Search Results for: NORTH CAROLINA FISHERIES ASSOCIATION

North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for December 3, 2021

December 5, 2021   South Atlantic

Shocked or Not, You Should Be Disgusted! Prior to the November MFC meeting, when the draft Shrimp FMP would be voted on, the following post was made by ” Rick S ” on social media.,, Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<  09:43

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Newsletter/Update for November 19, 2021

November 19, 2021   South Atlantic

Shrimp FMP, Amendment 2:, The MFC meeting in Emerald Isle started out with a public comment period on Wednesday evening that lasted about 2 hours. The comments were limited to 3 minutes with overwhelming opposition to the DMF proposal to close certain areas to shrimping. The comments came from shrimpers, NCFA, county commissioners, a state Senator and consumers. We’ll offer a public thank you to the groups and individuals in the next update. >click to read<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<-08:40

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly & Special Update for November 12, 2021

November 13, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<  08:06

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An Important Message From the North Carolina Fisheries Association, Inc. on Amendment 2, Shrimp FMP

November 11, 2021   South Atlantic

Next week at their November 17-19 quarterly business meeting the NC Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will hear public comment and vote on preferred management options for Amendment 2 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan (FMP). (https://deq.nc.gov/media/25170/open) The options being considered range from status quo (no action taken) to a complete closure of Pamlico Sound, and possibly all estuarine waters, to shrimp trawling. >click to read< 07:30

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IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA FISHERIES ASSOCIATION, Inc.

November 11, 2021  
 Next week at their November 17-19 quarterly business meeting the NC Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will hear public comment and vote on preferred management options for Amendment 2 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan (FMP). (https://deq.nc.gov/media/25170/open) The options being considered range from status quo (no action taken) to a complete closure of Pamlico Sound, and possibly all estuarine waters, to shrimp trawling.
 North Carolina has the second largest estuary in the U.S. with over 2.1 million acres or 3,281 square miles of estuarine (internal salt) waters. Currently approximately 1 million acres (47%) of our estuary is permanently closed to shrimp trawling and an additional 200,000 + acres are managed with seasonal closures, with a combined total of 1,207,463 acres or 1,886 square miles permanently or seasonally closed to shrimp trawling. These area closures, many of which were implemented 50+ years ago, were intended to protect areas identified as critical estuarine habitat and create safe havens or ” nursery areas ” for juvenile finfish and other marine species.
 After decades of restrictions and monitoring, the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) acknowledges that they can’t determine whether closing over half of the second largest estuary in the country, to shrimp trawling, has resulted in increases of abundance for any particular species of finfish or the improvement \ restoration of critical fish habitats within the closed areas. They also acknowledge that the potential benefits of additional area closures are unquantifiable as are the potential negative impacts, if any, to overall fish abundance or habitat from shrimp trawling under the current management strategy.
 Despite the high degree of uncertainty surrounding the potential impacts of trawling or the potential benefits of area closures, on November 1, the DMF made public their recommendations, to the MFC, for additional area closures.
 The areas identified for closure to shrimp trawling, by the DMF, are vitally important fishing grounds for recreational shrimpers and commercial fishermen who operate smaller vessels who depend on these waters to feed their families and yours.  Again, the potential benefits from these recommendations are unquantifiable but the devastating negative impacts to recreational shrimpers, fishing families, coastal communities, and seafood consumers are undeniable!
 While the DMF’s recommendations seem extreme given the undeniable uncertainty, please don’t focus solely on these recommendations, as noted above the Commission can pick from a wide range of options, some more extreme than those recommended by DMF. Instead, oppose all unquantifiable
restrictions and demand fair and equitable treatment for all stakeholders commercial, recreational, and consumer.
 Effort in North Carolina’s shrimp trawl fishery has declined dramatically in recent years, yet it has remained one of the top two fisheries by value in the state, contributing nearly $100 million and thousands of jobs to the state’s economy annually. Shrimp remains the #1 seafood preferred by American consumers and studies have shown that consumers prefer domestically produced shrimp, like those harvested from NC waters, over imported products. Even more important is the fact that food security equals national security as many Americans have recently realized due to the impacts the global pandemic has had on food supplies. Simply put, a nation that cannot feed its citizens cannot protect them!
 At this time it’s clear the negative impacts of further restrictions to shrimp trawling in NC far outweigh any quantifiable benefits , therefore the North Carolina Fisheries Association strongly urges all commercial fishermen , recreational shrimpers , and seafood consumers to join us in opposition to any further restrictions to shrimp trawling in NC waters until the state can quantify both the impacts of trawling , if any , under the current management strategy and the potential benefits , again if any , of further restrictions.
 It’s not unreasonable for an industry to demand to be scientifically identified as a problem before being labeled and managed as one!   Is it?
 Public comment will be heard at The Islander Hotel & Resort
102 Islander Dr, Emerald Isle on Wednesday Nov. 17, at 6pm and the discussion and vote on preferred management measures will occur on Thursday Nov. 18. Please plan to attend on both days and let your opposition to further restrictions be known.
Glenn Skinner
Executive Director-
North Carolina Fisheries Association, Inc.
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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for November 5, 2021

