THE MFC ADVISOR
Marine
Fisheries Commission Business Meeting
Kill
Devil Hills, North Carolina
The Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) and the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) 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, actions, and rulemaking proceedings. Hopefully, this bulletin will keep you better informed about commission activities. Your comments regarding this update re always appreciated – please contact Nancy Fish by e-mail at Nancy.Fish@ncmail.net or by phone at 252-726-7021 or 1-800-682-2632.
The MFC held a business meeting April 21-22 at the Clarion Oceanfront Hotel in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The business meeting was called to order followed by an invocation. A roll call was conducted and the following members were in attendance: Jimmy Johnson – Chairman, Bryan Gillikin - Vice Chairman, Charlie Adams, Dr. B.J. Copeland, Mac Currin, Dr. Barbara Garrity-Blake and Rusty Russ.
Bradley Styron, who holds a commercial seat on the commission, was absent, and the commercial seat previously held by Tilman Gray has not been filled. In order to vote, state law requires a super-quorum - that is where at least one commission member representing the commercial industry, other than the chairman, must be present. The same requirement hold true for the recreational seats. Because of a lack of the super-quorum there were no official votes at this meeting.
While the commission was unable to any official votes, it was a busy meeting. Chairman Jimmy Johnson announced he was going to appoint a scientific advisory committee to help with classifying strategic habitat, in conjunction with the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan. Chairman Johnson also indicated he was sending comments to the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding their proposals to address the take on large marine mammals by commercial fisheries. Comments will also be sent to the Atlantic States Maine Fisheries Commission proposals regarding American eels. A discussion was also held about a limited entry proposal for the striped bass commercial fishery in the Atlantic Ocean.
2005 MFC Meeting Locations:
June 28-29 Raleigh
August 30-31 Atlantic
Beach