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North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update: February 8, 2016

February 8, 2016 — The Following is a weekly update from the North Carolina Fisheries Association:

Last week David Bush was at the ASMFC meeting in Alexandria VA.

This week, David is attending the Mid Atlantic Council meeting in New Bern. We both participated in a conference call earlier with some folks in DC about a media campaign that will address several issues. You’ll hear more specifics on that later.

I will be attending legislative meetings on Wednesday & Thursday. One is in Belhaven and the other in Raleigh.

Next week, February 17 – 19, David & I will both be attending the Marine Fisheries Commission meeting at the Blockade Runner in Wrightsville Beach. That meeting begins with a public comment session on Wednesday evening with the business portion of the meeting on Thursday & Friday. There will be another public comment session first thing Thursday morning.

The public may listen to the meeting on the Internet. Directions for participating in the webcast, including information on system requirements and testing, can be found at: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/listen-online.

The commission is scheduled to:

Receive a presentation on and select preferred management options for amendments to the Oyster and Clam fishery management plans;

Select replacement candidates for the governor’s consideration for North Carolina’s obligatory seat on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council;

Consider a request for a declaratory ruling from American Eel Farm;

Receive a presentation on the 2015 Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Update and give final approval of the plan;

Discuss the Standard Commercial Fishing License criteria;

Consider delegating authority to the commission’s Commercial Fishing Resource Fund Committee to develop and implement a memorandum of understanding with and the North Carolina Commercial Fishing Resource Fund Funding Committee. The memorandum of understanding will set procedures for agreeing to and authorizing disbursements from the fund;

Receive a brief update on the division’s progress toward setting total allowable landings for pound nets by waterbodies for Supplement A to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 1.

A full meeting agenda and briefing book can be found at: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/mfc-meetings

Jerry

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SOUTHERN SHRIMP ALLIANCE & SHRIMP IMPORTS:

The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) is an organization of shrimp fishermen, shrimp processors, and other members of the domestic industry in the eight warmwater shrimp producing states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.

Founded in 2002, the SSA works to ensure the continued vitality and existence of the U.S. shrimp industry. The livelihoods of U.S. shrimpers are threatened by cheap, unfairly traded imported shrimp. The U.S market has become a dumping ground for shrimp that are turned away from other major seafood importing countries. Proposed restrictions on shrimp fishing and rapidly increasing costs of doing business also loom over the industry. The SSA is committed to preserving the long term viability of one of our nation’s most valuable fisheries, which for decades has been a foundation of the economy and social structure of countless coastal communities throughout the Gulf and Southeast regions.

SSA is currently conducting a sunset review, which is required to determine if antidumping duties should remain for imported shrimp from certain countries. John distributed surveys for shrimpers and processors. It is very important for shrimpers and shrimp processors to participate in this survey! If not, the antidumping duties could be lifted.

We have copies at the office, so call if you want us to send you one or more. Or you can contact John Williams of the Southern Shrimp Alliance directly: john@shrimpalliance.com or call: 727-934-5090.

IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN THE DOMESTIC SHRIMP INDUSTRY AND CONCERNED ABOUT IMPORTS, YOU NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SURVEY!!!

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PROPOSED BOUNDARY EXPANSION TO MONITOR NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

After several years of scientific and archaeological assessment and in coordination with the public, NOAA is proposing to expand Monitor National Marine Sanctuary off North Carolina’s Outer Banks to include additional maritime heritage resources. The proposed expansion would protect a nationally significant collection of shipwrecks that currently have little or no legal protection, including one of America’s only World War II battlefields.

For more details and maps see http://monitor.noaa.gov/management/expansion.html.

This expansion could have significant impacts on fishermen off the Outer Banks. Please plan to attend one of the following meetings:

Raleigh, NC Tues., Feb. 9 from 6-9 p.m. North Carolina Museum of History 5 East Edenton Street 919-807-7900

Beaufort, NC Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 6-9 p.m. North Carolina Maritime Museum 315 Front Street 252-728-7317

Hatteras, NC Thurs., Feb. 11 from 6-9 p.m. Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum 9200 Museum Dr. 252-986-2995

Washington, D.C. Tues., Feb. 16 from 6-9 p.m. US Navy Memorial – Main Auditorium 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW 202-380-0710

Nags Head, NC Wed., Feb. 17 from 6-9 p.m.