November 6, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<  10:18

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for October 29, 2021

October 29, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<  17:07

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for October 15, 2021

October 17, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, including a synopsis of a one-day Capitol Hill visit by Jerry Schill. To read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 19:05

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for September 24, 2021

September 24, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 12:13

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for September 17, 2021

September 17, 2021   Mid Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<  08:48

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for August 20, 2021

August 21, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for June 04, 2021

June 5, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 20:46

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for May 21, 2021

May 22, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 09:33

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for May 14, 2021

May 15, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<11:50

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for April 30, 2021

April 30, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<Congratulations!!! The North Carolina Fisheries Association would like to congratulate new N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Director, Kathy Rawls. We look forward to working closely with Director Rawls in the future. Congratulations Kathy!!12:04

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for April 23, 2021

April 23, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 16:35

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for April 02, 2021

April 2, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<09:01

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for March 26, 2021

March 26, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<11:23

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for March 12, 2021

March 13, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<  Incest:  Yes, you read it correctly! After last week’s update, Allen Jernigan wrote that I have an “incestuous relationship” with members of the General Assembly. As proof, he provided a screen shot of the update where I stated, “…there will probably be a meeting of the NC House Marine Resources Committee next week but nothing official yet.” Good grief! But there’s more! click it! 10:52

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for March 05, 2021

March 6, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, Recently many legislators received an email from Allen Jernigan about his frustrations with fisheries management in our state. Glenn Skinner, NCFA’s Executive Director, went through Mr. Jernigan’s email point by point and offers this response to help clarify some really bad information. Mr. Jernigan’s comments are in black and NCFA’s in red. (read it in the update) >Click here to read the Weekly Update<,  to read all the updates,  >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 11:42

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for February 26, 2021

February 26, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<23:01

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) of NC has filed a lawsuit against the State of North Carolina that could severely restrict the rights of fishermen and consumers to access local wild caught North Carolina seafood! See Documents at the bottom of this update for detailed information about the lawsuit. 20:10

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for February 5, 2021

February 6, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< On Thursday, January 28, 2021 the North Carolina Fisheries Association filed amotion to intervene as a party-defendant in the lawsuit filed against the State of N.C by the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) of North Carolina. If you would like to contribute/donate to NCFA to help with this lawsuit, click! 10:00

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for January 15, 2021

January 16, 2021   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<15:15

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for January 01, 2021

January 1, 2021   South Atlantic

Sadly, former Senator Marc Basnight passed away this week at the age of 73. More about that elsewhere in this update. I have written a personal note about our relationship as it was one that had spanned quite a few years. The NCFA Board, Members and Staff offer our most sincere condolences and  prayers to the Basnight family. Senator Marc Basnight had a close relationship with the North Carolina Fisheries Association. He was a good friend to  commercial fishing families, although there were times when we differed. ,, Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<10:38

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for December 11, 2020

December 11, 2020   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, The North Carolina Fisheries Association Officers, Members and Staff offer our prayers and most sincere condolences to Representative Michael and Hazel Speciale and their family on the death of their daughter, Dawn April Stewart on November 30th… to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<  14:31

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for October 30, 2020

October 30, 2020   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<21:46

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for October 23, 2020

October 23, 2020   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 14:29 – My view: I have not read the 300+ page bill yet, but others involved in commercial fishing have. In short, this would be a nightmare for the domestic commercial fishing industry. Elections have consequences! God bless, Jerry

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for October 09, 2020

October 9, 2020   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 22:56

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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for October 02, 2020

October 3, 2020   South Atlantic

Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<  11:11

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