 feet of water  thousands of tons of water are tossed as easily as a baby splashes water in a bathtub. Docks were battered, homes flooded, the 500 foot wreck of the Spiegel Grove was lifted from its sideways resting position to full upright status, and meters of sediments were moved around on the reef exposing coral skeletons buried for thousands of years. Aquarius also suffered damage but was repaired quickly to complete the 2005 mission year. Upon reaching Aquarius after the storms, Aquarius Manager, Jim Buckley, noted, "she had the look of a winning prize fighter who took a few licks but came out on top."
Hurricane Rita did more damage than Katrina or Wilma. "As Hurricane Rita passed south of the Keys as a Category I Storm, its wave heights reached nearly 30 feet off Key Largo. This type of surge has been known to tear shipwrecks in two and scatter them hundreds of feet across the bottom of the ocean," said Craig Cooper, Operations Director for Aquarius. He added, "The surge and constant wind–driven currents from the east–southeast shifted Aquarius approximately ten feet, broke a pin to one of the legs, and threatened to tip the habitat over. Additionally, hold down anchors were pried from the seafloor, and exterior deck frames, battery pods, and other structures were damaged or torn loose." A tiger team of U.S. Navy Seabee divers from Underwater Construction Teams (UCT) 1 and 2, divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage (MDSU 2), and NURC/UNCW divers collaborated in the many tasks associated with stabilizing and restoring the underwater habitat in record time. Their efforts paid off  Aquarius survived Hurricane Wilma without any damage, despite a direct hit on the Florida Keys. LT CDR Tim Liberatore, UCT 2 Commanding Officer stated that "the UCTs are perfectly suited for this type of work, stabilizing the Aquarius was a great opportunity to do real world engineering on an underwater structure."
Aquarius is a national asset that supports scientists, researchers, and astronauts in their efforts to better understand the oceans, coastal resources, and the ability to conduct work operations in a difficult, remote, and potentially dangerous environment. Science projects conducted from Aquarius are contributing knowledge and discoveries that help managers better understand and conserve coral reef resources in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Important results include studies related to nutrients and pollution, monitoring deep reef conditions, coral feeding biology, dynamics of seaweed populations, and in the most recent mission this past November, acoustic fish tracking studies of black grouper and other species.
The goals of the December Navy projects are to furnish United States Navy Diving saturation school graduates an opportunity to work with Aquarius in a setting that simulates saturation diving procedures related to the Navy’s use of a "flyaway saturation system." Two back–to–back five day missions will each include five Navy divers with one NURC/UNCW habitat technician, NURC Diving Safety Officer (DSO) Roger Garcia, a former Navy diver himself. Excursions from the habitat will involve typical "surface supplied" umbilical diving with "hard hat" helmets, with the wet porch serving as an analog to a saturation diving bell. Tasks will benefit NOAA’s habitat program and include inspections of the habitat exterior structures and baseplate, further installation of baseplate stabilization/hurricane seabed anchors, and general maintenance prior to the off–mission season.
During each Aquarius mission, anyone with Internet access can watch live web cameras, read expedition journals from the aquanauts, view project summaries and pictures, and much more at the NURC/UNCW Aquarius web site: www.uncw.edu/aquarius
For more information, contact Otto Rutten, Associate Director or Craig Cooper, Operations Director, NURC/UNCW at (305) 451–0233. read more... |
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Articles: NOAA Fisheries Publishes a Final Rule for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Amendme (Capt_Dave)
Federal Fisheries Management Council Approves Measures to Protect Largest Deepwa (Capt_Dave)
Nontraditional Stakeholders Sought for Participation in ASMFC Shad & River Herri (Capt_Dave)
ASMFC Releases Draft Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sha (Dawg)
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to Meet; Aug 14-17 in Arlington, VA (Dawg)
ASMFC Board Approves Addendum XVI to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Ba (Dawg)
Atlantic Coastal States Schedule Public Meetings to Gather Input on Coastal Shar (Dawg)
Horseshoe Crab Board Approves Draft Addendum for Public Comment (Dawg)
Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board Approves Draft Addendum XVIII fo (Dawg)
ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board Approves Draft Addendum XV (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: NOAA Fisheries Publishes a Final Rule for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Amendme
by: Capt_Dave
2009-11-17 17:18:41
NOAA Fisheries Publishes a Final Rule for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Amendment 15B
NOAA Fisheries Service published the final rule for Amendment 15B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic region on November 16, 2009.
This final rule will:
- Prohibit the sale of snapper-grouper harvested under the bag limits unless the vessel owner has been issued a Federal Commercial Snapper-Grouper Permit.
- Allocate 95% of the total allowable catch of snowy grouper to the commercial sector and 5% to the recreational sector.
- Allocate 50% of the total allowable catch of red porgy to the commercial sector and 50% to the recreational sector.
- Decrease the snowy grouper quota from 84,000 pounds whole weight to 82,900 pounds whole weight, and increase the red porgy quota from 127,000 pounds whole weight to 190,050 pounds
whole weight.
- Revise the stock status determination criteria for golden tilefish.
- Expand the allowable transfer of a commercial vessel permit under the limited access program and extend the allowable period for renewal of such a permit to one year.
- Require an owner and operator of a vessel for which a commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit has been issued and that has on board any hook-and-line gear to comply with sea turtle and
smalltooth sawfish release protocols and possess on board specific gear to ensure proper release of such species that are incidentally caught.
- Implement a bycatch monitoring program, which requires any vessel (commercial or recreational) that fishes for snapper-grouper in the exclusive economic zone, if selected by NOAA Fisheries
Service, to carry an observer and install an electronic logbook and/or video monitoring system.
Implementation Dates
The extension of the snapper-grouper permit renewal period is effective immediately in order to prevent the unintentional loss of snapper-grouper permits during the 30-day wait period. The effective date for the requirement for federally-permitted snapper-grouper vessels to carry sea turtle dehooking tools and protected species handling and release guidelines/protocols will be February 15, 2010.
The provisions expanding the allowable transfer of a commercial vessel permit under the limited access program and implementing a bycatch monitoring program will be effective at a future date to be announced by NOAA Fisheries Service in a separate Federal Register notice. All other actions in the amendment will become effective on December 16, 2009.
This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
Addresses
Electronic copies of the final rule or the amendment may be obtained from the e-Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Web site at
http://www.safmc.net, or:
NOAA Fisheries Service
Southeast Regional Office
Sustainable Fisheries Division
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
Frequently Asked Questions for Snapper Grouper Amendment 15B can be found on line at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
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Articles: The Billfish Foundation Call To Action (Dawg)
Fishing Year & the 250 Rule (Dawg)
KEY GOVERNMENT OPTIONS for BILLFISH and SWORDFISH (Dawg)
| Most recent article: The Billfish Foundation Call To Action
by: Dawg
2005-08-02 04:24:41
The Billfish Foundation Call To Action
The Billfish Foundation is requesting that you, and members on Capitol Hill who understand the importance of recreational fishing, the importance of the U.S. taking the lead to find solutions through research to reduce billfish bycatch in longline vessels and the importance of having billfish in the water to support the many U.S. businesses dependent upon responsible use of the resource.
Through the great efforts of Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) and former Senator John Breaux (D-LA) the first Atlantic billfish research funds were approved for 2004. Most of those funds were distributed through the Gulf of Mexico Marine Fisheries Commission by competitive bids. The small balance was given to the Miami Lab of the NMFS, South East Fisheries Science Center for scheduled billfish work.
Your assistance is requested to try to secure research funds for Atlantic billfish, a respectable amount for competitive bids and another respectable amount for the Miami Lab for billfish research projects.
A sample letter is provided below and TBF requests that you either copy and send with your name added, or modify noting your state of residence, any other comments you would like to add and then add your name and send to Senator Trent Lott (R-MS), Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) as soon as possible. Senator Lott has requested $4.3 million, we should thank him for taking that action and then stress we would like to see that amount supported by the other two Senators and approved for fiscal year 2006.
SEND TO THESE ADDRESSES:
Senator Trent Lott
email: senatorlott@lott.senate.gov
fax: (202) 224-2262
mail: SR-Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2403
Senator Richard Shelby
email: senator@shelby.senate.gov
fax: (202) 224-3416
mail: SH-110 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-0103
Senator Thad Cochran
email: senator@cochran.senate.gov
fax: (2020) 224-9450
mail: SD-113 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2402
Dear Senators Trent Lott, Richard Shelby, and Thad Cochran,
As a member of The Billfish Foundation (TBF), I am asking that you help secure needed research funds for Atlantic billfish in the 2006 federal appropriations. These funds are essential for insuring the continued availability of Atlantic billfish for recreational fishing opportunities, for the health of the multi-billion dollar industry dependent upon the availability of billfish and the healthy balance of our ocean ecosystems.
Most of the mortality of Atlantic billfish comes as bycatch on the hooks of other nations, nations that have no interest in the U.S. recreational fishery, in the U.S. manufacturing and retail businesses related to offshore fishing and boating, nor do they have any interest in the U.S. businesses that provide support services for citizens and tourists who travel to our coasts to fish. Recovery of Atlantic marlin is going to require a significant reduction in their mortality when killed as bycatch by longline vessels, particularly foreign longline vessels. These other countries will not invest in research to try to find constructive solutions, that is going to take U.S. funding and once solutions are found those solutions can then be exported to other countries.
If the U.S. fails to fund research that can find solutions to meet these objectives the data gaps in what is known about white marlin will contribute to its possible listing in 2007 under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). A listing would have the greatest negative impact on all U.S. fisheries that use waters where a white marlin "might" be hooked - the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.
The funds secured for this important research in 2004 were an important beginning, though much more still needs to be done.
It is inexcusable that the National Marine Fisheries (NMFS) again failed to insist that funds be included in their 2006 budget request to cover billfish research, research needed to help find solutions to reverse the decline of billfish populations and to improve management tools. We greatly appreciate the request already by Senator Lott for funds for Atlantic billfish research and hope that request will be supported by others. Good conservation is good economics, healthy billfish stocks means a healthy economy for the related businesses.
Research takes years of gathering data, getting larval samples from the ocean, testing new hypothesis for assessing population levels, determining age and growth rates, and placing traditional and satellite tags to determine essential fish habitat for spawning areas, nursery areas and movement patterns, to name just a few research categories that need funding.
The recreational billfish community respectfully calls upon you to include in this 2006 budget request funds for Atlantic billfish research. Your leadership on this important issue will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Please contact Ellen Peel, President of The Billfish Foundation with any questions or comments you may have.
She can be reached at:
Ellen Peel, President
The Billfish Foundation
Phone: 954-938-0150 ext 108
http://www.billfish.org/ read more... |
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Articles: Fishermans Death (Capt_Dave)
Letter sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service (Dawg)
ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA LANDINGS (Dawg)
Bluefin Tuna fishing on National TV (captjohn86)
Bluefin Season to REOPEN! (Dawg)
BFT Season and Size Limit Adjustments (Dawg)
MARINE PATROL AUCTIONS TUNA (Dawg)
GENERAL CATEGORY BFT FISHERY WILL CLOSE DECEMBER 10, 2003 (Dawg)
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna: International Management of a Shared Resource (Dawg)
ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA LANDINGS (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: Fishermans Death
by: Capt_Dave
2004-12-09 13:44:51 Fisherman Dies While Fighting Tuna
A fisherman discovered an empty boat cruising off the North Carolina coast Tuesday morning with its harpoon line in the water.
When he reeled in the line, he found a live bluefin tuna speared on the end -- and the captain's entangled body.
The captain, Bruce Bartlett of South Plainfield, N.J., apparently harpooned the fish, then got his left leg caught in the 200-foot line, Coast Guard officials said. When the tuna swam away, Bartlett was pulled into the ocean off Morehead City and drowned.
Bartlett was a commercial fisherman who traveled up and down the coast, Coast Guard officials said. He was alone in the 35-foot boat, named Flat Calm, when he died, fighting a fish that can weigh from 200 to 500 pounds.
"They're not easy to handle by yourself," said Ensign Andy Green-wood, with the Coast Guard's Fort Macon group.
Greenwood said Bartlett's was one of several boats that left Morehead City early Tuesday. He was last seen at 8 a.m.
About 9:30 a.m., another fisherman found Bartlett's boat 13 miles offshore, its motor running. The man climbed aboard and pulled up about 150 feet of the line before finding Bartlett's body, Greenwood said. The catch was on the line, but it got away before Coast Guard officials arrived.
Efforts to reach Bartlett's family Wednesday were unsuccessful.
Anthony Ng of Winterville, a commercial fisherman who was also in the area Tuesday morning, said 6- and 7-foot swells were battering the boats.
He said many fishermen work alone, hauling in tuna on giant rods, then stabbing them with harpoons and chasing them until they tire. A single tuna can sell for thousands of dollars.
Ng said it is more profitable to work alone but, of course, more dangerous. "Those fish, they pull hard," he said. "All it takes is one slip."
The Coast Guard advises against fishing alone. But even having company can't always prevent accidents. In 1994, a man was pulled overboard during the Morehead City-based Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. He had wrapped line around his arm and was trying to pull a fish aboard a 52-foot boat. His body was never found.
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Articles: Center for Biological Diversity applauds resignation of Secretary of Interior Ga (Dawg)
STUDY FINDS ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT IS A SUCCESS! (Dawg)
Anti-Endangered Species Bill in Senate (Dawg)
KILLER WHALES PROTECTED AS ENDANGERED (Dawg)
Judge Approves Settlement To Protect Atlantic White Marlin From Longline Fishing (Dawg)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GUTS ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (Dawg)
ASSAULT ON SCIENCE AT FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE PROVOKES SHARP CRITICISM BY MORE T (Dawg)
FLORIDA’S ENDANGERED CORAL REEFS TO BE PROT (Dawg)
FLORIDA’S ENDANGERED CORAL REEFS TO BE PROT (Dawg)
ORCAS WILL BE PROTECTED UNDER ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: Center for Biological Diversity applauds resignation of Secretary of Interior Ga
by: Dawg
2006-03-12 05:19:53
Center for Biological Diversity applauds resignation of Secretary of Interior Gale Norton
Controversial appointee exemplified revolving door between industry, anti-environmental lobby groups, and Bush administration
Tucson, Ariz. - The Center for Biological Diversity applauds today’s announcement by presidential appointee Gale Norton that she is resigning as Secretary of Interior. Norton used her post as the nation’s top environment official to dismantle wildlife and wilderness protections; expand oil drilling, mining, and logging on public lands; and squash efforts by government scientists to establish rational environmental policy. Under her tenure, agency morale declined to an all-time low and millions of acres of land were forever scarred.
"It’s a good day for wildlife, wilderness and anyone who cares about America’s natural heritage," said Michael Finkelstein, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity.
Norton worked under James Watt in the Reagan Administration, left to work for the mining, oil, and timber industries, moved on to become a lobbyist for anti-environmental groups, then returned to government in the Bush administration. "Norton exemplifies the corruption-inducing revolving door between the Bush administration and industry," said Finkelstein, "the fox wasn’t just guarding the henhouse, she burned it down."
Norton’s resignation comes as law enforcement officials investigate whether top Interior official Steven Griles favored the clients of Jack Abramoff. Griles was a coal industry lobbyist elevated to one of the Interior Department’s top posts at the recommendation of Norton.
The Center for Biological Diversity is a nonprofit conservation organization with more than 18,000 members dedicated to protecting endangered species and wild places through science, policy, education, and environmental law. read more... |
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Articles: Mercury and Sportsman Magazines Present Fishing Schools (Dawg)
Charlotte Offshore Sport Fishing Club (Dawg)
Long Bay Artificial Reef Association (Dawg)
| Most recent article: Mercury and Sportsman Magazines Present Fishing Schools
by: Dawg
2006-03-07 04:17:54 Congrats to Capt. Rob Ferris and Team Mad Mouse for a 4th place finish in their first SKA PRO event. Way to go guys!!!
Mercury and Sportsman Magazines Present Fishing Schools
If you would like to improve or tune up your fishing skills for the
2006, there is still time to register for one of the upcoming North Carolina
or South Carolina Sportsman Fishing Schools.
For the fourth year, Mercury Marine has teamed with the N.C.
and S.C. Sportsman Magazines to present the popular 2006 Sportsman
Fishing Schools. The schools will feature noted tournament anglers,
charter captains, guides, pro team members, and knowledgeable local
fishermen in a multiple session, lecture and hands-on format aimed at
improving the skills and knowledge of beginning to intermediate level fresh
and salt water fishermen.
The schools will be presented in conjunction with the North
Myrtle Beach Parks and Recreation Department at the J. Bryan Floyd
Community Center, N. Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Saturday February 25,
Holly Springs Parks and Recreation Department at the W.E. Hunt Community Center, Holly Springs, N.C., on March 11 and Greenville Recreation
and Parks Department at South Central High School, Greenville, N.C.,
on Saturday March 18.
Each school will be an all day event, beginning at 9:00 AM and ending at
4:30 PM. The schools are organized with multiple classrooms, each
featuring one of the different subject groups of Inshore Saltwater,
Ocean Saltwater, Fresh Water, General Information, and Outside Instructions.
The individual sessions will change hourly and participants will choose their preferred topic each hour.
The sessions in the Inshore Saltwater Classroom will include Speckled
Trout, Flounder, Puppy Drum, Tarpon and more.
The Saltwater Ocean Classroom sessions will include Nearshore Trolling
for Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and King Mackerel, Offshore Trolling for Tuna, Dolphin, and Wahoo, Live Bait Trolling for King Mackerel and more.
The Fresh Water Classroom sessions will include, Bass, Catfish,
Stripers, Mountain Trout, Panfish, and Fly Fishing.
The General Information Classroom will include sessions on Basic Navigation and Safety, Marine Electronics, Basic Marine Preventive
Maintenance, Reading and Understanding Charts, Three Basic Knots,
Chumming and more.
The Outside Instruction sessions will include Setting Up and
Maintaining Trailers, Rigging Offshore Trolling Baits, Selecting and
Throwing Cast Nets and more.
Many sponsors and partners have come together to make these
schools possible. They include Mercury Marine, Sea Pro Boats,
Road King Trailers, Bass Pro Shops, Sea Striker, Star Rods, Calcutta
Baits, Maps Unique, Nautical publications, Charter Lakes Marine Insurance, Chatlee Boat and Marine, and the Greenville, Holly Springs and
N. Myrtle Beach Recreation and Parks Departments.
Some of the key instructors include: Capt. Jerry Dilsaver, 2001
SKA National Champion, 1998 USAA Angler of the Year and North Carolina Sportsman Magazine Staff Writer; Capt. Maynard Edwards, Yadkin Lakes
Guide Service; Capt. David Dietzler, Cape Lookout Charters; Capt.
Rick Bennett, Rod-Man Charters; Capt. Greg Voliva, Down East Guide
Service, and Capt. John Parks, 2005 Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour National Champion.
For the low cost of $55 ($65 in the final week before each event),
each participant will receive the day of instruction, a years subscription or renewal to North Carolina or South Carolina Sportsman Magazine, lunch, a Sportsman T-shirt, manufacturer’s samples, many door prizes including
fishing tackle and fishing trips, and entry into a drawing to win a Sea Pro Boat, Mercury Outboard and Road King Trailer combination. Additional family members may register for only $30 each ($35 in the final week before each event).
For more information or to register, visit www.northcarolinasportsman.com, www.southcarolinasportsman.com or call 1-800-538-4355. read more... |
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Articles: CCA Announces Scholarship Selections (zotsboy)
Donate Boat, Trailer, Car to Help Rec Fishery (muddler)
CCA NC looking to Grow Chapters (muddler)
CCA North Carolina Names Stephen Ammons as its New Executive Director (Dawg)
2007 CCA NC Inside & Out Results (Dawg)
RED DRUM ADVISORY COMMITTEE SETS DATE FOR GILL NET DISCUSSION (Dawg)
Inside & Out Tournament (Dawg)
Red Drum Advisory Committee voted in favor of increasing the daily commercial tr (Dawg)
Cape Fear CCA (Dawg)
Conservationists Demand Science-based Summer Flounder Solution (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: CCA Announces Scholarship Selections
by: zotsboy
2009-07-06 15:40:26
CCA Announces Scholarship Selections
The Coastal Conservation of North Carolina -- an association dedicated to preserving and protecting our marine fisheries for current and future generations -- announced that it has selected two students to receive a $1,000 scholarship each to further their educational goals in the area of Marine Science.
"We look for students doing work in the area of Marine Science who have projects that will be of benefit long term to the fishermen of North Carolina" said Stephen Ammons, Executive Director of CCA NC.
After reviewing the candidates for the two $1,000 scholarships for 2009, the selection committee reached an unanimous agreement on two students -- Ken Riley from East Carolina University Department of Biology and Nate Giraldi from the University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences.
Ken Riley is seeking his doctoral degree at East Carolina with his project focused on American Shad and River Herring. His research work will model various elements of essential nursery habitat for these species in an effort to improve the management of these types to insure a healthy resource. He will include important environmental factors such as river flow and predator - prey relationship.
Nate Giraldi is seeking his doctorate also in Marine Sciences. His thesis will conduct research on oyster sanctuaries to determine optimal planting strategies, methods to improve growth and survival, identify predators to understand and improve success of artificial reefs, and measure recruitment to the artificial oyster reefs. Oysters filter our coastal waters and are important in improving water quality and habitat.
Both of these projects are vital to the overall health of North Carolina fisheries and are consistent with the many efforts of CCA NC to improve our marine resources.
The stated purpose of the Coastal Conservation Association North Carolina is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. The objective of CCA is to conserve, promote and enhance the present and future availability of these coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public.
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Articles: NOAA Joins with Carolinas’ Universities to (Dawg)
Frying Pan Buoy Deployed (Dawg)
Coastal Ocean Research and Monitoring Program (CORMP) (Dawg)
Coastal Ocean Research and Monitoring Program (CORMP) (Dawg)
| Most recent article: NOAA Joins with Carolinas’ Universities to
by: Dawg
2007-04-03 07:40:30 NOAA Joins with Carolinas’ Universities to Test New Marine Web Portal for Carolinas’ Coastline
Integrates Real-Time Data from Eight Major Providers at One Marine Site
The Carolinas’ Coast Marine Web Portal, a new experimental website that
integrates real-time marine data from eight major providers will be
launched by NOAA’s National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C.,
Morehead City, N.C., Charleston, S.C., NOAA’s Ocean Prediction Center,
University of South Carolina and University of North Carolina at
Wilmington’s Center for Marine Science, on April 2, 2007.
http://www.weather.gov/carolinascoast
This new marine web portal will be a gateway for marine customers and
partners to access a variety of real-time marine observations, hazards
and forecasts along the Carolina coastline all at one site integrating
real-time data from eight major providers.
The site current integrates data from the following providers: National
Weather Service (NWS); National Ocean Service; National Data Buoy
Center; Coastal Ocean Research Monitoring Program; Carolina’s Coastal
Ocean Observing and Prediction System Stations, that are owned and
operated by the University of South Carolina and North Carolina State
University; United State Geological Survey, Federal Aviation
Administration, Department of Defense, and The Skidaway Institute of
Oceanography.
“At the National Weather Service we are always striving to provide our
customers and partners with the most innovative and useful water,
weather and climate information to help save lives and property,†said
NOAA’s NWS John Guiney, chief, Meteorological Services. “The Carolinas’
Coast Marine Web Portal provides our customers with one-site to easily
obtain all the marine data they need to safely chart their course along
the Carolina coastline,†he continued.
The Carolinas’ Coast Marine Web Portal is an experimental product to
test new methods in delivering both NOAA source data and data from
partners in a web application that integrates both meteorological and
geographic information.
Funding affiliates for this project were the Southeast Atlantic Coastal
Ocean Observing System, Southeast Costal Ocean Observing Regional
Association, and South Carolina Sea Grant.
“We are really excited about this integrative approach that provides
mariners everything they might need for safe passage all at one site. We
are inviting our customers and partners to view the portal and provide
their comments by September 30, 2007. This will allow us to evaluate
this product and its future development to best meet needs of the
mariner community,†said NOAA’s NWS Michael Caropolo,
meteorologist-in-charge, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Carolinas’ Coast Marine Web Portal provides access to current
observations, land and sea surface temperatures, official NWS five day
forecasts and warnings, radar data, wind speeds and directions, wind
gusts, air pressure and coastal bathymetry for a distance of 250
nautical miles from the Carolina coastline. Web users will easily find
the right transmission frequency for NOAA’s All-Hazard Weather Radio
anywhere along the coast of the Carolinas.
All data is available in text and graphical formats and different
datasets may be overlaid on the geographic map providing a comprehensive
view of the weather.