Jennette’s Pier 7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail

252-255-1501

CALENDAR

Feb 9 Monitor National Marine Sanctuary hearing; 6-9pm; Raleigh

Feb 10 Monitor National Marine Sanctuary hearing; 6-9pm; Beaufort

Feb 11 Monitor National Marine Sanctuary hearing; 6-9pm; Hatteras

Feb 9-11 MAFMC meeting in New Bern NC

Feb 17 Monitor National Marine Sanctuary hearing; 6-9pm; Nags Head

Feb 17-19 NC MFC meeting in Wrightsville Beach, NC

Mar 7-11 SAFMC meeting in Jekyll Island, GA

MAFMC: Meetings this Week

February 8, 2016 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s February 2016 meeting to be held February 9-11, 2016 in New Bern, North Carolina.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016 – Thursday, February 11, 2016

Double Tree by Hilton New Bern

100 Middle Street

New Bern, NC 28560

Telephone 252-638-3585

Webinar:

For online access to the meeting, enter as a guest at: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/february2016/

Briefing Materials:

Briefing materials will be posted on the February 2016 Meeting page as they become available.

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Public Hearing via Webinar

Today, February 8, 2016, 6:00 p.m.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold the final in a series of public hearings tonight via webinar to solicit public input on management measures that may affect fishermen fishing in federal waters (greater than 3 miles offshore) along the entire Atlantic coast. Join Council staff at 6:00 p.m. as they review proposed measures in the two amendments listed below. Then provide your formal comments via the webinar for Council consideration.

Electronic Reporting Requirements for Federally-Permitted Charterboats – The Council is considering mandatory reporting requirements for charterboats (6-pack) with federal for-hire permits including Atlantic Dolphin Wahoo For-Hire and Coastal Migratory Pelagic For-Hire permits. The amendment also modifies existing requirements for headboat electronic reporting.
Changes to King Mackerel Management Measures – Changes are proposed for king mackerel management along the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico including changes to management zones, annual catch limits, commercial trip limits, split seasons, and other measures.

NOTE: Registration for the webinar is required. Click below to register and join us later today to learn more and provide your comments!

Register Here

Additional information, including public hearing summaries, video presentations for each amendment, and additional resources are available from the Public Hearing and Scoping Meeting page of the Council’s website. Written comments may be submitted until Wednesday, February 10, 2016. Email comments to mike.collins@safmc.net with “For-Hire Amend” and/or “Mackerel Amend 26” in the Subject line of the email.

ASMFC American Eel Board Approves North Carolina Aquaculture Plan for 2016

February 5, 2016 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Management Council:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s American Eel Management Board approved North Carolina’s Aquaculture Plan for 2016, allowing up to 200 pounds of glass eels to be harvested for aquaculture purposes. North Carolina’s plan is the first to be approved under the aquaculture plan provisions of Addendum IV to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for American Eel.

“North Carolina is grateful for the Board’s provisional approval of its Aquaculture Plan,” stated Dr. Louis Daniel, Director of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. “Through the plan, we hope to demonstrate that domestic aquaculture of American eel can be done successfully while maintaining the rebuilding goals and objectives of the FMP.”

The Board reviewed comments provided by the Technical Committee, Advisory Panel, and Law Enforcement Committee on the various merits of the plan prior to its approval. Board approval was contingent on two issues (1) export of glass eels will be prohibited, and (2) the first year of the plan will be conducted as a pilot program. During the first year, North Carolina will work with its industry to identify viable collection sites for glass eels for its use in aquaculture. If North Carolina intends to continue this plan into a second year, which will require additional Board approval, the state will need to work with the Technical Committee to determine sampling protocols for obtaining glass eel abundance estimates across the identified collection sites.

