Contact: Patricia Smith PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULED ON MONKFISH LARGE MESH GILL NET PERMIT
MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public meeting to discuss the Atlantic Ocean monkfish large mesh gill net fishery Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at the division office, 1021 Driftwood Dr., Manteo. The purpose of the meeting is to explain to local fishermen permit requirements and other conditions for participation in the fishery. The fishery is scheduled to open March 16 and will close no later than April 14. The fishery is limited to a specified area between the Virginia state line and Wimble Shoals, located off Avon. The permit will allow for monitoring of the fishery, thereby reducing the threat of gill net interaction with marine mammals or sea turtles, while the traditional monkfish fishery continues in North Carolina. The season will close by proclamation if sea surface temperatures exceed 52 degrees, when sea turtles become more active. The season will also close if interactions with marine mammals or sea turtles occur. For more information, contact Red Munden at (800) 682-2632 or (252) 808-8009. |