News Release Archives: Feb. 2017

Release: Immediate
Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: Feb. 22, 2017
Phone: 252-726-7021

Recreational flounder bag limit reduced to four fish

MOREHEAD CITY — The recreational flounder bag limit will decrease from six fish to four fish per person, per day in North Carolina waters beginning March 1.

The recreational size limit will remain at 15 inches.

The bag limit reduction is necessary to comply with requirements of Addendum XXVIII to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan.

The board, in August 2016, approved an approximate 30 percent reduction in catch limits for both the commercial and recreational summer flounder fisheries in response to a 2016 stock assessment update, which indicated the resource is experiencing overfishing but is not overfished.

Failure to implement the reduced bag limit would result in default management measures of a 20-inch size limit, a two-fish bag limit and a fishing season from July 1 through August 31.

Because North Carolina manages its recreational fishery for all species of flounder with the same size and bag limits, the changes will apply to all recreational flounder fishing in all estuarine and ocean waters.

For specific recreational flounder regulations see Proclamation FF-4-2017.

The overall commercial summer flounder quota has already been reduced by 30 percent, establishing the 2017 North Carolina commercial summer flounder quota to 1.6 million pounds.

For more information, contact Chris Batsavage at 252-808-8009 or Chris.Batsavage@ncdenr.gov.

nr-13-2017

Release: Immediate
Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: Feb. 21, 2017
Phone: 252-726-7021

Public hearing scheduled on proposed
shellfish lease in Pender County

MOREHEAD CITY — The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on a proposed shellfish lease in Pender County at 6 p.m. March 9 at the Surf City Visitor Center, 102 N. Shore Drive, Surf City.

Steven Giberson of Hampstead has applied to lease 4.86 acres of shellfish bottom in Topsail Sound. A map of the proposed lease may be found here.

The public may comment on the proposed lease at the meeting or in writing until 5 p.m. March 8. Written comments should be submitted to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

The application file and biologist report for the proposed lease are available for inspection weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Headquarters Office at 3441 Arendell St. in Morehead City.

For more information, contact Mike Graven, Shellfish Lease Program manager, at 252-808-8048 or Michael.Graven@ncdenr.gov.

nr-12-2017

Release: Immediate
Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: Feb. 21, 2017
Phone: 252-726-7021

Public hearing scheduled on proposed
shellfish lease in Pamlico County

MOREHEAD CITY — The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on a proposed shellfish lease in Pamlico County at 6 p.m. March 2 at the Pamlico County Courthouse, 202 Main Street, Bayboro.

Carol Potter, business agent for Trawler Dorothy, Inc., has applied to lease 4.47 acres of shellfish bottom in Jones Bay. A map of the proposed lease may be found here.

The public may comment on the proposed lease at the meeting or in writing until 5 p.m. March 1. Written comments should be submitted to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

The application file and biologist report for the proposed lease are available for inspection weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Headquarters Office at 3441 Arendell St. in Morehead City.

For more information, contact Mike Graven, Shellfish Lease Program manager, at 252-808-8048 or Michael.Graven@ncdenr.gov.

nr-11-2017

Release: Immediate
Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: Feb. 20, 2017
Phone: 252-726-7021

Public hearing scheduled on proposed
shellfish leases in Hyde County

MOREHEAD CITY — The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish leases in Hyde County at 6 p.m. March 1 at the Ocracoke Waterman’s Exhibit, Community
Square Dock, 278 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke.

Steve Wilson, representative of Woccocon Oyster Company, has applied to lease 4.817 acres of water bottom and water column in Pamlico Sound. A map of the proposed leases can be found here.

Arlene Burley of Ocracoke has applied to lease an additional 1.02 acres of water column to existing bottom lease Number 9802, in Pamlico Sound. A map of the proposed lease can be found here.

The public may comment on the proposed leases at the meeting or in writing until 5 p.m. Feb. 28. Written comments should be submitted to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

The application file and biologist report for the proposed leases are available for inspection weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Headquarters Office at 3441 Arendell St. in Morehead City.

For more information, contact Mike Graven, Shellfish Lease Program manager, at 252-808-8048 or Michael.Graven@ncdenr.gov.

nr-10-2017