For more information, please contact Mike Waine, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at mwaine@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

Climate change poses threat to fish stocks, study finds

February 3, 2016 — Over the coming decades, dozens of marine species from the Carolinas to New England will be threatened by the warming, changing currents and the increased acidity expected to alter the region’s waters, according to a new study by scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Atlantic salmon, winter flounder, bay scallops, ocean quahogs, and other species may face the kind of trouble from climate change that has been linked in previous research to the decline of Atlantic cod, which has lost an estimated 90 percent of its population over the past three decades, the study found.

The authors of the study, released Wednesday by the journal Plos One, found that half of the 82 species they evaluated along the northeastern coast are “highly” or “very highly” vulnerable to the effects of climate change, meaning their populations and ability to reproduce are likely to decline.

“The results show that climate change presents significant challenges to the region’s fishery management and to its ability to sustain fishing communities,” said Jonathan Hare, a NOAA oceanographer who was the lead author of study.

The study also found that 80 percent of the species studied are likely to move beyond their normal habitats.

Read the full story from the Boston Globe

These Fish Species Are Most Vulnerable to Climate Change

February 3, 2016—Scallop and salmon are among the species of fish most vulnerable to the warming of ocean waters due to climate change, according to new research.

The study, conducted by researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and published in the journal PLOS One, evaluated how more than 80 species will respond to their rapidly warming environment in the waters off the coast of the Northeastern United States. Species that can consume a wide variety of prey and survive in many different habitats tended to be less vulnerable to warming than their counterparts confined to one area and to a few sources of sustenance.

Some species, like anchovies, black sea bass and Spanish mackerel, may even benefit from climate change. But species whose populations will be negatively affected—including mussels, shrimp and pollock—far out number those whose standing will improve, according to the study. Others will be left largely unaffected. The results show 17% of the 82 species examined will benefit from climate change, while 83% will either be hurt or not affected by warming.

The research, which evaluated waters from North Carolina to Maine, is the first of several planned by NOAA to assess how vulnerable fish in the U.S. are to climate change. The results provide little indication about when the fish populations will begin to feel the pressure of climate change.

Read the full story at Time

North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for Feb 1, 2016

February 2, 2016 — The following was released by the North Carolina Fisheries Association:

CARTERET COUNTY FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION TO MEET

The Carteret County Fishermen’s Association has scheduled a meeting for Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Marshallberg Community Center at 6:30pm.

SOUTHERN SHRIMP ALLIANCE & SHRIMP IMPORTS:

We have copies at the office, so call if you want us to send you one or more. Or you can contact John Williams of the Southern Shrimp Alliance directly: john@shrimpalliance.com or call: 727-934-5090.

PROPOSED BOUNDARY EXPANSION TO MONITOR NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

For more details and maps see http://monitor.noaa.gov/management/expansion.html.

This expansion could have significant impacts on fishermen off the Outer Banks. Please plan to attend one of the following public meetings:

Raleigh, NC

Tues., Feb. 9 from 6-9 p.m.

North Carolina Museum of History

5 East Edenton Street

919-807-7900

Beaufort, NC

Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 6-9 p.m.

North Carolina Maritime Museum

315 Front Street

252-728-7317

Hatteras, NC

Thurs., Feb. 11 from 6-9 p.m.

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

9200 Museum Dr.

252-986-2995

Washington, D.C.

Tues., Feb. 16 from 6-9 p.m.

US Navy Memorial – Main Auditorium

701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

202-380-0710

Nags Head, NC

Wed., Feb. 17 from 6-9 p.m.

Jennette’s Pier – Oceanview Hall

7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail

252-255-1501

JERRY’S COMMENTS

Last fall WRAL aired a documentary that was not at all complimentary to our state’s commercial fishermen. I was interviewed for it and offered some suggestions for other interviews to the producer, Clay Johnson. After I watched it, I sent him a note and said it was the most subjective piece of fisheries journalism I’ve experienced. He didn’t agree with that statement, but I maintain that it’s a fact.

