WEEKLY UPDATE: 12/28/2015 NORTH CAROLINA FISHERIES ASSOCIATION “Serving the Commercial Fishing Families of North Carolina since 1952” Phone: (252) 745-0225 – see new phone number below www.ncfish.org Jerry Schill, President: [email protected] Cell: 252-361-3015   Lauren Morris, Membership/Operations Manager:   [email protected]  Cell: 252-725-2468
HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Board of Directors, Staff and Members of the North Carolina Fisheries Association! May 2016  be a blessed and productive one for you and your family! And remember, Christmas is a season, not a day.   ========================================================= NCFA REGRETS TO INFORM YOU OF THE DEATH OF ANGEL CAROON WOODARD   Angel was the daughter of Lottie Caroon and the late Reginald Caroon of Lowland. Reg was a long time member of NCFA’s Board of Directors and former Chairman of the Board.   NCFA’s Board, Staff and Members offer our most sincere condolences and prayers to Lottie and the Caroon and Woodard families.   Angel Caroon Woodard obituary   ===========================================================
ANNUAL MEETING: Monday, January 25, 2016 at the Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern. This is the meeting where the members elect the Board of Directors and help set the agenda for NCFA for the upcoming year.   The agenda will include the election of Board members and a discussion of some very important issues facing commercial fishermen in 2016.   Please watch for more details on the meeting, which will include an update on bycatch reduction in the shrimp trawl fishery, updates from the Southern Shrimp Alliance, followed by the election of our Board and discussion on issues, including the latest on the southern flounder situation and the Marine Fisheries Commission’s role in the definition of a commercial fisherman.   =======================================================   CHANGE OF CONTACT INFORMATION FOR NCFA:   Please note the following change for NCFA’s contact information:   Mailing address: Effective immediately 2807 Neuse Blvd; Suite 11 New Bern, NC 28562
Phone: (252) 633-NCFA (6232)  Effective next week Fax: (252) 633-6233  Effective next week
More information about office hours will be shared later.    =======================================================    NOTE: Please read the following information carefully! Here is a program that allows fishermen to attend a program in Norfolk to learn more about the fishery management plan process PLUS it pays your expenses and a $125 per day stipend to help with lost wages while you attend!   MARINE RESOURCE EDUCATION PROGRAM SEEKS PARTICIPANTS
The Marine Resource Education Program is created and run by fishermen, for fishermen to help leaders in fishing communities more effectively engage in the fishery management process.  MREP has seen 700 workshop graduates over the past 14 years.  Participation in the workshops is limited and includes a balanced representation of fisheries, gear types, and geographic regions. Applicants will be selected for their unique contribution to the group and based on their stated interests. Participants are expected to commit to attending all days of the workshop and will be awarded a certificate of completion for each session.   Workshop benefits include room and board as well as mileage reimbursement to and from your home port.  Active commercial and charter-for-hire fishermen may apply for an honorarium in the amount of $125/day daily stipend to account for lost wages.   For more information, go to: http://www.gmri.org/our-work/fisheries-convening/mrep-northeast/apply   Or call Patty Collins, Community Program Coordinator: (207) 228-1625, or [email protected]   2016 Schedule:
 MREP Science 100 – January 5-7, 2016 – Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 235 E. Main St. Norfolk, VA  MREP Management 100 – February 23-25, 2016 – Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 235 E. Main St. Norfolk, VA  MREP Ecosystems 200 (NEW) – March 15-16, 2016 – Ocean Place Resort & Spa, 1 Ocean Boulevard, Long Branch, NJ  MREP for Recreational Fisheries (NEW) – January 19-21, 2016 – Wyndham Baltimore Peabody Court – 612 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD