THE MFC ADVISOR
Marine Fisheries
Commission Business Meeting
Kill Devil Hills,
North Carolina
The Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) and the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) 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, actions, and rulemaking proceedings. Agenda items are listed in bold type to assist in navigating the document. Hopefully, this bulletin will keep you better informed about commission activities. Your comments regarding this update re 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 October 11-13 at the Clarion Hotel in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The business meeting was called to order followed by an invocation. A roll call was conducted and the following members were in attendance: Jimmy Johnson Chairman, Bryan Gillikin - Vice Chairman, Charlie Adams, Dr. B.J. Copeland, Mac Currin, Dr. Barbara Garrity-Blake, Rusty Russ, Tilman Gray and Bradley Styron attended the meeting on October 13, 2004.
Motion:
Motion was made to accept the
minutes from the last meeting motion passed unanimously.
Comments during the public meeting on October 11th
and during the public comment period on October 12th were made by:
Jerry Schill encouraged
caution in using models when doing fishery management plans, drawing
comparisons with models that track hurricanes.
He said if the MFCs only concern is the fish, then they should stop all
fishing. Mr. Schill said the MFC had an
obligation to consider the issues raised at the socio / economic workshop and
to publicize the workshop.
Bill Mandulak- representing the Coastal Conservation Association, (CCA) expressed support for an eight fish bag limit, 14-inch size limit and a commercial seasonal closure that would allow recovery of the southern flounder stock. He expressed concerns about the depressed river herring population. He stated that the red drum commercial fishery should continue as a bycatch fishery. He also supported eliminating high grading striped bass in the Atlantic Ocean commercial fishery.
Willie Etheridge- expressed a desire to have a summary of the socio-economic workshop.
Chris Elkins- stated that he supported immediate regulations on southern flounder.
Robert McBride- stated that the number of pound nets have declined during the years 2000 thru 2003. He stated that the Hatteras area had 1/5th of the pound net effort it did in 2000.
Dewey Hemilright- expressed concerns about chemically treated yellowfin tuna marketed in North Carolina. He feels the state needs to educate the public about the difference between fresh and chemically treated tuna. He stated that North Carolina is the number one state landing yellowfin tuna.
James Fletcher- advocated changing the rules that apply to the license to land flounder, allowing licenses to be pooled for trip limits. He also spoke in support encouraging aquaculture, shifting harvest strategies away from larger fish and also expressed concern about estrogen and heart medication effecting water quality and the cycles of fish.
Terry Pratt- representing the Roanoke Wildlife Club, spoke in opposition to the salt-water recreational fishing license. He also spoke, representing himself, about the abundance of river herring in the Albemarle Sound, saying they were more abundant than DMF data indicated.
Duke Spencer suggested having a blanket charter boat salt-water fishing license. He spoke against the $1.00 seven-day license. He also requested that a seven-day hook and line season for striped bass in Albemarle Sound.
Michelle Duval encouraged MFC to be a strong advocate for the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan, (CHPP).
Recognition of MFC Commissioner Norm Bradford Chairman Johnson presented a plaque of appreciation to Norm Bradford, former MFC commissioner for his contributions towards conservation of the fishery resources of North Carolina. Commissioner Bradford expressed his gratitude towards fellow commission members and DMF staff.
2005 Meeting Schedule
Feb 3, 4
April 21, 22
June 28, 29
Aug 30, 31
Nov 17, 18
Primary Nursery Area Rule Suspension Mallard Bay - MOTION TO SUSPEND PRIMARY NURSERY RULE (MALLARD BAY) MOTION PASSED WITHOUT DISSENT
Draft Blue Crab FMP Update - plan will be submitted to Secretary of the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources.
Status of Stormwater Rules Legal Complaint will file amicus brief shortly.
MFC Committee Assignments Commissioner Charlie Adams will be co-chair of the
Crustacean Committee.
MFC Rules Update southern flounder temporary
rules are effective. Rules restricting oyster mechanical harvest to depths
generally greater than six feet in the bays and Striped Bass FMP rules will be
effective November 1, 2004.
Dogfish Compliance Advisory Panel applications are being accepted now. This panel of advisors will advise whether
the MFC should comply with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)
dogfish measures.
