Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: Feb. 22, 2008 Phone: (252) 726-7021

CULTCH PLANTING MEETINGS TO BE HELD IN MARCH

MOREHEAD CITY - The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold six public meetings in March to receive suggestions and comments on cultch planting - where shells and rock are placed to enhance shellfish habitat in potentially productive shellfish areas. Oysters, clams and other aquatic life are attracted to the cultch and will begin to immediately colonize the material.

DMF’s Shellfish Rehabilitation staff continuously look for ways to improve the program. Annual meetings are held to provide fishermen and other interested parties the opportunity to give input regarding planting sites and on methods, materials and quantities of materials used. Though previously the program worked only with oysters, it has expanded to include clams.

The meetings are on the following dates:

Wednesday, March 12 Pamlico County Courthouse 6 p.m.
Bayboro

Thursday, March 13 Carteret County Courthouse 6 p.m.
District Courtroom, Beaufort

Monday, March 17 Ocracoke Fire Station 6 p.m.
Ocracoke

Tuesday, March 18 Meeting Room above Post Office 6 p.m.
Hatteras
(Entrance to room is at the rear of the Post Office Building)

Wednesday, March 19 Roanoke Island Festival Park 6 p.m.
Small Auditorium
Manteo

Monday, March 31 Swan Quarter Fire Station 6 p.m.
Swan Quarter

For more information contact DMF Resource Enhancement Chief Craig Hardy at (252) 808-8046 or (800) 682-2632.