News Release Archives: December 2019

Release: Immediate
Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: Dec. 19, 2019
Phone: 252-726-7021

Recreational slot limit implemented for
striped bass caught in the ocean

MOREHEAD CITY — A slot limit for recreationally-caught striped bass will go into effect Jan. 1 in North Carolina ocean waters. 

Fishermen will be allowed to possess one striped bass per person per day that is at least 28 inches and le+ss than 35 inches total length (fishermen may not keep a 35-inch fish). For the specific regulation, see Proclamation FF-54-2019. Until the slot limit takes effect on Jan. 1, the minimum size limit for ocean striped bass remains 28 inches total length with a one fish possession limit.

The slot limit is required by the recently adopted Addendum VI to Amendment 6 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan. It is designed to end overfishing and bring fishing mortality to the target level in 2020 by reducing total coastwide striped bass removals by 18%. The latest coastwide stock assessment determined that ocean migratory Atlantic striped bass are overfished and overfishing is occurring. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s action also requires a coastwide commercial quota reduction of 18%. For additional information, see the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission news release.

The recreational regulations for striped bass in internal coastal waters remain unchanged.

For more information, contact Division of Marine Fisheries biologist Charlton Godwin at 252-264-3911 or Charlton.Godwin@ncdenr.gov

nr-91-2019

Release: Immediate
Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: Dec. 19, 2019
Phone: 252-726-7021

Fisheries Division reminds public to report cold stunned trout

MOREHEAD CITY — The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries wants to remind the public to report any cold stunned spotted seatrout they may see in North Carolina coastal waters.

During the winter, spotted seatrout move to relatively shallow creeks and rivers, where they can be vulnerable to cold stun events. Cold stun events have the potential to occur when there is a sudden drop in temperature or during prolonged periods of cold weather, making fish so sluggish that they can be harvested by hand.

Many fish that are stunned die from the cold or fall prey to birds and other predators. Studies suggest that cold stun events can have a significant negative impact on spotted seatrout populations.

No cold stun events have been reported so far this winter, but if there are concerning weather conditions in the upcoming weeks, as described above, then a cold stun event could occur in coastal rivers and creeks.

Spotted seatrout cold stun events can be reported at any time to the N.C. Marine Patrol at 1-800-682-2632 or during regular business hours to the division spotted seatrout biologist Tracey Bauer at 252-808-8159 or Tracey.Bauer@ncdenr.gov

If reporting a spotted seatrout cold stun event, please provide where (the specific location) and when (date and time) the cold stun was observed, along with your contact information.

Under the N.C. Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan, if a significant cold stun event occurs, the Division of Marine Fisheries will close all spotted seatrout harvest within a management area until the following spring. A significant cold stun event within a management area is determined by 1) assessing the size and scope, and 2) evaluating water temperatures to determine if triggers of 5 C (41 F) for eight consecutive days and 3 C (37.4 F) during a consecutive 24-hour period are met. Data loggers are deployed statewide to continuously measure water temperatures in coastal rivers and creeks prone to cold stuns. Closing harvest allows fish that survive the cold stun event a better chance to spawn in the spring before harvest reopens. Peak spawning occurs from May to June.

Under N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission rules, the spotted seatrout season automatically closes in inland waters when it closes in adjacent coastal waters.

nr-90-2019

Release: Immediate
Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: Dec. 17, 2019
Phone: 252-726-7021

MEDIA ADVISORY: Dec. 19 meeting of Commercial Fishing
Resource Funding committees cancelled

MOREHEAD CITY — The joint meeting of the N.C. Commercial Fishing Resource Funding Committee and the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Commercial Fishing Resource Fund Committee scheduled for Dec. 19 in Washington has been cancelled due to lack of a quorum. The meeting will be rescheduled, and the date, time and location will be announced later.

nr-89-2019