Pamlico Sound Gill Net Restricted Area Meetings Set

[NCangler]

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold three public meetings in January to allow commercial fishermen to provide input into the management of the Pamlico Sound Gillnet Restricted Area.

Blake Price, a biologist in the Division of Marine Fisheries, will review observations and fishermen reports of sea turtle interactions with the gillnet fishery during the 2007 fishing season, and discuss the potential effect those interactions may have on the 2008 season. Specifically, the industry needs to be aware of potential regulatory changes that may require gear modifications such as shorter and shallower nets, and eliminating tie downs.

Fishermen will be asked to discuss their concerns and ideas for the management of the Pamlico Sound Gillnet Restricted Area. The division will provide a summary of industry input to the National Marine Fisheries Service in February.

The meetings are scheduled for:

Jan. 10 at 10 a.m.
South Point Seafood
416 Irvin Garrish Highway
Ocracoke

Jan 10 at 3 p.m.
The Fessenden Center
46830 N.C. Highway 12
Buxton

Jan. 11 at 1 p.m.
Engelhard Seafood
269 Goshew Back Road
Engelhard

For more information, call Price at (800) 682-2632, ext. 8090 or e-mail him at blake.price@ncmail.net.