Customers and partners are invited to fill-out a feed-back survey after
reviewing the site. The link to the survey is
http://www.weather.gov/survey/web-survey.php?code=cc-marine
This is an experimental product and availability and content of the web
portal may change at any time. Users are cautioned that the National
Weather Service is not responsible for non-NOAA data and should use
official National Weather Service forecasts and advisories for their
critical weather needs.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the
U.S. Commerce Department, is celebrating 200 years of science and
service to the nation. From the establishment of the Survey of the Coast
in 1807 by Thomas Jefferson to the formation of the Weather Bureau and
the Commission of Fish and Fisheries in the 1870s, much of America's
scientific heritage is rooted in NOAA.
NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety
through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related
events and information service delivery for transportation, and by
providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine
resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of
Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 60
countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring
network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and
protects.
On the Web:
NOAA: www.noaa.gov
National Weather Service: www.weather.gov
Program Partners
Carolinas Coastal Marine Web Portal: http://www.weather.gov/carolinascoast
Mariner’s Survey:
http://www.weather.gov/survey/web-survey.php?code=cc-marine
National Weather Service, Wilmington, N.C.: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/ilm/
National Weather Service, Morehead City, N.C.:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/mhx/
National Weather Service, Charleston, S.C.: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/chs/
University of North Carolina’s Center for Marine Science, Wilmington;
Coastal Ocean Research Monitoring Program: http://www.cormp.org
Carolina’s Carolinas Coastal Ocean Observing and Prediction System,
owned and maintained by the University of South Carolina and North
Carolina State University: http://www.caro-coops.org/
Funding Affiliates:
Southeast U.S. Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing System:
http://www.seacoos.org/
Southeast Costal Ocean Observing Regional Association:
http://www.secoora.org/
North Carolina Sea Grant: http://www.ncseagrant.org/
South Carolina Sea Grant: http://www.scseagrant.org/
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Articles: ULTRALIGHT MIGRATION LEADS 18 ENDANGERED WHOOPING CRANES OVER THE SKIES (Dawg)
| Most recent article: ULTRALIGHT MIGRATION LEADS 18 ENDANGERED WHOOPING CRANES OVER THE SKIES
by: Dawg
2006-12-07 06:40:43
ULTRALIGHT MIGRATION LEADS 18 ENDANGERED WHOOPING CRANES OVER THE SKIES
OF GEORGIA
Pike County, Ga. (December 5, 2006) - Eighteen whooping crane chicks
have crossed into the state of Georgia, continuing their journey from
Wisconsin to Florida by reaching Gordon County, Georgia on December 3,
2006. Today, the cranes covered 106.5 miles in a flight of just over two
hours to Pike County, Georgia.
The whooping cranes are on a 1,228-mile ultralight-guided migration
from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin to
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge along Florida's Gulf Coast.
They left Wisconsin on October 5, following four ultralight aircraft.
To date, the birds have traveled 902.9 miles. The Whooping Crane
Eastern Partnership (WCEP), an international coalition of public and
private groups, is conducting this project in an effort to reintroduce
this endangered species in eastern North America. For more information
and to follow the whooping crane's migration, visit the WCEP web site
at www.bringbackthecranes.org.
"The State of Georgia is a key partner in this unprecedented effort
to reintroduce whooping cranes into the eastern flyway," said Sam
Hamilton, Southeast Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, a WCEP founding partner. "We are grateful for the efforts of
the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and our other state
colleagues in helping to make this project a success."
Background
There are now 66 migratory whooping cranes in the wild in eastern North
America - including the first whooping crane chicks to hatch in the wild
in Wisconsin in more than a century.
The two wild whooping crane chicks hatched on June 22 at the Necedah
National Wildlife Refuge. The wild-hatched crane chicks stuck close to
their parents at Necedah NWR for much of the summer until fledging, or
gaining their flight feathers, in early September. One of the chicks
stayed behind when its parents and sibling moved from their territory,
and as of today that chick has not been located. The other chick, a
female, was leg-banded so that she can be tracked by WCEP biologists.
The ultralight-led Class of 2006 includes the first crane hatched from
the reintroduced eastern migratory whooping crane population. Hatched on
May 7 at the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research
Center in Laurel, Md., Crane 2-06's parents are whooping cranes 13 (a
male) and 18 (a female) from the ultralight-led crane Class of 2002. In
addition to the 18 birds being led south by ultralights, biologists from
the International Crane Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service reared four whooping cranes at Necedah NWR that were released in
the company of older cranes in hopes that the young birds learn the
migration route, part of WCEP's "Direct Autumn Release" program,
which supplements the successful ultralight migrations.
In 2001, project partner Operation Migration's pilots led the first
whooping crane chicks, conditioned to follow their ultralight
surrogates, south from Necedah NWR to Chassahowitzka NWR. Each
subsequent year, WCEP biologists and pilots have conditioned and guided
additional groups of juvenile cranes to Chassahowitzka.
The whooping crane chicks that take part in the reintroduction project
are hatched at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland. There,
the young cranes are introduced to ultralight aircraft and raised in
isolation from humans. To ensure the impressionable cranes remain wild,
project biologists and pilots adhere to a strict no-talking rule,
broadcast recorded crane calls and wear costumes designed to mask the
human form whenever they are around the cranes.
New classes of cranes are brought to Necedah NWR each June to begin a
summer of conditioning behind the ultralights to prepare them for their
fall migration. Pilots lead the birds on gradually longer training
flights at the refuge throughout the summer until the young cranes are
deemed ready to follow the aircraft along the migration route.
Most graduated classes of whooping cranes spend the summer in central
Wisconsin, where they use areas on or near the Necedah National Wildlife
Refuge, as well as various state and private lands. Reintroduced
whooping cranes have also spent time in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois,
Michigan and other states.
Project staff from the International Crane Foundation and the Service
track and monitor southbound cranes in an effort to learn as much as
possible about their unassisted migrations and the habitat choices they
make along the way. The birds are monitored during the winter in Florida
and tracked as they make their way north in the spring. ICF and Service
biologists, along with Wisconsin DNR biologists, continue to monitor the
birds while they are in their summer locations.
Whooping cranes were on the verge of extinction in the 1940s. Today,
there are only about 500 birds in existence, 350 of them in the wild.
Aside from the 66 Wisconsin-Florida birds, the only other migrating
population of whooping cranes nests at the Wood Buffalo National Park in
the Northwest Territories of Canada and winters at the Aransas National
Wildlife Refuge on the Texas Gulf Coast.
A non-migrating flock of approximately 55 birds lives year-round in
central Florida. The remaining 150 whooping cranes are in captivity in
zoos and breeding facilities around North America.
Whooping cranes, named for their loud and penetrating unison calls,
live and breed in wetland areas, where they feed on crabs, clams, frogs
and aquatic plants. They are distinctive animals, standing five feet
tall, with white bodies, black wing tips and red crowns on their heads.
WCEP asks anyone who encounters a whooping crane in the wild to please
give them the respect and distance they need. Do not approach birds on
foot within 600 feet; try to remain in your vehicle; do not approach in
a vehicle within 600 feet or, if on a public road, within 300 feet.
Also, please remain concealed and do not speak loudly enough that the
birds can hear you. Finally, do not trespass on private property in an
attempt to view whooping cranes.
Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership founding members are the
International Crane Foundation, Operation Migration Inc., Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the
U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and
National Wildlife Health Center, the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and the
International Whooping Crane Recovery Team.
Many other flyway states, provinces, private individuals and
conservation groups have joined forces with and support WCEP by donating
resources, funding and personnel. More than 60 percent of the
project's estimated $1.8 million annual budget comes from private
sources in the form of grants, public donations and corporate sponsors.
For more information on the project, its partners and how you can help,
visit the WCEP website at http://www.bringbackthecranes.org.
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Articles: Carolina Beach Inlet (ddp)
Fill approximately 0.95 acres of Department of the Army jurisdictional wetlands (Dawg)
New Weapons Training Range (Dawg)
Fortune Bay Golf Club Fined $11,000 (Dawg)
New Boat Ramp on Lake Wylie (Dawg)
Class I Administrative Penalty against Waste Industries, Inc (Dawg)
Topsail Island Subdivision project site (Dawg)
Helmsdale at Landfall residential subdivision (Dawg)
Carolina Marina proposes to replace the existing pier (Dawg)
Fortune Bay Golf Club, LLC (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: Carolina Beach Inlet
by: ddp
2007-04-27 21:20:07 Carolina Beach Inlet
To all Carolina Beach Inlet users. We have no federal funding for the inlet and it is shoaled between 3 and 4. The state has agreed to pay 75% of the cost for 2 dredgings this year if the county will kick in 25%. I need everyone that can to write and or call the New Hanover county commissioners and urge them to vote for the funding. We need a dredge now so ask them to address this asap.
Here is the list of commissioners.
Bill Caster-452-1282, bcaster@nhcgov.com
Ted Davis- 763-6249, 313-0755-tdavis@nhcgov.com
Robert Greer-686-1703, 6197879-bgreer@nhcgov.com
BillKnopp, 431-7120, bknopp@nhcgov.com
Nancy Pritchett, 791-2827, npritchett@nhcgov.com
Please do this asap as my job as well as a lot of others depend on this inlet to stay open
Thanks,
Capt. Don Pierce
Blue Marlin Fishing Charters read more... |
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Articles: THE MFC ADVISOR (Capt_Dave)
Fishing Rights Alliance (FRA) today filed a lawsuit to stop Amendment 16 (Capt_Dave)
Sea Creature wins 51st Big Rock (Capt_Dave)
King Mackerel Tournament to benefit Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter (Coolican)
Local Fire Department Needs Help! (Capt_Dave)
COASTAL FISHERIES REFORM GROUP (Capt_Dave)
Got-em-on CHOWDER COOK-OFF (Capt_Dave)
Legislation for Hatteras surf fisherman (fishinbumnc)
GREAT MEMORIAL WEEKEND FISHING (BUSTER)
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (CHPP) Steering Committee (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: THE MFC ADVISOR
by: Capt_Dave
2009-11-19 12:42:27
THE MFC ADVISOR
Marine Fisheries Commission Business Meeting
Clam Digger Inn at Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina
September 23-25, 2009
The Marine Fisheries Commission and the Division of Marine Fisheries continue to look for ways to keep committee advisors and the public informed about commission activities. It is our intent to publish the MFC Advisor after each business meeting, summarizing the meeting, and providing a list of motions and rulemaking proceedings. Hopefully this bulletin will keep you better informed about commission activities. Visit http://www.ncdmf.net/mfc/advisor.html to view this and past issues of the Advisor. Your comments regarding this update are always appreciated – please contact Nancy Fish by e-mail at nancy.fish@ncdenr.gov or by phone at 252-808-8021 or 1-800-682-2632.
The commission held a public meeting on the evening of September 23, followed by a business meeting September 24-25 at the Clam Digger Inn at Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina. The following commission members were in attendance: Mac Currin, Anna Beckwith, David Beresoff, Rob Bizzell, B.J. Copeland, Mikey Daniels, Edward Lee Mann, Bradley Styron and Darrell Taylor.
PUBLIC MEETING – SEPTEMBER 23
The public meeting began at 6 p.m. and 26 individuals spoke. The public can speak on any fisheries issues they want to address with the commission.
Karen Smith, a pound net and gill net fisherman from Cedar Island, spoke against a division recommendation for a July-August seasonal gill net closure and a September seasonal pound net closure. She said she did not understand why a seasonal pound net closure was needed for sea turtles. She said fishermen set their pound nets set in September to harvest butterfish and without a July-August gill net season, fishermen would not have anything else to do. She said she does not know how the fishing industry could sustain more reductions in gear. Without this income, she said her family would suffer. “We depend on these three months,” she said.
Jonathan White of Hertford said he fishes flounder gill nets and the July-August closure will hurt. He said the fishery management plan is doing its job; the fish are recovering. He said July and August are two of the best months when the price paid to the fisherman for the fish is the highest. While fishermen may not catch the most fish in those months, they get a good price for them and it would have a huge financial impact to close the season then.
Buck Cuthrell of S&S Seafood in Aurora spoke about the financial impact of a summertime flounder closure. He said it is the time of year when the fishermen, the fish houses and the buyers make money. July and August is the cash crop of flounder, he said. Come September 1, Northern states begin to open their flounder fishing seasons and the market prices decline. Cuthrell said fishermen would also lose more than just flounder in July and August. Gill net fishermen catch black drum and red drum this time of year, too. Fish houses cannot sustain themselves selling just mullet, he said. He said he understands there have been sea turtle interactions around the Cape, but in places where he works there are no sea turtle interactions. He said the whole state should not be penalized because of what happened in one area. Cuthrell noted the recent fish kills in the Neuse and Pamlico rivers and said the state should turn its attention to water quality and fish habitat. He said he has been buying flounders, so they are coming back.
Jack Cox of Crystal Coast Fisheries in Newport said he is disappointed the state has not been more active in federal snapper-grouper fishery issues. He said the state has not gone to bat for its fishermen against federal fisheries authorities. Cox said individual fishing quotas are not the answer. He said state-by-state quotas are what fishermen want. He pointed out that Amendment 15B to the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan has not been passed. This amendment would ensure recreational catch overages do not count against the commercial harvest. Had Amendment 15B been in place, it would have helped the commercial fishermen avoid a vermillion snapper closure. Also, he noted, a plan to shut down the season on all grouper once the gags get caught, when there is a strong red grouper fishery off of North Carolina.
Brian Moore, also of Crystal Coast Fisheries in Newport, agreed with Cox, but also spoke on proposed southern flounder regulations that would prohibit commercial gigging from Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 and on a vermillion snapper closure. He said a trip limit on both fisheries would work better than a season closure to spread the quota throughout the year.
Wayne Dunbar of Paradise Shore Seafood Co and Guide Service in Oriental said a July-August flounder closure is unreasonable. The demand for flounder is the highest then because the gill net fishery is the only fishery catching flounders. Additionally, the demand for fresh seafood is high at that time because of the number of tourists visiting the coast. If local flounder is not available, the tourists will turn to imports, he said. He suggested the commission consider requiring a 5 ¾-inch mesh size to achieve the 20 percent reduction in harvest needed to meet legal requirements to rebuild flounder stocks instead of a season closure.
Bobby Brothers, a gill net fisherman from Elizabeth City, also said a July-August flounder gill net season closure would be a big hit. He said it would drive gill net fishermen into the crab fishery. It would also impact businesses that supply fishermen with goods, such as gasoline. He said the flounder catch has stayed stable over the years so the stocks must be doing pretty good.
Steve Kluttz of Harkers Island said that it bothered him that there was a proposal for a closed gigging season because it is a green fishery that does not take bycatch. But, he said, it is an easy group to target because they have no political power. Commission Chairman Mac Currin explained the proposal was for various closed seasons for all the different commercial gears that traditionally target southern flounder. Kluttz said he has lived on Harkers Island since he was a child and he has seen the fishing industry torn asunder. He said he served in Vietnam, but now feels his rights are being taken. He referred to how the people of Harkers Island burned a park service building years ago when the federal government formed Cape Lookout National Seashore taking property by adverse possession and warned if the commission takes away people’s livelihoods, the fishermen will come looking for them. (Mr. Kluttz was killed on October 16, when his boat capsized while fishing off of Cape Lookout - our condolences go out to his family.)
Edward Morris said the state was considering taking away a $3 to $4 fish and forcing him to catch a $1 fish instead. He asked if the state has to close the flounder gill net fishery, that it closes it during the periods when the market prices are lower in August, September and November, possibly closing for a week in each month.
Maryanne Rice read a letter from Jeff Styron of Garland Fulcher Seafood in Oriental that said a July-August gill net closure would hurt dealers. The letter noted when tourists cannot get fresh local flounder in the seafood restaurants in summer, this closure will be why. Rice also read a letter from R.E. Mayo Co. in Hobucken that said flounder stocks have increased and he can’t see where there’s a population problem. A summer closure will hurt dealers, the letter said, and businesses depend on the gill netters. It will not only hurt the fish houses, but other businesses that supply goods such as fuel. The letter asked the commission to please consider delaying the action until the country gets back on its feet and the economy has improved.
Sean McKeon, president of the N.C. Fisheries Association, told the commission he was proud to represent the fishing industry seeing how so many drove long distances to speak. He said he believes that recent fish kills in the Neuse River could have been prevented if menhaden boats had not been regulated out of the Neuse River. He said that with no menhaden boats to catch the fish, they school up in so tightly that they lose their oxygen supply and fish kills increase. He pointed to seaside resorts in New England that had closed because of menhaden kills that had occurred because menhaden boats were not allowed to operate in those waters. McKeon said there should be no interim measures for the commercial spotted seatrout fishery because it is a recreational fishery problem. He said the recreational fishery should pony up. McKeon said he agreed with Jack Cox on the snapper-grouper issue, that the state needs to push for management that recognizes North Carolina’s fishery is different from Florida’s. Concerning flounder, McKeon said that though the fishing mortality rate for southern flounder just barely missed its target under the current fishery management plan, but the rules changed somewhere along the line. He asked the commission to not adopt interim rules for southern flounder and allow the fishery management plan committee to address the issue.
Lee Morris, a commercial fisherman from Plymouth, said the state does not need more flounder regulations. The ones in place are working, he said. When fish come back in two or three years there have to be more spawners than you know, he said. He said the spawners go out into the ocean and don’t come back into Albemarle Sound. The mortality rate has already been reduced by going to the14-inch size limit, he said. Morris also noted trawlers kill flounders too, and while it cannot be changed, that catch should be counted. Natural mortality from events such as hurricanes and freezes also kill flounder, he said. He said he thinks the flounder population is healthy, but it fluctuates a bit. As far as speckled trout is concerned, anything that can suffer a freeze kill, and then recover within two years does not need stricter regulations. Morris also said there are lots of 10-inch to 12-inch gray trout that are not growing up because of natural predation.
Jess Hawkins of Morehead City thanked the commission and division for their work. He encouraged the commission to be actively involved in all fisheries issues that will have a significant impact on North Carolina, including those before the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Though the division has staff serving on these boards, the buck stops here, Hawkins said. Most of the fisheries management actions impacting the East Coast are taken by these bodies and he encouraged the commission to be aware of and contemplate the use of the division director’s proclamation authority. It is a unique and powerful tool, Hawkins said. While it is easy to entrust all these actions to a hired professional, the commission should be aware of what’s going on, he said.
Thomas Newman of Swan Quarter said he is a 23-year-old, five-generation fisherman who holds a bachelor of science in biology. He said he understands fisheries are hard to manage. He has read the division flounder report, but did not see a lot of focus on the financial aspect of the fishery. Newman said it would be better to implement the closures when the flounder fisheries in the northern states are open and market prices are lower. Newman also said an advisory committee proposal to shut down commercial flounder fishing on the weekends, without any recreational flounder closure was just not fair. Newman questioned whether division can accurately estimate the state’s flounder population when there is already such a large closure area in the Pamlico Sound that impacts landings. He said a two-month flounder gill net closure would have a bad financial impact on him, because the bills come due every month, whether he is fishing or not. Newman said he does not see the commission working for the people anymore; but working for the fish. People have families they have to support, Newman said. The commission must look at all these aspects.
Chris Elkins of Gloucester spoke representing the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina regarding interim rules for speckled trout and southern flounder. He said overfishing for spotted seatrout has occurred for more than a decade and measures need to be taken to stop this. The CCA agreed to a 14-inch size limit for both recreational and commercial fishermen, though it would have very little impact on commercial fishermen. For southern flounder, the CCA recommended closing the fall commercial season earlier this year to ensure a 20 percent reduction. From a Sea Turtle Advisory Committee report, it is clear sea turtles are present throughout the year, especially in the fall. He said anything we can do to reduce turtle takes will benefit all North Carolina fishermen. The CCA also recommended the state require fishermen to remove all large mesh gill nets and pound nets from the waters when flounder season is closed. Finally, the CCA asked the commission to request that the Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture support legislation to require state fishery management plans have a 50 percent chance of success.
George Leone of Morgan Harvest Inc. in Newport said closing the flounder gill net fishery in July and August would be poor management because the best value for the fish is in those months. Leone said the commission needs to talk to the fishermen about how to best meet reduction goals. Leone also said that proposed federal snapper-grouper regulations would only build the imported seafood demand in North Carolina by eliminating a fresher product (catching fish off North Carolina requires shorter trips, and the colder water is colder, than in Florida). If U.S. fishermen cannot meet the demand, restaurant suppliers will go overseas to get the seafood, he said. Also, he said, North Carolina needs a state snapper-grouper quota rather than a Southeast Coast quota. Otherwise, the weather in Florida will be beautiful, but blowing here and fishermen will risk going out to fish in unsafe conditions to try to get their share. He also said if the commission shut down flounder in summer, they might as well write off the whole season.
Tim Hergenradar, a recreational fisherman from Pamlico County, said that Pamlico Sound is a nursery area, part of a grand and glorious natural system, but it is under siege by market fishing. Inland, there is a regulated legal harvest - no market fishing allowed - and the species are thriving, but this idea ends when the waters turn salty, he said. He likened trawlers to corporate farmers, saying they are motivated by the greenback dollar. He also said mechanical harvest of oysters destroys habitat. As custodians, the commission is charged with maintaining long-term viability of our aquatic resources and must base decisions on science, but trawling in inland nurseries violates these principals, he said.
Jack Spruill of a recreational fisherman from Hampstead asked the commission for a consistent flounder size limit in the Alligator River system. He said it is very confusing for everyone to have different size limits on different sides of the rivers, creeks and bays. He asked the commission to move the 15-inch size limit line to some point on Durant Island.
Sterling Singletary, a full time commercial fisherman, said he thinks it is a shame when the fishermen have fewer rights than the fish. He said he wonders if they ever read in the Bible that “cries of their labors will cry out against you.” Singletary told the commission that Jesus will hold against them everything they do to hurt fishermen.
Joe Shute of Capt. Joe Shute’s Bait & Tackle in Atlantic Beach, commented that since there is new information added to the stock assessments it would be good to allow the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee to meet one or two times to discuss this information before any interim measures are taken. He also said the commission should push for state-by-state quotas for snapper-grouper. He said that National Marine Fisheries Service is trying to regulate snapper-grouper from Maine to Florida and you just can’t do this. He said the fisheries are different and they are in different types of waters. He said National Marine Fisheries Service needs to go back to a state-by-state quota, otherwise both commercial and recreational fisheries will switch from pinkies and groupers to triggers and amberjacks, and we’ll be in trouble with these species, as well. The regulations will just grow on each other, he said.
Ricky Rose of Beaufort spoke against a September to October flounder gigging closure. He said that giggers are limited by weather as to when they can fish, and a September to October fishery can really help can make up for bad summer. Also, he said, gigging is a selective fishery that takes only the best flounder. He said there are probably only 15 or 20 commercial fishermen in Carteret County that gig, but they depend on gigging heavily in the summer for supplemental income. He said if the season closure goes through it should apply to recreational flounder gigging, as well.
Tim Salter told the commission that the proposed management measures for southern flounder contain a fundamental inconsistency because if you have a recovering fishery, you will need to continually increase regulations to maintain a 20 percent harvest reduction.
Gene Wooster of Alliance spoke representing CEASE-FIRE (http://www.theceasefireproject.com/), a group of North Carolina citizens concerned with military proposals to expand bombing ranges BT-11, between mouth of Neuse River and western Pamlico Sound. This range and others were developed in the 1940s under conditions that it would not interfere with the harvest of food fish, he said. To illustrate the concerns, Wooster spoke of BT-9 at Point of Marsh (Piney Island), which is just across the river from BT-11. When BT-9 was originally established it consisted of about 60 acres, he said. Now it has grown to about 18,000 acres where fishing is banned and navigation is not allowed either. Wooster said he is afraid this will happen with the proposed expansion of BT-11, which would mean more restrictions and a complete ban against navigation and fishing over 12 miles of the shoreline. He said this is a good flounder and trout area with a lot of oyster rocks and it is important to drum fishery as well. Any more loss in public trust waters is going to hurt everybody – both recreational and commercial, Wooster said. He presented a 1983 letter from the state attorney general to the commanding general at the time, and asked the commission for a letter of support.
Roger Harris, a commercial fisherman from Atlantic, said fishermen do not need more regulations. He said he sees nothing wrong with the flounder fishery. Flounder is the only fishery that fishermen can make money on now, he said. He noted the change in commercial fishing over the years. He said his family has a net shop that employed many people, and in the 1970s they couldn’t keep up with orders. Now, just his sister-in-law works in the shop and orders are so few she can keep up with the work, he said.
