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NCFA Weekly Update for November 11, 2024: Thank You Veterans, with an update on Western N.C. Hurricane Assistance

Upcoming NC Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting – The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) is holding their quarterly business meeting next week in Emerald Isle. As usual there is a packed agenda, which includes southern flounder, speckled trout oysters, hard clams, and blue crabs. There will be time for in person public comment on the evening of Wednesday, November 20th and the morning of Thursday, November 21st. Shortly after Hurricane Helene hit the east coast, the North Carolina Fisheries Association sent an appeal to our members to help with sending bulk ice to western North Carolina, (WNC). As a result, several semi truckloads of bulk ice were sent to the affected area. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:05

NCFA Weekly Update for – September 30, 2024: URGENT! Assistance for Storm Victims in Western North Carolina

Some issues in need of special attention this week. Our Family and Friends in Western NC – The devastation of Hurricane Helene is unreal and unimaginable. There are many small communities further up the mountain from Asheville that are not getting much news coverage. Speaking with locals in the areas of Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery Counties in particular, they are still very much in the search and rescue stage of recovery. Many people are still unaccounted for and most shelters, schools, and churches do not have any form of communication to let people know they need help or to let loved ones know they are ok. Due to the nature of the area, landslides and canyons created by the flooding has destroyed many roads and made many areas only accessible by helicopter. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 18:47

NCFA WEEKLY UPDATE FOR – September 30, 2024

Ending Overfishing of Red Snapper / Our Family and Friends in Western NC / ASSISTANCE FOR STORM VICTIMS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

Ending Overfishing of Red Snapper – NOAA Fisheries announced at the last South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC) meeting their intention to prepare a Secretarial Amendment to end overfishing of red snapper. In a press release following their announcement, NOAA Fisheries says they are planning “to increase fishing opportunities for landing red snapper by reducing the number of fish released dead”.

Preparation of a Secretarial Amendment instead of a traditional Amendment is the direct result of failure to act by the SAMFC. The SAFMC was officially notified that the red snapper stock was experiencing overfishing in July of 2021. Since this time, the SAFMC has failed to act to end overfishing as required in the Magnuson Stevens Act (MSA). This failure to act has caused reduced opportunities for both commercial and recreational fishermen to harvest red snapper.

It is a shame the public has to sue the government to abide by the very laws they created, but I guess that is how our broken system works nowadays. Three lawsuits were brought against NOAA Fisheries in reference to red snapper and the SAFMC’s failure to act in a timely manner. On August 22, 2024 a settlement was reached in which NOAA Fisheries agreed to submit the final ruling to end overfishing on or before June 6, 2025.

There will be opportunities for public input during the Secretarial Amendment process, but the development of the Amendment will be done internally by NOAA Fisheries. The SAFMC and the public will receive at least one presentation before the plan is finalized for consideration and comment.

Ending overfishing by reducing recreational dead discards will increase opportunities for harvest of red snapper and if we are lucky, we can find a template that helps reduce discards and increases harvest opportunities in other fisheries as well.

Upcoming Meetings – NC Advisory Committees begin meeting next week to discuss Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout) management options. Stay tuned for more information.

Our Family and Friends in Western NC

I also wanted to ask for everyone to continue praying for Western North Carolina.

The devastation of Hurricane Helene is unreal and unimaginable. There are many small communities further up the mountain from Asheville that are not getting much news coverage. Speaking with locals in the areas of Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery Counties in particular, they are still very much in the search and rescue stage of recovery.

Many people are still unaccounted for and most shelters, schools, and churches do not have any form of communication to let people know they need help or to let loved ones know they are ok. Due to the nature of the area, landslides and canyons created by the flooding has destroyed many roads and made many areas only accessible by helicopter.

The prayers the people of Western North Carolina requested is for hope and peace for their communities in these long days ahead. Hoping everyone is ok and hopeful that their loved ones will soon be contacting them. Peace for the long nights and peace for the families that have no answers.

I ask that anyone wanting to help out to coordinate with your local churches and mission/aide groups. Travel in all these areas is still heavily restricted and supplies and people wanting to help need to be coordinated with local and state government officials. It is very important to keep the roads open for search and rescue at this point.

Thomas Newman

Fisheries Liaison

[email protected]

URGENT!!! 10.1.2024 – ASSISTANCE FOR STORM VICTIMS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

Everyone knows about the devastation in western North Carolina from last week’s storm. In the past North Carolina’s seafood industry has helped with bulk ice being shipped to the affected areas.

I have been in contact with disaster assistance folks working out of Marion, NC, and we are working on the logistics.

Here are a few questions:

1.) Do you have any bulk ice that you can spare?

2.) Are you able to provide refrigerated transportation to get the ice to Marion?

3.) Do you have a refrigerated truck or a trailer that could be left on site for a few days?

4.) Do you have anyone who could stay and help bag the ice for easier distribution?

Keep in mind that all we are trying to do at this point is assess what we may be able to do.

Please let me know by calling or texting: 252-361-3015 or [email protected]

God bless, Jerry Schill

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NCFA Weekly Update for August 19, 2024 – Here we go again!

