June 7, 2017 — The long-running battle between commercial and recreational fishermen moved Tuesday to Raleigh, where both sides and lawmakers parried with their poles and nets over a proposal to put more regulations on commercial fishing along the North Carolina coast.
House Bill 867 puts fisheries conservation and management at the core of the state Marine Fisheries Commission’s duties. It also eliminates the concept of a “sustainable harvest” by commercial fishermen and says fishing stock must be managed scientifically to ensure species aren’t overfished.
“Strike the word ‘conservation’ and replace it with ‘allocation,'” Glen Skinner, a Carteret County commercial fisherman, told members of the House Committee on Wildlife Resources. “This is about reallocating resources from one to the next.”
“This is not about conservation,” said Pam Morris, president of Carteret Catch, which promotes local seafood and fishermen. “This is a power grab by some to further control fisheries.”
“Environment produces my fish, not regulations,” said Terry Pratt, president of the Albemarle Fishermen’s Association.
The commercial side disputed the notion that fish stocks along the coast are declining, with state Rep.
Beverly Boswell, R-Dare, pointing to a record shrimp harvest in recent years.