Contact: Patricia Smith Date: Feb. 25, 2009 Phone: (252) 726-7021 PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULED ON MONKFISH LARGE MESH GILL NET PERMIT MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public meeting to discuss the monkfish large mesh gill net fishery on Wednesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. at the Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. The purpose of the meeting is to explain to local fishermen permit requirements and other conditions for participation in the fishery. The fishery is scheduled to open March 16 and will close no later than April 14.  The fishery is limited to waters within three miles of the beach from the North Carolina/Virginia state line to Wimble Shoals, located offshore of Avon. The permit will allow for monitoring of the fishery, thereby reducing the threat of gill net interaction with marine mammals or sea turtles, while the traditional monkfish fishery continues in North Carolina. The season will close by proclamation if sea surface temperatures exceed 11 degrees Celsius, or approximately 52 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the temperature at which sea turtles become more active. The season will also close if interactions with marine mammals or sea turtles occur. For more information, contact Red Munden at (800) 682-2632 or (252) 808-8009.