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NCFA Weekly Update for March 18, 2024

The South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC) met the first full week of March in Jekyll Island, Georgia. The main items discussed at this meeting were king and Spanish mackerel tournament sales, Black Sea bass, red snapper, for-hire reporting, and the commercial permitting structure in the snapper grouper fishery. King and Spanish mackerel tournament sales were discussed by the council but no votes were taken on this issue. It is my understanding that the council wants to wait and see what the public has to say about tournament sales and many other mackerel related issues at the upcoming mackerel port meetings before making any decisions. As always if you have any questions or comment please reach out. more, >>click to read<< 10:46

NCFA Weekly Update for March 11, 2024

I was recently forwarded a copy of the CCA NC’s newsletter Tidelines which included a recap of the February 2024 meeting of the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC). There was one item from their recap which I found particularly interesting  titled “Issues from Commissioners.” During the Issues from Commissioners portion of the MFC agenda, Commissioners are allowed to put forward issues they’d like to discuss at future meetings or request clarification or information, from Division staff, on issues of personal concern to them.  During this portion of the February 2024 meeting, three commissioners, Robert McNeil, Mike Blanton, and Tom Roller, chose to bring forward personal issues to the Commission. >>click to read<< Weekly Update for March 11, 2024 15:50

NCFA WEEKLY UPDATE FOR February 19, 2024

Proposed shrimp trawl area closures to “protect” submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). Once again, the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will be discussing adopting further regulations for North Carolina’s shrimp trawl fishery. At the February MFC meeting they will be reviewing recommendations from the Division of Marine Fisheries to close numerous areas to shrimp trawling to “protect” SAV. While the NCFA shares fishermen’s concerns over the areas DMF wants to close to trawling our primary concerns are not with the specific areas DMF wishes to close. Our concerns are, first, are the areas closures, any of them, necessary, and second, is the process proposed for implementing these closures, specifically proclamation authority, legal? Are these closures necessary? more, >>click to read<< 13:03

NCFA WEEKLY UPDATE FOR JANUARY 31, 2023

Snapper Grouper Discard Mortality Reduction & Private Rec. Permitting

(Amendments 35 & 46)

SOUTHERN SHRIMP ALLIANCE NEEDS YOUR HELP

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

The last year or so the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC) has been working on multiple Snapper Grouper Amendments. Amendments 35 and 46 were voted on and approved for scoping and public comment at the December SAFMC meeting. Informational webinars with opportunities to provide public comment for both amendments are scheduled soon (Amendment 46 webinar is scheduled for January 30th and February 6th at 6pm and Amendment 35 webinar is scheduled for January 31st at 6pm). Links below.

Amendment 35 looks at two actions:

1.    Reducing the acceptable biological catch, total annual catch limit, and sector annual catch limits while also establishing an annual optimum yield for South Atlantic Red Snapper.

2.    Prohibit the use of more than one hook per line for the Snapper Grouper recreational sector.

The short history background for Amendment 35 is South Atlantic Red Snapper have been in a rebuilding plan since 2011, the stock is deemed overfished with overfishing occurring. This all means that Red Snapper annual harvest levels must be lowered. Usually, a few years of lower harvests would be enough to rebuild a stock, but since, according to SAFMC staff, “overfishing of red snapper is being primarily driven by high numbers of dead discards by the recreational sector”, I do not think setting a lower harvest level is going to help much.

In fact, dead discards account for 85% of the allowable removals of red snapper. SAFMC staff notes that 230,000 red snappers can be sustainably removed in 2023, but since 202,000 red snappers are projected to be dead discards, only 28,000 are left to be landed! Hence the short recreational derby seasons and low commercial trip limits!

SAFMC staff also wrote in bold:

“Due to the high proportion of removals being dead discards, reduction of landings alone, even to no allowable landings, will not end overfishing of red snapper. Therefore, in order to end overfishing of red snapper, the Council must also reduce dead discards of red snapper.”

Which leads us to Action 2 in Amendment 35:

Limiting the recreational sector to one hook per line in the Snapper Grouper fisheries.

Many ideas were discussed by the SAFMC to reduce recreational effort in an attempt to reduce recreational Snapper Grouper discards. However, only two made it to the scoping document and one of those was “considered but rejected” (banning the recreational use of hydraulic/electric reels).

