29 February 1996 - MOREHEAD CITY -- The Fisheries Moratorium Steering Committee will meet on Thursday, March 14, 1996 at 9 a.m. at the Nags Head Fire Station, Highway 158 South, Nags Head, N.C.

The meeting is open to the public.

The Moratorium Steering Committee was created by the 1994 General Assembly to make recommendations regarding the restructuring of North Carolina's fisheries management system. The committee has been meeting for the last 17 months to put together a set of draft proposals that would bring widespread changes to both commercial and recreational fishing. Primary areas of focus include licensing, Marine Fisheries Commission structure, gear, law enforcement and habitat. The committee will continue to meet monthly, with public meetings slated to begin this summer. Final recommendations will be presented to the General Assembly for the 1997 legislative session.

In January, the Moratorium Steering Committee began the process of reviewing the preliminary subcommittee recommendations, with much of the discussion centered around licensing issues. The February meeting focused on restructuring the Marine Fisheries Commission and fishing gear issues. During the upcoming March meeting, the committee will review the preliminary recommendations from the Law Enforcement and Habitat Subcommittees.

Bob Lucas, Chairman of the Moratorium Steering Committee, has been pleased with the public participation at the previous meetings and he is hopeful that fishermen and interested citizens will continue to come to the meetings and offer suggestions. "We have had over 100 people at each of our earlier meetings, and I think that shows people care about our fisheries and they want to help us come up with solutions to save our resources," said Lucas. "The committee's objective is to restore fisheries, basically to make fishing like it used to be . . . and I truly believe we will accomplish this goal if folks continue to come to our meetings and share their opinions and ideas."

To learn more about the Moratorium Steering Committee or to receive a copy of the committee's preliminary recommendations, contact Mike Street, Division of Marine Fisheries, at (919)726-7021 or (800)682-2632.

28 February 1996 - MOREHEAD CITY -- North Carolina ports will be closed to the landing of flounder caught in the Atlantic Ocean with commercial gear beginning, Sunday, March 3, 1996.

Fishermen will be allowed to land up to 100 pounds of ocean caught flounder as a bycatch in non-flounder fisheries, such as the shrimp trawl fishery. For the purposes of this action, land means the boat is tied to the dock.

North Carolina participates in a management plan for the recovery of flounder which includes a commercial harvest quota. The 1996 commercial harvest quota is 3,049,589 pounds of flounder that can be landed in North Carolina. The Marine Fisheries Commission recently passed a rule that requires the season for landing ocean caught flounder to be closed when 70 percent of North Carolina's allocated commercial quota is projected to be taken, in order to allow for both a winter and fall flounder fishery. Fisheries managers estimate that flounder landings will reach 70 percent of the commercial harvest quota on or before March 3, 1996.

North Carolina ports will reopen to the landing of commercially caught flounder this fall. For more information, please contact Dennis Spitsbergen, DMF - Morehead City, at (800) 682-2632 or (919) 726-7021.

23 February 1996 - MOREHEAD CITY -- The Fisheries Resource Grant Review Panel, part of the Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC), will meet at the Crystal Coast Civic Center - Classroom #1, 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City on Tuesday, March 12 at 9 a.m.

The meeting is open to the public.

The review panel, which is comprised of MFC members, will begin assessing the applications submitted for the 1996 grant cycle. This year 109 applications were received, totaling more than $4.2 million in requested funds.

The $1 million grant program, which was established by the 1994 General Assembly, was designed to enhance North Carolina's fishery resources through individual grants to test new equipment, research industry trends, perform environmental pilot studies and study other fishery issues. The grant program is administered by the MFC.

The review panel will recommend a preliminary list of proposals for funding to the MFC at the Commission's quarterly business meeting, March 15-16 in Raleigh. Grants will be awarded March through June 1996.

For more information, contact Maury Wolff, Division of Marine Fisheries, at (800) 682-2632 or (919) 726-7021.

20 February 1996 -MOREHEAD CITY -- Lt. Doug Sawyer of the North Carolina Marine Patrol has been named the 1995 Marine Fisheries Enforcement Officer of the Year by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation through the North Carolina Conservation Achievement Program.

The North Carolina Conservation Achievement Program recognizes contributions made in the public interest by outstanding community and state conservation leaders who stress the need to conserve and wisely use North Carolina's natural resources. Sawyer, an 11-year Marine Patrol veteran, has been recognized by his community and colleagues for his outstanding work with the protection and conservation of our state's fisheries resources.

Aside from his normal patrol duties, Sawyer serves on the Marine Fisheries Commission's Law Enforcement Committee where he helps develop recommendations for fisheries rules and statutes. He is an active member of Ducks Unlimited, the Hyde County Waterfowl Association, the Providence Lodge, Tyrrell County 4-H Club, and he is an honorary member of the Fairfield Lodge. Until recently, Sawyer also volunteered with the Tyrrell County Fire Department and Rescue Squad.

