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ADDITIONAL SHRIMP MEETING TO BE ADDED TO SCHEDULE
MOREHEAD CITY – Beaufort is a location added to a series of summer public meetings to discuss the draft Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. This meeting was requested by shrimp fisherman. Closing additional North Carolina inshore waters to trawling and establishing a recreational limit for shrimp harvest are among a list of actions being considered.
Since January 2004, an advisory group of commercial fishermen, recreational anglers and scientists, along with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, have been developing a fishery management plan for shrimp. Management plans are required for all of the state’s significant fisheries. These plans describe the nature and problems of a fishery, along with long-term regulatory recommendations to address any problems and ultimately conserve that fishery. Fishery management plans use all available scientific information that applies to the species and its fisheries.
Shrimp support a significant Tar Heel fishery, bringing in 4.8 million pounds to state docks, valued at $9.4 million in 2004. While the actual stock is viable, there is concern about the environmental impact of otter trawls, bycatch of other species, effect of imports and competition among user groups. The advisory group and the NCDMF were able to reach consensus on the majority of management recommendations in the plan.
Highlights of the proposed management changes include:
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the following location:
August 12
Duke Marine Lab Auditorium
Pivers Island
Visit http://www.ncdmf.net/news/NR2K5/NR-31-05.htm to view the locations of the other shrimp meetings
The Marine Fisheries Commission will vote on which proposals to include in the draft Shrimp Fishery Management Plan at its August 30-31 business meeting in Atlantic Beach.
Visit http://www.ncdmf.net/fmps/index.html to download a copy of the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. For more information about these meetings, please contact Jess Hawkins by e-mail at Jess.Hawkins@ncmail.net or by calling 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.
BIG MONEY AVALIABLE FOR BOATING FACILITIES
MOREHEAD CITY - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced another round of grants to help improve docking facilities for recreational transient, non-trailerable boats along the navigable waterways of the United States for federal FiscalYear 2006.
The grants are part of the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program authorized by the Sportfishing and Boating Partnership Act of 1998 and funded by excise taxes on motorboat fuel.
The BIG program provides states with funding for mooring buoys, day-docks, transient slips, safe harbor facilities (including temporary safe anchorage or a harbor of refuge during a storm), floating and fixed piers and breakwaters, dinghy docks, restrooms, retaining walls, bulkheads, dockside utilities, pumpout stations, trash collections and recycling facilities, dockside electric, water and telephone capabilities, navigational aids and marine fueling stations.
“This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties between communities and recreational boaters, and promote economic growth by providing enhanced public access,” said Maury Wolff, the BIG coordinator for North Carolina. “We encourage private marinas, municipalities and local governments to review the grant guidelines and criteria and take advantage of this program to improve their recreational boating facilities and boost their economy,” said Wolff.
BIG program funds are distributed each year over a four-year period. To ensure that each state gets a share, funding is provided on a two-tiered basis. For tier one grants, all states get at least $100,000 per grant cycle as long as their proposals meet the program’s guidelines. Tier-2 projects are designated for larger, more expensive projects and are awarded on a nation-wide competitive basis.
BIG transient facilities must be built in waters deep enough for boats 26 feet and larger to navigate at a minimum of six feet of depth at low tide. One-time dredging will be allowed to provide access between open water and a tie-up facility.
For information about grant availability in North Carolina’s coastal waters, please contact Maury Wolff, North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, by mail at P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557; by phone at 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632; or via e-mail at maury.wolff@ncmail.net. The deadline for applications is Sept. 8, 2005.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kim Iverson
July 21, 2005
Public Information Officer
Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10 or 843/571-4366
kim.iverson@safmc.net
COUNCIL SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR FISHERY ADVISORY PANELS
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking applicants to serve on its advisory panels to provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of fishery management plans. The Council has 15 separate advisory panels composed of individuals who are engaged in the harvest of, or are knowledgeable and interested in the conservation and management of the fishery or group of fishes to be managed. Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, conservationists, scientists, and concerned citizens.
Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council and serve for a three-year period, based on the frequency of meetings. As those appointments expire, members currently serving on the AP can reapply for their positions. These seats also become open to new applicants. AP members generally meet no more than once or twice each year and are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings. Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:
Habitat & Environmental NC - 1 Commercial Seat
Protection AP GA - 1 Conservation Seat
Snapper Grouper AP NC - 1 Commercial Seat
If you are interested in serving as a member on the Council's advisory panels, please submit an application to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, One Southpark Circle, Suite 306, Charleston, SC 29407-4699. Applications can be obtained by contacting the Council office or online at www.safmc.net.
Advisory panel members will be selected during the next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, scheduled for September 19-23, 2005 in Charleston, South Carolina. Applications must be received by August 25, 2005.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils, conserves and manages fish stocks from three to 200 miles offshore of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida.
Contact: Nancy Fish, Marine Fisheries
Date: July 13, 2005
Phone: (252) 726-7021
ADDITIONAL SHRIMP MEETINGS ADDED TO SUMMER SCHEDULE
MOREHEAD CITY – Sneads Ferry and Goldsboro, are locations added to a series of summer public meetings to discuss the draft Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. Closing additional North Carolina inshore waters to trawling and establishing a recreational limit for shrimp harvest are among a list of actions being considered.
Since January 2004, an advisory group of commercial fishermen, recreational anglers and scientists, along with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, have been developing a fishery management plan for shrimp. Management plans are required for all of the state’s significant fisheries. These plans describe the nature and problems of a fishery, along with long-term regulatory recommendations to address any problems and ultimately conserve that fishery. Fishery management plans use all available scientific information that applies to the species and its fisheries.