Since then, there are some fishermen who wonder why I would even consent to an interview. At the same time, we all seem to agree that we “need to get the word out”, and quit preaching to the choir. How do we do that by saying no to a request for an interview, when the question is, “would you be interested in being interviewed for a documentary about commercial fishing”? Before saying yes, I did some research on the producer. I watched several of his documentaries with one being about commercial fishing in 2008. The others were not about commercial fishing but all of them, in my opinion, were fair and objectively done.S

Below is the link to the video, “Net Loss”, produced by Clay Johnson in 2008. If you haven’t watched the other one that aired last year, let me know and I’ll forward to you.

http://www.wral.com/wral-tv/video/3599816/

CALENDAR

Feb 2-4 ASMFC Winter meeting; Alexandria VA

Feb 6 Carteret County Fishermen’s Association; 6:30pm;

Feb 9 Monitor National Marine Sanctuary hearing; 6-9pm; Raleigh

Feb 10 Monitor National Marine Sanctuary hearing; 6-9pm; Beaufort

Feb 11 Monitor National Marine Sanctuary hearing; 6-9pm; Hatteras

Feb 9-11 MAFMC meeting in New Bern NC

Feb 17 Monitor National Marine Sanctuary hearing; 6-9pm; Nags Head

Feb 17-19 NC MFC meeting in Wrightsville Beach, NC

Mar 7-11 SAFMC meeting in Jekyll Island, GA

View a PDF of the Weekly Update

North Carolina Congressman Walter Jones Asks Corps for More Resources for Oregon, Hatteras Inlets

January 29, 2016 — The following was released by the Office of Congressman Walter B. Jones:

Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) is calling on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allocate additional funding to dredge Eastern North Carolina’s Oregon and Hatteras Inlets. In a letter sent today, Congressman Jones reminded Army Corps of Engineers leadership of the chronically poor navigation conditions at both inlets. He also pointed out that the amounts provided in the President’s fiscal year 2016 budget request – $2,000,000 for Oregon Inlet and $300,000 for Hatteras Inlet – are insufficient to keep the channels maintained at anything close to their authorized depths. In fact, without supplemental funds, both channels may be in danger of closing to vessel traffic during the year.

While Congress no longer has the ability to legislatively increase funding for specific projects because of an earmark ban imposed in 2011, Congress did attempt to address some of the waterway maintenance issues across the nation in the recently-passed Fiscal Year 2016 appropriations bill for the Corps. In that bill, Congress created several unallocated pots of money for different project categories, and gave the Corps discretion in determining which projects to fund from these pots. In his letter to the Corps, Congressman Jones argued that Oregon and Hatteras Inlets are the type of projects Congress had in mind when it provided the Corps with these additional resources.

“Maintaining Oregon and Hatteras Inlets is vital to the Dare and Hyde County economy,” said Congressman Jones. “Fishermen, recreational boaters and the Coast Guard must have reliable access through the inlets, and I will continue to do everything I can to fight for that cause.”

View a PDF of the letter

NCFA Weekly Update for January 25, 2016

January 25, 2016 — The following was released by the North Carolina Fisheries Association (NCFA):

WEEKLY UPDATE: 1/25/2016
NORTH CAROLINA FISHERIES ASSOCIATION
“Serving the Commercial Fishing Families of North Carolina since 1952”
Phone: (252) 633-NCFA (6232)
www.ncfish.org

Jerry Schill, President: jerryschill@ncfish.org; ext. 100
David Bush, Fisheries Biologist: davidbush@ncfish.org; ext. 102
Peggy Page, Accounting: peggy@ncfish.org; ext. 103

NOTE: Since this update is already very lengthy, we will send out a supplement to this tomorrow. In it, we will include information on:

* The Sneads Ferry Open House by Camp Lejeune about the K-2Range New River. Jerry attended and will give an update;

* Fundraising efforts for Ginger Shackelford, daughter of Britton and AudraShackelford, who is fighting cancer.

* Calendar of events & meetings coming up.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING recap:

Congratulations to Sonny Davis & