Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: Nov. 20, 2009
Phone: (252) 726-7021

SITES ADDED FOR ACCESS TO MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION MEETING

MOREHEAD CITY – More sites have been added for the public to listen to a N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission conference call Monday morning.

The public may listen to the conference call at:

N.C. Division of
Marine Fisheries
3441 Arendell St.
Morehead City
(252) 726-7021

N.C. Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Regional Office
127 Cardinal Dr.
Wilmington
(910)796-7215

N.C. Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Regional Office
Washington Square Mall
Washington
(252) 946-6481

The conference call begins at 10 a.m. Members of the public should sign in at the front desk of the respective offices.

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 amounts of animal grass (Sauerkraut bryozoan) moved from offshore to 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].