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MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION SEEKS ADVISORS FOR A CORE SOUND STAKEHOLDER COMMITTEE
MOREHEAD CITY - The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) is looking for interested individuals to serve on a temporary advisory committee that will help develop recommendations for resolving the moratorium on the issuance of shellfish leases in Core Sound.
Shellfish leases give state residents the exclusive right to grow and harvest shellfish on sites that meet established standards. A moratorium on the issuance of new shellfish leases has been in effect in Core Sound since 1996. Public protests of several lease sites being considered in 1995 led to the moratorium by the NC General Assembly. The MFC is seeking input on ways to amend the standards for issuing shellfish leases to avoid further large-scale protests.
The temporary committee will provide the MFC with perspectives on how shellfish leases can avoid conflict with existing uses of the sound. Knowledge of Core Sound commercial and recreational fisheries, recreation, navigation, and shellfish culture will be the applicant qualifications used to select committee members. It is anticipated that no more than twelve advisors will be selected.
Individuals interested in serving as advisors should be willing to meet several times during December 2001 and January 2002.
Applications are available at Division of Marine Fisheries offices or by calling the MFC staff at 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632. Applications should be returned by November 15, 2001 to the Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557, Attention Jess Hawkins.
OYSTER SEASON TO OPEN OCT. 15
MOREHEAD CITY - North Carolina's oyster season will open at sunrise on Monday, October 15, for both hand and mechanical harvest methods.
According to Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) Director Pres Pate, the mechanical season is opening earlier than usual because of high counts of Dermo, a parasitic disease that has no impact on humans, but can kill oysters before they reach a 3-inch marketable size. The disease has devastated oysters stocks along the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts in recent years.
"Dermo thrives in very warm, salty water," said Pate. "Lack of rainfall and high temperatures, this past summer, created perfect conditions for the disease to spread in coastal waters. By opening the mechanical season earlier, fishermen have the opportunity to harvest the oysters before they are killed by Dermo."
Commercial Restrictions:
- The minimum size limit for oysters is three inches;
- Oysters may be harvested from sunrise to sunset, Monday-Friday;
- Fishermen can hand harvest up to 5 bushels per day and may not exceed 10 bushels per day in any combined fishing operation, regardless of the number of persons or boats involved;
- Fishing operations can mechanically harvest up to 15 bushels per day, regardless of the number of persons or boats involved;
- Oysters may not be transferred from the harvesting vessel to any other vessel; and
- Rakes used to harvest oysters must be 12 inches or less, and can weigh no more than six pounds.
Fishermen should also note that it is unlawful to possess or sell oysters without a harvest tag affixed to each container, except for oysters harvested for personal consumption.
Recreational Restrictions:
- The minimum size limit for oysters is three inches;
- Oysters may be harvested from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week; and
- Recreational fishermen will be allowed to hand-harvest no more than one bushel of oysters per person, per day, with a maximum of two bushels per boat.
For more information about oysters, please contact Craig Hardy at 1-800-682-2632, or Rich Carpenter in Wilmington at 1-800-248-4536.
MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION TO MEET OCTOBER 4AND 5
MOREHEAD CITY -- The Marine Fisheries Commission will hold a business meeting October 4 and 5 at the Best Western in Atlantic Beach.
The meeting is open to the public.
A public hearing and meeting will also be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 3 at the same location.
For more information, contact Jess Hawkins by e-mail at Jess.Hawkins@ncmail.net or by calling 1-800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.