THE MFC ADVISOR

Marine Fisheries Commission Business Meeting
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
Feb. 2 - 3, 2006


The Marine Fisheries Commission and the Division of Marine Fisheries continue to look for ways to keep committee advisors and the public informed about commission activities. It is our intent to publish the MFC Advisor after each business meeting, summarizing the meeting, and providing a list of motions and rulemaking proceedings. Hopefully, this bulletin will keep you better informed about commission activities. Your comments regarding this update are always appreciated – please contact Nancy Fish by e-mail at nancy.fish@ncmail.net or by phone at 252-726-7021 or 1-800-682-2632.

The MFC held a business meeting Feb. 2 - 3 at the Clarion Hotel in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The business meeting was called to order followed by an invocation. The following members were in attendance: Mac Currin - Chairman, Dr. B.J. Copeland – Vice Chairman, Charlie Adams, David Beresoff, Dr. Barbara Garrity-Blake, Bryan Gillikin, David Hilton, Rusty Russ and Bradley Styron.

Motions and Actions
The MFC recognized the contribution of DMF staffer Jess Hawkins, who serves as the MFC liaison and is retiring from state government after 30 years of dedicated service.

Motion to approve minutes from the November MFC meeting – passed unanimously.

Motion to approve agenda for current meeting – passed unanimously.

Advisor Appointments
The following advisory committee assignments were made:
Habitat and Water Quality – Dr. Mark Brinson (Greenville), Terry Pratt (Merry Hill), Tom Ellis (Raleigh)
Shellfish - Troy Alphin (Wilmington), Raymond Graham (Newport), Nelson Lee (Hobucken)
Finfish - Jeff McBane (Beaufort), Dr. Chuck Manooch (Morehead)
Crustacean – Dr. Terry West (Greenville), Earl Sadler, Sr. (Lowland), Floyd Holadia (Engelhard)
Inland – Buzz Bryson (Cary), Joe Hall (Raleigh), Dr. Jim Rice (Raleigh)
Northeast – Brian Horsley (Nags Head), Damon Tatem (Kill Devil Hills)
Central – Ron McPherson (Atlantic Beach), Dean Lamont (Emerald Isle)
Southeast – Brian Shepard (Sneads Ferry), Jeff Wolfe (Wilmington), Jack Cozort (Topsail Beach)
River Herring Fishery Management Plan – Michelle Hollowell (Manns Harbor)

2006 Fisheries Forum
The MFC will hold a joint meeting with N.C. Sea Grant at the Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern on March 14 beginning at 9 a.m. All advisors are encouraged to attend and participate in discussions on pubic perception of the MFC and funding priorities for the Coastal Recreational Fishing License. Presentations will also be given on the Fishery Resource Grant and the Blue Crab Research programs.

Committee Recommendations
Motion to send a letter to the consulting firm hired by the National Park Service stating there should have been more fishing representation on the negotiated rulemaking process for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore access– passed unanimously.

Motion to endorse the Northeast Advisory Committee’s recommendation of status quo for the proposed ASMFC Eel FMP Addendum 1– passed unanimously.

Motion to authorize the MFC’s Conservation Fund Committee to spend up to $10,000 on original art and print production for a fish print to generate monies to put back into the conservation fund. The committee will report back to the MFC with the exact amount needed for expenditures – passed unanimously.

River Herring Rules
Motion to resuspend the rules for the river herring quota and recreational bag limit 03M.0513 (B) and (D) to allow implementation of temporary management measures – passed unanimously.

Undersea Warfare Training Range
The U.S. Navy gave a presentation on a proposed sonar training facility they would like to base offshore of Onslow County. The MFC has expressed concerns about the proposed testing range.

Council Appointments
Motion to submit the following names as candidates for the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council at-large seat: Jess Hawkins (preferred), Billy Byrd, Frank Folb and Dennis Spitsbergen – passed unanimously.

Motion to submit the following names as candidates for the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council at-large seat, without preference: Mac Currin, Bryan Gillikin, Bernie McCants and Norm Bradford – passed unanimously.

Draft Kingfish Fishery Management Plan
Motion to approve draft Kingfish FMP goals and objectives – passed unanimously.

Motion to approve the public information brochure for the draft Kingfish FMP –passed unanimously.

Snapper-Grouper
By consensus, the MFC agreed to send a letter to National Marine Fisheries Service acknowledging the more moderate proposals put forth by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, but expressing concern about the accuracy of the data used in the latest snapper-grouper stock assessment.
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan
Motion to approve the CHPP Annual Report – passed unanimously.

Striped Bass Commercial Ocean Fishery
Motion to support legislative initiative to require fishermen to declare which gear they will use in the commercial ocean striped bass fishery – passed unanimously.

Sharks
Motion to endorse pursuing litigation against National Marine Fisheries Service regarding coastal shark management measures – passed unanimously.

Summer Flounder
Motion to send a letter to Toni Kerns, with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, opposing Addendum XVIII to the Summer Flounder FMP, which proposes to allow N.Y., Conn. and Mass. To use recreational poundage from states that do not harvest their quota – passed unanimously.

Upcoming MFC Meetings 2006:
April 27-28 Wilmington
June 27-28 Raleigh
Sept. 28-29 Central/Morehead City area
Nov. 30-Dec.1 Hatteras area