Heidi Roberts of Harris Net Shop in Atlantic said a July-August flounder gill net closure will put the fishermen out of business, which will also put a hardship on net shops and other Down East businesses. Roberts said the fishermen just want to be allowed to make a living.
Phillip Mason, a commercial fishermen, said if the state wants a 20 percent reduction in flounder harvest, it already has it from new restrictions on gill nets in Core Sound. He also suggested the commission consider a higher size limit for the fish or weekend closures rather than seasonal gear closures.
BUSINESS MEETING - MOTIONS AND ACTIONS – SEPTEMBER 24-25
Chairman Mac Currin convened the Marine Fisheries Commission business meeting at 9 a.m. and reminded commissioners of the requirements of Executive Order One.
Dennis Spitsbergen was recognized by the commission and presented with a red drum fish print to acknowledge his nine years of service representing North Carolina on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Spitsbergen accepted the gift and said he enjoyed the work and believes the council made progress on such issues as sea scallops and summer flounder.
Chairman Currin introduced David Knight, who was attending the meeting. Knight is the assistant secretary of natural resources for the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The agenda was approved for the September 2009 MFC business meeting by consent.
The minutes of the May 2009 MFC business meeting were approved by consent.
Public Comment
Several people spoke during a public comment period. Most of the comments centered on a proposal for seasonal commercial gear closures in the southern flounder fishery meant to end overfishing for flounder and to avoid sea turtle interactions with gill nets.
Dixie Ray Smith, a commercial fisherman from Kill Devil Hills, said floundering is main source of his family income in the fall. Smith said there are already enough gear limits, and he does not believe there has been a decline in sea turtles or fish.
Acey Lee Hines, a commercial flounder fisherman from Kitty Hawk, rhetorically asked how red drum, sea turtles and flounder are coming back with gill nets the way they are. Because gill nets are not the problem, he concluded.
Tucker Walker, a commercial fisherman from Manteo, said that to him the issues at hand do not seem to be as much about flounder and turtles as they are about user conflicts over commercial gear. Walker asked the commission to consider limiting the length of a gill net shot rather than instituting seasons. He also asked them to educate the public about commercial gear.
Gaither Midgette of Wanchese said he pound net fishes in Albemarle Sound. He asked the commission to postpone voting on interim flounder measures until there is more data available and there can be more discussions.
Ralph Craddock of Manns Harbor said he thinks the state based its management proposal on just one biologist’s study. He said he does not see any computer flat-lining. He said there are a lot of little fish in the water and that the computer will probably have a meltdown when it sees these numbers next year. Craddock said Mother Nature takes care of herself a lot of times. Craddock said he is stuck as a fisherman; he is not over the hill, but too old to start a new career. He also said he would like for his sons to be able to fish for a living if they choose. Craddock said the commission trusts computers too much. He said biologists are not fishermen, and they don’t know how to set the gear.
Ken Hagemann of Hatteras Island said there is something wrong with water quality. He said that for the past seven years in Pamlico Sound where he fishes, the water has been filthy. Hagemann said that Hatteras relies on tourist for its economy and building. Most of the fishermen have secondary trades as plumbers or carpenters, he said. By cutting the maximum gill net yardage to 1,000 yards, the 20 percent sought becomes 50 percent, he said.
Terry Pratt of Merry Hill, president of the Albemarle Fishermen’s Association, told the commission to wait until its December meeting to let the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee consider interim flounder regulations. Pratt said he doesn’t know many biologists who trust a computer model because they don’t deal with the real world. Pratt also said that authorities keep making rules on one fish at a time when they need to move to a system-wide management plan. You cannot make a generic rule for all of North Carolina, Pratt told the commission. The state needs to address water quality and what is on shore, as well, he said. Regulating the fishery does no good without addressing the eco-system that produces the fishery.
Ken Seigler, a commercial fisherman from Hubert, opposed a proposal to raise the size limit on spotted seatrout from 12 to 14 inches. Seigler said the spotted seatrout population is expanding, and the controlling factor in population drops is cold stun events. The age distribution of spotted seatrout will always appear truncated in the older portion of the population as long as there are cold stun events, he said. Raising the size limit to 14 inches for the commercial fishery will only create waste in a fishery where there is currently no waste.
Brad Scott of Brad’s Cultured Shellfish in Wilmington asked the commission to reconsider a request he brought before the board in January 2008 to issue him a shellfish lease permit that will allow him to draw juvenile shellfish from polluted waters to transfer to open waters before harvest.
Steven Ammons, executive director for the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina, told the commission decisions it makes should be based on the best available science, not based on people’s livelihoods and what’s best for commercial or recreational fishermen. Ammons advised the board to take the emotion out of the decisions. He also asked the commission to encourage the Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture to support division- requested legislation so that it will be easier to get it through General Assembly.
Dale Petty, a recreational fisherman from Manteo, said he has heard much comment about the value of commercially-caught fish. He said he wanted to point out that recreationally-caught fish have value too. Tourism is the top industry in the state now, and the recreational fishing industry contributes $1 billion to the state’s economy, he said. Petty said the 2005 Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan has failed to meet the target spawning potential ratio of 25 percent. The commission knew it had a low probability of success at the time it was passed, Petty said. An updated fishery management plan is at least 12 months away with a new target spawning potential ration of 35 percent. It is not acceptable to wait for the completion of the fishery management plan to work toward that target, he said.
Riley Williams, a commercial fisherman from Belvidere, who sits on the commission’s Northeast Regional Advisory Committee, said the current flounder plan is working. The spawning potential ratio and spawning biomass is up, he said. Most fishermen already have their nets for next year and it would not be economically feasible for them to change this quickly to mesh sizes that select for a 15-inch fish. This is especially true, he said, since recovery of the flounder population will take care of itself. July and August is the time of year when flounder prices are highest, Williams said. If the state closes the flounder gill net fishery then, the fishermen will be forced to go crabbing, which could negatively impact the crab fishery, he said. He asked the commission to let the fishery management plan run its course.
Troy Outland of Manteo spoke against a proposed September flounder closure for pound nets. He said the pound netters who fish the Albemarle and Croatan sounds set their nets in September because it takes several weeks to get them deployed. A September closure would not only cut harvests in September, but October too, he said. Outland also said the only data biologists get on pound nets comes from the fish houses because they are not coming out to the pound nets to sample.
Issues from Commissioners
Commissioner Bizzell said he would like to see action on the following issues:
- Request the commission’s regional and standing advisory committees evaluate whether or not the Recreational Commercial Gear License still has a place in the divisions’ licensing system. This issue will be forwarded to the appropriate advisory committees for consideration in 2010.
- Have the commission legislatively pursue expanding Marine Patrol’s police powers. Currently, Marine Patrol officers only have authority to detain and cite people for fisheries violations. When Marine Patrol officers observe a non-fisheries violation, they must hold the responsible party and wait for other law enforcement to arrive. This can sometimes be a substantial wait. Wildlife Resources Commission law enforcement officers already have this authority so there is a precedent for this action. The commission has requested legislative consideration of this matter in the past. The issue was referred to the commission’s Civil Penalty/Law Enforcement Committee for further review.
- Ask the N.C. Attorney General for a formal opinion regarding encroachment of various military facilities on the state’s public trust waters and public bottom and also wants the commission to support a compromise with the military and local users. It was decided to receive the attorney general’s opinion first and then pursue working with the various parties to facilitate a compromise.
- Delay voting on interim management measures for southern flounder until the commission’s December business meeting to allow the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee the opportunity to review the proposed measures. This action would not impact the fishery since the potential restrictions being discussed are for the 2010 season and it would give the commission the benefit of additional input from another advisory committee. It was decided the issue would be considered in more detail during southern flounder discussion scheduled later in the meeting.
Commissioner Styron addressed the panel regarding concerns expressed that his participation in the southern flounder debate could be considered a conflict of interest. Styron said he had requested data from the Division of Marine Fisheries that showed 30.5 percent of his income as a seafood dealer was from southern flounder. Ethics law says individuals should not participate in discussions or votes if they have a disproportionate financial interest in the matter. Styron felt anything above 50 percent should be the threshold considered for conflict of interest. He advised he had consulted with Commissioner Copeland on this matter and Copeland concurred the standard should be anything above 50 percent.
At this point Commissioner Copeland added his support of Styron’s stance that 50 percent should be the income threshold for conflict of interest and there were also other factors that needed to be considered. Copeland said the commission was balanced with three commercial representatives, three recreational representatives, two at-large members and one scientist. If one of the members was eliminated from the discussion, that would create an imbalance. He added the commission needed Styron’s expertise in the area of southern flounder in order to make informed decisions. Copeland said he believed Styron was honest and straight-forward and he would do the right thing.
Commissioner Beresoff questioned if the upcoming bay scallop season could be expanded to other areas and was advised the division was in the process of sampling bay scallop populations to determine the parameters of the upcoming season and would report back to the commission at its December meeting.
Commissioner Beresoff then expressed concern over the impact of sea turtles and requested the division consider the implications of applying for a statewide Section 10 Permit from the National Marine Fisheries Service. Beresoff questioned if the recovery of threatened and endangered sea turtles could bring about the end of commercial fishing. He asked if a threshold had been established for the recovery of sea turtles. Division Director Louis Daniel said there would be further discussion of sea turtles later in the day, but Daniel advised the commission there is a move to downgrade the status of loggerhead turtles from threatened to endangered. Since loggerheads are the most prevalent sea turtle species in North Carolina waters, this could have a significant impact on the way state fisheries are managed.
Commissioner Copeland distributed a draft letter, approved by the commission’s Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee, to send to the N.C. Division of Air Quality commenting on a permit for Carolinas Cement plant to be built on the Northeastern Cape Fear River in the Wilmington area. Commissioners were asked to review the letter and be prepared to vote on the matter the following day.
Commissioner Daniels told the commission he toured the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Edenton Fish Hatchery and had seen shad being spawned. Daniels said he would like them to spawn river herring and questioned why the N.C. Aquariums did not spawn southern flounder and release them to improve the status of that stock. Daniels also said he would like to review the Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan to see if those stocks have improved enough to allow more harvest.
Commissioner Copeland advised N.C. State University was already spawning southern flounder and he felt it would be a good idea to have a presentation from that program in the near future.
Chairman’s Report
Chairman Mac Currin told the MFC that there will be a change in the format through which the commission receives committee reports. Rather than have someone read the reports of entire meetings to the MFC, written minutes will be available. Chairs of the committees will only bring forward action items and answer questions.
Commission member B.J. Copeland asked if the MFC could further streamline committee meetings by combining the shellfish and crustacean committees, but was advised both committees are set in state statute, so they cannot be combined without legislative approval.
Currin announced that Governor Perdue had appointed a new commission chairman, Rob Bizzell, who has served on the commission since February 2008. Currin said he would continue to serve as chair for the rest of the day on Thursday, but Bizzell would take over as chairman on Friday. Currin will remain on commission as a recreational fishing industry representative.
The MFC re-elected Copeland as vice chairman of the commission.
Motion by Commissioner Styron to nominate Commissioner Copeland as vice chairman of the commission, seconded by Commissioner Beresoff – motion passed unanimously.
Currin announced the MFC business meeting dates for 2010 as follows:
March 23-25 in Kitty Hawk
May 12-14 in Raleigh
Aug. 11-13 in New Bern
Nov. 3-5 in Wilmington
Southern Flounder Interim Management Measures
Chairman Currin noted that the commission received a letter from Dare County commissioners asking the commission to wait until the December meeting before implementing interim measures.
Motion by Commissioner Bizzell to wait to consider interim management measures for southern flounder no sooner than the December 2009 commission meeting, after the measures are reviewed by the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee, seconded by Commissioner Beckwith – motion passed with eight in favor.
Chairman Currin said the commission had heard many comments from the public asking the board to allow the flounder advisory committee to address the issues. Currin said he is OK with this delay because the measures were not scheduled to take effect until 2010 anyway. But he said the commission needs to keep in mind that when the original plan was passed in 2005, the commission chose a less restrictive approach than was recommended, with the stipulation that the division would review the stock in three years, and do what needed to be done.
Due to budget cuts and other issues, it has now been four-plus years, Currin said. The data is good; the stock assessment is good, Currin said. He noted that stock assessments, in general, are complicated and hard to understand, but it is a given that when you add more data to a stock assessment model, the outcome changes. Currin said it is foolish for the commission to look at the 2005 assessment or data and make decisions based on it. The commission asked the division to recommend interim management measures and that is what they did, Currin said. The recommendation was made in order to rebuild flounder stocks by 2015, which is required by law. Currin said commission members must obey the law and their oath to manage fisheries for all the citizens of this state - not just those from Manteo, but from Murphey, as well. There will be enough time after the December meeting to put interim management measures in place for the 2010 season, but if the commission does not do it then it runs the risk of not meeting its responsibility under the law, he said. And the decision in December will not be any easier than today, Currin said.
Division director Louis Daniel told the commission he plans to take the proposed interim measures and issue papers to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee at an October meeting. He said anyone who feels the need to air their views can come to that meeting. If the committee cannot get through the discussion at the October meeting, we will hold another meeting in November, Daniel said. The division recommendation for a July-August gill net closure was a difficult one because of the higher price of fish. However, it was the best recommendation in terms of addressing sea turtle takes in the fishery, Daniel said. And the sea turtle issue is a major issue, Daniel observed.
Currin agreed, saying the commission could choose different gill net closure dates, but members need to understand if there are increased turtle interactions in the summer, the National Marine Fisheries Service could shut down the gill net flounder fishery altogether.
Commissioner Beresoff said that it is obvious a July-August closure is not popular with the fishermen. He said those who fish in the river bodies where there are no turtle interactions felt compelled to respond. Beresoff said he would like to keep the sea turtle and southern flounder issues separate and try to find a compromise the fishermen can live with and protect the turtles too.
Commissioner Copeland said there were questions brought forward from the public that were not answered in the issue papers prepared by the division. He wanted to know if there are times when the state could close the flounder fisheries that would not have as much economic impact, such as when other states have opened their flounder season. The problem, Copeland said, is that North Carolina will have no control over what other states do and no control over market prices or imports. Copeland said the division also needs to explain the differences between biological benchmarks for the 2005 stock assessment and the 2009 assessment.
Commissioner Daniels said fishermen are not sold on the information the division is providing. Daniels suggested that fishermen be included in internal division staff discussions on stock assessments.
Commissioner Beckwith requested the division give a presentation on sea turtles at the next meeting. Currin noted, in reply that a Sea Turtle Advisory Committee was formed a few years ago and completed a report with recommendations.
Commissioner Beckwith also suggested there be more education on gear identification at the boat ramps.
Director Daniel responded to Commissioner Daniels’ comment saying it would be impractical to include fishermen in division staff meetings. He said the advisory committees are the proper setting for fishermen input into fishery management plans.
Commissioner Styron said North Carolina needs to be more proactive in federal sea turtle issues because the more turtles recover, the more fishermen will interact with them. A July-August gill net closure may kill two birds with one stone, Styron said, but it is not economically feasible.
Commissioner Copeland agreed with Director Daniel that the place for interaction between fishermen and staff is the advisory committees. That is where the staff explains how they came up with their recommendation, Copeland said.
Copeland also suggested the commission’s Information and Education Committee needed to meet to discuss some of these issues.
Commissioner Lee added that new commissioners need a workshop to learn acronyms and procedures, and that staff needed to be mindful of bringing information down to an understandable level.
Spotted Seatrout
Beth Burns, division staff lead for spotted seatrout, presented recommendations for interim measures for spotted seatrout. She said an updated stock assessment shows stock continues to be overfished and overfishing is occurring. The division recommended raising the minimum size limit for spotted seatrout from 12 inches to 14 inches for both recreational and commercial fishermen. This measure will have a greater impact on the recreational fishery because commercial fishermen already tend to catch larger fish.
Burns said the advisory committee hopes to bring a draft fishery management plan to the commission at its December meeting; if not then, by March.
Commissioner Daniels noted that one commercial fishing group will be impacted by the 14-inch size limit - the long-netters. They are not a large group, but they do catch some 12-inch trout, he said. Burns replied that the advisory committee will discuss that issue.
Motion by Commissioner Beckwith to increase the minimum size limit for speckled trout to 14 inches for recreational and commercial sectors, seconded by Commissioner Bizzell – motion passed, five in favor and three opposed.
Commissioner Beresoff asked if there would be an increase in dead discards in commercial fishery. Division stock assessment scientist Christine Jensen said there will be some increase but it will mostly affect the recreational industry. Commissioner Copeland said the impact of discards in the recreational fishery would be minimized if the state required the use of circle hooks and other means of protecting the life of the fish.
Director Daniel further ex read more... |
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Articles: Flounder limits get second look (Dawg)
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· More --> | Most recent article: Flounder limits get second look
by: Dawg
2004-11-06 19:43:44
Admin Note: I don't usually run print stories because of Copyright issues but after reading this I think it so important....I HAD to run it......I will remove it IF required!
Flounder limits get second look
November 05, 2004
PATRICIA SMITH
DAILY NEWS STAFF
MOREHEAD CITY - State fisheries authorities will reconsider a plan to increase the commercial flounder size limit from 13 to 14 inches in inshore waters in a special session Nov. 15.
Marine Fisheries Commission member B.J. Copeland said he plans to put forth a motion to include the size limit increase and a Dec. 1 to Dec. 31 commercial season closure in a final draft of a Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan.
"That's the best we can do, I think," Copeland said.
In an attempt to minimize impacts on commercial fishermen, Copeland led the board in an Oct. 13 decision to omit the size limit increase from the document.
In a 5-4 vote, the commission chose to rely on a Dec. 1 through March 31 commercial and recreational season closure, along with stricter net mesh size requirements, an eight-fish recreational bag limit and other restrictions, to reduce flounder catches enough to allow the over-fished populations to recover.
"It wasn't enough,' Copeland said.
Biologists said the state needs to reduce harvests of southern flounder by about 24 percent in order to achieve recovery of the species within 10 years, as required by law. But an analysis of what the commission approved showed it would result in about a 12 percent to 16 percent catch reduction, depending on how the gear restrictions were applied, said Joe Grist, stock assessment scientist with the state Division of Marine Fisheries.
That was higher than those who voted against the measure expected, said commission chairman Jimmy Johnson.
"Most folks thought it would probably be less than 12," Johnson said.
Grist said the division was still trying to determine what catch reduction would result from the motion Copeland plans to bring at the special meeting. That motion will also include the gear restrictions and the recreational bag limit approved earlier, Copeland said.
Southern flounder is the species most often caught in the rivers and sounds of North Carolina. It is one of the most economically important finfish to commercial fisherman and the species most targeted by recreational fishermen.
The commission took to public hearing a draft plan calling for a 30-percent reduction of southern flounder harvests after biologists said that no less of a catch reduction would achieve recovery of the fishery in 10 years.
That draft plan proposed increasing the commercial size limit from 13 to 14 inches with a Nov. 8 to Dec. 31 season closure. The proposal brought an outcry from the gill and pound net fisheries.
Following the public hearings, division biologists used an updated computer program and found a 24-percent reduction in commercial harvest might achieve the goal. The division then revised its recommendation to endorse a 14-inch commercial size limit with closure from Nov. 25 through Dec. 31. An advisory committee went with the size limit increase and a Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 season closure for both recreational and commercial fishermen.
A re-evaluation of the assessments has since found that the actual harvest reduction from the division recommended management strategy could be 4 percent to 6 percent lower than thought, said division Director Preston Pate. But biologists still believe the measures will rebuild the fish stocks as required by law, though there is a higher risk that they will not work, he said.
"We'll still stick with our recommendation," Pate said.
The special meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Nov. 15 in the upstairs meeting rooms at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City.
Contact Patricia Smith by calling (252) 808-2275. read more... |
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· More --> | Most recent article: Local fishermen to attend rally in support of industry
by: Capt_Dave
2010-02-05 05:53:54 Local fishermen to attend rally in support of industry
February 3, 2010 - 5:49 PM
JANNETTE PIPPIN
The next big trip won’t be offshore for some area fishermen with concerns about a federal fisheries law they say is flawed.
Fishermen from both the commercial and recreational side are making plans to attend a Feb. 24 rally in Washington, D.C., to stand up for the fishing industry and reform of the Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act.
“We need the numbers to be up there to show support for the fishing industry,” said Capt. Sonny Davis, owner of the Capt. Stacy head boat based out of Atlantic Beach.
Davis plans to attend the rally and has worked to recruit others for a North Carolina Fisheries Association-organized bus trip, just one of several being planned around the region as the rally nears.
The NCFA said there are plans to have buses leaving from New Bern and the Outer Banks. Ocean Isle Fishing Center is also sponsoring a bus to leave from that area.
Capt. Joe Hifko of Sneads Ferry, who operates Rough and Ready Charters, is heading to Washington as well.
Hifko has commercial and charter fishing experience and said the rally is one that is bringing both the commercial and recreational fishing sectors together for a common cause.
“We either have to come together or we’re not going to fish,” he said.
At the heart of concerns are a lack of flexibility in rebuilding fish stocks and fishing closures they say are based on the “best available” science rather than solid, comprehensive data.
“We want flexibility and we want real science-based fishing laws. We don’t want the science fiction they are using now,” Hifko said.
Capt. Dave Tilley of the Continental Shelf head boat based out of Morehead City agrees.
The Magnuson Stevens Act provides the statutory framework for federal fisheries management, and Tilley said one goal is to change the “best available science” definition in the law. He said the best available science is often flawed or the only data out there and isn’t necessarily the best, most-recent information on which to base fishery management.
And after being re-introduced several years ago, the law now mandates that overfishing be ended in one year, with stock rebuilding completed within 10.
The stricter mandate leaves little room for flexibility in bringing back stocks, Tilley said, and compounding the issue is the lack of consideration of the economic impact on fishermen.
Tilley noted that this is the first year he’s ever closed for the winter.
New regulations for the South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery have resulted in season closures and harvest limits affecting both commercial and recreational fishermen in the area.
Fishermen seeking reform say the Magnuson Stevens Act has become conservation at all cost, without regard for the fishermen and their communities.
“They don’t consider the livelihood of the people involved,” Davis said.
And Davis said the impact goes beyond the fishermen. If fisheries close, he said, it trickles down to related businesses, from bait and tackle shops and seafood houses to the wider marine industry.
U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-NC) said in a phone interview that he previously introduced the Flexibility in Rebuildng American Fisheries Act, a bill that has been re-introduced this Congress by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ).
Jones said he favors balance between preservation of fish stocks and the impact of management measures on the commercial fishermen and those whose livelihoods depend on the fishing industry.
“It’s a matter, really, of finding the balance between what’s right for the fish stocks and what’s right for the fishermen,” Jones said.
Hifko, for one, said it’s time to take a stand and show his support for change at the rally.
“I’m going to show my support for the recreational and commercial sectors,” he said. “I’m going to show I need my job and I want to go fishing.
“I hope it makes an impact.”
For more information on the North Carolina Fisheries Association bus trip, call 252-633-2288 or e-mail Peggy@ncfish.org. Information and discussion on the rally can also be found at www.fryingpantower.com.
read more... |
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· More --> | Most recent article: Greenpeace launches first public pirate fishing vessel â€Ã
by: Dawg
2007-03-11 07:57:00
Greenpeace launches first public pirate fishing vessel ‘list of shame’
Rome, Italy, 7 March 2007 - Greenpeace today launched a first global
database of blacklisted, illegal fishing vessels, in a bid to tackle the
huge problem of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, a $9
billion rogue industry which is having a devastating effect on fish
stocks and biodiversity in some of the most ecologically important areas
of the world’s oceans.
The Greenpeace database (http://oceans.greenpeace.org/blacklist), which
was launched at the meeting of the committee on Fisheries of the Food
and Agriculture Organisations (FAO) in Rome, aims to publicly identify
vessels which are involved in so-called ‘pirate fishing’, to expose the
lack of action by the authorities to prevent the illegal trade.
Today, Greenpeace also released a report (2) showing that the attempts
at voluntary measures to curb pirate fishing by governments have had
little effect on the levels of illegal fishing in some of the poorest
and most desperate areas of action in the world, particularly the west
coast of Africa.
"The fact that Greenpeace has to publish a global database of
blacklisted illegal fishing vessels demonstrates clearly just how little
concrete action states have taken to stop this pillage of our oceans,"
Sari Tolvanen of Greenpeace International. "What’s needed now is an
official body to take charge of the policing of the worlds’ oceans and
make publicly available the information of both illegitimate and
unlicensed fishing vessels. Until this happens, we have little hope of
stopping the devastation which pirate fishing brings."
