Public Hearings Set On Proposed Rules Affecting Ocean Striped Bass Fishery

[NCangler]

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will hold four public hearings this month on several proposed rules affecting the commercial ocean striped bass fishery.

As ocean striped bass populations have improved, more fishermen have entered the fishery resulting in greater competition and conflicts between them.

Among the proposed rules are those that authorize the commission to establish an Atlantic Ocean Striped Bass Commercial Gear permit that requires fishermen to choose which of three commercial gear types they will use in the fishery for three consecutive years. The proposed rules set the price of the permit at $10 per year.

The proposed rules also establish a definition for “beach seine” to address conflicts between fishermen in the striped bass fishery and clarify that possession of ocean striped bass is prohibited on trawlers except during open ocean striped bass trawl season.

Additionally, public comment will be taken on proposed rules that:
· Codify gear restrictions and harvest quotas to comply with a no-take provision on river herring adopted in the N.C. River Herring Fishery Management Plan and implemented earlier this year by proclamation;
· Clarify boundaries where gill nets are not allowed in Albemarle Sound;
· Expand the scope and definition of primary nursery areas and secondary nursery areas to meet goals of the N.C. Coastal Habitat Protection Plan;
· Designate anadromous fish spawning areas and their boundaries under the jurisdiction of the Marine Fisheries Commission;
· Codify a statutory change that allows the Marine Fisheries Commission to exempt those who participate in organized fishing events held that meet certain conservation objectives.

Hearing dates are set for:
· Tuesday, June 19 at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, 374 Airport Road, Manteo;
· Wednesday, June 20 at Swain Auditorium, 101 Court St., Edenton;
· Thursday, June 21 at Orringer Auditorium, Craven Community College, 800 College Court, New Bern;
· Monday, June 25 at Holiday Inn Raleigh-Brownstone Downtown, 1707 Hillsborough St., Raleigh.
All hearings will begin at 6 p.m.

For more information contact Nancy Fish with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries at (252) 726-7021 or (800) 682-2632.