The best idea to reduce recreational discards was actually brought up by the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Administrator. He basically told the council that none of the measures discussed were enough to end overfishing and he requested the council to at least consider area and/or depth closures to go out for scoping and public comment.

If memory serves me correctly, the SAFMC did not even bite on the Regional Administrators request and area/depth closure options were not even truly considered. Instead, the council chose to send only the one hook per line idea to scoping. It seems to me if you have an overfished stock that is plagued with an 85% dead discard issue you would look at every possible solution, especially one suggested by a person who works with 3 regional management councils and is also the head of the NOAA Southeast Regional Offices!

But there is still time. Questions for consideration to the public do include your opinions on other options to improve management of Red Snapper and the Snapper Grouper fishery. Maybe if enough public input requesting more effort control is received, we can eventually take more fish home to eat and sell.

Amendment 46 is only reviewing one action:

1. Private recreational permitting for the Snapper Grouper fishery.

This of course is long overdue. The private recreational sector is the last group without mandatory reporting in the Snapper Grouper fishery. And since private anglers accounted for 92% of all recreational Snapper Grouper landings the last 5 years, wouldn’t their information give us the most data for management?

Any amount of information collected from a mandatory private recreational permit would be useful. Just a number of participants would be one less estimate fisheries managers would have to calculate and thereby reduce some, as SAFMC says, “concern at times with existing estimates of recreational catches”.

One thing not mentioned in Amendment 46 is observation of recreational fishermen. With recreational dead discards becoming the greatest source of removals in many fisheries, we have to get observer data on what recreational fishermen are releasing. Whether it’s done on board with the anglers or if a group of observers has to use their own vessel to monitors multiple boats each day, recreational release data needs to be collected so we can begin figuring out better solutions to curtail the discard problems causing so many fisheries to be overfished with overfishing occurring.

If you have time listen in tonight and/or tomorrow. And feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

Amendment 35 Webinar Registration and Documents

https://safmc.net/events/jan-2023-public-hearings-snapper-grouper-regulatory-amendment-35/

Amendment 46 Webinar Registration and Documents

https://safmc.net/events/jan-feb-2023-public-scoping-snapper-grouper-amendment-46/

Thomas Newman

Fisheries Liaison

[email protected]

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: 1.31.2023 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Here are the contact number for the two committees most likely to take up bills affecting commercial fishing:

SENATE AGRICULTURE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE:

Senator Lisa Barnes, Co-Chair; [email protected](919) 715-3030

Senator Brent Jackson, Co-Chair; [email protected](919) 733-5705

Senator Norman Sanderson, Co-Chair; [email protected](919) 733-5706

Members: Senators

Jim Burgin; [email protected](919) 733-5748

David Craven [email protected](919) 733-5870

Michael Garrett, [email protected](919) 733-5856

Lisa Grafstein, [email protected](919) 733-9349

Bobby Hanig, [email protected](919) 715-8293

Rachel Hunt, [email protected](919) 715-8331

Steve Jarvis, [email protected](919) 733-5743

Tom McInnis, [email protected](919) 733-5953

Natalie Murdock, [email protected](919) 733-4599

Buck Newton, [email protected](919) 733-5878

Paul Newton, [email protected](919) 733-7223

Dean Proctor, [email protected](919) 733-5876

Bill Rabon, [email protected](919) 733-5963

DeAndrea Salvador, [email protected](919) 733-5655

Eddie Settle, [email protected](919) 733-5742

Kandie Smith, [email protected](919) 715-8363

Mike Woodard, [email protected](919) 733-4809

HOUSE MARINE RESOURCES AND AQUACULTURE:

Representative George Cleveland, Chair; [email protected]910-346-3866

Representative Celeste Cairns, Vice Chair; [email protected]919-733-6275

Members: Representatives

Ed Goodwin, [email protected]252-482-8168

Wesley Harris, PhD, [email protected]919-733-5886

Pricey Harrison, [email protected]919-733-5771

Frank Iler, [email protected]919-301-1450

Keith Kidwell, [email protected]919-733-5881

Tim Longest, [email protected]919-733-5773

Charles Miller, [email protected]919-733-5830

Harry Warren, [email protected]919-733-5784

God bless,

Jerry Schill

If you have any questions, please contact:

Southern Shrimp Alliance

 955 E Martin Luther King Jr Dr Suite D, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Phone(727) 934-5090

REMINDER: NCFA MEMBERSHIP ACTION IS NEEDED:

PLEASE HELP COMPLETE THE BELOW MENTIONED QUESTIONNAIRE.

BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPATING IN QUESTIONNAIRE:

·        TO KEEP TARRIF’S IN PLACE FOR IMPORTED SHRIMP.

·        PARTICIPANTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE IF ANY FUNDING MAY BECOME AVAILABLE

 

As indicated below, the U.S. International Trade Commission has now issued questionnaires in its sunset review proceeding to the U.S. shrimp industry, U.S. shrimp importers, U.S. shrimp purchasers, and exporters and processors in the Chinese, Indian, Thai, and Vietnamese shrimp industries.

The responses to these questionnaires, which are due on or before February 6, 2023, will provide the basis for the Commission’s analysis as to whether to keep the antidumping duty orders on Chinese, Indian, Thai, and Vietnamese shrimp in place for another five years.

The Commission has asked us to distribute the U.S. farmers’/fishermen’s questionnaire, which is attached to this e-mail.  Also attached to this e-mail are two other documents: (1) the agency’s transmittal cover letter and (2) a schedule of the Commission’s sunset review proceedings.

The Commission requests that the questionnaire be completed electronically in the MS Word-formatted document in the attachment.  Instructions for filing a response with the Commission are provided at the end of the questionnaire and in the e-mail from Commission staff appended below.

Compared to the other questionnaires issued by the Commission, the U.S. farmers’/fishermen’s questionnaire requests a limited amount of information.  The most significant question is presented at Question III-1, which requests information regarding your business operations for three calendar years: 2019, 2020, and 2021.  Please note that information regarding the most recent calendar year, 2022, is not being sought in response to this question.

We recognize that responding to this questionnaire will take some time.  However, the continuation of trade relief on dumped imports from the four countries (China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam) is dependent upon the domestic industry providing information regarding its business operations.  In the absence of such information, the Commission will be unable to determine whether the removal of antidumping duties would likely cause the continuation or recurrence of material injury to the U.S. shrimp industry.

Thank you, in advance, for your assistance in meeting the U.S. International Trade Commission’s request for information

Below is the original request with links available

To Whom It May Concern:

The United States International Trade Commission is investigating frozen warmwater shrimp under the provisions of Subtitle C of Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930.

In this proceeding, the Commission must determine whether revocation of the antidumping duty orders on frozen warmwater shrimp from China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time.

Your firm has been identified as a possible farmer/fisherman of frozen warmwater shrimp. Please complete and submit the farmer/fisherman questionnaire per the instructions below. Additional information pertaining to this proceeding can be found on the USITC’s website at:  https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2022/frozen_warmwater_shrimp_china_india_thailand_and/third_review_full.htm

Please complete the questionnaire electronically in the MS Word document. Instructions for filing your response can be found on last page of the questionnaire, or to upload your response to the secure drop box:

Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the completed questionnaire in MS Word format along with a scanned copy of the signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:  Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/  Pin: SHRIMP

Please return the completed questionnaire to the Commission no later than Monday, February 6, 2022.

Thanks,

Tyler Berard

Office of Investigations

U.S. International Trade Commission

202-205-3354

[email protected]

CLICK HERE FOR: Questionnaire Transmittal Letter-Shrimp-Third Review
CLICK HERE FOR: USITC Scheduling Notice-Shrimp-Third Review
CLICK HERE FOR: Shrimp Fishermen Questionnaire Word Document
CLICK HERE FOR: Shrimp Fishermen Questionnaire PDF
CLICK HERE FOR: US Shrimp Processor Questionnaire Word Document
CLICK HERE FOR: US Shrimp Processor Questionnaire PDF

Scallop Public Comment Meeting / NCFA Meet and Greet, June 1 @ 5PM

All fishermen are invited to attend the New Bern meeting, June 1st @ 1700. NCFA will be hosting a Meet and Greet just after public comments at the following location, Cypress Hall Restaurant 219 Middle Street, New Bern, NC. >click to read< 14:19

Scallop Public Comment Meeting / NCFA Meet and Greet, June 1 @ 5PM

All fishermen are invited to attend the New Bern meeting, June 1st @ 1700. NCFA will be hosting a Meet and Greet just after public comments at the following location, Cypress Hall Restaurant 219 Middle Street, New Bern, NC.

NCFA – North Carolina Wildlife Federation brings in the New Year with a lie!

Over the last month I’ve received two emails from Tim Gestwicki, CEO of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, asking me, and many others, to donate money to the NCWF to help fund their efforts to eliminate inshore shrimp trawling in NC. These two emails, like many before, contain much of the same disinformation I’ve come to expect from the Wildlife federation anytime they attempt to engage the public in the management of our coastal fisheries. He also failed to mention that NC shrimpers produce on average, 10 million pounds of shrimp, or food, annually. A very important fact, when you consider that more than half of Americans consume seafood on a regular basis and that shrimp is the #1 seafood preferred by American consumers. >click to read< by Glenn Skinner, NCFA-Executive Director 08:42

Always NC Fresh! NC Commercial Fishing Resource Fund Launches New Campaign, NCFA Weekly Update for May 22, 2020

Glenn Skinner, Executive Director of NC Fisheries Association (NCFA) and NCCFRF Committee Member, stated, “The Always NC Fresh public relations campaign could not have come at a better time as many of our fishermen have been hit hard by the impacts of COVID-19.” Skinner added, “Commercial fishing has been a part of North Carolina’s coastal communities and economy for hundreds of years, and it was time for us to reintroduce our fishermen to the citizens of this great state. We have a great story to tell and we’re proud to be a part of this new campaign.” “Commercial fishermen are good people who are a fundamental part of the economy and way of life in North Carolina’s coastal communities,” said Brent Fulcher, NCFA Chairman.  >click to read< 08:04

North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for May 22, 2020>click to read< to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<

NCFA – More Hurricane Florence info on ice, storage facilities, hot showers and DMF info

Armistead Perry of Evans Seafood and Evans Transport said he has some freezer space available and cooler space if you need to get inventory from your facility to save it.,, Wanchese Fish Co. has offered the use of their cold storage facility in Suffolk VA for anyone that needs it.,, Regarding our industry helping others, also let us know what you may be able to do to help, such as ice or whatever else you can assist with. ,,, >click to read<10:01

NCFA – UPDATES ON COMMERCIAL FISHING NEEDS AND ICE AVAILABILITY INFO ON A HOT SHOWER!

Armistead Perry of Evans Seafood and Evans Transport said he has some freezer space available and cooler space if you need to get inventory from your facility to save it. He also can transport from your place to his. His facility is in Washington NC. They also have ice available.

As noted previously, Wanchese Fish Co. has offered the use of their cold storage facility in Suffolk VA for anyone that needs it. If you have a fish house or packing operation and in need of cold storage to save your inventory, please let us know and we’ll make the connection. They can also arrange for trucking if needed.

You can respond to this notice or call me at the number below.

If you need help with cleanup or fixing your damaged home, again, please let us know!

As a reminder, we need as much information on damages the commercial fishing industry has sustained as a result of Hurricane Florence!

We need to know about damage done to fish houses, boats, lost gear, etc. Also damages done to your homes, vehicles, or anything connected to commercial fishing.

Regarding our industry helping others, also let us know what you may be able to do to help, such as ice or whatever else you can assist with.

We’re not sure how long it will last, but for the moment the best way to communicate is with my email, Facebook, or my cell number. Glenn Skinner and Aundrea O’Neal have communication problems in Carteret County.

Our power at our home in New Bern was restored last evening.

So to recap:
Need storage for your inventory: Wanchese Fish Co. facility in Suffolk, VA or Evans Seafood & Transport in Washington, NC

For ice: take your cooler to Beaufort Inlet Seafood in Beaufort or Evans Seafood in Washington.

Need a hot shower? Brent Fulcher of Beaufort Inlet Seafood said you can take a hot shower on one of the boats docked at their facility.

DMF news: Offices in Carteret County and Wilmington are closed through Wednesday. They will re-evaluate on Wednesday if they can open, depending on power being restored and any safety concerns.

Elizabeth City and Manteo offices are open. Washington will open today but may not be fully staffed.

Jerry Schill: 252-361-3015.
[email protected]

NCFA – Storm Damage Info Needed – Need Cold Storage Due To Power Outage? More Info For You!!!

Wanchese Fish Co. has offered the use of their cold storage facility in Suffolk VA for anyone that needs it. If you have a fish house or packing operation and in need of cold storage to save your inventory, please let us know and we’ll make the connection. They can also arrange for trucking if needed. You can respond to this notice or call me at the number below. If you need help with cleanup or fixing your damaged home, again, please let us know! As a reminder, we need as much information on damages the commercial fishing industry has sustained as a result of Hurricane Florence! We need to know about damage done to fish houses, boats, lost gear, etc. Also damages done to your homes, vehicles, or anything connected to commercial fishing. >click to read<15:30

Weekly Update for October 13, 2017 – NCFA

WEEKLY UPDATE: 10/13/2017
NORTH CAROLINA FISHERIES ASSOCIATION
“Serving the Commercial Fishing Families of North Carolina since 1952”
PO Box 86; Morehead City, NC 28557
Phone: (252) 726-NCFA (6232) Fax: (252) 726-6200
www.ncfish.org
Glenn Skinner, Exec. Director: [email protected]; 252-646-7742
David Bush, Fisheries Biologist: [email protected]; 910-777-1605
Jerry Schill, Govt. Relations: [email protected]; 252-361-3015
Aundrea O’Neal, Accounting/Tradewinds: [email protected]; ext. 101
Nikki Raynor, Reception/Memberships:[email protected];ext 103

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13th!!!

OCTOBER IS SEAFOOD MONTH!
Seafood month got a great kickoff in North Carolina with last Saturday’s Fisherman’s Village on the Morehead City waterfront, and on Sunday morning at the Blessing of the Fleet.
For a message from Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, or NMFS, click the link below.
Message from Chris Oliver about Seafood Month – click here

FROM THE DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES:
Advisory committee meetings to focus on cobia management measures – Three advisory committees to the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet on separate dates in October to discuss issues related to the cobia fishery.

The advisory committees will be asked to provide input to the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission on management measures contained in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Draft Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia (Georgia to New York). The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s South Atlantic State/Federal Fisheries Management Board will meet Oct. 19 to vote on this plan.

The draft plan includes size, bag and vessel limits to complement federal measures. Most notably, the draft plan includes several proposed options for state-specific recreational harvest targets that will give individual states more flexibility in developing management measures to best suit their needs.

Currently, the recreational annual catch limit for Georgia to New York is managed on a coastwide basis. This has resulted in federal closures and significant overages, disrupting fishing opportunities and jeopardizing the health of the stock.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will discuss North Carolina’s recreational cobia management measures at its Nov. 15-16 meeting at the Doubletree by Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks in Kitty Hawk.

For more information, contact Steve Poland, cobia staff lead with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, at 252-808-8159 or [email protected].

CALENDAR
Oct 15 – 19; ASMFC Annual Meeting; Waterside Marriott; Norfolk, VA
Oct 24; 6:00pm MFC Northern Advisory Committee; Dare County Complex; Manteo, NC
Oct 25; 6:00pm MFC Southern Advisory Committee; Cardinal Drive; Wilmington, NC
Oct 26; 6:00pm MFC Finfish Advisory Committee; DMF District Office; Morehead City, NC
Nov 8; Noon; NCFA Board of Directors; Civic Center; Washington, NC
Nov 15-16; NC Marine Fisheries Commission; Kitty Hawk
Dec 4 – 8; South Atlantic Council; Doubletree; Atlantic Beach, NC
Dec 6; Noon; NCFA Board of Directors; Civic Center, Washington, NC
Dec 11 – 14; Mid Atlantic Council; Westin Annapolis; Annapolis, MD

Jerry Schill, NCFA responds to outdoor columnist Ed Wall

jerry schillIn response to Ed Wall’s Outdoors column, “Fisheries should be managed for all, by all,” I offer the following comments. Mr. Wall mischaracterized my position on the referendum when he wrote that “Jerry Schill…is particularly disturbed by the fact that HB 1122 would allow a referendum on the issue by the state’s voters in the upcoming election in November. He is apparently concerned about citizens all across the state would be allowed to voice their opinions about something that he feels should be controlled solely by persons — and their representatives — in the coastal counties.” I never said such a thing. I do not favor an illegal action, and that is what it would be if the bill in question was passed as Rep. Billy Richardson suggests. On the subject of the net ban: Read the rebuttal here 22:38

NCFA Weekly Update for Feb. 20, 2015

NCFAWeekly Update for Feb. 20, 2015 as a PDF 07:31

NCFA Weekly Update for Feb. 6, 2015

NCFAClick here Weekly Update for Feb. 6, 2015 as a PDF  19:33

NCFA Weekly Update for Jan. 30, 2015

NCFA

On behalf of NCFA’s Board of Directors, Members and Staff, we offer our most sincere condolences and prayers to the family of Janice Smith. Read the NCFA Update here 17:02