The Greenpeace report shows that six years after the member countries of
the FAO approved an International Plan of Action to curb illegal
fishing, the problem is very far from being solved. It includes evidence
gathered last year when the Greenpeace ship Esperanza, spent two months
documenting the activities of foreign fleets off the coast of Guinea
Conakry (3). That investigation discovered that almost half of the 92
fishing vessels encountered in Guinea’s waters were fishing illegally,
or linked to illegal fishing activities. It has been estimated that
sub-Saharan Africa loses around $1 billion a year due to the activities
of such illegal trawling fleets.
"The measures needed to stamp out pirate fishing are well known. Action
is required at all levels of the chain of custody, from the net in the
water to the fish on the shelves of supermarkets", said Sebastian
Losada, Greenpeace Oceans campaigner. "International cooperation,
binding laws on port control, as well as a global register of fishing
vessels and adequate sanctions are among the tools that Governments need
to put in place to act against the pirate fleets that are literally
stealing the food of some of the poorest people in the world and
destroying our marine ecosystems".
Greenpeace campaigners attending the United Nations fisheries meeting in
Rome demanded that governments must translate the existing voluntary
frameworks and international initiatives into hard law. The
international environmental organisation also demanded that the special
requirements of developing countries in fighting illegal fishing be
taken into account.
Contacts
Sebastian Losada, Greenpeace Spain Oceans Campaigner, +34 626998254
Sari Tolvanen, Greenpeace International Oceans Campaigner, in Rome.
+31655125480
(1) http://oceans.greenpeace.org/blacklist
(2) "Witnessing the plunder 2006. How illegal fish from West African
waters finds its way to the EU ports and markets", available at
www.greenpeace.org
(3) The Esperanza documented pirate fishing in West Africa as part of
the Defending Our Oceans expedition, a 15-month expedition, the biggest
the organisation has ever undertaken, to show the threats to the oceans
and outline solutions to the oceans environmental crises.
http://blacklist.greenpeace.org/
read more... |
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 | IGFA · Total News: 10 · Total Reads: 7092 |
Articles: Dunaways to be honored with IGFA Lifetime Achievement Awards (Dawg)
First IGFA Certified Observer training class of 2006 at Miami Boat Show, Feb. 19 (Dawg)
New Pending World Records (Dawg)
Texas girl catches 184 pound wahoo in Mexico; in line for three IGFA world recor (hoo_hunter)
CATCH AS BIG AS A COW (hoo_hunter)
Exceptional Black Drum caught in Shallote River (Dawg)
IGFA actively represented at World Recreational Fishing Conference Fourth event (Dawg)
IGFA Fishing Hall Of Fame To Enshrine Five Men (Dawg)
IGFA HOT NEWS - February 2005 (Dawg)
The Second Annual IGFA World Record Achievement Awards Celebration (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: Dunaways to be honored with IGFA Lifetime Achievement Awards
by: Dawg
2006-03-27 05:05:18
Dunaways to be honored with IGFA Lifetime Achievement Awards
Celebration also marks 2005 records by men, women, juniors and builders
DANIA BEACH, Fla. --- Two outstanding anglers will be honored with the International Game Fish Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the IGFA’s Third Annual World Record Achievement Awards Celebration. The event will take place at the Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Florida, Saturday evening, March 18th.
The event recognizes the 2005 records by men, women, juniors, professional captains and tackle manufacturers for the most world records recently published in the IGFA’s 2006 World Record Game Fishes annual. Jerry Dunaway and Deborah Maddux Dunaway of Houston, Texas, highlight this year’s ceremony for their astonishing billfish records and will receive the IGFA’s Lifetime Achievement Awards. Jerry began offshore fishing in 1969 and has caught an unbelievable 203 Atlantic blue marlin, 36 Pacific blue marlin, 96 black marlin, 10 swordfish, as well as untold numbers of sailfish, white marlin and striped marlin. His 16 IGFA billfish records are more than any man in history, and he was also the first man to have IGFA records for Atlantic blue marlin on 4 and 8 lb lines.
Deborah Dunaway began fishing in 1985 and has fished in 18 countries, catching an unprecedented 23 IGFA billfish recordsâ€â€ÂÂmore than any angler in history. Deborah is the only angler to have held IGFA records for all nine species of billfish. In 1993 she also became the only person to hold current records in all nine species at the same time. She is also one of the top 5 female record holders of all time. The heaviest catches will be rewarded, as will the freshwater and saltwater captains who have led their anglers to other outstanding achievements throughout the year. The IGFA will also award tackle manufacturers whose products have captured the most world records in 2005.
The proceeds from this prestigious event will continue to support the IGFA’s many conservation initiatives. Some of these programs include; recreational fisheries representation on national and international fisheries management panels, game fish research and support of the IGFA Certified Observer Program.
For reservations and tickets ($75) for the ceremony please call Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or via email LArico@igfa.org. read more... |
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Articles: Boat Breakdown and Search Provides Real-Life Tournament Drama (Dawg)
IBFN Announces 2006 Edition of Top Tournaments Report (Dawg)
Circle Hook Prize Scores High at Big Rock and Pirate's Cove (Dawg)
Katrina Triggers Fishery Disaster Declaration (hoo_hunter)
Batten Down the Hatches (hoo_hunter)
Captain Backs it in... 80 miles! (Dawg)
Tell the Fisheries Service Your Solution To Management! (Dawg)
Florida Swordfishing Surges (hoo_hunter)
Boy Survives Bump From Killer Whale (hoo_hunter)
Anglers Help With Tagging Sharks (hoo_hunter)
· More --> | Most recent article: Boat Breakdown and Search Provides Real-Life Tournament Drama
by: Dawg
2005-11-18 03:35:01
Boat Breakdown and Search Provides Real-Life Tournament Drama
CABO SAN LUCAS, BCS -- A photo taken from the start boat shows the Joana headed past Cabo's famous arch, ready to take part in the Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot. Little did the anglers -- Wayne Harmond, Brian Taylor, Robert Taylor and Larry Voldenc -- know it wasn't a tuna that would make them a big part of the seventh annual event.
On the afternoon of the first day of fishing, the captain of the Joana reported mechanical problems to Mike Packard, who was once again the staff member in charge of the radio as tournament control. Packard said the initial reports were confused, with one report indicating the boat would be able to make it in on the remaining engine.
By the time it was determined the boat was a single engine vessel and was adrift, all tournament boats had returned and it was night. Packard would remain in radio contact all night and the next day would notify competitors to keep an eye out for the Joana.
Compounding the situation was the fact the Joana carried no functioning navigational devices and could not report a position. A container ship reported it had passed the vessel the first night and provided coordinates, but when the Mexican Navy dispatched a launch and a helicopter to the numbers, the boat was nowhere in sight. Instead they found a panga full of drugs.
Meantime, Packard and other tournament boats kept up radio contact and encouragement, while at least one boat decided to actively search for the Joana. Chris Badsey's 45-foot Rampage Reelaxe had been plagued by boat problems before and during the tournament and he and his team, two-time money winners Steve and Dave Brackmann, were not in any of the daily jackpots. The line at the fuel dock early the second day meant they could only get half tanks of fuel and got a late start, but the fast vessel was soon leading the pack towards the Finger Bank.
"On the way up we heard the mayday call at 9:15 a.m. looking for the missing Mexican boat Joana with 6 people onboard" Badsey told WON. "I spoke with the guys and we made a decision to assist with the search and rescue immediately as I was in this same situation a year earlier without rescue for 36 hours at sea when the Mexican Navy never came to rescue us. Friends from California flying down had to charter a boat (and) run out to our last known coordinates, as all electronics were dead and we had no radio unlike Joana who did."
Badsey said he got an approximation of the Joana's position when he had a good radio signal and the Bottom Line, which was 88 nautical miles away, also had a strong signal. Badsey also noted the owner of the tournament boat Trauma sent out his private G5 plane to search.
Meanwhile Tuna Jackpot officials continued to press the Mexican Navy to search and the helicopter refueled and headed back out. Neither aircraft located the Joana. To make matters worse, Harmond, a diabetic, reported he was down to his last dose of medicine.
The Bottom Line had a fish aboard and requested that tournament officials allow them to search first and weigh after the 6 p.m. deadline. They were informed the rules of the tournament would be kept in place.
Low on fuel by 6 p.m., the Reelaxe turned back for the dock at troll speed, arriving at midnight. In the meantime, tournament officials and competitors had kept in contact with the Joana. Much effort was also put forth contacting both Mexican and U.S. Coast Guard officials.
Tournament director said the result was the Mexican Navy waived territorial jurisdiction and the Coast Guard launched rescue efforts that night, including a C-130 and a U.S. Navy vessel. One of the first things the Coast Guard did was issue a notice to mariners that included a grid that was the best estimate of the Joana's location.
Badsey decided to head back out and allowed Packard to come aboard the Reelaxe for the search effort.
"The Natural Stone and the Reelaxe were the only two boats that headed out," noted Packard. "Both captains felt this was something they had to do."
Packard said Badsey wasted no time getting to where he felt the Joana was located.
"About 12:35 a.m. we left the fuel dock, broke the lights of the marina and by the time we hit the end of Cape Rock we were doing 30 to 35 knots," said Packard. Packard said that despite heavy seas, the throttles weren't pulled back until the Joana was found.
"About 1:30 or 1:40 the navigator of the cruise ship Seven Seas had a conversation going with Joana and believed they had a visual on the vessel at that time," said Packard. "About 2 in the morning they confirmed that with us and about 2:15 the cruise ship came alongside the Joana. They put a tender in the water with supplies and a doctor for the diabetic aboard. It was about 4:15 when Reelaxe finally made contact with Joana."
With 6 to 8-foot seas still running, it was decided not to transfer the passengers and Reelaxe began to tow Joana. Then Natural Stone arrived and took over the tow duties and the 4 anglers transferred to Reelaxe.
"Chris Badsey decided he wanted to have brunch in Cabo," noted Packard. "We had been running 3 1/2 to 4 knots under tow, but we hammered the throttles down and proceeded to head back to Cabo at about 20 knots. We got in shortly before 2 p.m. to a very happy, proud welcome at N Dock with a lot of happy family members waiting.
"Thank God for once things turned out right." read more... |
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 | Menhaden · Total News: 1 · Total Reads: 739 |
Articles: Save Our Pogies Update (hoo_hunter)
| Most recent article: Save Our Pogies Update
by: hoo_hunter
2005-09-08 07:26:07 
STOP COMMERCIAL MENHADEN NETTING SAVE OUR POGIES; where we're at - 09/06/2005
Finally, we are at a point where we can openly discuss what we have been "trying" to do with our SAVE OUR POGIES effort and where we need to go forward from here. Basically, here is the story.
At our failed Legislative hearing, we found that our elected officials don't choose to listen to their constutients, but rather listen to powerful lobbyist. After the hearing, I saw Jules Wheatley, owner of Beaufort Fisheries, back slapping and smoking cigars with Rufus Edmisten, former State Secretary of State. Rufus, coincidently, is an old friend of mine back when he was Sec of State. We spoke, he introduced me to Wheatley, and not until that moment did I know that Rufus was the lobbyist who was representing Omega Proteins and Beaufort Fisheries. I contacted Rufus shortly thereafter and expressed to him that SOP wasn't going to go away, that we were all business people who were well versed in problem solving, and that if his clients didn't deal with our concerns in Brunswick and New Hanover counties, that their problem could spread statewide. From that conversation began a series of discussions between us and Representative Bonner Stiller. The end result was that Omega agreed to enter into an agreement that they would not come to our waters. At that point we were encouraged that we would have a solution to the issue, however Jules Wheatley at Beaufort Fisheries refused to sign the agreement. You may remember at the Legislative hearing when asked how many menhaden does he attempt to catch and his reponse was "all of them". His unwillingness to go along with Omega put an exclamation point on his earlier comment.
In the meantime Rep Stiller had kept our bill alive and he attempted to reserect it by turning it into a "Study Bill" which would have used the guidlines in the Dare County bill which restrited menhaden netting in Dare County, as the basis for study. The intent was to keep the pressure on Beaufort in hopes they would sign the agreement with Omega. The bill passed the House, however the Senate adjourned without voting on it, therefore the bill died.
So, what does all this mean? Omega agreed not to come into our waters. Beaufort does not agree. Not a solution, but a beginning. In the meantime I have heard that Beaufort has sold their property therefore they may not be an issue. Haven't confirmed that yet.
What do we do now? There is another path to follow which is to encourage the Director of Marine Fisheries, Preston Pate to declare by proclamation that our area of the State is closed to menhaden trawling. He has that power and can use it if he so chooses. Our issue is localized depletion which clearly occurs as we all know. Pate's position is the mass of menahden are not over fished and therefore there is no problem. As relates to the entire US coastline he may be right, however North Carolina and Virginia are the only 2 states that allow netting, so obviously, to look at the entire population when only fish located in 2 states are being targeted is ridiculious. We need to pound on Mr. Pate to be concerned with his state's citizens, and not an out of state company. We need to contact him via email at Preston.Pate@ncmail.ent or tele # 252-726-7021.
In the meantime, I think we should establish a spotter network, and if one of the pogy boats leaves Morehead or is seen coming down the coast, we need to use the various web sites to sound the alert. Where these boats stop to net apparently will be an excellent place for sportfishermen to fish as we all know the predador fish will be where the bait is at, therefore if a large group of fishermen choose to fish at the exact spot where the pogy boats attempt to do their netting; well maybe Mr. Pate will recognize there is a "user conflict" which is one of the justifications he can use to close an area by proclamation.
That's the story, everyone's help has been greatly appreciated, and if a solution doesn't occur before the next Legislative session, we'll start over.
Thanks again. Rube McMullan read more... |
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Articles: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting January 16, 2008 (Dawg)
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Public Meetings December 10-14, 2007 (Dawg)
ASMFC Approves 2008 TALs for Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish (Dawg)
Mid-Atlantic Council and its Committees to Meet; May 2-4 in Virginia Beach, VA (Dawg)
Council Meeting in Virginia Beach, VA: May 2-4, 2006 (Dawg)
Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Amendment 15 (Dawg)
Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee (Dawg)
Council Approves Framework 6 for Summer Flounder (Dawg)
Council Supports Alternative 1 to Monkfish Framework 3 (Dawg)
SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND BLACK SEA BASS FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting January 16, 2008
by: Dawg
2008-01-10 07:58:20 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting January 16, 2008
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) will hold a public meeting regarding the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton, 407 Squire Rd., Revere, MA 02151; telephone: (781) 284-7200).
For additional information, please contact Daniel T. Furlong, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; 300 S. New Street, Room 2115, Dover, DE 19904, telephone: (302) 674-2331, extension 19. read more... |
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Articles: LONGLINE AREA CLOSURES US Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (Dawg)
COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED (Dawg)
CIRCLE HOOK RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT IN 2008 (Dawg)
REVISED OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE BILL INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS (Dawg)
SAY NO TO LONGLINING IN THE CLOSED AREAS (Dawg)
TELL NMFS NOT TO SUSPEND CIRCLE HOOK RULE (Dawg)
NCMC TESTIFIES ON SETTING CATCH LIMITS IN AN ECOSYSTEMS CONTEXT (Dawg)
ATLANTIC MARLIN STOCKS SHOW IMPROVEMENT (Dawg)
INTERSTATE COMMISSION MOVES FORWARD WITH VIRGINIA'S PROPOSAL FOR MENHADEN CAP (Dawg)
Interstate Commission Must Approve the Plan (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: LONGLINE AREA CLOSURES US Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
by: Dawg
2008-01-10 08:29:28 LONGLINE AREA CLOSURES US Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
Longline bycatch reduction according to most recent data by NOAA Fisheries*
NOAA Fisheries (formerly NMFS), in settling NCMC's lawsuit over swordfish, billfish and shark bycatch in the longline fisheries (NCMC vs. Secretary of Commerce), closed 133,000 square miles of coastal waters off the southeast U.S. coast in August 2000 (see closed areas, in green, in map below). The closures went into effect in March 2001.
Longlines are a type of commercial fishing gear used to target swordfish and tuna but which also take a large bycatch of undersized fish and non-target species that are discarded dead at sea. Species discarded by longline gear include blue and white marlin, sailfish, endangered sea turtles, birds, marine mammals and undersize swordfish. While progress is being made in modifying longline gear to minimize interactions with seabirds and turtles, the only known method of dealing with the bycatch of protected or prohibited fish is to get the gear out of the water, where and when it is doing the most damage.
The agency's estimates of bycatch reduction after the 2003 fishing season (combined results for 2001-2003*) as compared to the average bycatch during 1997-1999 (pre-closures) are:
| Juvenile swordfish |
-39.5%
|
| White marlin |
-47.5%
|
| Blue marlin |
-50.3%
|
| Sailfish |
-74.6%
|
| Dolphin |
-47.2%
|
| Large coastal sharks |
-27.9%
|
| Pelagic sharks |
-55.9%
|
.jpg) The reductions in bycatch observed after three full years of the closures are substantial and the NCMC is extremely encouraged by these initial reports. If correct, they would represent a significant achievement in reducing longline bycatch through the use of discreet closures. Even so, we remain concerned that under-reporting of bycatch (estimates are based on vessel logbooks augmented by limited observer coverage) and future shifts in longline effort, including increasing effort as the swordfish population recovers from years of overfishing, may impact closure effectiveness. It's especially important, therefore, that NOAA Fisheries continue to improve its ability to monitor the longline fleet and to obtain accurate catch information. Our confidence in the benefits of the closures will increase with time, as we collect more and better data, but the initial signs are positive news for big fish in the Atlantic. The NCMC is also urging NOAA Fisheries to examine longline bycatch levels in additional areas (see areas in yellow in map above) to determine whether seasonal closures in these regions would further benefit severely overfished blue and white marlin.
*as of 2007, the 2001-2003 data is the most recent NOAA FIsheries has published.
Read more about recent attempts to open the US southeast closures.
Learn more about longline closures NCMC is promoting to protect giant bluefin tuna.
read more... |
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Articles: Accelerating Loss of Ocean Species Threatens Human Well-Being (Dawg)
Scientists Uncover New Clues to Limb Formation (and Loss) in Some Sea Mammals (Dawg)
Swimming Robot Tests Theories About Locomotion in Existing and Extinct Animals (Dawg)
Lobsters Avoid Virus by Detecting Illness in Their Own Kind (Dawg)
Geologists Drill Into Fossil Magma Chamber Deep Under the Ocean (Dawg)
Crew Member on Antarctic Research Vessel Missing (Dawg)
Crew Member on Antarctic Research Vessel Missing (Dawg)
Scientists Discover Interplay Between Genes and Viruses in Tiny Ocean Plankton (Dawg)
Project Takes Fish Collection into the Digital Age (Dawg)
Bering Sea Ecosystem Responding to Changes in Arctic Climate (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: Accelerating Loss of Ocean Species Threatens Human Well-Being
by: Dawg
2006-11-06 06:38:09
Accelerating Loss of Ocean Species Threatens Human Well-Being
Current trends project collapse of currently fished seafoods by 2050
An international group of ecologists and economists has shown that the loss of biodiversity is profoundly reducing the ocean's ability to produce seafood, resist diseases, filter pollutants and rebound from stresses such as overfishing and climate change. Their results are published in this week's issue of the journal Science.
The study reveals that every species lost causes a faster unraveling of the overall ecosystem. Conversely, every species recovered adds significantly to overall productivity and stability of the ecosystem and its ability to withstand stresses.
"Whether we looked at tide pools or studies over the entire world's ocean, we saw the same picture emerging," said lead author Boris Worm of Dalhousie University. "In losing species we lose the productivity and stability of entire ecosystems. I was shocked and disturbed by how consistent these trends are--beyond anything we suspected."
The 4-year analysis is the first to examine all existing data on ocean species and ecosystems, synthesizing historical, experimental, fisheries, and observational data sets to understand the importance of biodiversity at the global scale.
"The findings show the power of synthesizing data for generating a scientific basis for important natural resource decisions," said Henry Gholz, program director in the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of Environmental Biology, which funded the research. The synthesis was done through the NSF-funded National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis in Santa Barbara, Calif.
The results reveal global trends that mirror what scientists have observed at smaller scales, and they prove that progressive biodiversity loss not only impairs the ability of oceans to feed a growing human population, but also sabotages the stability of marine environments and their ability to recover from stresses.
While the data show that ocean ecosystems still hold great ability to rebound, the current global trend projects the collapse of all species of wild seafood that are currently fished by the year 2050 (collapse is defined as 90 percent depletion).
Collapses are also hastened by the decline in overall health of the ecosystem, because the fish rely on the clean water, prey populations and diverse habitats that are linked to higher-diversity systems.
"Unless we fundamentally change the way we manage all the oceans species together, as working ecosystems, then this century is the last century of wild seafood," said co-author Steve Palumbi of Stanford University.
The impacts of species loss go beyond declines in seafood. Human health risks emerge as depleted coastal ecosystems become vulnerable to invasive species, disease outbreaks and harmful algal blooms.
Many of the economic activities along our coasts rely on diverse systems and the healthy waters they supply. "The ocean is a great recycler," said Palumbi, "It takes sewage and recycles it into nutrients, it scrubs toxins out of the water, and it produces food and turns carbon dioxide into food and oxygen." But in order to provide these services, the ocean needs all its working parts, the millions of plant and animal species that inhabit the sea."
The study analyzed 32 controlled experiments, observational studies from 48 marine protected areas, and global catch data from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization's database of all fish and invertebrates worldwide from 1950 to 2003. The scientists also looked at a 1000-year time series for 12 coastal regions, drawing on data from archives, fishery records, sediment cores and archeological data.
"We see an accelerating decline in coastal species over the past 1,000 years, resulting in the loss of biological filter capacity, nursery habitats, and healthy fisheries," said co-author Heike Lotze of Dalhousie University who led the historical analysis of Chesapeake Bay, San Francisco Bay, the Bay of Fundy, and the North Sea, among others.
Examination of protected areas worldwide shows that restoration of biodiversity increased productivity four-fold in terms of catch per unit effort and made ecosystems 21 percent less susceptible to environmental and human caused fluctuations on average.
"The data show us it's not too late," said Worm. "We can turn this around. But less than 1 percent of the global ocean is effectively protected right now. We won't see complete recovery in one year, but in many cases species come back more quickly than people anticipated -- in three to five to ten years. And where this has been done we see immediate economic benefits."
The buffering impact of species diversity also generates long term insurance values that must be incorporated into future economic valuation and management decisions. "Although there are short-term economic costs associated with preservation of marine biodiversity, over the long-term biodiversity conservation and economic development are complementary goals," said coauthor Ed Barbier, an economist from the University of Wyoming.
The authors conclude that restoring marine biodiversity through an ecosystem based management approach--including integrated fisheries management, pollution control, maintenance of essential habitats and creation of marine reserves--is essential to avoid serious threats to global food security, coastal water quality and ecosystem stability.
"This isn't predicted to happen, this is happening now," said co-author Nicola Beaumont, an ecological economist with the Plymouth Marine Laboratory. "If biodiversity continues to decline, the marine environment will not be able to sustain our way of life. Indeed it may not be able to sustain our lives at all."
-NSF- read more... |
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Articles: NC Wildlife Refuge In Danger (Dawg)
Navy Persists in Threatening National Refuge With Jet Landing Field (Dawg)
Mercury pollution is a threat to public health (Dawg)
Stop the Slimy Bills! (Dawg)
North Carolina has a mercury problem. (Dawg)
North Carolina's Environmental Management Commission wants to know if you think (Dawg)
Act Now For TOUGH lobbying & ethics reforms in NC (Dawg)
Clean Water Lobby Day 2006! (Dawg)
Clean Water Lobby Day 2006! (Dawg)
| Most recent article: NC Wildlife Refuge In Danger
by: Dawg
2007-04-05 07:52:53 NC Wildlife Refuge In Danger
New Public Hearing to be held in Charlotte
The U.S. Navy has proposed once again to put a jet landing field right next to the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Eastern North Carolina, winter home to 100,000 swans and geese. It is also home to numerous black bears, and the country’s only population of endangered red wolves, as well as Bald Eagles and millions of other birds. The conflict between jets and birds is inevitable at this site. The recent court-ordered supplemental report reveals just how far the Navy may have to go to try to make the site work: stripping forage crops from 20,000 acres and harassing, even poisoning, birds that might interfere with the jets.
Please act now before it is too late by either:
1) Submit your written comment online now to the U.S. Navy and NC's Congressional Delegation, click here.
-OR-
2) Attending one of the following public hearings to give your written and/or verbal comments to the U.S. Navy. Click on a city below for more details:
TONIGHT Tuesday, April 3rd-Beaufort Community College Washington, NC
Wednesday, April 4th-Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center NCSU Plymouth, NC
NEW Tuesday, April 17th-Charlotte Convention Center Ballroom A Charlotte, NC read more... |
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Articles: Boating Infrastructure Grants Deadline Sept. 28 (Dawg)
Update from the North Carolina Beach, Inlet & Waterway Association (Dawg)
Coastal Marina Corrections Needed NOW for Boating Guide Updates (Dawg)
Abandoned and Derelict Vessel and Debris Study for Coastal North Carolina (Dawg)
North Carolina's Changing Waterfronts Forum: Coastal Access and Traditional Uses (Dawg)
Continued Loss of Coastal Boating Services (Dawg)
State eyes dreding financing (Dawg)
NC MARTEC awarded training grant (Dawg)
Disappearing working waterfronts - a problem brewing for NC (Dawg)
NC Boat Builders Grow (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: Boating Infrastructure Grants Deadline Sept. 28
by: Dawg
2007-09-13 06:06:36 Boating Infrastructure Grants Deadline Sept. 28
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting proposals for the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program for federal fiscal year 2008 with a deadline for applications of September 28th.
BIG is a program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that reimburses up to 75 percent of the cost of projects that provide docking and other facilities for recreational transient vessels that are at least 26 feet long. The state Division of Marine Fisheries is the liaison with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for BIG projects in North Carolina.
The types of programs that could be funded include mooring buoys, day-docks, boat slips for transient vessels, safe harbor facilities, floating and fixed piers and breakwaters, dinghy docks, retaining walls, dockside utilities, trash collection and recycling facilities, water and telephone capabilities, navigational aids and marine fueling stations. It also may fund one-time dredging to provide access between open water and a tie-up facility.
For more information, contact Brian Cheuvront, federal aid coordinator, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, at (252) 808-8015 or (800) 682-2632 or Brian.Cheuvront@ncmail.net. read more... |
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 | NCCOOS · Total News: 1 · Total Reads: 630 |
Articles: 2006 Lionfish Cruise Logs (Dawg)
| Most recent article: 2006 Lionfish Cruise Logs
by: Dawg
2006-07-31 07:59:05
2006 Lionfish Cruise Logs
The Indo-Pacific lionfish is native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the southwest Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Lionfish were first reported by recreational SCUBA divers off the coast of North Carolina in 2000. They are primarily located in water depths from 100 to 260 ft (Figure 1 the map). Now in its third year, our research will expand on previous studies documenting a wide range distribution of lionfish with high abundances, comparable to many native species.
Abundance data from previous surveys serve as baseline estimates for determining population growth and geographic distribution of this species. We will determine if lionfish populations are increasing off the coast of North Carolina. This will establish a foundation for determining the impact of lionfish on native fish and invertebrate communities. We can accomplish this, in part, by expanding our native species surveys to include all native fishes, especially tropicals. We hope to identify those species that may be potential prey of lionfish which, when combined with dietary analysis lionfish, should allow assessment of an important ecological impact of lionfish introduction. In addition, a better understanding of lionfish reproductive potential and seasonality is a necessary component of this research. This information will allow researchers to assess the potential impact of the lionfish on native communities.
Lionfish have been found primarily in water depths greater than 100 ft off the coast of North Carolina where the warm Gulf Stream waters moderate bottom water temperatures year round. We have placed temperature sensors all along the seafloor to monitor seasonal bottom water temperatures to better understand the role of temperature in limiting lionfish distributions.
This year's activities include efforts to:
Conduct visual and video transect surveys to quantify lionfish and native fish species including tropical fish and likely prey of lionfish. This will be done on SCUBA at locations within Onslow Bay (Figure 1). (Dive Operations)
Collect live lionfish for reproduction and life history studies
Deploy and retrieve temperature sensors and submerged buoys. (Dive Operations)
Conduct multi-beam sonar transects to map and identify potential lionfish habitat off the coast of North Carolina.
Conduct plankton tows for presence of lionfish larvae
Divers decompressing or ‘hanging’ on pure Oxygen. Due to time limitations at depths greater than 120 ft. decompression allows divers to stay longer on the bottom, to conduct their research.
In this photo a lionfish is sharing space with several Caribbean lobsters. Lobsters are native to the North Carolina Shelf and areoften associated with lionfish under ledges and rock outcroppings such as this. read more... |
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 | NCDENR · Total News: 52 · Total Reads: 19499 |
Articles: COMMERCIAL LANDINGS DOWN; DOCKSIDE VALUE UP IN 2007 (Dawg)
Recreational Fishing License (CRFL) Advisory Committee (Dawg)
RED DRUM FISH PRINTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR SALE (Dawg)
Red Drum Fishery Management Plan (FMP) Advisory Committee (Dawg)
DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR WATERFRONT ACCESS IDEAS (Dawg)
MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION TO MEET IN PINE KNOLL SHORES (Dawg)
Federal Fishery Advisory Panel Seats Open to Applicants (Dawg)
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF RULE – RIVER HERRI (Dawg)
Southern Shrimp Alliance Town Hall Meetings: (Dawg)
STATE RELEASES REPORT CARD ON HEALTH OF FISHERIES (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: COMMERCIAL LANDINGS DOWN; DOCKSIDE VALUE UP IN 2007
by: Dawg
2008-05-19 07:45:36 COMMERCIAL LANDINGS DOWN; DOCKSIDE VALUE UP IN 2007
MOREHEAD CITY -- The amount of seafood commercial fishermen brought to the docks in North Carolina dropped for the fifth straight year in 2007, but the dockside value of the catch increased from 2006 figures.
Commercial fishermen landed 62.9 million pounds of fish and shellfish in 2007, an 8.5 percent drop from 2006, according to harvest data collected by the N.C. Trip Ticket Program.
The total dockside value of the 2007 harvest was estimated at $82.3 million, which was $12.2 million more than in 2006.
It could indicate that higher fuel prices are forcing fishermen to target the high-dollar catches, said Louis Daniel, director of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.
“In some instances, the declines that we have seen from 2006 to 2007 may be closely related to coastwide quotas and other regulations,” Daniel said.
Bluefish, summer flounder, snowy grouper, river herring, sharks and spiny dogfish are examples of species where regulations are significant enough to affect landings, Daniel said.
“Declines are also apparent in some of the higher volume, often lower valued fisheries, like croaker and spot,” Daniel said. “That may be a result of high fuel costs or a shift in fishing effort.”
High valued seafood, such as sea scallops, vermillion snapper, triggerfish, wahoo, red grouper and sea mullet showed significant increased landings, Daniel said.
The declines in croaker and spot landings could also indicate a problem with the resources, Daniel said.
According to the most recent Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission stock assessment, croaker are not overfished in the Mid-Atlantic region (north of Hatteras) but the stock status for croaker in the South Atlantic (south of Hatteras) is unknown.
Hard crabs remained the top commercial seafood harvest in North Carolina by weight and value. Fishermen landed 20.5 million pounds of crabs in 2007 worth $18.1 million. But that was still 16 percent below 2006 levels and 35 percent lower than the previous five-year average.
Landings of other top commercial species declined, as well.
Atlantic croaker landings were at 7.3 million pounds, down 30 percent from 2006 and 38 percent from the previous five-year average. Summer flounder landings were 2.6 million pounds, down 33 percent from 2006 and 35 percent from the previous five-year average. Bluefish landings were 2.3 million pounds, down 16 percent from 2006 and 23 percent from the previous five-year average.
On the other hand, harvests of shrimp were at 9.5 million pounds, up 66 percent from 2006 and 64 percent from the previous five-year average. White shrimp harvests almost doubled those of 2006 and warmer winter waters farther north contributed to the highest catch of white shrimp from Pamlico Sound since 1999.
Total recreational landings by pounds decreased by 7.3 percent from 2006 to 23,052,903 pounds. However, the number of fish caught and kept increased from 12 million in 2006 to 14.7 million in 2007.
Top recreational species harvested were dolphinfish, 5.5 million pounds; yellowfin tuna, 3.3 million pounds; king mackerel, 2 million pounds; bluefish, 1.5 million pounds; and spot, 1.4 million pounds.
Fishermen holding recreational commercial gear licenses harvested a total of 433,152 pounds of fish and crabs. Top species harvested were blue crabs, 98,003 pounds; spot, 97,753 pounds; flounder, 41,542 pounds; striped mullet, 37,958 pounds; and shrimp, 33,778 pounds.
For more information, contact Don Hesselman, chief of the division’s License and Statistics Section, at (252) 808-8099 or dhesselman@ncmail.net. read more... |
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 | NCDMF · Total News: 870 · Total Reads: 210106 |
Articles: SNAPPER-GROUPER COMPLEX-COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES (Dawg)
Public Comment Sought on Slate of Proposed New Fishing Rules (Dawg)
SNAPPER-GROUPER COMPLEX-COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES (Capt_Dave)
Safety zone established for bridge work in N.C. (Capt_Dave)
Grant Money Available for Recreational Boating Infrastructure (Capt_Dave)
State Releases 2009 Landings Report (Capt_Dave)
Fisheries Commission Revises Gill Net Regulations (Capt_Dave)
RE: BLACK SEA BASS – RECREATIONAL – ATLANTIC OCEAN (Capt_Dave)
SPOTTED SEATROUT SIZE LIMIT INCREASES (Capt_Dave)
SNAPPER-GROUPER COMPLEX-COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES (Capt_Dave)
· More --> | Most recent article: SNAPPER-GROUPER COMPLEX-COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES
by: Dawg
2010-08-17 18:55:35 SNAPPER-GROUPER COMPLEX-COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES
Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Friday, August 20, 2010, the following restrictions will apply to the fisheries for snapper-grouper:
I. Black Sea Bass, south of Cape Hatteras (35o 15.0321’ N. Latitude)
A. It is unlawful to possess black sea bass less than ten inches total length for commercial purposes.
B. It is unlawful to possess black sea bass less than 12 inches total length when taken for recreational purposes.
C. It is unlawful to take or possess more than 15 black sea bass per person per day without a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Permit.
II. Gag Grouper and Black Grouper
A. It is unlawful to possess gag or black grouper less than 24 inches total length.
B. It is unlawful to possess more than one gag or black grouper per person per day without a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
III. Other Groupers
A. It is unlawful to possess shallow water grouper species taken from the waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council from January 1 through April 30. Shallow water grouper species include gag, black, red, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney, graysby, yellowfin, yellowmouth and tiger grouper.
B. It is unlawful to possess red grouper less than 20 inches total length.
C. It is unlawful to possess yellowfin grouper (fireback grouper) less than 20 inches total length.
D. It is unlawful to possess scamp less than 20 inches total length.
E. It is unlawful to possess yellowmouth grouper less than 20 inches total length.
F. It is unlawful to sell or purchase speckled hind (Kitty Mitchell) or warsaw grouper.
G. It is unlawful to possess more than one speckled hind or one warsaw grouper per vessel per trip.
H. It is unlawful for a vessel with a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit to possess or land more than one hundred pounds of snowy grouper per trip.
I. It is unlawful to possess more than 1500 pounds of the shallow water grouper species listed in III.A. combined per vessel of which no more than 500 pounds may be gag or black grouper, regardless of the number of persons onboard, for commercial purposes.
IV. Greater Amberjack
A. For recreational purposes:
1. It is unlawful to possess greater amberjack less than 28 inches fork length.
2. It is unlawful to possess more than one greater amberjack per person per day.
B. For commercial purposes:
1. It is unlawful to possess greater amberjack less than 36 inches fork length.
2. It is unlawful to sell or purchase greater amberjack less than 36 inches fork length.
C. It is unlawful to possess more than one greater amberjack per person per day without a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
D. It is unlawful to possess more than one greater amberjack per person per day during the month of April.
E. It is unlawful to sell or purchase greater amberjack during any season closure for greater amberjack.
V. Red Snapper
It is unlawful to possess, sell or offer for sale red snapper taken from waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council for recreational or commercial purposes.
PROCLAMATION FF-65-2010
PAGE 2
VI. Vermilion Snapper
A. For recreational purposes:
1. It is unlawful to possess vermilion snapper (beeliner) less than 12 inches total length.
2. It is unlawful to possess more than 5 vermilion snapper per person per day.
3. It is unlawful to possess vermilion snapper (beeliner) taken from the waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council from November 1 through March 31.
B. For commercial purposes:
1. It is unlawful to possess or sell vermillion snapper (beeliner) less than 12 inches total length.
2. It is unlawful to possess more than 5 vermillion snapper per person per day without a valid Federal Commercial
South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
VII. Other Snapper
A. It is unlawful to possess silk snapper less than 12 inches total length.
B. It is unlawful to possess blackfin snapper less than 12 inches total length.
VIII. Hogfish
A. For recreational purposes:
It is unlawful to possess more than five (5) hogfish (hog snapper) per person per day without a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
B. For commercial purposes:
1. For a single day trip, it is unlawful to possess more than 150 pounds of hogfish per vessel, regardless
of the number of persons onboard.
2. For trips of more than one day, it is unlawful to possess more than 100 pounds of hogfish per vessel, regardless of the number of persons onboard, for each additional day up to seven days. It is unlawful to possess more than 750 pounds of hogfish in seven days. Vessels targeting hogfish shall call in to Marine Patrol Communications at 800-682-2632 and report date of departure prior to leaving the dock.
IX. Red Porgy
A. It is unlawful to possess red porgy less than 14 inches total length.
B. It is unlawful to possess more than three red porgies per person per day without a valid Federal Commercial Snapper-Grouper permit.
C. It is unlawful to sell or offer for sale or purchase red porgy from January 1 through April 30.
D. It is unlawful for a vessel with a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit to possess or land more than 120 individual red porgy per vessel per trip from May 1 through December 31.
X. Combined Bag Limits
A. It is unlawful to possess more than 5 vermilion snapper and 10 other snappers per person per day without a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
B. It is unlawful to possess more than three grouper per person without a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit of which:
1. no more than one may be a gag or black grouper (individually or in combination) per person per day;
2. no more than three blueline tilefish or sand tilefish per person per day;
3. no more than one per vessel per trip may be a speckled hind;
4. no more than one per vessel per trip may be a warsaw grouper;
5. no more than one per person per day may be a snowy grouper; and
6. no more than one per person per day may be a golden tilefish.
C. It is unlawful to possess more than 20 fish in the aggregate per person per day of the following species without a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit: whitebone porgy, jolthead porgy, knobbed porgy, longspine porgy, scup, sheepshead, gray triggerfish, queen triggerfish, yellow jack, crevalle jack, bar jack, almaco jack, lesser amberjack, banded rudderfish, white grunt, tomtate, margate and spadefish.
D. As an exception to X. C. above, sheepshead, crevalle jack and spadefish may be retained and sold in any number without a Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Permit when taken for commercial purposes in coastal waters.
E. It is unlawful to possess any species of the Snapper-Grouper complex except snowy, warsaw, yellowedge, and misty groupers; blueline, golden and sand tilefishes; while having longline gear aboard a vessel.
F. It is unlawful to possess Nassau grouper or goliath grouper.
G. It is unlawful for persons in possession of a valid National Marine Fisheries Service Snapper-Grouper Permit for Charter Vessels to exceed the creel restrictions established in Sections (I ), (V), (IX), and (X) of this proclamation when fishing with more than three persons (including the captain and mate) on board.
PROCLAMATION FF-65-2010
PAGE 3
H. It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale any species of the Snapper-Grouper complex harvested or possessed under the bag limits specified in 50 CFR Part §622.39 (d) unless the vessel owner has been issued a Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Permit.
I. It is unlawful to purchase any species of the snapper grouper complex harvested in the Atlantic Ocean without a valid South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Dealer Permit.
XI. Fish Traps/Pots
A. It is unlawful to use or have on board a vessel fish traps for taking snappers and groupers except sea bass pots as allowed in Section X. B. below.
B. Sea bass may be taken with pots that conform with the federal rule requirements for mesh sizes and pot size as specified in 50 CFR Part §646.2, openings and degradable fasteners specified in 50 CFR §Part 646.22(c)(2)(i), and escape vents and degradable materials as specified in 50 CFR Part §622.40 (b)(3)(i) and rules published in 50 CFR pertaining to sea bass north of Cape
Hatteras (35° 15.0321' N. Latitude). South of Cape Hatteras, sea bass may be taken with pots that conform with the federal rule requirements for mesh sizes and pot size as specified in 50 CFR Part §622.40. Copies of these rules are available via the Federal Register posted on the Internet at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr and at the Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, North Carolina 28557 at no cost.
XII. Dehooking Tools
It is unlawful to fail to use dehooking tools in both the recreational and commercial snapper-grouper fisheries when the fish is to be released.
XIII. GENERAL INFORMATION
A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G.S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 03H .0103, 03I .0102, 03M .0506 and 03M .0512.
B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.
C. The intent of this proclamation is to maintain North Carolina’s compliance with the requirements of Amendments 15B and 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. Effective October 1, 2008, the provisions found in this proclamation were eliminated from N.C. Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0506 in order to allow the Fisheries Director the latitude to comply with changes that occur in the requirements without suspending portions of the rule.
D. Provisions for multiple day trip possessions for vessels without a valid Federal South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Permit are found in 50 CFR Part §622.39. This rule states in part that a person aboard a charter vessel or headboat on a trip that spans more than 24 hours may possess no more than
two daily bag limits of species other than red porgy. A person aboard a headboat on a trip that spans more than 48 hours and who can document that fishing was conducted on at least three days may possess no more than three bag limits of species other than red porgy. The gag grouper, black sea bass and vermilion snapper commercial fisheries are managed by quota and will close by proclamation when the quotas are reached.
E. This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-63-2010, dated July 22, 2010. read more... |
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Articles: NOAA Fisheries Provides Additional Clarifications on Guidelines Designed to End (Capt_Dave)
Navy Sonar Testing Application Comments Sought (Capt_Dave)
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (Capt_Dave)
NOAA Fisheries Announces White Marlin ESA Biological Review Results (Dawg)
Atlantic white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) (Dawg)
Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Limits Announced (Dawg)
Public Comment Sought on Commercial Wahoo/Dolphin Fishery Access (Dawg)
Measures for Recreational Summer Flounder Fisheries Announced (Dawg)
NOAA Fisheries Calls for Temporary Ban on Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Blu (Dawg)
Dr. Hogarth Retirement Announcement (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: NOAA Fisheries Provides Additional Clarifications on Guidelines Designed to End
by: Capt_Dave
2009-07-30 11:35:56 NOAA Fisheries Provides Additional Clarifications on Guidelines Designed to End Overfishing
Earlier this year, in its revised National Standard 1 Guidelines, NOAA Fisheries published final guidance that is designed to help end overfishing and rebuild federally managed marine fish stocks. The guidance outlines a system of annual catch limits and accountability measures to prevent annual catch limits from being exceeded, and to address such a situation quickly if it does occur. It also includes provisions on accounting for scientific and management uncertainty.
Annual catch limits are required in fishing year 2010 for U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries subject to overfishing, and in fishing year 2011 for all other fisheries. These requirements were set forth in the 2006 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act, which was signed into law in January 2007. NOAA Fisheries, the eight regional fishery management councils, and participants in the fisheries have already taken significant steps toward ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks in recent years.
The National Standard 1 Guidelines provide the foundation for ending overfishing, yet they are designed to be flexible in order to accommodate a broad range of differences among fisheries around the country. In order to provide additional clarification, NOAA Fisheries has developed a set of questions and answers that discuss some common questions that have arisen on the guidelines. Some of the questions that are addressed in the Q&A document include the following: How should the Councils consider and address the risk of overfishing? What can be done in cases where we lack catch data for a given stock? How can we manage fisheries with mixed stocks, when some of the species are overfished and some aren't? Are there any exceptions to the legal requirement for an annual catch limit?
For more information, visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/msa2007/catchlimits.htm read more... |
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 | NOAA News · Total News: 397 · Total Reads: 92970 |
Articles: NOAAs Reponse To Oil Spill (Capt_Dave)
Lubchenco Will Helm U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Capt_Dave)
Bill Hogarth Departs NOAA (Dawg)
NOAA Releases The State of Deep Coral Ecosystems of the United States (Dawg)
National Marine Protected Areas (Dawg)
Dr. William Hogarth Announces His Intention to Leave NOAA (Dawg)
Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel Nominations received until December 3, 2 (Dawg)
NOAA, USGS, NPS Scientists Document Deep-water Coral Mortality Event (Dawg)
NOAA Updates Atlantic Hurricane Outlook; Above-Normal Season Still Expected (Dawg)
NOAA Predicts Above Normal Hurricane Season in 2007 (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: NOAAs Reponse To Oil Spill
by: Capt_Dave
2010-04-30 09:30:46 NOAAs Reponse To Oil Spill
We are all watching the unfolding oil spill incident occurring in the Gulf
of Mexico and are deeply concerned over the anticipated impacts this spill
can have on marine life and the economies which rely on them.
I want to give you a brief summary of NOAA's and Fisheries' full engagement
in the response process and provide you with a link to a web page NOAA has
established through its Office of Response and Restoration where you can be
kept informed of daily events.
As you know, on April 20th there was an explosion that resulted in a fire on
the Deepwater Horizon, a mobile offshore drilling unit in the Gulf of Mexico
~50 miles offshore Louisiana. The rig burned for hours and then sank. Eleven
out of 126 people remain unaccounted for. It was recenlty discovered that
there are multiple leaks at a depth of 5,000 feet.
So far, attempts to use remotely operated vehicles to close valves and stop
the leaks have been unsuccessful. Construction has begun on a collection
dome that will be deployed to the sea floor to collect and funnel oil as it
escapes, a method never tried at this depth before. The first rig to be used
for drilling a relief or cut-off well has arrived and more are planned. A
relief well would take several months to complete.
NOAA has fully mobilized all of its offices. Our experts are involved in
predicting where the oil is going and how the weather and sea will affect
the oil and cleanup efforts. NOAA experts are also advising the Coast Guard
on cleanup options, as well as monitoring and assessing damage to fish,
shellfish, marine mammals, sea turtles, as well as critical and essential
fish habitat.
NOAA is posting daily updates at www.noaa.gov. Click on the "NOAA Assists
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Efforts" link which will take you to the NOAA
Office of Response and Restoration page at
http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/deepwaterhorizon. I would encourage you
to bookmark this page as a key resource of information.
If you have additional questions, please contact Laurel Bryant at
laurel.bryant@noaa.gov.
Thank you for your interest and concern at this critical time.
Eric C. Schwaab
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries read more... |
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Articles: Trash to Treasure: New Oyster Shell Recycling Drop-Off Centers Being Built in Ja (Dawg)
Go Native Plant Sale Set for Earth Day Weekend (Dawg)
| Most recent article: Trash to Treasure: New Oyster Shell Recycling Drop-Off Centers Being Built in Ja
by: Dawg
2006-10-10 06:43:26
Trash to Treasure: New Oyster Shell Recycling Drop-Off Centers Being Built in Jacksonville and Holly Ridge
Wilmington – Just in time for the opening of this year’s oyster season, two new oyster shell drop-off centers are being established in Onslow County. Oyster shell collection bins will be built at the City of Jacksonville’s Sturgeon City Environmental Education Center and the Morris Landing Clean Water Preserve in Holly Ridge. This Tuesday October 10 staff from the NC Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) and NC Coastal Federation (NCCF) will be building bins at the two sites for the public to recycle oyster shells. Construction will occur from approximately 10 a.m. – 12 noon at Sturgeon City and 2 – 4 p.m. at Morris Landing.
The two new drop-off centers are the most recent additions to a growing number of spots in North Carolina where the public can help restore oyster reefs by recycling their oyster shells. Led by the NCDMF and supported by numerous conservation organizations including NCCF, the Oyster Shell Recycling Partnership is working with restaurants, seafood dealers, community organizations and individuals to participate in this effort to collect oyster shells to build oyster reefs in protected oyster sanctuaries.
Oyster shell recycling in North Carolina has received significant support from the legislature through the establishment of a tax credit for shells donated to NCDMF starting this tax year of 2006; a ban starting January 1, 2007 on the disposal of oyster shells in landfills; and enabling a statewide coordinator to be hired.
Sturgeon City is already actively recycling oyster shell from restaurants and oyster roasts. Their efforts were boosted last year with funding from the Fish America Foundation and NOAA Restoration Center to purchase a trailer to help collect oyster shells. The shell drop-off bins are a result of funding from the same sources.
Recycled oyster shell purchased from oyster shucking operations is the primary source for current oyster reef restoration efforts. However, this oyster shell is under increasing demand and is becoming the limiting factor for oyster restoration projects. The Oyster Shell Recycling Partnership is working to increase the amount of shell recycled by encouraging the public to recycle their oyster shells by depositing them at one of the drop-off bins or by requesting a trailer for a larger oyster roasts.
The Partnership has recycled over 24,000 bushels of oyster shell since its inception in 2003. In addition to engaging the public, the shell gathered through the recycling program is a vital contribution to NCDMF's goal for its oyster restoration efforts. In 2007 NCMDF will deploy 300,000 bushels of oyster reef material in sanctuaries and harvest areas. This represents an increase from 239,000 bushels in 2005 and 277,000 in 2006.
WHO: North Carolina Coastal Federation, NC Division of Marine Fisheries’ Oyster Recycling Partnership
WHEN: Tuesday October 10th, 10 a.m.-12:00 noon in Sturgeon City Environmental Education Center, Jacksonville and 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at Morris Landing, Holly Ridge
WHERE: Sturgeon City facility on Wilson Bay in Jacksonville. For more information and directions go to http://www.sturgeoncity.org/contact.html or call 910 938-5220
Directions to Morris Landing Clean Water Preserve - In Holly Ridge take Sound Rd. off Hwy 17 to Morris Landing Road and follow it straight (go straight where the road takes a sharp bend to the left) to the end at the waters edge of Stump Sound. For more information call Ted Wilgis at 910 231 6605.
# # #
About the North Carolina Coastal Federation:
"Citizens Working Together for a Healthy Coast"
The North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF) is the state's largest nonprofit organization
working to restore and protect the coast. NCCF headquarters are located at 3609 Highway 24 in Ocean between Morehead City and Swansboro and are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm.
The headquarters include NCCF's main offices, the Cape Lookout Coastkeeper office, a gift shop,
Nature Library, Weber Seashell Exhibit, ShoreKeeper Learning Center, and adjoining nature trail.
The NCCF also operates field offices in Wilmington and Manteo. For more information call 252-393-8185 or check out NCCF's website at www.nccoast.org
read more... |
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Articles: WEEKLY UPDATE: 06/18/10 (Capt_Dave)
NORTH CAROLINA FISHERIES ASSOCIATION (Capt_Dave)
NORTH CAROLINA FISHERIES ASSOCIATION (Capt_Dave)
WEEKLY UPDATE: 12/16/09 (Capt_Dave)
WEEKLY UPDATE: 11/20/09 (Capt_Dave)
WEEKLY UPDATE: 11/06/09 (Capt_Dave)
WEEKLY UPDATE: 04/09/09 (Capt_Dave)
WEEKLY UPDATE: 05/01/08 (Dawg)
WEEKLY UPDATE: 04/25/008 (Dawg)
WEEKLY UPDATE: 04/04/008 (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: WEEKLY UPDATE: 06/18/10
by: Capt_Dave
2010-06-18 16:14:23
WEEKLY UPDATE: 06/18/10
NORTH CAROLINA FISHERIES ASSOCIATION
"Serving the Commercial Fishing Families of North Carolina since 1952"
Phone: (252) 633-2288 www.ncfish.org
Council Approves Measures to End Overfishing of Red Snapper
Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved an amendment to address alleged overfishing of red snapper and rebuild the South Atlantic stock during its meeting in Orlando earlier last week. Measures include a continuation of the closure of the red snapper fishery for both commercial and recreational fishermen in federal waters in the South Atlantic and a new area closure off of northeastern Florida and southern Georgia, where fishing for all snapper grouper species in water depths of 98 - 240 feet would be prohibited. Fishing for pelagic species such as tuna, dolphin, and billfish would be allowed within the area. Amendment 17A to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan was approved by the Council in a split vote (9 to 4) for submission to the Secretary of Commerce. The amendment will undergo further review by NOAA Fisheries Service before submission to the Secretary. The amendment is designed to meet the requirements of the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act to end overfishing and rebuild stocks within a specified time period.
Pew Statement Regarding Vote on Red Snapper Closure: “The South Atlantic Council deserves credit for taking a significant step toward putting red snapper on the road to recovery. The red snapper fishing moratorium and closed ocean area are essential for a species that has plummeted to just 3 percent of healthy population levels and has been fished at unsustainable rates for more than 40 years. We understand this is a difficult time for some fishermen now, but this plan will help secure future fishing opportunities and a healthy ocean ecosystem that benefit tourism and all of our coastal communities." It's always so nice to see these folks caring so much for our fishermen, when in reality they couldn't care less about commercial fishermen.
PROCLAMATIONS
RE: LARGE MESH GILL NETS: INTERNAL COASTAL WATERS
Effective at 5:00 P.M., Sunday, June 13, 2010, the following provisions shall apply to the use of large mesh gill nets: I. SUSPENSION OF PORTION OF MARINE FISHERIES RULE 15A NCAC 03J .0103The following portion of Marine Fisheries Rules for Coastal Waters 15A NCAC 03J .0103 is suspended: Section (i) (1), which reads: (i) For gill nets with a mesh length five inches or greater, it is unlawful: (1) To use more than 3,000 yards of gill net per vessel in internal waters regardless of the number of individuals involved. II. AREAS AND EXEMPTIONS A. This proclamation applies to all internal coastal waters except for Albemarle and Currituck sounds and their tributaries described as follows: 1. In Albemarle Sound, the restrictions do not apply west of a line beginning at a point 35º 57.5590’N - 75º 56.8200’ W; running northerly to a point 36º 09.9280’N - 75º 54.6950’W. 2. In Currituck Sound, the restrictions do not apply north of the Highway 158 Wright Memorial Bridge beginning at a point on the western shore at 36º 04.8280’N - 75º 47.4050’W; running easterly along the south side of the bridge to a point on the east shore at 36º 05.5770’N - 75º 44.5850’W. B. Run-around or strike nets and drop nets that are used to surround a school of fish and then are immediately retrieved are exempted from the restrictions in this proclamation. C. The Pamlico Sound Gill Net Restricted Area (PSGNRA) will operate under Incidental Take Permit (ITP) No. 1528 and is exempt from the restrictions in this proclamation during the September through December 2010 period. Restrictions in this proclamation apply to the PSGNRA outside of that time period. III. GILL NET RESTRICTIONS It is unlawful to use large mesh gill nets (defined as 4 inches to 6½ inches stretched mesh, inclusive) unless they comply with the following provisions:
A. It is unlawful to set and retrieve large mesh gill nets except during the following times:
1. No sooner than one hour before sunset on Monday and no later than one hour after sunrise on Tuesday.
2. No sooner than one hour before sunset on Tuesday and no later than one hour after sunrise on
Wednesday.
3. No sooner than one hour before sunset on Wednesday and no later than one hour after sunrise on Thursday.
4. No sooner than one hour before sunset on Thursday and no later than one hour after sunrise on
Friday.
B. It is unlawful to use large mesh gill nets of more than 15 meshes in height and without a lead core or leaded bottomline. It is unlawful to use cork, floats, or other buoys except those required for identification except that south of the Highway 58 bridge, beginning at a point on the north shore at 34° 40.7848’N - 77° 04.0273’W; running southerly to a point on the south shore at 34° 39.8620’N – 77° 03.7438’W, floats are allowed. C. It is unlawful to use more than 2,000 yards of large mesh gill net per vessel north of the Highway 58 Bridge (coordinates above) and it is unlawful to use more than 1,000 yards of large mesh gill net per vessel south of the Highway 58 bridge. D. It is unlawful to set more than 100 yards of large mesh gill net without leaving a space of at least 25 yards between separate lengths of net. http://www.ncfisheries.net/procs/procs2k10/M-8REV-2010.html
Meetings
June 21, 2010 at 6 p.m.
MFC Central Regional Advisory Committee Meeting
NCDMF Central District Office - 5285 Highway 70 West - Morehead City, NC
Contact Mike Marshall at 252-808-8077 or MFC Office at 252-808-8023 read more... |
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Articles: MEETINGS TO DISCUSS FUTURE RED DRUM MANAGEMENT (Capt_Dave)
CULTCH PLANTING MEETINGS TO BE HELD IN FEB. & MARCH (Dawg)
Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) Central Regional Advisory Committee (Dawg)
MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION TO MEET NOVEMBER 30 & DECEMBER 1 (Dawg)
Wildlife Resources Commission Warns of Kite Tube Dangers (Dawg)
Young Anglers Win Lifetime Fishing Licenses (Dawg)
Boats and Booze Can Prove a Dangerous Mix (Dawg)
Removal of Cape Fear River Locks and Dams Could Improve Fish Populations (Dawg)
Donors Help Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education Come Alive (Dawg)
New Report Shows Landmark Success of Wildlife Grants Program (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: MEETINGS TO DISCUSS FUTURE RED DRUM MANAGEMENT
by: Capt_Dave
2008-03-14 06:04:44 MEETINGS TO DISCUSS FUTURE RED DRUM MANAGEMENT
MOREHEAD CITY – A series of meetings will begin next week offering the public an opportunity to discuss future management of North Carolina’s red drum fishery.
The five meetings will detail proposals in a draft update to the state’s Red Drum Fishery Management Plan. A fishery management plan makes long-term regulatory recommendations for a fishery.
The meetings will be held:
Tuesday, March 4 6 p.m. McKimmon Center
1101 Gorman Street
Raleigh
Wednesday, March 5 6 p.m. Craven County Agriculture Building
300 Industrial Drive
New Bern
Thursday, March 6 6:30 p.m. Hatteras Civic Center
Hwy. 12
Hatteras
Tuesday, March 11 6:30 p.m. Dobo Hall
Room 103
University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Wilmington
Wednesday, April 2 Noon Department of Environment and
Natural Resources Regional Office
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington
These meetings are being held in conjunction with scheduled advisory committee meetings for the Marine Fisheries Commission.
Since April 2007, an advisory group, consisting of commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists, and N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries staff, has been discussing issues relating to the red drum fishery so as to revise the 2001 fishery management plan. The advisory committee drafted the proposed plan, now going out for public input.
Once the public meetings are complete, the Marine Fisheries Commission will endorse all or portions of the plan, which is then sent to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the General Assembly for review and comment. The draft plan will come back before the Marine Fisheries Commission for any modifications and then the rulemaking process begins. When rulemaking is complete, the commission adopts the final plan and implements any needed rules.
Included in the draft Red Drum Fishery Management Plan are management recommendations for trip and gear limits, educational outreach, environmental concerns and data needs. The public is encouraged to attend these meetings and share their thoughts on the future of the red drum fishery.
Recommended changes to commercial harvest regulations
Continue the current commercial regulations, which are a 250,000-pound annual harvest cap, prohibited possession of fish greater than 27 inches and a seven fish trip limit with a provision requiring that red drum make up no more than 50 percent of the total catch. The director of the Division of Marine Fisheries has authority to modify the trip limit.
Or
Continue the current 250,000-pound annual harvest cap, but increase the trip limit to 10 fish; allow possession of up to three fish while fishing, prior to meeting the 50-percent bycatch provision, so long as the total catch, upon landing, meets the 50-percent bycatch provision
Recommended changes to attendance requirements for small mesh gill nets (smaller than 5-inches stretched mesh)
Lengthen the seasonal attendance requirement for small mesh gill nets (currently May 1 – Oct. 31) to May 1 through Dec. 31 in primary and permanent secondary nursery areas and modified no-trawl areas, within 200 yards of the shoreline in areas north of Core Sound and within 100 yards of the shoreline in Core Sound and waters south.
Or
Require year-round attendance of small mesh gill nets in primary and permanent secondary nursery areas, except for the Albemarle Sound Management Area, Core Sound and waters south; lengthen the seasonal attendance (currently May 1 – Oct. 31) to May 1 – Nov. 31 in primary and permanent secondary nursery areas and modified no-trawl areas in Core Sound and waters south; and lengthen the attendance season to May 1 – Nov. 31 within 200 yards of the shoreline statewide, except for Core Sound and waters south during October and November
Recommended changes to attendance requirements for large mesh gill nets (greater than 5 inches stretched mesh)
Require unattended large mesh gill nets to be set a minimum of 25 yards from shore from June through October.
Or
Require unattended large mesh gill nets to be set parallel from shore and a minimum of 10 feet from shore in all state waters.
Recreational size and bag limits
No changes are recommended to the current recreational slot size and creel limit of one fish per day between 18 inches and 27 inches.
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 | NTSB · Total News: 37 · Total Reads: 13412 |
Articles: CREW MISTAKES CAUSED HEELING OF CROWN PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP (Dawg)
SAFETY BOARD DETERMINES 2006 MASSACHUSETTS FERRY FIRE CAUSED BY DIESEL FUEL CONT (Dawg)
Capsizing of U.S. Small Passenger Vessel Lady D (Dawg)
NTSB ACTING CHAIRMAN ROSENKER ADDRESSES MARINE CONFERENCE, HIGHLIGHTS PARTNERSHI (Dawg)
NTSB ACTING CHAIRMAN ROSENKER ADDRESSES MARINE CONFERENCE, HIGHLIGHTS PARTNERSHI (Dawg)
NTSB DETERMINES IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FUEL-INJECTION LINE CAUSED FIRE ON A SMALL (Dawg)
NTSB DETERMINES IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FUEL-INJECTION LINE CAUSED FIRE ON A SMALL (Dawg)
Safety Recommendation M-06-5 through -9 (Dawg)
The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that the (Dawg)
The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that the National Associatio (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: CREW MISTAKES CAUSED HEELING OF CROWN PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP
by: Dawg
2008-01-15 07:25:03 CREW MISTAKES CAUSED HEELING OF CROWN PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP
************************************************************
The National Transportation Safety Board today
determined that the probable cause of an accident involving
the cruise ship Crown Princess was the second officer's
incorrect wheel commands, executed first to counter an
unanticipated high rate of turn and then to counter the
vessel's heeling.
Contributing to the cause of the accident were the
captain's and staff captain's inappropriate inputs to the
vessel's integrated navigation system while it was traveling
at high speed in relatively shallow water, their failure to
stabilize the vessel's heading fluctuations before leaving
the bridge, and the inadequate training of crewmembers in
the use of integrated navigation systems.
"We see from this accident the importance of having
adequate training," said NTSB Mark V. Rosenker. "Had the
crew been better trained in the equipment they were using,
this accident may not have occurred, and implementing our
recommendations is one way to help ensure this."
On July 18, 2006, the cruise ship Crown Princess,
which had been in service about a month, departed Port
Canaveral, Florida, for Brooklyn, New York, its last port on
a 10-day round trip voyage to the Caribbean. About an hour
after departing, the vessel's automatic navigation system
caused the ship's heading to fluctuate around its intended
course. Alarmed by a perceived high rate of turn, the second
officer attempted to take corrective action that resulted in
the ship heeling to a maximum angle of about 24 degrees to
starboard. This caused people to be thrown about or struck
by unsecured objects, resulting in 14 serious and 284 minor
injuries to passengers and crewmembers. The vessel incurred
no damage to its structure but sustained considerable damage
to unsecured interior components, cabinets, and their
contents.
The report adopted by the Board today states that the
Crown Princess was operating at nearly full speed when the
second officer took the controls. Because of instabilities
in the automatic steering system, the officer faced the
problem of navigating a vessel that exhibited both
increasing course deviations and high rates of turn. The
second officer took manual control of the steering and
steered back and forth between port and starboard in
increasingly wider turns. Rather than remedying the problem,
the second officer's actions aggravated the situation,
resulting in a very large angle of heel. The captain quickly
returned to the bridge and brought the vessel under control
by centering the rudder and reducing speed. The Safety Board
concluded that the incident occurred because the second
officer initially turned the wheel to port, when he should
have turned it to starboard to counteract the turn.
The Safety Board also stated that the captain and
staff captain made errors with regard to the ship's
integrated navigation system. These errors included:
* Failure to recognize that the integrated navigation
system could be unpredictable at high speed in shallow
water.
* Failure to recognize that the rudder economy and
rudder limit settings on the integrated navigation
system were inappropriate for the vessel's speed and
operating conditions.
The Board concluded that these errors stemmed from
inadequate training and lack of familiarity with the
integrated navigation system.
As a result of its investigation, the Safety Board
made recommendations regarding integrated navigation system
training to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Cruise Lines
International Association, and to SAM Electronics and Sperry
Marine, manufacturers of integrated navigation systems.
A synopsis of the Board's report, including the
probable cause and recommendations, is available on the
NTSB's website, www.ntsb.gov, under "Board Meetings." The
Board's full report will be available on the website in
several weeks.
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Articles: Ocean Isle Fishing Center Fishing Report (Dawg)
Ocean Isle Fishing Center - Fishing Report 05-11-06 (Dawg)
| Most recent article: Ocean Isle Fishing Center Fishing Report
by: Dawg
2006-05-24 07:40:30
Ocean Isle Fishing Center Fishing Report
Ahoy Fellow Fishermen,
News from the NC coast. The fishing is red-hot! The Gulf Stream action in particular has heated up to a fevered pitch as the Dolphin have shown up in full force to join the scattered 45-60 pound Yellowfin and 20-50 pound Wahoo. This past weekend, I hosted one of my Gulf Stream fishing schools and my "students" were all boat owners interested in learning more about Gulf Stream trolling so they could translate the skills they learned to their own boat. We had a "ground school" meeting on Saturday PM in which we covered as much how, when and where as possible to get a good feeling on why the fish do what they do and what you can be done to have more success. All of this was in preparation of a full day of Gulf Stream fishing aboard the ShowTime with me as the boat driver only, the students do all the rigging and catching. We decided to head to the Black Jack area due to the previous day's report, and the action picked up right where Capt. Roger and Jon left it. We stopped and started setting lines 3 miles inshore of the BJ and almost had the 4th line out when a wahoo took the flatline, first fish in the boat. We reset 2 lines and this time a Blackfin tuna hit on the Green Machine/bird combo. Then, one of the guys was dropping the flat lined Cape Lookout C-Jet into place when it was nailed by a 30lb wahoo. Lines started to go out again and then a Dolphin attack. It was like this until noon when the guys finally got all 7 lines out, but that was only because I pulled off the temperature break and offshore to look around the bottom structure to see if the wahoo or tuna might be holding on it. We rested a bit, dealt with a couple of stray Dolphin, then I headed back inshore 1/2 mile and just as we were getting close to the temperature edge the Green Machine/bird combo was nailed and smoked off to the tune of a 45 pound Yellowfin tuna. The Dolphin were everywhere with most in the 12-20 pound range and there was a good mix of tuna and wahoo. Just to set the bar for the Far Out Shoot Out this coming weekend, our 1 fish per species, 3 fish aggregate weight of tuna, dolphin and wahoo was 95 pounds. And that has been the way the fishing has been for over a week now. The Dolphin keep you on your toes and the occasional Wahoo and Yellowfin shows up to sweaten the box. All this great offshore fishing comes just in time for this weekend's RAMPAGE YACHTS/GREGORY POOLE CAT Far Out Shootout presented by THE GPS STORE. The weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday looks great, and I am hoping to have a big turnout to fish the tournament. One question I'm getting is can we fish from our home port? The answer is yes. The tournament has no check-out or boundaries. So long as you follow the rules and fish only during lines-in time (8:30am-4pm) and you make it back to weigh your fish at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center by 8pm, you are legal. We've got a great Capt. Meeting dinner planned for Friday at 6pm, so don't miss that. If you need an entry form or more information, you can go to http://oifishingcenter.com/tournaments.cfm or call (910) 575-FISH.
Schedule:
Friday, May 26th 6:00pm - Registration at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center 6:30pm- Dinner and Capt. Meeting
May 27th or May 28th (you can fish either day, 1 day only and you must declare by 6am the day you are fishing) 8:30am - Lines In 4:00pm - Lines Out 8:00pm - Weigh-in, pig pickin' and awards (details announced at Capt. Meeting)
Also, if you are interested in fishing the tournament and need crew, email captbrant@oifishingcenter.com and I'll post your info. on the site to help match you with interested fishermen.
***As a reminder, PLEASE PLEaSE everyone ride the free off island shuttle. There will not be any parking at the OIFC or elsewhere on the island. The shuttle is free, no hassel looking for a parking space that doesn't exist, no parking ticket hassels from Wildlife or the Town, and all shuttle riders will be eligible for drawing for rods/reels/ ect. The only way we can have these tourneys is to use the shuttle so please help us out by riding it. The shuttle will begin running Friday around noon until 9:00pm and on Sunday from 4:00pm to 9:00pm for the weighin and awards ceremony. Thanks for your co-operation.
OTHER FISHING NEWS:
The King Mackerel fishing has really turned on in the 50-65 foot depth range. Spots such as the 390/390, Shark Hole, Jungle, Lighthouse Rocks.... are all holding lots of kings, albeit most small in the 6-10 pound range. Slow trolling dead Cigar minnows on skirted rigs will result in multiple hookups and screaming reels. Also, the cobia are starting to show on inshore artificial reefs. These tasty and hard fighting fish can be quite the challenge. The best way to get them to bite is with a brown eel as bait- its like dangling an onion ring in front of my dog Doppler, it won't last long! You can either use live brown eels on a single nose hook or use a dead one rigged on a 1/2-1 oz jig head. If you pull up to a reef and don't see the cobia come to the boat immediately, rig a brown eel on a jig head and drop it to the bottom. Jig it across the bottom and through the water column. If there's a cobia there, he'll find your bait in minutes-- also, don't forget the chum. Also, the Grouper are biting in 80-110 feet of water and the inshore fishing for flounder and big speckled trout continues very good.
For up-to-date fishing reports with photos, visit http://oifishingcenter.com/fishing_report.cfm . Hope you'll make it the tournament this weekend for a shot at $$$ and most important, bragging rights.
Have a safe and fun holiday and tight lines- Capt. Brant
Ocean Isle Fishing Center
65 Causeway Drive-Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
(910) 575-FISH
www.oifishingcenter.com read more... |
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Articles: 2007 U.S. OCEAN POLICY REPORT CARD (Capt_Dave)
NAVY SONAR BAN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA UPHELD (Capt_Dave)
CORALS GROWING SMALLER (Capt_Dave)
FISH PERISH AS CLIMATE CHANGE DISRUPTS OCEAN SYSTEMS (Capt_Dave)
MORE OCEANIC SHARKS ADDED TO THE IUCN RED LIST (Dawg)
MOST DEPLETED STOCKS NOT RECOVERING, RESEARCHERS SAY (Dawg)
U.S. SENATE STRENGTHENS FISHERIES PROTECTIONS (Dawg)
SCIENTISTS CALL FOR BAN ON SALE OF CORALS (Dawg)
NEW SPECIES OF HAMMERHEAD SHARK FOUND IN US WATERS (Dawg)
SAVING SHARKS WITH MAGNETS (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: 2007 U.S. OCEAN POLICY REPORT CARD
by: Capt_Dave
2008-03-19 05:25:17 2007 U.S. OCEAN POLICY REPORT CARD
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative recently released its third annual U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card. The report card assesses the nation's progress in 2007 toward implementing the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission, as well as the actions described in the Administration's U.S. Ocean Action Plan. It also informs policymakers and the public of the critical challenges facing our oceans, while identifying the many opportunities for action. The nation's overall grade given was a C, up from a C- in 2006. The Commission noted progress in two areas, writing that:
States and regions continued to move ocean policy reform forward, making significant strides in improving the management of coastal and ocean resources, and proving that Americans value the economic, environmental, and security benefits of our ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes waters.
U.S. ratification of the Law of the Sea Convention gained significant momentum due to support from the Bush Administration, action in the Senate, and the efforts of a diverse coalition of industry, military, and environmental leaders. Securing Senate approval of the Convention will require strong support from President Bush to ensure that the important national security, economic, and environmental interests that the treaty provides are realized.
Source: Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, 27 February 2008
http://www.jointoceancommission.org/ read more... |
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Articles: HIJACKING FISHERIES MANAGEMENT (Capt_Dave)
ASMFC GAFFS RECREATIONAL SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERMEN (Dawg)
National Research Council (NRC) confirms flawed science (Dawg)
Federal Judge Approves Settlement in White Marlin Endangered Species Act Case (Capt_Dave)
A Little More Opportunity for Bluefin Anglers (Dawg)
RFA Seeks Conservation Measures for Atlantic Herring (Dawg)
RFA Joins Lawsuit to Prevent White Marlin Listing (Dawg)
RFA Files Motion in Federal Court to Prevent White Marlin Listing (Dawg)
Freedom to Fish Act Continues to Build Momentum on Capitol Hill (Capt_Dave)
Bill Introduced in Virginia to Conserve Menhaden (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: HIJACKING FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
by: Capt_Dave
2009-10-01 07:37:36 HIJACKING FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
How Pew Charitable Trusts has co-opted the management process using paid-for science and a well-oiled media machine.