Instead of giving you the upcoming Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) meeting details like I would normally do this week, I want you to read one of our previous Updates that our Executive Director Glenn Skinner wrote on March 7, 2022. After the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) announced their initial management recommendations for speckled trout last week Glenn’s words are even more relevant now than they were then. Shortly after the February 2022 meeting of the Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) made a social media post explaining how Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder FMP would impact recreational flounder fishing in NC. In response to the post, David Sneed, Executive Director of the NC CCA made the following comment. David Sneed “Let’s not forget how we got here… more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:31

NCFA Weekly Update for August 12, 2024

As most of you know, we are about midway through updating the Spotted Sea Trout FMP (Fisheries Management Plan). Comments are again needed at this stage of the management process! Written comments and in person comments will be accepted. The DMF (Division of Marine Fisheries) has published their initial management recommendations to end overfishing. Although the stock is not overfished and barely triggered the overfishing status, DMF is recommending a 39.6% reduction in overall harvest. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:54

NCFA Weekly Update for July 29, 2024

Upcoming Meetings, The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Committee (ASMFC) will be holding their summer 2024 meeting August 6 – 8 in Arlington, Virginia. The Mid Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC) will be meeting August 12 – 15 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will be meeting August 21 – 23 in Raleigh, North Carolina. July has been another busy month for NCFA and next month looks even busier! Thank you all for keeping in touch and continuing to read the Weekly Update. As these meetings draw closer, I will give more detailed information about each meeting the week before it is scheduled. more, >>CLICK TOREAD<< 10:45

NCFA WEEKLY UPDATE for June 24, 2024

MD, VA and NC Public Hearing on Atlantic Cobia Draft Addendum II – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) staff will be presenting Atlantic Cobia Draft Addendum II and having opportunity for public comment. This Draft Addendum considers recreational allocation, harvest target evaluation, and the timeline for setting management specifications. Although this may not directly apply to all readers, I think it is an interesting exercise that will apply to many more of our fisheries in the future. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:19

NCFA Weekly Update for June 10, 2024

Mandatory Harvest Reporting, Why and How?  SAFMC Meets This Week This Week. As you know, in 2023 legislation was approved that places new “mandatory reporting” requirements on both recreational anglers and commercial fishermen who participate in North Carolinas coastal fisheries. As usual, this has led to a lot of comments, complaints, and misinformation which, quite frankly, is what started the mandatory reporting conversation in the first place. As one of the primary supporters of “mandatory reporting” we feel it’s important for the NCFA to explain exactly why and how this legislation came to be. more, >>CLICK TO READ<<– 18:18

NCFA WEEKLY UPDATE FOR June 03, 2024

The Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC) meets this week in Riverhead, NY. The meeting starts Tuesday June, 4th and goes through Thursday June, 6th. Meeting Webpage, Agenda, Combined Briefing Book, Join Meeting on Webex. Public comments on agenda items will be allowed during appropriate times of the meeting and general comments will be taken the last day of the meeting. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:31

NCFA Weekly Update for May 6, 2024

Last week’s newsletter got quite a bit of attention, prompting several folks to reach out to me directly in regard to the constitutional “right” to hunt and fish seen below. You’ll also notice that the purpose of the Right to Hunt and Fish Constitutional Amendments is to prevent hunting and fishing from being banned, not to elevate one citizen’s right to fish over that of another. Legislative updates, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:55

NCFA SPECIAL UPDATE! April 30, 2024, TURF WAR CONTINUES WITH WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION

The Wildlife Resources Commission, or WRC, has requested rules to change the parameters of what comes under their jurisdiction vs Marine Fisheries. We need you to send an email as outlined below to the two addresses at the Rules Review Commission. It needs to be done today or by noon tomorrow, please! There is no need to go into detail, just a letter of objection as outlined below. However, if you want the rationale just call me or Glenn or send us a note. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:31

NCFA WEEKLY UPDATE for April 29, 2024

From the start, several recreational committee members made it clear that they had no respect for the commercial fishing industry or it’s contributions to the states food supply and economy. They referred to themselves as “conservationist” and “public fishers” claiming that they, and only they, have the right to fish. They labeled commercial fishing as a limited privilege that can be taken away if, in their view, it impacts their ability to catch a fish. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:06

NCFA Weekly Update for April 15, 2024

Thank You. I want to thank everyone for coming out to the AC meetings last week. You filled the seats at every meeting and your comments and conversations before, during, and afterwards sent a loud and clear message! We all know the importance of SAV (submerged aquatic vegetation) but we also know these proposed trawl closure lines extend well beyond just protecting grass! NCFA knows these proposed trawling closures are not necessary and there is no supporting science that says closing these areas to shrimpers will restore grass beds. Save Our Shrimpers Act, inclusion in the Farm Bill, more, >>click to read the update<< 07:45

NCFA Weekly Update for March 11, 2024

Advisory Comities Meet This Week to Discuss Shrimp Trawl Area Closure The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is proposing closing shrimp trawling in dozens of areas from Kitty Hawk to Sneads Ferry to protect submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). Thousands of acres that include a multitude of areas traditionally worked by small shrimp boats. more, >>click to read<<  10:19

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