Just in! – NCFA Weekly Update for Jan. 23, 2015

NCFAWeekly Update for Jan. 23, 2015 as a PDF 11:42

NCFA Weekly Update for Jan. 16, 2015

NCFA

Weekly Update for Jan. 16, 2015 as a PDF 20:19

NCFA Weekly Update for Jan. 9, 2015 (just received)

NCFAWeekly Update for Jan. 9, 2015 as a PDF 08:51

NCFA Weekly Update for Jan. 2, 2015

NCFAWeekly Update for Jan. 2, 2015 as a PDF 21:43

NCFA Weekly Update for Dec. 26, 2014

NCFAWeekly Update for Dec. 26, 2014 as a PDF  18:49

NCFA Weekly Update for Dec. 19, 2014

NCFAWeekly Update for Dec. 19, 2014 as a PDF 17:59

NCFA Weekly Update Dec. 12, 2014

NCFAWeekly Update for Dec. 12, 2014 as a PDF 23:06

NCFA Weekly Update for Dec. 5, 2014

NCFAWeekly Update for Dec. 5, 2014 as a PDF 07:15

NCFA Weekly Update for Nov. 30, 2014

NCFAWeekly Update for Nov. 30, 2014 as a PDF 23:25

NCFA Weekly Update for Nov. 14, 2014

NCFAWeekly Update for Nov. 14 as PDF 18:09

NCFA Weekly Update for Nov. 7, 2014

WEEKLY UPDATE: 11/4/2014

NORTH CAROLINA FISHERIES ASSOCIATIONNCFA

“Serving the Commercial Fishing Families of North Carolina since 1952”

Phone: (252) 745-0225 – www.ncfish.org

Jerry Schill, President: [email protected] Cell: 252-361-3015  

Lauren Morris, Membership/Operations Manager:  

[email protected] Cell: 252-725-2468

 

UPCOMING NCFA BOARD MEETING:

The Board of Directors will meet this coming Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m. in the conference room of the Hampton Inn in Washington.  The board will discuss the summer flounder season structure, Commercial Fishing Resource Fund Board appointments, and Tradewinds as well as receive updates on many ongoing issues.

 

UPCOMING MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION MEETING:

NCFA will host a meeting Nov. 19 from 3-5:30 p.m. in the Pier House at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk to hear from fishermen and discuss priority issues before the commission’s public meeting.  It is important that all commercial fishermen that are able attend!   

 

The commission will meet Nov. 19-21 at the Hilton Garden Inn to:

  • Develop its 2015 initiatives
  • Vote on nominating candidates for the Mid- and South Atlantic fishery management councils
  • Vote on funding for shrimp trawl bycatch research and industry workgroup
  • Vote on the charge of the Sea Turtle Advisory Committee
  • Select its preferred management options for Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan Amendment 1
  • Vote on the strategic habitat area Region 3 nominations
  • Receive presentations on the American Shad Sustainable Fishery Plan and estuarine striped bass adaptive management measures

 

View the agenda and briefing materials.

 

JERRY’S COMMENTS: 

The 2014 election is history, and now begins the serious preparation for the North Carolina General Assembly’s long session, which starts on January 14th.

 

All of the coastal legislators in the state legislature were re-elected.

 

For the Congressional races: NC House Speaker Thom Tillis defeated incumbent US Senator Kay Hagan; Walter Jones & G.K. Butterfield both won re-election to the US House, and David Rouzer was elected to Congress, replacing Mike McIntyre in the southeastern part of the state.

 

Here’s my take on the election, and keep in mind these are my personal opinions:

 

MEETINGS:

If you are aware of ANY meetings that should be of interest to commercial fishing that is not on this list, please contact us so we can include it here.

 

Nov. 12 – For-Hire Logbook Reporting Requirement Meeting – Manteo

 

Nov. 19-21 – Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting – Kitty Hawk

 

MFC/DMF MEETING SCHEDULE

 

PROCLAMATIONS: GILL NETS – ALBEMARLE SOUND AREA – MANAGEMENT UNIT A

LARGE MESH GILL NETS PERMITS AND OBSERVERS:

Beginning on Monday, September 1, if you fish gill nets in internal waters, you need a permit. (Drift gill nets, strike, runaround or drop gill nets are exempt.) The permit wasn’t the Division’s idea, but came from commercial fishermen. It was thought that if one of the requirements for the federal ITP in the fishery is to have 7 percent of large mesh trips observed, then rather than have more restrictions, why not devise a permit to make sure we get enough coverage. Without the coverage, the feds can shut down the fishery, so a permit can keep that from happening. If a fisherman refuses to take an observer, he can lose his permit.