River Herring FMP Advisors letters have been sent to former River Herring FMP
committee members to determine if they want to continue serving.
Voting Privileges of Advisors Who Serve on MFC, FMP
and Regional/Standing Committees the
MFC decided to continue to allow advisors that serve on both FMP and standing /
regional committees to vote on each committee.
Caswell Beach Resolution on Menhaden the MFC reached consensus to send a letter to the
town replying to their resolution, with no regulatory action.
Reports were given on all the
various MFC and FMP committee activities.
Habitat and Water Quality
Motion TO SEND A
LETTER TO THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS REGARDING LOCK AND DAM NO. 1, 2 AND 3,
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Shellfish Committee
decided to continue pursuing the Oyster FMP amendment #2 for
review.
Motion: TO SEND OYSTER FMP AMENDMENT 2 TO REGIONAL COMMITTEES FOR REVIEW. MOTION PASSED WITHOUT DISSENT.
The MFC discussed whether to perform two studies allowed by
statutes on corporate leases and lease pools.
The two issues were recommended by the MFC Shellfish Committee and later
endorsed by the MFC to be addressed by the General Assembly.
Motion: BJ COPELAND MADE A MOTION TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE
JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON SEAFOOD AND AQUACULTURE SAYING THERE IS NO NEED
TO DO THE STUDIES. SECONDED BY BRYAN
GILLIKIN. MOTION PASSED WITHOUT
DISSENT.
Finfish Committee
The MFC discussed at length managing the Atlantic Ocean
striped bass beach seine fishery. A
draft proclamation was endorsed which would define beach seines like the seines
traditionally used in the fisheries.
Northeast Committee
The Northeast Committee had passed a motion asking the MFC
to pursue pay equalization for DMFs biologists and technicians. CONSENSUS - The MFC agreed by
consensus to send a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources. The Northeast
Committee had also requested that the MFC continue to pursue the establishment
of a violation point system. CONSENSUS
- The MFC agreed by consensus to send a letter to the Joint Legislative
Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture asking them to continue to pursue the
violation point system.
Conservation Fund Committee Discussed uses of monies in the MFC Conservation Fund.
Motion: BY MAC CURRIN TO AUTHORIZE THE DMF TO SPEND UP TO $13,000 TO REPRINT THE ANGLING GUIDE. SECONDED BY BRYAN GILLIKIN. MOTION PASSED WITHOUT DISSENT.
·
The MFC received
a presentation from the DMF on the Pamlico Sound gill net restricted area
monitoring.
·
The MFC discussed
potential priorities for the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (CHPP), which has
been drafted to protect fisheries habitat.
·
The MFC discussed
increasing the commercial harvest limits for red drum. They decided to wait for the Red Drum FMP
revision that is slated to begin in July 2005 before considering modifying
harvest limits. The division will
perform a stock assessment in 2005. The
ASMFC does not plan to do a stock assessment until 2008.
·
The MFC received
the 2003 stock assessment for the striped bass in Albemarle Sound. The stock has recovered and over-fishing is
not occurring. Gill net discards remain
relatively high during January April and December, primarily from small mesh
nets.
·
Dewey Hemilwright
presented concerns on federal shark management off North Carolina. He and other shark fisherman asked the MFC
for help in addressing proposed NMFS shark management measures.
Motion: TO ADOPT
MEDIATION POLICY, INCLUDING ANY MODIFICATIONS, TO BE INCLUDED IN BYLAWS BY
BARBARA GARRITY-BLAKE, SECONDED BY TILMAN GRAY. MOTION PASSED, WITH MAC CURRIN ABSTAINING.
The MFC discussed adopting a resolution to support funding mediation to solve social conflicts.
Motion: BY BARBARA GARRITY-BLAKE, SECONDED BY TILMAN GRAY, TO ADOPT
MEDIATION RESOLUTION SEEKING FUNDING.
MOTION WAS DEFEATED 2-6.
