Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: Oct. 28, 2008
Phone: (252) 726-7021

MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION TO MEET IN KILL DEVIL HILLS

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet Nov. 5-7 at the Ramada Inn in Kill Devil Hills. The public is invited to attend.

The commission is scheduled to adopt amendments to the state’s Red Drum Fishery Management Plan, along with rules to implement the amended plan. The commission will also consider a slate of other proposed rules impacting various fisheries including flounder pound netting and recreational shrimping.

Additionally, the commission will be asked to endorse pursuing a joint enforcement agreement between the N.C. Marine Patrol and National Marine Fisheries Service law enforcement and adopting a violation point system for state fisheries offenses. Both proposals require legislative approval.

Other agenda items include an update of Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council decisions impacting the state’s spiny dogfish, smooth dogfish and American eel fisheries.

The meeting begins with a public comment period at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, and continues with a business session at 9 a.m. Thursday and 8:30 a.m. Friday. For more information contact the Marine Fisheries Commission Office at (252) 726-7021 or (800) 682-2632.

Agenda Below:

MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION BUSINESS MEETING
Ramada Inn, Kill Devil Hills, N.C.
November 5 - 7, 2008

Executive Order One mandates the Chair inquire as to whether any member knows of any known conflict of interest or appearance of conflict with respect to matters before the commission. If any member knows of a conflict of interest or appearance of conflict, please so state at this time in accordance with N.C.G.S. 138A-15(e).

Nov. 5
7 p.m. Public Meeting

Nov. 6
9 a.m. Call to Order*
Executive Order One
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda**
Approval of September Business Meeting Minutes**
9:15 a.m. Public Comment
9:45 a.m. Issues from Commission Members
10:15 a.m. Petition for Rulemaking from Save the Bait
10:30 a.m. Chairman’s Report
MFC Advisor Appointments
Letters
Budget Update
-Fisheries Forum
-2009 Revised Meeting Schedule
-Advisory Committee Meetings
10:45 a.m. Committee Reports
Habitat and Water Quality
-Endorse Endocrine Disruptor Update – Dr. B. J. Copeland**
-Compensatory Mitigation – Dr. Mark Brinson
Shellfish – Mike Marshall
Finfish – David Taylor
Northeast – Kathy Rawls
Central – Katy West
Southeast – Rich Carpenter
Inland – Nancy Fish
Civil Penalties and Law Enforcement – Dr. B.J. Copeland
-Endorse Joint Enforcement Agreement**
-Endorse Violation Point System**
-Endorse Violator Compact SB 175**
CRFL – Nancy Fish
Region One Strategic Habitat Area – Anne Deaton
CHPP – Jimmy Johnson
Noon Lunch
1:30 p.m. Mediation Update – David Taylor
2 p.m. Petition for Rulemaking from Mac Stewart
2:30 p.m. Red Drum FMP – Lee Paramore
Final Approval of Amendments to the FMP with Rules **
3:30 p.m. Rules – Catherine Blum
Annual Rulemaking Cycle
Hearing Overview
Final Approval**
-ASMFC Lobster FMP
-Modify Pound Net Rules

-Adopt Federal TED Rules
-RCGL Changes-Shrimp Trawls
-Shrimp Limits for Recreational Purposes
-SAV Definition
-License & Statistics Definitions
-Black Sea Bass Dealer Permit
-Modify Trawl Nets Rule
-Modify Rulebook Introduction
-Live Bait
-Gill Net Ops-PNA Disturbance
4:30 p.m. Asian Oyster Environmental Impact Statement
5 p.m. Recess

Nov. 7
8:30 a.m. Director’s Report
Seafood and Aquaculture Meeting– Dr. Louis Daniel
Budget Update – Dr. Louis Daniel
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission – Dr. Louis Daniel
-Spiny Dogfish
-Smooth Dogfish
-American Eel
ASMFC Amendment/Addenda Process – Dr. Louis Daniel
Red Drum Landings Update – Dr. Louis Daniel
Waterfront Access and Marine Industry Fund – Dr. Louis Daniel
Coastal Recreational Fishing License – Don Hesselman
-RFP Update
-Sales Update
10-10 License preview – Don Hesselman
Mandatory Electronic Dealer Reporting – Don Hesselman
License and Statistics Annual Report – Don Hesselman
Oyster Program Update – Craig Hardy
Artificial Reef Master Plan – Craig Hardy
Marine Patrol Report – Col. Rex Lanier
Noon Adjourn

* Times indicated are merely for guidance. The Commission will proceed through the agenda until completed.
**Action Items