 

If you are fishing large mesh gill nets, don’t wait to be called to take an observer. Call DMF and volunteer if you haven’t taken an observer. Don’t let it up to a few to take observers. If everyone does their part, the burden can be spread around a bit and you can do your part in keeping the fishery open.

 

One other point about fishing and turtles: If you have an interaction with a turtle while you’re fishing and you don’t have an observer, then call DMF and let them know. That’s better for all of us. You won’t get penalized for it and it’s something that should be done.

 

POUND NETS:

Most fishermen check their pound nets daily for a number of reasons. One is the quality of the fish is better if fished frequently. NCFA encourages all pound net fishermen to check their nets daily, weather permitting. Fishermen should not be expected to risk their lives when checking their nets, but if the weather allows, we encourage you to check. It just makes sense, but most of you already know that.

Senator Kay Hagan was always very helpful on federal fisheries issues. Her Chief of Staff in North Carolina has been Melissa Midgett from Wanchese, whose Dad is a commercial fisherman, and Melissa is well-versed in the challenges that commercial fishing families face. That personal connection with a US Senator will be sorely missed. However, as of right now we don’t know who Senator-elect Tillis will bring on for his staff folks. I read an opinion on Facebook that as a US Senator, Thom Tillis will destroy commercial fishing. I don’t share that opinion, but as I noted in reply, it’s my job to make sure he doesn’t. I’m confident that he and his staff will prove to be a positive for commercial fishing as we fight the heavy handed feds on many different fronts.

 

In the US House, Congressman Mike McIntyre was also very friendly to commercial fishing, but he decided to retire. His replacement, David Rouzer, will be super in my opinion. I’ve known him for quite a few years, beginning when he was a staffer for Senator Jesse Helms. David also worked with NC State University for a while and served two terms in the North Carolina Senate.

 

G.K. Butterfield has represented the First Congressional District for 10 years. I’ve had very little interaction with his office, but what I have had has been disappointing. That’s partially understandable since none of his district borders the coastline, but he does represent a significant number of commercial fishermen living in the northeast part of the state. In addition, although I live in Craven County he’s my representative in Congress, so I expect just a bit more when asking his staff to do something rather simple. To be fair, I haven’t taken the time to seriously reach out to G.K. or his staff when they’re in the District. G.K.’s staff could take a lesson or two from the late, great Floyd Lupton when it comes to constituent service!

 

On to state politics: You may figure that it’s all going to be the same since the coastal incumbents got re-elected. But you would be wrong! Gamefish proponents in the NC House, Tom Murry and Tim Moffitt were both defeated. Of equal significance for us is Senator Wesley Meredith from Fayetteville beat back a challenge by Billy Richardson. Richardson served previously in the NC House and was the primary sponsor of a net ban bill in the mid-90s. One of this year’s campaign promises from him was to make another attempt at a net ban a priority!

 

What about other gamefish sponsors? John Bell and Brian Brown were both easily re-elected, with John having no opposition, and Brian winning 60% to 40%. While we may not agree on all of the issues, I feel comfortable talking to both of them this coming session. They were both freshman legislators this past session, plus the fact they have constituents that are, for the most part, not involved with commercial fishing and their constituents have differing opinions than ours. Taking that into consideration, one can understand, (well, kind of), why they sponsored the gamefish bill.

 

I believe in dialogue. I also believe in putting things in perspective. I’ll continue to talk to these legislators on behalf of NCFA and commercial fishing families in a respectful, yet firm, manner. With God’s help, we’ll be OK.

 

God bless,

Jerry

NCFA Weekly Update for October 31, 2014

NCFAWeekly Update for Oct. 31, 2014 as PDF  21:39

NCFA Weekly Update for October 24, 2014

NCFAWeekly Update for Oct. 24 2014 as a PDF 19:48

NCFA Weekly Update

NCFAWeekly Update for Oct. 17, 2014 as a PDF 19:35