Motion:
BY BJ COPELAND - 5 1/2 STRETCHED
MESH ON GILL NETS; 5 3/4 STRETCHED MESH ESCAPE PANEL ON POUND NETS; 1000 YD
DISTANCE BETWEEN NEW AND EXISTING POUND NETS; 200 YD DISTANCE BETWEEN GILL NETS
AND POUND NETS (EXCEPT FROM AUG 15 - DEC 1, FIVE HUNDRED YARD DISTANCE BETWEEN
GILL NETS AND POUND NETS IN ALBEMARLE SOUND); RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL
FISHING CLOSURE PERIOD FROM DEC 1 - MAR 31; 8 FISH BAG LIMIT FOR REC; 14 SIZE
LIMIT FOR REC; 3000 YD LIMIT ON GILL NETS; REVISIT STOCK STATUS IN 3
YEARS. SECONDED BY BRYAN GILLIKIN. MOTION PASSED 5-4. THE CHAIRMAN VOTED IN OPPOSITION TO THE MOTION.
Motion:
BY BRYAN GILLIKIN TO REQUIRE GIGS TO HAVE RCGL OR OTHER APPROPRIATE
LICENSE. SECONDED BY BJ COPELAND. MOTION PASSED WITHOUT DISSENT.
Motion
- BY MAC CURRIN TO REQUIRE ATTENDANCE OF LARGE MESH RCGL GEAR
AT ALL TIMES. SECONDED BY RUSTY
RUSS. MOTION PASSED 5-3.
Motion - BY RUSTY RUSS, SECONDED BY BJ COPELAND TO ESTABLISH A STAKEHOLDERS GROUP TO ADDRESS INTERACTIONS AND MANAGEMENT BETWEEN LARGE MESH ESTUARINE GILL NETS AND HIGH PROFILE SPECIES. MOTION PASSED WITHOUT DISSENT.
Motion
- BY BJ COPELAND, SECONDED BY TILMAN GRAY TO ENDORSE RESEARCH
RE SHRIMP TRAWL BYCATCH AND THAT THE SHRIMP FMP ADDRESS FLOUNDER DISCARDS. MOTION PASSED WITHOUT DISSENT.
Motion
- BY MAC CURRIN TO ENDORSE 4-INCH TAILBAG IN CRAB TRAWLS
STATEWIDE. SECONDED BY CHARLIE
ADAMS. MOTION DEFEATED 5-4. (CHAIRMAN VOTED TO BREAK TIE TO REMAIN
CONSISTENT WITH BLUE CRAB FMP)
Motion - BY BRYAN GILLIKIN, SECONDED BY BRADLEY STYRON TO
ENDORSE 4 IN TAILBAG ON WESTERN PART OF SOUND, 3 IN ON THE EASTERN SIDE IN CRAB
TRAWLS. MOTION PASSED 5-3.
Motion - TO ENDORSE RESEARCH TO TEST THE FEASIBILITY OF USING
BIODEGRADABLE PANELS AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FLATFISH EXCLUDERS IN POTS BY BJ
COPELAND, SECONDED BY BRYAN GILLIKIN. MOTION PASSED WITHOUT DISSENT.
Motion - BY MAC CURRIN, SECONDED BY BJ COPELAND TO NOT ENDORSE
FUNDING FOR PILOT RESEARCH ON THE FEASIBILITY OF SOUTHERN FLOUNDER STOCK
ENHANCEMENT AT THIS TIME. MOTION PASSED
WITHOUT DISSENT.
Environmental Factors -
Motion BY BARBARA GARRITY-BLAKE, SECONDED
BY RUSTY RUSS TO ENDORSE THE HABITAT PROTECTION MANAGEMENT MEASURES. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Motion - TO SEND FLOUNDER FMP TO THE DENR SECRETARY BY BRYAN
GILLIKIN, SECONDED BY BJ COPELAND.
MOTION PASSED 5-3.
Provisional Measures consensus not to implement
provisional measures for the Southern Flounder FMP.
Preston Pate updated MFC members on progress the DMF has made on
implementing a saltwater recreational fishing license. Representatives of the winter flounder trawl
fishery have asked to be allowed to combine licenses to land flounder on a
single vessel and then allow those vessels multiple trip limits. The DMF agreed to survey holders of a
license to land flounder to determine their preference.
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission the ASMFC is examining options on allocation of
summer flounder to the states. The
ASMFC will hold three meetings in N.C. to discuss the options.
Meeting Adjourned.
MFC Meetings for 2004: