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Contact: Patricia Smith MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION MEETS MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet Sept. 23-25 at the Clam Digger Inn in Pine Knoll Shores. Agenda items include the discussion and possible adoption of interim management measures for southern flounder and spotted seatrout. The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is developing fishery management plans for both species that will recommend permanent rules when completed. The commission will discuss adopting temporary measures until permanent rules are completed. Proposed interim measures for southern flounder include recommendations for gear specific commercial season closures and increased size and decreased bag limits for recreational fishermen. Proposed interim measures for spotted seatrout include increasing the size limit from 12-to-14 inches for recreational and/or commercial fisheries. Other agenda items for the meeting include: The commission’s business meeting begins at 9 a.m. Sept. 24 and 8:30 a.m. Sept. 25 at the Clam Digger Inn in Pine Knoll Shores. The commission will also conduct a public meeting session at 6 p.m. Sept. 23 at the same location to accept comments from anyone interested in speaking on state marine fisheries issues. For more information, contact Kelly Mullen in the MFC Office at (252) 808-8022 or [email protected]. A separate public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 24 to accept comments on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Draft Addendum IV to Amendment 4 to the Interstate Weakfish Management Plan. The draft addendum proposes a range of options to reduce fishing mortality, including complete harvest moratoria or limited, bycatch only fisheries. For more information on this public hearing, contact Lee Paramore, a biologist with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, at (252) 473-5734 or [email protected]. |