Shrimp support a significant Tar Heel fishery, bringing in 4.8 million pounds to state docks, valued at $9.4 million in 2004. While the actual stock is viable, there is concern about the environmental impact of otter trawls, bycatch of other species, effect of imports and competition among user groups. The advisory group and the NCDMF were able to reach consensus on the majority of management recommendations in the plan.
Highlights of the proposed management changes include:
All meetings begin at 6 p.m. at the following locations:
July 28
Dixon High School Cafeteria
Sneads Ferry
August 15
Wayne Center
208 West Chestnut Street
Goldsboro
Visit http://www.ncdmf.net/news/NR2K5/NR-31-05.htm to view the locations of the other shrimp meetings
The Marine Fisheries Commission will vote on which proposals to include in the draft Shrimp Fishery Management Plan at its August 30-31 business meeting in Atlantic Beach.
Visit http://www.ncdmf.net/fmps/index.html to download a copy of the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. For more information about these meetings, please contact Jess Hawkins by e-mail at Jess.Hawkins@ncmail.net or by calling 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.
Contact: Nancy Fish, Marine Fisheries
Date: July 14, 2005
Phone: (252) 726-7021
MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION SEEKS BAY SCALLOP ADVISORS
MOREHEAD CITY - The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission is looking for interested individuals to serve as advisors in developing the Bay Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
The advisory committee will be composed of representatives from the commercial, recreational and scientific communities to assist in developing long-term management goals for bay scallops.
FMPs include information on the nature and concerns of the fishery, habitat and water quality issues, and status of the stock. The goal of the FMP will be to develop management options for the stocks to address issues and concerns. Options may include restrictions on gear, harvest, and when and where bay scalloping can occur. The FMP will be prepared by the Division of Marine Fisheries.
Individuals interested in serving as advisors should be willing to attend meetings at least once every two months and actively participate in the committee process. Advisors will be reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in relation to their official duties.
Advisor applications are available at Division of Marine Fisheries' offices or by calling 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632. The advisory committee is scheduled to begin meeting in September. Applications should be returned by August 5 to the Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, North Carolina 28557, Attention: Jess Hawkins.
For information about bay scallops and the advisory committee process, please contact Tina Moore by e-mail at tina.moore@ncmail.net or Trish Murphey by e-mail at trish.murphey@nc.mail.net or by calling 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632.
Contact: Nancy Fish, Marine Fisheries
Date: July 6, 2005
Phone: (252) 726-7021
MARINE PATROL ANNOUNCES NEW HIRE
MOREHEAD CITY - The N.C. Marine Patrol, law enforcement branch of the state Division of Marine Fisheries, has added a new officer to its ranks.
Jimmy Tyer is a new field officer working in the Avon / Dare County area. Prior to his employment with Marine Patrol, Tyer worked as a police officer with the Belhaven Police Department. He was also employed as a deputy sheriff and correction officer in Hyde County.
The Marine Patrol has 59 sworn law enforcement officer positions along the coast and its jurisdiction includes all coastal waters extending to 3 miles offshore, and out to 200 miles offshore for some federally regulated species. Officers monitor 2.5 million acres of water and over 4,000 miles of coastline. Along with inspecting commercial and recreational boats, Marine Patrol officers also check seafood markets, fish dealers, restaurants, piers, beaches and vehicles carrying seafood.
For more information, please contact Colonel Joe Lynch, N.C. Marine Patrol, by e-mail at joe.lynch@ncmail.net or by phone at 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632.
(Click on photo for larger version)
Contact: Nancy Fish, Marine Fisheries
Date: July 1, 2005
Phone: (252) 726-7021
SHRIMP MEETINGS PLANNED THIS SUMMER
MOREHEAD CITY – Closing additional North Carolina inshore waters to trawling and establishing a recreational limit for shrimp harvest are among a list of actions proposed in the draft Shrimp Fishery Management Plan being discussed during a series of public meetings in July and August.
Since January 2004, an advisory group of commercial fishermen, recreational anglers and scientists, along with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, have been developing a fishery management plan for shrimp. Management plans are required for all of the state’s significant fisheries. These plans describe the nature and problems of a fishery along with long-term regulatory recommendations to address any problems and ultimately conserve that fishery. Fishery management plans use all available scientific information that applies to the species and its fisheries.
Shrimp support a significant Tar Heel fishery, bringing in 4.8 million pounds to state docks, valued at $9.4 million. While the actual stock is viable, there is concern about the environmental impact of otter trawls, bycatch of other species, effect of imports and competition among user groups. The advisory group and the NCDMF were able to reach consensus on the majority of management recommendations
Highlights of the proposed management changes include:
Two-year phase out of otter trawls in New River and replace with skimmer trawls
All meetings begin at 6 p.m.
July 12
Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources' Regional Office
127 Cardinal Drive Ext.
Wilmington
July 18
Craven County Agricultural Extension Center
300 Industrial Drive
New Bern
July 20
Hyde/Davis Business Enterprise Center
33460 U.S. 264
Engelhard
July 21
One Festival Park
Manteo
July 26
Duke Marine Lab Auditorium
Pivers Island
Beaufort
July 27
Cooperative Extension Training Room
Building N, Boliva Government Complex
Boliva
July 28
Sneads Ferry
August 2
Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources' Regional Office
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington
August 4
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Ground Floor Hearing Room, Archdale Building
Raleigh
August 15
Wayne Center
Goldsboro
The Marine Fisheries Commission will vote on which proposals to include in the draft Shrimp Mullet Fishery Management Plan at its August 30-31 business meeting in Atlantic Beach.
For more information about these meetings, please contact Jess Hawkins by e-mail at Jess.Hawkins@ncmail.net or by calling 1-800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.