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Contact: Patricia Smith MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING SET MOREHEAD CITY – The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission will hold a meeting via conference call at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23 in the upstairs conference at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries headquarters, 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a proposed two-week extension of the commercial southern flounder fishing season. The southern flounder season normally closes after Nov. 30, under state management measures adopted in 2005. The commission is considering the action at the request of the commercial fishing industry because of circumstances that have resulted in poor flounder landings this fall. The circumstances are similar to those in 2007 when the commission agreed to a two-week extension of the southern flounder season. According to the fishermen, water temperatures have been unseasonably warm, causing the fish to stay in the upper estuaries and rivers later than normal. Additionally, unusual amount of animal grass (Sauerkraut bryozoan) moved from offshore into inshore waters, clogging fishermen’s nets and hindering fishing. An early closure of the Pamlico Sound Gill Net Restricted Area, due to sea turtle interactions, reduced flounder landings, as well. Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting should sign in at the front desk at the division headquarters. For more information, contact division Public Information Officer Patricia Smith at (252) 808-8025 or [email protected]. |