In late 2006, “Fisheries Face Collapse by 2048!” was the headline read and heard around the world – at least in the world of Washington, DC. It just so happens that Congress was debating the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act at that precise moment. The press stories sighted a study led by Dr. Boris Worm of Dalhousie University. While objective observers might question elements of the study, it was the media hype that the Pew Charitable Trusts (“Pew” or “the Trust”) wanted out there as part of a carefully orchestrated campaign to influence the Congressional debate on the Nation’s primary fisheries law. Dr. Worm, a regular recipient of funding from Pew, working with SeaWeb, a Pew-funded public research group that specializes in media campaigns, worked on the message and the timing to get as much media coverage as possible. They were successful. Big media loves a crisis, and when you have the money and the manpower it’s easy to plant a good fish tale.
Dr. Worm’s article was quickly labeled by top fisheries scientists and managers for what it really was – a Pew advocacy piece like much of his prior work funded by the Trust. The kicker at the end of the piece calling for “no-fishing marine reserves” as the cure was the final giveaway, a goal high on the agenda of most Pew funded organizations! Worm’s work in the past had been branded “invalid”, “misleading” and “undermining the trust placed in science.” As it turns out this was a textbook study in disseminating misinformation disguised as science to a willing media with the express purpose of influencing Congressional debate. Such scare tactics have become the darling of the radical environmental movement.
The media firestorm was part of a broader, coordinated attack that included misleading ad campaigns aimed at smearing key politicians facing re-election. The targeted Members of Congress just happened to be those involved in crafting scientifically sound legislation that also recognized the needs of recreational fishermen and industry. This campaign was led by another Pew-funded environmental group, the Marine Fish Conservation Network.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is the 800-pound gorilla of ocean issues. Created with funding from the Sun Oil Company and sitting on a $4.1 billion war chest, it is an organization that refuses to let reality get in the way of their agenda. In public documents their self-mandated mission is to “save” the oceans. They claim that the primary purpose (of the Trust) ‘is to award grants to other organizations as well as direct planning and conducting projects and initiatives that carryout the organizations religious, charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes.’ This validates that Pew grant recipients are carrying out the ideas and motivations of Pew. The impact of such tactics is changing the direction of fisheries policy. True management and conservation is gradually being replaced by a call to stop all fishing through the use of paid-for science funneled to the media through Pew-financed conduits, and touted by Pew-funded environmental organizations. Much of their agenda is anti-fishing, even on well managed, rebuilt or rebuilding fish stocks, to the point of being little more than a cleverly disguised attack on the public’s access to the ocean. That’s recreational fishermen like us.
For example, Pew funding has enabled ecologists to drive the scientific agenda for the implementation of California’s Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), which is now on course to close 20% of that state’s waters to recreational fishing. Pew Fellows serve on the Science Advisory Team of the MLPA, where they push closures while ignoring current fishery management practices, which, on the West Coast, are already the most restrictive in the world! Fishermen proposed a constructive network of MPA’s that exceeded Pew-funded scientific guidelines, but the political faction wanted blood! Their network lobbied the Governor for an even more extreme proposal and now California’s angling community is fighting a losing battle to stop a runaway train that is making it harder to find a place to fish.
Pew is a major grant provider to universities and professors in the marine sciences and the major provider of funds to environmental groups that push the party line. Those groups include The National Environmental Trust, Oceana, Earthjustice Legal Defense, the New England Aquarium, the Public Interest Research Group, National Audubon Society, National Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Conservation Law Foundation, Marine Conservation Biology Institute, Marine Fish Conservation Network, Wildlife Conservation Society, Friends of the Earth and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. Combined, these groups have received over $200 million of Pew money and most have openly endorsed the implementation of arbitrary no-fishing zones!
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is particularly worrisome. It is attempting to become an umbrella group for sportsman’s organizations and has attracted the participation of some fishing organizations with the lure of Pew money. The American Sportfishing Association and the Coastal Conservation Association are among the board members of the Partnership. And when the going got tough during the Magnuson Act reauthorization, they ended up on the same page as the Pew-funded groups.
This is what Congressman Pombo, then chair of the House Resources Committee had to say recently. “Throughout the long process to reauthorize the Magnuson Act the RFA was consistently at the table, insisting on sound conservation policies based on the most accurate science. Their goal was clear, a sustainable fishery so that this generation of recreational fishermen and the following generations would have fish to catch. Most of the other organizations engaged in this debate had other agendas or were totally missing in action. At the end of the 109th Congress it was clear to me that the RFA was the only player left insisting on protecting the future of recreational fishing. I will always be grateful to them and respect their tenacity during what proved to be a difficult reauthorization.”
Since the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Act in 1996 the management of U.S. fisheries, while far from perfect, has become a model for the rest of the world. Yet Pew continues to use scare tactics to drive its agenda domestically while the most egregious problems can easily be found abroad. Their agenda may sound laudable, but the reality is that their goal is to stop fishing. Pew used the money of its well-heeled donors like a school-yard bully during the debate and attacked those who stood in their way. Pew has seriously damaged the ability of recreational fishermen to do what we love to do – go fishing.
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Articles: RIVER HERRING (Dawg)
| Most recent article: RIVER HERRING
by: Dawg
2003-12-09 16:04:52 FF-52-2003
PROCLAMATION
RE: RIVER HERRING
Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Thursday, January 1, 2004, the following restrictions will apply to the harvest of river herring:
I. SEASON
The river herring season will open in all waters of the state.
A. The river herring season in all areas, excluding the Albemarle Sound Herring Management Area and the Chowan River Herring Management Area, will open with no harvest restrictions and will close at midnight on April 14, 2004.
B. The river herring commercial season in the Albemarle Sound Herring Management Area and the Chowan River Herring Management Area will close when the poundage allocations specified below are reached. Proclamations closing the fisheries will be issued at that time.
C. The river herring season for recreational purposes in the Albemarle Sound Herring Management Area and the Chowan River Herring Management Area will close at midnight on April 14, 2004.
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Articles: New South Carolina Saltwater Finfish Regulations (Capt_Tom)
Governor's Cup first round news (Capt_Tom)
New materials for Georgetown area artificial reefs (Capt_Tom)
DNR Marine Resources director elected vice chair of Atlantic Fisheries group (Dawg)
DNR biologists complete red drum stocking for 2006 (Dawg)
Deep-sea research produces reef maps (Dawg)
GOVERNOR'S CUP BILLFISHING SERIES ANNOUNCES CHANGES, 2007 SCHEDULE (Dawg)
Ocean Exploration Research Underway (Dawg)
DNR to hold public meetings focusing on marine resources (Dawg)
Home Run’ wins Megadock Billfishing Tournam (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: New South Carolina Saltwater Finfish Regulations
by: Capt_Tom
2007-06-16 16:23:34 Newly Regulated Finfish Species
New fisheries laws adding or changing catch limits and retention sizes on a number of recreationally important saltwater finfish species in South Carolina have been passed by the SC General Assembly and are now in place.
The new laws, effective June 15, concern the harvest of black drum, weakfish, hardhead and gafftopsail saltwater catfish, red drum, spotted seatrout, flounder, black seabass, and dolphin. These new state fisheries laws were adopted primarily to support a proactive and precautionary approach in natural resources management to help deal with increasing fishing pressures and environmental stresses placed on South Carolina’s marine finfish resources associated with coastal growth and development.
Details of the new laws are as follows:
| Species of Fish |
Bag Limit |
Size Limit |
| Black Drum |
5 per person per day |
Must be 14 inches Total Length or greater and equal to or less than 27 inches Total Length |
| Weakfish (summer trout; gray trout) |
10 per person per day |
12 inch Total Length minimum |
| Hardhead and Gafftopsail saltwater catfish |
Possession is prohibited |
|
| Red Drum (spot tailed bass; redfish) |
3 per person per day |
Must be 15 inches Total Length or greater, and equal to or less than 23 inches Total Length maximum |
| Spotted Seatrout (winter trout; speckled trout) |
10 per person per day |
14 inch Total Length minimum |
| Flounder (southern flounder; summer flounder; gulf flounder) |
20 per person per day, not to exceed 40 per BOAT per day |
14 inch Total Length minimum |
| Black Seabass (blackfish) |
Made state regulations mimic federal regulations
Federal - 15 per person per day |
12 inch Total Length minimum |
| Dolphin (mahi) |
Made state regulations mimic federal regulations
Federal - 10 per person per day, 60 per boat per day (headboats excluded from boat limit)
|
No size limit | read more... |
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Articles: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources biologists released about 300 juv (Dawg)
South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium (Dawg)
Novel Model Helps Manage a Sustainable Blue Crab Fishery (Dawg)
| Most recent article: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources biologists released about 300 juv
by: Dawg
2006-05-18 06:40:56
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources biologists released about 300 juvenile cobia into the Port Royal Sound May 3.
The cobia, averaging a size of about 3 pounds and 21 inches long, were externally marked with tags that anglers can easily observe and report to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) toll-free fish tag reporting line, 1-888- TAGS-4-SC (1-888- 824-7472).
Already, 10 recaptures from this release have been reported to the toll-free numberâ€â€ÂÂfive were caught near the Trask Landing where they were initially released, and five were reported from further out in the Port Royal Sound.
"We hope the return rate of anglers calling to report the tags will provide us with additional information about this species," said Wally Jenkins, DNR biologist. "Recapture rates from previously tagged and released cobia have suggested that as they mature, they return to the Port Royal Sound Estuary. We want to determine what is unique about the estuary for this species."
For more information on the cobia release, contact Jenkins at JenkinsW@dnr.sc.gov.
The DNR’s award-winning Waddell Mariculture Center is world renowned for its milestone achievements in aquaculture and fisheries enhancement. This release event was the fifth in a series of releases, dating back to October 2001, of medium-sized (12 inches) and larger-sized (21 inches) externally marked cobia. The fish released this month were spawned in captivity last summer and raised in tanks at the Waddell Mariculture Center over the winter. Releases of 93 similar sized fish last spring yielded a recapture rate of seven percent exclusively from anglers fishing in the Port Royal Sound estuary during summer 2005. Biologists expect to see similar or higher rates of return from this release.
"The objective of the cobia releases is to learn about the movements and habitat preferences of this important species," Jenkins said. "To date, tag returns have indicated that juvenile fish remain in this estuary all summer and then move into the ocean and head south for the winter."
Fish that have been released previously have been reported from as far south as Juno Beach, Fla., during their winter migration. Also, one 12-inch fish from a group released in fall 2001 was recaptured last spring in Port Royal Sound, measuring 47 inches in total length and weighing 40 pounds. Al Stokes, DNR biologist and Waddell Mariculture Center manager, said: "Because we have a spawning date and a recapture date for this fish, it becomes a measuring tool for comparing growth patterns for the species as a whole." The notable recapture also indicates that as fish mature they return to the Port Royal Sound estuary to feed before spawning.
The data supports the hypothesis that the Port Royal Sound is an important nursery and spawning area for Atlantic Coast cobia and that conserving this habitat is essential to the long-term health of the fishery, according to Jenkins. read more... |
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 | Scup · Total News: 2 · Total Reads: 1580 |
Articles: SCUP (Dawg)
SCUP (Dawg)
| Most recent article: SCUP
by: Dawg
2003-12-31 12:24:05 FF-61-2003
PROCLAMATION
RE: SCUP
Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 9:00 A.M., Friday, January 2, 2004, the following restrictions will apply to the commercial scup fishery in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras (35° 15' N. Latitude):
I. HARVEST LIMITS
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Articles: Marine Fisheries Forum Set for March 18 (Capt_Dave)
2006 Workshop on Bluefin Tuna Set for Nov. 17 (Dawg)
National Forum Slated to Address Water Access Issues: Market Forces Squeezing Ou (Dawg)
North Carolina Students Spend Summer with NOAA on Hollings Scholarship (Dawg)
NC Sea Grant is providing the following news release as a courtesy to the Nation (Dawg)
Sea Grant Expert Gives Tips On Storm-Resistant Construction (Dawg)
Morehead City’s Changing Waterfront Feature (Dawg)
Blue Crab Research Grants Awarded (Dawg)
Rocky Branch Restoration Highlights Urban Water Flow to the Coast (Dawg)
Rocky Branch Restoration Highlights Urban Water Flow to the Coast (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: Marine Fisheries Forum Set for March 18
by: Capt_Dave
2008-03-14 06:30:22
Marine Fisheries Forum Set for March 18
Contact:
Katie Mosher 919/515-9069
Heather Ward 919/515-1092
North Carolina Sea Grant, the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) and the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) are co-sponsoring the third Marine Fisheries Forum at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center on March 18. MFC advisors, the public, students, and anyone interested in cutting-edge fisheries research are encouraged to attend.
In the morning session, B.J. Copeland, MFC vice chairman, will moderate a panel discussion on coastal habitat protection plans, water quality indicators, Inner Banks development, State of the Coast trends, and future research needs.
In the afternoon, researchers, receiving support through the N.C. Fishery Resource Grant (FRG) and N.C. Blue Crab Research Program (BCRP) will present findings from recent projects.
FRG presenters include:
· Charles Van Salisbury and Blake Price. Low Profile Gillnet Testing in the Deepwater Region of Pamlico Sound, North Carolina.
· Tom Burgess and Paul Rudershausen. Determination of Catch Rates and Discard Mortality by Pot Type for the Black Sea Bass Commercial Pot Fishery.
· Chris Butler and Jeff Buckel. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Feeding Ecology and Potential Ecosystem Effects During Winter in NC Waters.
BCRP presenters include:
· Naomi Avissar, Ronnie Cahoon, Virginia Cahoon, and Larry Crowder. Testing a New Technique for Reducing Sea Turtle Damage to Crab Pots.
· Joseph Luczkovich, Terry West, and Mark Brinson. Analysis of Potential Effects on Land Cover Change on Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) Populations in Primary Nursery Areas.
· Teresa Thorpe, and Tom Likos. Evaluation of Terrapin Excluder Devices on Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) Pots, Effects on Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) Bycatch and Target Catch Efficiency.
· Jason Hassell and Dinah Hassell. Minimizing Pot Loss and Retrieval of Lost Pots.
· Ruth McDowell, M. Zachary Darnell and Daniel Rittschof. Effects of Temperature and Body Size on Clutch Production in the Blue Crab, (Callinectes sapidus).
FRG and BCRP are funded by the N.C. General Assembly and administered by Sea Grant. Both programs combine common-sense knowledge from members of local fishing communities with the analytical skills of university researchers.
The forum is free. Registration begins at 8 a.m. For more information, contact Sea Grant extension specialists Bob Hines at rjhines@ncsu.edu, 252/222-6312; or Marc Turano at marc_turano@ncsu.edu, 919/513-0122.
Details also are available online at www.ncseagrant.org under “About NCSG.” Click on “Events Calendar.”
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Articles: Public Outraged at Assault on Sea Turtle Protections (Dawg)
New Fishing Hooks Save Sea Turtles (Dawg)
Loggerhead Turtles Released at Sebastian Inlet State Park (Dawg)
Costa Rica Passes Long Awaited Fisheries Law (Dawg)
Prominent Scientists Join Call For UN Moratorium on Longline Fishing (Dawg)
Fishing Gear a Death Trap for Sea Turtles (Dawg)
"Last Journey for the Leatherback?" to be screened at NYC Conference (Dawg)
New Documentary Film Sounds Alarm About the Threat of Extinction to Sea Turtles (Dawg)
Commission Responds to Public Comments that More Action to Save Sea Turtles are (Dawg)
| Most recent article: Public Outraged at Assault on Sea Turtle Protections
by: Dawg
2006-03-03 04:16:33 Public Outraged at Assault on Sea Turtle Protections
Public Comments Favoring Protections Received by Government Number 2,200 to 1
Public comments received by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council about its March 9th final vote to allow drift gillnets, also known as "curtains of death," and longlines back into vast protected areas along the Pacific Coast expresses overwhelming public opposition to industry efforts to gut successful conservation measures that protected critically endangered leatherback sea turtles. By the close of the February 15th public comment period, the Council received comments at a ratio of about 2,200 to 1 not to proceed with the expansion of these two destructive fishing practices that injure and kill large numbers of sea turtles, marine mammals, seabirds and valuable non-target fish. In addition, a unique coalition of ten recreational fishing, animal welfare and marine conservation groups with about 9 million members are working to oppose the measure.
"It's time for the Council and NOAA Fisheries to listen to the public and enforce their mandate to protect the public interest" said Robert Ovetz, Ph.D., Save the Leatherback Campaign Coordinator with the Sea Turtle Restoration Project, "And the public interest is keeping leatherback sea turtles and other marine species from going extinct and prevent overfishing."
The United Nations banned driftnets on the high seas in 1991 and the US has followed with recent closures to large areas in US waters including the time and area closures along the Pacific. Since 2001, areas north of Point Conception to an intersect with the Oregon coast have been closed to drift gillnet fishing from August 15th through November 15th in order to protect endangered leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles. During the past three years of this closure, this fishery, which targets swordfish with drift gillnet gear, has had no recorded takes of leatherback sea turtles. Longline fishing, which is also one of the main threats to leatherback sea turtles, was banned along the US West Coast in 2004.
Since 2002, 64 dolphins, whales, seals and sea lions have been killed by the drift gillnet fishery in the West Coast areas still open to gillnetting. Additionally, seabirds including Northern fulmars and Cassin's auklet have been injured or killed.
The proposed exemption would allow as many as two thirds of the remaining 36 drift-gillnet vessels and between 71 and 131 longline vessels into the closed areas.
"Drift-gillnet and longlines are subsidized unprofitable industries looking for a hand-out at the expense of endangered species like leatherback sea turtles, humpback whales and sharks. The public has spoken. It's time for the government to listen," added Ovetz.
Resources:
• The scientist letter can be found at:
http://www.seaturtles.org/pdf/___Scient.ltr.PFMC.final.pdf
• The NGO coalition letter can be found at:
http://www.seaturtles.org/pdf/_NGO.letter.2.final.pdf
• For information about the Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting go to: http://www.pcouncil.org/bb/2005/bb1105.html
• For a review copy of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project's new documentary film Last Journey for the Leatherback? contact Robert Ovetz, Ph.D.
For more information, contact:
Robert Ovetz, Ph.D.
(415) 488-0370 x 106
robert@seaturtles.org read more... |
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 | Shad · Total News: 1 · Total Reads: 893 |
Articles: AMERICAN SHAD-ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dawg)
| Most recent article: AMERICAN SHAD-ATLANTIC OCEAN
by: Dawg
2003-12-09 16:04:27 FF-53-2003
PROCLAMATION
RE: AMERICAN SHAD-ATLANTIC OCEAN
Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 6:00 A.M., Thursday, January 1, 2004, the following restrictions will apply to the taking of American shad in the Atlantic Ocean:
SEASON
The harvest of American shad by commercial fishing operations will open.
HARVEST AREAS
There are two geographic zones in the Atlantic Ocean and each zone has a separate harvest allocation. One zone is from Ocracoke Inlet north to the North Carolina -Virginia state line. The other zone is from Ocracoke Inlet south to the North Carolina-South Carolina state line.
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 | SHELLFISH · Total News: 36 · Total Reads: 15698 |
Articles: U.S. starts collecting anti-dumping shrimp taxes (Dawg)
U.S. Antidumping Calculations Are Logical and Legal (Dawg)
Wal-Mart's domestic shrimp sales jump 60% (Dawg)
Big shrimp-farming potential from South Carolina research (Dawg)
Big shrimp-farming potential from South Carolina research (Dawg)
August shrimp exports to U.S. drop 30 percent (Dawg)
South Carolina scientists trawl for DNA as new lab searches for answers on illne (Dawg)
Shrimp market affected by dumping decision (Dawg)
Western Kentucky couple raising saltwater shrimp in indoor tanks (Dawg)
SSA Responds to Political Efforts against Shrimp Petitions (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: U.S. starts collecting anti-dumping shrimp taxes
by: Dawg
2005-02-27 04:17:30
U.S. starts collecting anti-dumping shrimp taxes
The U.S. Government has ordered its customs office to start collecting anti-dumping tariffs on shrimp imports from Vietnam and five other countries, said the Vietnamese seafood business association on Tuesday.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection have been told to begin collecting a US$2.3 billion deposit from American seafood importers buying frozen shrimps from Vietnam and five other countries, said the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers ( Vasep ).
Vietnam, Brazil, China, Ecuador, India and Thailand were charged with anti-dumping tariffs late last year for selling shrimp to the U.S. at below-market prices.
The duties will be applicable for two years, the Vasep said. After that, the U.S. Government will reconsider shrimp sales and make changes accordingly on the tax rates, said the association added.
Earlier on Jan. 26, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC) decided to raise tariffs on Vietnam's frozen shrimps by 0.17 to 0.25% from its December rulings.
In December, the DoC upheld the imposition of penalty taxes on shrimp imports from Vietnam and slapped anti-dumping tariffs ranging from 4.13 to 25.76%.
On Jan. 7, the quasi-judicial U.S. International Trade Commission issued a ruling that support the DoC's decision, paving the way for the taxes to take effect.
The Vasep has repeatedly said that Vietnamese producers did not dump shrimp in the American market and that any tariff rates were unfair and unreasonable.
Vietnam Style read more... |
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Articles: Federal Fisheries Managers Hold Meetings of Public Interest (Capt_Dave)
Measures to Enhance Protection of Deepwater Corals Receive Final Approval (Capt_Dave)
Red Snapper Fishery Remains Closed in South Atlantic (Capt_Dave)
Council Approves Measures to End Overfishing of Red Snapper (Capt_Dave)
Commercial Fishery for Black Sea Bass Closing to Vessels Fishing in the South At (Capt_Dave)
Public Hearings for Snapper Grouper Fishery Begin Next Week (Capt_Dave)
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to Hold Public Hearings on Snapper Gro (Capt_Dave)
Management Alternatives to End Overfishing Approved for Public Hearings (Capt_Dave)
Federal Fishery Advisory Panel Seats Open to Applicants (Capt_Dave)
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting (Capt_Dave)
· More --> | Most recent article: Federal Fisheries Managers Hold Meetings of Public Interest
by: Capt_Dave
2010-07-29 16:36:46
Federal Fisheries Managers Hold Meetings of Public Interest
If you fish in federal waters more than three miles off the South Atlantic coast, chances are there is a meeting scheduled in the coming weeks regarding federal fisheries that is of interest to you. Please see the list below and mark your calendars. All meetings are open to the public and public comment is being solicited as noted below. Additional information, including meeting agendas and briefing book materials will be posted on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Web site at www.safmc.net as they become available.
Upcoming meetings include:
August 10-11 - SAFMC Law Enforcement Advisory Panel Meeting
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a 2-day meeting of its Law Enforcement AP. Agenda items include discussion of compliance rates, updates on enforcement efforts relative to the 2010 closures for species in the snapper grouper management complex, and a presentation on new U.S. Coast Guard enforcement assets in the South Atlantic region. The AP will also discuss Surveillance and Enforcement of Remote Maritime Areas (SERMA) relative to the 8 existing deepwater Marine Protected Areas in the South Atlantic and the recently created deepwater Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs). The Coral HAPCs afford protection of deepwater corals encompassing more than 23,000 square miles off the southeast coast. The meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Charleston Airport, 5265 International Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418.
August 16-17 – SAFMC Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Meeting
The SSC is the body responsible for reviewing the regional fishery management council’s scientific materials as outlined in the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s SSC will meet in Charleston, SC to discuss control rules for setting Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) levels for species that do not currently have peer reviewed stock assessments and consider ABC recommendations for golden crab, coral, wreckfish, and sargassum. Meeting location: Town & Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407; Hotel phone (800) 334-6660.
August 18 – SAFMC Golden Crab Advisory Panel Meeting
The Council will hold a meeting of its Golden Crab AP to review a draft catch shares amendment to the Golden Crab Fishery Management Plan, review Annual Catch Limits and Overfishing Level values, and provide recommendations to the Council for consideration. The meeting will be held at the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council office, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; phone 843/571-4366 or Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10.
SEDAR 24: Stock Assessment for Red Snapper – Ongoing Workshops and Public Comment Period
The Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) stock assessment for red snapper in the South Atlantic region continues with webinars scheduled as part of the Assessment Workshop for August 13th and 24th, and September 9th and 21st. The SEDAR stock assessment process involves three workshops: 1) Data Workshop, 2) Assessment Workshop, and 3) a Review Workshop. The week-long Data Workshop for red snapper was held in May and the ongoing Assessment Workshop is being conducted through a series of webinars.