A native of Columbia and a former Tyrrell County Deputy Sheriff, Sawyer enjoys living "down east" with his wife, Adenia, and their two daughters, Samantha and Cassie.

19 February 1996 - MOREHEAD CITY -- The striped bass hook-and-line season will open in the Albemarle Sound Management Area on March 16, 1996.

Bruce Freeman, Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries, announced that striped bass may be taken by hook-and-line on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday of each week. Fishermen may take up to three striped bass per person, per day at a minimum length of 18 inches.

Undersized striped bass that are caught should be handled carefully and returned to the water where taken as quickly as possible. By practicing careful release techniques and observing fishing regulations, fishermen help preserve fish for the future.

It is illegal to sell or purchase striped bass taken by hook-and-line.

The Albemarle Sound Recreational Harvest Management Area includes the Albemarle, Currituck, Croatan and Roanoke Sounds and their inland and joint water tributaries, except for the Roanoke, Eastmost, Middle and Cashie Rivers.

The hook-and-line season on striped bass will close at midnight on April 28, 1996, unless the recreational harvest allotment is reached earlier.

For more information contact, Harrel Johnson, DMF, at (919)264-1911 or (800)338-7805.

16 February 1996 MOREHEAD CITY -- The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has implemented new federal regulations that require anglers who land Atlantic tunas to have an Atlantic Tunas Permit effective January 1, 1996.

Previous vessel permitting requirements only pertained to Bluefin tuna. Permit requirements have now been extended to include Yellowfin, Bigeye, Skipjack, and Albacore tunas. If you have a current Atlantic Bluefin Tuna permit, you do not need to reapply, your Atlantic Bluefin Tuna permit will be renewed as an Atlantic Tunas permit on the programmed renewal schedule.

New regulations have also been implemented requiring permits for commercial fishermen and dealers who target, sell, or purchase Yellowfin, Bigeye, Skipjack, and Albacore tunas, including Atlantic Bonitos.

Atlantic tuna regulations, particularly Bluefin tuna, are complicated. Fishermen should familiarize themselves with the latest regulations. For further information concerning the Atlantic tuna fisheries contact the following NMFS offices:

15 February 1996 MOREHEAD CITY -- The Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will hold a public hearing on February 20, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. at the Craven County Superior Courtroom, Corner of Board and Craven Streets, New Bern, N.C., to adopt a rule to establish procedures for closing waters because of dangers or risks to the public's health or safety. The hearing is open to the public.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comment regarding authority for the MFC to restrict or prohibit the harvest of fish from state coastal waters where warnings or advisories have been issued by the State Health Director. The MFC has developed guidelines, in cooperation with the State Health Director and scientific experts, for determining when a closure is necessary and when reopening the area should be considered. Public comments will also be received on a rule to extend the proclamation authority of the Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries in order to address issues invloving user conflicts.

In October, the State Health Director issued a warning for a section of the Neuse River which had been plagued with fish kills associated with the toxic dinoflagellate, Pfiesteria piscicida. The MFC met in an emergency session to close portions of the Neuse River to the harvest of fish, because the effects of the Pfiesteria on humans is unknown. Although the river has since been reopened for harvesting fish, a system needs to be established for managing similar situations in the future.

For more information contact, Jess Hawkins, Division of Marine Fisheries - Washington, at (919)946-6481 or (800)338-7804.

14 February 1996 MOREHEAD CITY -- The commercial season for striped bass in the Albemarle Sound Management Area will open February 16, 1996. Bruce Freeman, Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), has announced that it is his intention to have striped bass harvest occur only as a bycatch to other types of directed gill net fisheries. Fishermen will be allowed a daily possession of striped bass up to 25 percent of the total day's catch, but not to exceed five striped bass per day. These striped bass must be 18 inches or larger; any undersized fish that are caught should be handled carefully and returned to the water where taken as quickly as possible. By practicing careful release techniques and observing fishing regulations, fishermen help preserve fish for the future.

During this season, the following gill net restrictions will apply to the Albemarle Sound Management Area:

The Albemarle Sound Management Area includes the Albemarle, Currituck, Roanoke and Croatan sounds and all of their joint water tributaries. The commercial season on striped bass in the Albemarle Sound Management Area is scheduled to close at midnight on April 15, 1996.

All dealers must obtain a valid 1995/96 Albemarle Sound Management Area Dealer's Striped Bass Permit. Dealers are also required to place an Albemarle Sound Management Area sales tag through the gill cover on any striped bass they pack for transport, sell or offer for sale.

For more information or to obtain permits and sales tags, contact Captain Monty Willis, DMF Marine Patrol, at (919)796-1322 or (800)405-7774.

14 February 1996 MOREHEAD CITY -- On February 12, Bruce Freeman, Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), presented a plaque to the Commanding General of the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station for the outstanding service provided by the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Unit to acknowledge their valued assistance in the sinking of the 338-foot dredge MARKHAM on an artificial site in the Atlantic Ocean this past fall.

North Carolina has one of the most aggressive artificial reef programs in the nation, with 46 artificial reef sites located along the coast. Artificial reefs provide recreation and enhanced fishing opportunities to thousands of anglers and divers each year. The most popular reef sites are those where large ships have been sunk; however, the sinking of a large vessel that was constructed to carry thousands of tons of cargo and hundreds of crew members can present many unique problems when it comes to sinking the vessel. Water must flood into the vessel from several points, often at different times, to assure the vessel in sunk in the proper position. This is the reason that the DMF has on many occasions requested the services of the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station EOD unit.

On October 20, 1995, DMF personnel along with eleven marines, two airmen and a corpsman, sunk the MARKHAM on N.C. Artificial Reef #386, located 18 miles off the Wilmington coast. Although weather conditions were predicted to be calm, by the time the dredge had been towed out to the reef site, seas were at eight feet and winds were gusting at 20 to 25 knots. Even given these adverse weather conditions, the EOD unit was able to board the MARKHAM, place the explosive charges and disembark within the allotted time frame. More than 212 pounds of C-4 explosive and three 15-pound shape charges were used to blow holes directly in the hull of the ship. The MARKHAM sank in three minutes 41 seconds on her starboard side exactly as planned. For more information on artificial reefs, contact Steve Murphy, DMF - Morehead City, at (919)726-7021 or (800)682-2632.

February 8, 1996 MOREHEAD CITY -- The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries will be holding public meetings in February and March on the Oyster Rehabilitation Program in order to receive suggestions on all aspects of the upcoming shell planting season, including: locations, methods, materials, amounts, and suggestions concerning the establishment of oyster sanctuary areas as proposed by the Blue Ribbon Advisory Council on Oysters.

The meetings is open to the public.

The Division of Marine Fisheries conducts an Oyster Rehabilitation Program each year in which cultch material is placed on estuarine bottom in an effort to enhance oyster production. Oyster larvae attach to the shells and the oysters grow providing new oyster resources. Also being considered are the establishment of Oyster Sanctuaries/Artificial Reefs in which oysters would be protected from any disturbance and allowed to grow as spawning stocks, and the cultch material placed on the sites would also act as artificial reefs for use by recreational fishermen.

The dates and locations of the meetings are:

February 26, 7:30 p.m., Pamlico County Courthouse Commissioners's Room, Bayboro

February 27, 7:00 p.m., Hatteras Village Community Bldg. Highway 12, Hatteras

February 27, 7:00 p.m., Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park Administration Office, Wanchese

February 28, 7:00 p.m., Hyde County Courthouse Agriculture Auditorium, Swan Quarter

March 4, 6:30 p.m., Carteret County Courthouse District Courtroom, Beaufort

Anyone unable to attend the meetings may comment by letter or telephone to Jeff French or Steve Murphey at the Division of Marine Fisheries, PO Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557-0769, 1-800-682-2632, or 919-726-7021.

Febrary 1, 1996 MOREHEAD CITY -- The Fisheries Moratorium Steering Committee will meet on February 8 and 9, 1996 at UNC-Wilmington, Trask Coliseum, Golden Hawk Room, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington. The meeting will begin at 11:00 a.m. on February 8. Parking will be available by the tennis courts at Lot K.

The meeting is open to the public.

The Moratorium Steering Committee was created by the 1994 General Assembly to make recommendations regarding the restructuring of North Carolina's fisheries management system. The committee has been meeting for the last 16 months to put together a set of draft proposals that would bring widespread changes to both commercial and recreational fishing. The committee will continue to meet monthly and public hearings are slated to begin in early summer. Final recommendations will be presented to the General Assembly for the 1997 legislative session.

Last month in Morehead City, the Moratorium Steering Committee began the process of reviewing the preliminary subcommittee recommendations, with much of the discussion centering around licensing issues. The February meeting will focus on the preliminary recommendations from the Marine Fisheries Commission and Gear Subcommittees.

Bob Lucas, Chairman of the Moratorium Steering Committee, was pleased with the public participation at the January meeting and he is hopeful that fishermen and interested citizens will continue to come to the meetings and offer suggestions. " I was so encouraged with the turnout and the atmosphere of January's meeting," said Lucas. "The committee's objective is to restore fisheries, basically to make fishing like it used to be . . . and I truly believe we will accomplish this goal if folks continue to come to our meetings and share their ideas and suggestions."

For more information or to provide comments, contact Mike Street, Division of Marine Fisheries, at (919)726-7021 or (800)682-2632