Fishing with large mesh gill nets is expected to close for seven months in a large portion of the state’s coastal waters as the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries addresses the issue of unauthorized interactions with endangered and threatened sea turtles.
The division plans to apply for a permit under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act that would authorize the incidental take of endangered or threatened species of sea turtles according to guidelines in an approved conservation plan.
There is currently a Section 10 permit for the Pamlico Sound Gill Net Restricted Area. The proposed permit would be statewide.
Work on the permit application is under way, and the division anticipates having it submitted to the National Marine Fisheries Service by April.
“We’re hoping to get the application in this spring and the hope is for approval by the 2011 fishing season,” said Patricia Smith, a spokeswoman for the division.