Public Comment Period: During the SEDAR Assessment Workshop process there will be a public comment period for the Draft Stock Assessment Report. Public comment will be accepted August 16 – September 6, 2010. The final two webinars for the Assessment Workshop, scheduled in September, will consider revisions or additions in response to comments received prior to the draft assessment being released to the independent review panel. The Review Workshop is scheduled for October 12-14, 2010 at the Hilton DeSoto, 15 East Liberty Street, Savannah, GA 31414. Persons interested in participating in the webinars or submitting public comment should contact Kari Fenske, SEDAR Coordinator at kari.fenski@safmc.net or call 843/571-4366. Additional information is available at www.sefsc.noaa.gov/sedar and on the Council’s Web site at www.safmc.net.
The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for
September 13-17, 2010 in Charleston, SC read more... |
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Articles: Blue Marlin Movements Tracked with Satellite Tags (Dawg)
Tag-A-Giant in Carolina January 2005 (Dawg)
TAG-A-Giant is officially over in North Carolina (Dawg)
| Most recent article: Blue Marlin Movements Tracked with Satellite Tags
by: Dawg
2006-03-07 03:47:59
Blue Marlin Movements Tracked with Satellite Tags
This unique research effort is being undertaken by the TRCC scientists in cooperation with charter boat captains and recreational anglers, to monitor the movements, release survival parameters and water temperature preferences of Pacific blue marlin using the most recent and sophisticated satellite tagging and game fish catch-and-release technologies.
The Project
Release of live billfishes, in both recreational and commercial fisheries, is a common tool used to reduce billfish landings and promote conservation.
Tag-A-Billfish will utilize pop-up satellite archival tags to examine post-release survivorship and gather much needed information about the movements of blue marlin. Information on oceanic movements of the fish will be correlated with oceanographic features (sea surface temperature, ocean color, and currents) to provide new insight into one of the planet’s least understood pelagic fish.
Survivorship of billfishes after tag and release is not well documented and is critical information for assessing the costs and benefits of the practice for marlin caught in recreational and commercial fisheries. The objectives of this project are to place satellite tags on blue marlin and release them under the best possible condition by utilizing heavy tackle and experienced anglers to assist the scientists.
Detailed records of depth, temperature and movements will be examined for all fish. The tags will provide histogram summaries of depth and temperature preferences, and light data from which longitude and latitude can be estimated. The preference of blue marlin for surface waters will make light based geo-location extremely feasible.
We intend to deploy pop-up satellite archival tags on blue marlin in the Atlantic and Pacific. If the response from community based sponsorship of tags is favorable, we will be able to increase in the number of short and long term tags deployed.
Angler and Scientists have Cooperated for Over 40 Years to Tag and Release Gamefish
Cooperative tagging programs mounted by various national and private organizations over the last 40 years have been spectacularly successful not only in generating information about the movements of game fish, their age and growth, but also in building partnerships between the angling and scientific communities.
In Hawaii there is a 25-year history of research in association with the Pacific Ocean Research Foundation (PORF), which has established an excellent working relationship with the recreational anglers of Kona, Hawaii. Working together, over forty scientific publications on blue marlin have been published. Similar efforts have been achieved in the Atlantic with cooperative tagging occurring along the Eastern US seaboard especially in the Carolinas, in Madeira and off Bermuda. This cooperative effort of scientists and fishers has led to a large increase in our knowledge about blue marlin.
The scientists from the Tuna Research and Conservation Center (TRCC) together with PORF scientists have worked for two decades in Kona with the blue marlin fishery. We have substantial links with the recreational marlin fishery in Hawaii through Captain Rick Gaffney and Sue Vermillion and are looking to build a community integrated scientific research program.
TAG-A-BILLFISH Research Plan
The Technology
Recent technological advances in wildlife telemetry provide our team with new tools to directly examine behavior, short and long-term movement patterns and the global distribution of large pelagic fish. The successful implementation of both the pop-up satellite and archival tag technology has provided marine researchers with powerful new methodologies for studying large pelagic vertebrates.
Research Locations
One of the most active locations for research on pelagic fishes has been the prolific waters of the Kona coast, where calm, deep-water, close to shore, helps make this location an ideal study site. Over the past two decades, the PORF laboratory of Kona, Hawaii has accumulated behavioral, physiological and genetic data on blue marlin and tuna species in an effort to better understand the biology of these species. Many facets of marlin biology including research on reproduction, feeding behavior, local movements recorded via acoustic tracking, and physiological stress have been examined by PORF scientists over the past twenty plus years.
The success of research in Kona has in part been due to a close working relationship developed between the recreational fishing community and research scientists. This co-operative spirit has been nurtured by a culture in the Hawaiian Islands that respects the recreational troll fishery, and its associated tourist dollars as a valuable contribution to the local Hawaiian economy. The presence of this cooperative relationship between fishers and scientists provides the societal context, in parallel with the unique coastal oceanography, within which to conduct sophisticated scientific studies on pelagic game fish. The principal investigators are long established members of this co-operative research association and will implement the project in this working environment.
In the Atlantic Mr. Stuart Campbell has pioneered using pop-up satellite tags in Madeira, Portugal and The Canary Islands. Once again, in 2000, pop-up satellite tags were placed on large blue marlin for durations up to 1 year.
Tag and Release Ethic
In the past decade, sport fishermen have strongly supported the tag and release of blue marlin. The release ethic was developed in response to the over-fishing of many marine resources.
In 1997, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) adopted its first-ever-international recommendations for billfish conservation calling for reductions in blue marlin landings. The recommendation called upon both commercial and recreational fishers to reduce fishing effort and billfish landings and in effect promotes release of the fish. The recommendations follow recent assessments, which indicate the Atlantic blue marlin stocks are in a decline. U.S. fisheries operating in Atlantic waters comply with ICCAT recommendations and currently release most live marlin.
In the Pacific, blue marlin is also caught incidentally on tuna and swordfish longlines and is sometimes released. Tag and release has been prominent among recreational fishers throughout the Pacific (led by Australia and New Zealand fishers) and more recently, the Kona recreational fishery has begun to emerge as a proponent of the tag and release of blue marlin.
Survival of Tagged and Released Marlin
While release is often argued to be an effective management tool for reducing mortality, it is not certain how well tagged and released billfish survive. Survivorship studies assessing the ability of blue marlin to recover from capture on commercial and recreational fishing gear and subsequent release are needed to discern the effectiveness of live release in reducing overall mortality. Our will provide short and long term data on blue marlin caught on recreational gear under best possible tag and release conditions. Similar studies should be conducted on commercial gear to compare results.
Migrations
Our pop-up satellite tagging program will provide knowledge of blue marlin behavior and migratory routes throughout the Pacific Ocean basin. Previous Blue Marlin Tracking Research [link to Previous Research] demonstrated remarkable movements from both Kona and Madeira releases. One fish travelled 3000nm in 90 days. Long-term data records on distribution and movement patterns in relationship to environmental parameters are generally unknown and are required for development of international management plans. Our current understanding of the migrations and movement patterns of blue marlin are incomplete because of the inherent difficulties of studying open ocean fishes and historical lack of appropriate tools. The newest generation of pop-up archival tags have been successfully field-tested and are being purpose-built by Wildlife Computers for these studies.
Significance of Tag-A-Billfish for the Future
The increasing pressure that is being brought to bear on ocean resources around the world, means that we must obtain the data upon which proper management of these precious fisheries depends. To maintain strong recreational fisheries for blue marlin it will be increasingly important to demonstrate that blue marlin require international cooperation for their proper management. Pop-up satellite tagging has the potential to provide information on detailed movements, which can be related to remote oceanographic imagery of surface temperatures and oceanic productivity. Such data will provide the first spatial and temporal series on how and why blue marlin move throughout the Pacific basin. revious Blue Marlin Tracking Research read more... |
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Articles: THE ANGRY FISHERMAN (Capt_Dave)
| Most recent article: THE ANGRY FISHERMAN
by: Capt_Dave
2009-04-14 17:42:13
THE ANGRY FISHERMAN
THE ANGRY FISHERMAN and its supporters are in total support of H918, the
Coastal Game Fish Act Bill which is currently in the NC House of Representatives
for consideration. This bill will give “Game Fish” protection to the Spotted Sea
Trout and the Red Drum, and is long overdue here in North Carolina! We also
support the Primary Sponsors of this bill, Representative Carolyn Justice, Pender
and New Hanover Counties, and Representative Paul Luebke, Durham County.
Recent attacks on the character of Rep. Justice by Sean McKeon, paid lobbyist and
spokesman for the commercial fishing industry and the NCFA, are slanderous and
should be retracted immediately! Only 11,063 pounds of Speckled Trout were
reported sold in New Hanover and Pender Counties combined in 2008, clearly
pointing out the scathing, false statement from McKeon that “She’s a coastal
rep acting to destroy many of her own constituents’ livelihoods”.
Quite the contrary, she is representing her constituents with the greatest of
courage in her efforts to guarantee the future of these two fish for the
greater good of New Hanover County and Pender County residents. The
economic impacts of these 2 fish as “Sport Fish” to the coastal communities
outweigh the values they bring to a fish market by millions of dollars!
NOAA studies recently released showed that the NC saltwater recreational
angler spent $2.5 Billion with NC businesses in 2006, generated over $780
Million in salaries and wages to NC workers, and helped support over 23,700
jobs here in NC. Our question to Mr. McKeon is this, how much money did
the commercial fishing industry put into the NC economy in 2006? How
much salaries and wages were created by the commercial fishing industry in
2006, and how many jobs did the industry you are paid to represent provide
for NC workers?
Mr. McKeon is paid to say what he says. Who knows what he really believes?
His efforts are well funded by the NCFA. His income is paid directly from the
total sales of seafood by the members of the NCFA. The more they harvest
and sell, the more he makes! When all the fish are gone, Mr. McKeon will
have to find another industry to spew his lies for!
We believe it is “high time” that someone stood up to the commercially
stacked Marine Fisheries Commission and a select few politicians that feed at
the commercial fishing trough. The Angry Fisherman is 20,000 active and
supportive members. There are NO paid officials nor are any members
doing this for any reason other than to ensure that future generations will
have the opportunity to enjoy this incredible resource. If change does not
happen, then this State faces the extinction of numerous animals and fish
simply for the benefit of a few.
The Angry Fisherman
John M. Hislop
THE ANGRY FISHERMAN
Press Release, April 13, 2009
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Articles: Key Senators Agree to Take Action As Ocean Crisis Worsens (Dawg)
Statement of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative on President Bushââ (Dawg)
| Most recent article: Key Senators Agree to Take Action As Ocean Crisis Worsens
by: Dawg
2006-07-03 07:51:18
Key Senators Agree to Take Action As Ocean Crisis Worsens
Joint Ocean Commission Responds to Senate Request To Develop Congressional Priority Plan
From Sea to Shining Sea:
Priorities for Ocean Policy Reform
Washington, DC – A bipartisan group of ten influential Senators have agreed to take action on comprehensive reform of the nation’s ocean policy as the problems with our troubled seas continue to grow worse. A national ocean policy action plan for Congress, From Sea to Shining Sea: Priorities for Ocean Policy Reform, developed at the Senators’ request, was delivered to Capitol Hill today by the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative and will serve as a guide for developing legislation and funding high-priority programs.
The action plan responds to the Senators’ request to identify the most urgent priorities for congressional action to protect, restore, and maintain the marine ecosystem. The plan includes the top ten steps Congress should take to address the most pressing challenges, the highest funding priorities, and the most important changes to federal laws and the budget process to establish a more effective and integrated ocean policy.
From Sea to Shining Sea calls for Congress to adopt a statement of national ocean policy that acknowledges in legislation the importance of oceans to the nation’s economic and ecological health and establishes a framework for all other ocean legislation. Among the pressing priorities:
•Establishing a strengthened National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in law and working with the Bush Administration to improve federal agency coordination on ocean and coastal issues;
•Enacting legislation to create incentives for ecosystem-based management that builds upon existing and emerging regional efforts to involve federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as well as the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and academic institutions; and
•Reauthorizing an improved Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act that relies more strongly on science to guide management actions to ensure the long-term sustainability of U.S. fisheries.
"Three years ago the Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy sounded the alarm on the state of our oceans. While we did a good job helping everyone understand that oceans and coasts are in serious trouble, we have been unable to transform that insight into any sustained momentum to develop and implement a new framework for ocean policy," said Leon E. Panetta, Joint Initiative co-chair.
"While the crisis continues to intensify, there has been limited progress over the last few years towards instituting the broad policy and institutional changes called for the by Commissions," he added.
In addition, the report urges Congress to:
•Enact ocean and coastal legislation that has made significant progress through the legislative process in the 109th Congress;
•Incorporate ocean-related science and education into the new national innovation and competitiveness initiative, capitalizing on the growing economic potential associated with our oceans and the attraction they hold for students;
•Enact legislation to authorize and fund the Integrated Ocean Observing System;
•Accede to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, allowing the U.S. to share its expertise, capitalize on economic opportunities, and protect is sovereign interests;
•Establish an Ocean Trust Fund in the U.S. Treasury as a dedicated source of funds for improved management and understanding of ocean and coastal resources by the federal and state governments; and
•Secure additional funding to support management, science, and education programs that are the foundation of robust national ocean policy.
"We must be more aggressive if we hope to repair and protect the oceans and coasts, vital components of our national security, economic security, food security, recreation, and environmental health," said William Ruckelshaus, Joint Initiative member. "It’s no overstatement to say that oceans are essential to human survival. They are responsible for the air we breathe, and support a significant portion of our economy, yet we continue to destroy their life-sustaining capacity and compromise their ability to provide goods and services we’ve come to rely upon."
"There is really no dispute about the nature and severity of the threats confronting the oceans," said Panetta. "We heard from hundreds of citizens, scientists, industry groups, environmental organizations, and elected officials and found broad consensus on the problems, which are outlined in From Sea to Shining Sea." Among these are:
•Fragmented laws, confusing and overlapping jurisdiction, and the absence of a coherent national ocean policy.
•A lack of coordinated federal support for emerging regional ocean and coastal governance initiatives.
•Overexploited fisheries, poor water quality and the loss of critical habitat.
•A dearth of U.S. leadership in international ocean and coastal forums.
•Dwindling U.S. investment in ocean and coastal research, science, and education.
•Inadequate funding for federal agencies and for nonfederal partners at the regional, state, and local level.
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is a collaborative effort of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and Pew Oceans Commission to catalyze ocean policy reform. The Initiative is guided by a ten-member Task Force, five from each Commission, and led by Admiral James D. Watkins and the Honorable Leon E. Panetta, chairs of the U.S. Commission and Pew Commission, respectively. The primary goal of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is to accelerate the pace of change that results in meaningful ocean policy reform.
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Articles: FISH TALES (Dawg)
| Most recent article: FISH TALES
by: Dawg
2006-01-16 05:15:30
FISH TALES
Club member Ollie Angel passed away Jan. 3, 2006. Ollie was diagnosed with cancer this past February. I have never seen anyone with a more positive outlook than Ollie in dealing with his illness. He told me one of the things he looked most forward to was getting back out on the ocean and fishing again. His beach neighbors will miss him. Please let his family know we are thinking about them during this time. His family’s address is:
Mrs. Kay Angel
3214 Kendale Drive
Sanford, NC 27332
New Member:
Our newest member Marshall Ray Goller was born Dec. 6, 2005. Randy & Sandra’s new son arrived a couple of weeks early. Randy will have his own fishing team before long. All are doing well.
Inlet Report:
I haven’t been out myself, but a neighbor told me he went out before Christmas just cruising and bass fishing on a calm day. He said it was breaking all the way across on low tide. He came back in a few hours later while the tide was coming in and hit bottom on the bar. Be careful next time you head that way.
Don’t forget to send E-mail or call if you have some fishy information you want in the newsletter. Inlet changes will be on everyone’s mind. If you hear anything on this, please let me know. I will be writing the regular monthly letter from this point on and sending changes to Benny for website every week. If you have pictures, send them to Benny Herring at bennyh(at)tofc.com, along with the story. He does a much better job with computers!
Good Fishing,
Johnnie D. Sheppard (Reel Living)
PO Box 217
Pink Hill, NC 28572
Home 252-568-3591
Work 252-568-4188
Beach 910-328-3135
e-mail sheppard(at)eastlink.net read more... |
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Articles: Federal Agencies Announce Availability of Sea Turtle Five-year Status Reviews (Dawg)
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AWARDS $13.2 MILLION IN CLEAN VESSEL ACT GRANTS (Dawg)
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AWARDS NINE STATE BOATING INFRASTRUCTURE (Dawg)
STATE WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $600 MILLION FOR SPORT FISH (Dawg)
Loss of Whooping Cranes at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge After Storms (Dawg)
Secretary Kempthorne Announces Funding for Wetlands Projects, Additions to Natio (Dawg)
Critical Habitat Re-Proposed for the Wintering Population of Piping Plovers in N (Dawg)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awards Southeast conservation partners for contri (Dawg)
Kevin M. McMaster Sentenced to 25 Months in Federal Prison For Selling Federally (Dawg)
Press Conference Call for the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: Federal Agencies Announce Availability of Sea Turtle Five-year Status Reviews
by: Dawg
2007-09-03 10:12:54 Federal Agencies Announce Availability of Sea Turtle Five-year Status Reviews The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries
Service (Agencies) jointly announced today the completion and
availability of six five-year status reviews for federally listed sea
turtles: Olive ridley sea turtle; Kemp’s ridley sea turtle; Leatherback
sea turtle; Green sea turtle; Hawksbill sea turtle; and Loggerhead sea
turtle.
Both agencies share jurisdiction for federally listed sea turtles and
jointly conducted the reviews.
After reviewing all of the best scientific and commercially available
information and data, the agencies’ biologists recommended that the
current listing classification for the six sea turtle species remain
unchanged.
The past decade has seen many technological advances, a diversity of
research, and completion of numerous on the ground recovery efforts for
sea turtles through work done by FWS, NMFS, and dedicated sea turtle
conservation partners in the U.S and many other countries. This has
allowed us to better understand the biology of these six sea turtles and
in some areas improve protection and conservation measures where they
are showing improvement. Refer to each five-year review for examples
and more information on accomplishments and work that is ongoing or
still must be undertaken to recover the world's sea turtles.
The five-year reviews and a list of Frequently Asked Questions are
available online at http://www.fws.gov/northflorida or may be requested
by email to seaturtles@fws.gov, by fax at 904-232-2404, by mail at U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Sea Turtle Five-year Reviews, 6620
Southpoint Drive South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32216-0958, or by
telephone at 904/232-2580. Please include your name and street mailing
address in your request. E-mail requests will receive an automated
response confirming receipt of your request.
NOAA Fisheries Service is dedicated to protecting and preserving our
nation’s living marine resources and their habitat through scientific
research, management and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries Service provides
effective stewardship of these resources for the benefit of the nation,
supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, and helping to
provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational
opportunities for the American public. To learn more about NOAA
Fisheries Service, please visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency
responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife,
plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American
people. Visit the Service’s website at http://www.fws.gov. read more... |
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Articles: Coast Guard urges preparation for Hurricane Earl (Dawg)
Coast Guard, good Samaritans rescue fishermen in Pamlico Sound (Capt_Dave)
Multi-agency search for missing man in Pamlico River, N.C. (Capt_Dave)
Coast Guard suspends search for missing N.C. boaters (Capt_Dave)
Coast Guard to hold formal hearing on N.C. parasailing accident (Capt_Dave)
Missing 12-year-old found off N.C. coast (Capt_Dave)
Coast Guard to conduct investigation into parasailing accident (Capt_Dave)
Coast Guard and NOAA make fisheries bust in protected area (Capt_Dave)
Coast Guard medevacs crewmember from dredge (Capt_Dave)
Coast Guard finds weapon, drugs on felon's boat in Oak Island, N.C. (Capt_Dave)
· More --> | Most recent article: Coast Guard urges preparation for Hurricane Earl
by: Dawg
2010-08-30 18:31:58 Coast Guard urges preparation for Hurricane Earl
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard is urging mariners to heed warnings as Hurricane Earl is expected to affect the mid-Atlantic region between North Carolina and New Jersey Thursday and Friday.
As Earl approaches, the Coast Guard urges people to be mindful of the following safety messages:
- Anticipate bridge closures. Mariners are advised that during strong storms drawbridges along the coast may deviate from the normal operating procedures. Drawbridges are authorized to remain closed upon the approach of gale force winds or higher as stated in the Code of Federal Regulations 117.35, which applies to “natural disasters or civil disorders.” Mariners should anticipate bridge closures by listening to the National Weather Service and Coast Guard broadcasts on the storm conditions.
For a list of bridge closures in Sector Hampton Roads please view the Sector Hampton Roads Marine Safety Information Bulletin 10/014.
- Stay off the water. The Coast Guard’s search and rescue capabilities are degraded as storm conditions strengthen. This means help could be delayed. Boaters are urged to heed to weather watches, warnings and small craft advisories. People should not go out on their boats 48 hours prior to and at least 72-96 hours after a hurricane has passed through an area.
- Evacuate as necessary. If mandatory evacuations are set for an area, the public is urged to heed to these evacuation orders. Coast Guard personnel and other emergency responders may not be able to evacuate those in danger during the storm.
- Secure your belongings. Owners of larger boats are urged to move their boats to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or damage. Trailerable boats should be pulled from the water and stored in a place that is not prone to flooding. Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to secure life rings, lifejackets and small boats. These items, if not secured properly, can break free and require valuable search and rescue resources to be diverted to ensure they are not actually people in distress.
- Be cautious of hazardous materials. If you have hazardous materials on or near the water you are responsible for any spills that may occur. Take the necessary precautions to secure them prior to any foul weather.
- Stay clear of beaches. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by Earl. Swimmers are urged to stay clear of beaches until local officials say the water is safe.
- Stay informed. The public should monitor the progress and strength of Earl through local television, radio and internet. Boaters can monitor its progress on VHF channel 16. Information can also be obtained on small craft advisories and warnings on VHF channel 16.
- For more information on the progress of Earl and hurricane preparedness, please visit the National Hurricane Center’s website at the following link – http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.
For more information regarding port status in your area, use the following contact information:
Hampton Roads - 757-668-5555
Baltimore - 410-576-2521
North Carolina - 252-247-4570
Philadelphia - 215-271-4960
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Articles: KESHENA (Dawg)
NORMANNIA (Dawg)
NAECO (Dawg)
PROTEUS (Dawg)
BRITISH SPLENDOUR (Dawg)
USS Niphon (Dawg)
The Lasting Legacy Of The Blockade Runner 'Modern Greece' (Dawg)
DERELICTS (Dawg)
MALCHACE (Dawg)
PAPOOSE (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: KESHENA
by: Dawg
2006-03-09 12:37:29 KESHENA
U.S. TUG BOAT
Propulsion: Fuel/Oil - Electric Motor
Type: Tug - Tender & Recovery
Tonnage: 427 Gross Tons
Length: 147 Feet
Width: 27 Feet
Armament: Unarmed
Remarks:
On wednesday July 15th, 1942 convoy KS 520 is attacked by the U-576, the U-boat drives the convoy into a nearby allied minefield after firing and hitting 3 merchant vessels with torpedoes. One of those vessels was the Panamanian freighter J.A. Mowinkel which had sustained both torpedo and mine damage during the assault but remained afloat. Four days later the Keshena and another tug were sent to recover the Mowinkel as quickly as possible. During towing manuevers however the Keshena strikes another mine and sinks just east of Ocracoke. Two crew members are killed by the mine explosion, the rest of the crew consisting of one woman and 14 men are returned to the Ocracoke Coast Guard Station on Sunday the 19th of July.
Factoid:
During the first six monthes of 1942 U-boats sank hundreds of merchant vessels off the coast of the United States, more than eighty of these ships sank off North Carolina. Due to the geographic location of the outer barrier islands, U-boats could easily escape retaliation by fleeing to nearby deep waters after attacking allied ships. This made places like Cape Lookout shoals and Diamond shoals ideal haunts for marauding subs, slow moving freighters and tankers were easy targets and no match for the German "Wolfpacks".
The coastal waters became so dangerous that Captains referred to our coast as "Torpedo Junction" and dreaded having to travel past our shoals. Ships could burn for weeks at a time and cause many hazards to other ships passing by, including both merchant and military vessels. In response to this increasing aggression by the Germans, the U.S. Navy engaged in offensive and defensive measures to mitigate attacks. Ships and planes were used to conduct escort, patrols and search & destroy missions to defend against U-boats. Merchant ships would be grouped with light cruisers and destroyers in convoys designed to help protect them from enemy attacks and allow them to deliver the much needed cargo to aid the war effort.
Coast Guard crew of the Cutter Spencer setting depth charges.
GPS:
Lat: N 34 59.950 Lon: W 75 45.820
Depth of wreck: 84'
Data written and compiled by BluewaterBandit read more... |
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