Contact: Patricia Smith
Phone: (252) 726-7021
Date: July 9, 2010

Marine Fisheries Commission Extends Application Deadline for Sea Turtle Committee

MOREHEAD CITY - The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission has extended the application deadline for a Sea Turtle Advisory Committee for another week.

The commission is looking for individuals to serve on the committee to provide advice on various issues related to sea turtles. By extending the deadline, the commission hopes to receive more applications from commercial fishermen in the Core Sound and Pamlico Sound areas where more interactions between gill nets and sea turtles have been observed.

Duties of this committee will include, but are not limited to:

• Reviewing sea turtle observer reports;
• Devising means for fishermen to report sea turtle interactions;
• Assisting with fishermen education;
• Determining measures to reduce the incidental take of sea turtles;
  Monitoring observer program issues; and
• Reviewing all future Incidental Take Permit provisions and take calculations prior to submittal of formal applications to the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Individuals interested in serving as advisers should be willing to attend meetings at least once every two months and actively participate in the committee process. Advisers will be reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in relation to their official duties.

The Marine Fisheries Commission chairman appoints committee members for three-year terms.

Adviser applications are available online at http://www.ncfisheries.net/mfc/advisorforms.html or by calling (252) 808-8022 or (800) 682-2632. Applications should be returned by 5 p.m. July 16 to the Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557, Attention: Kelly Mullen.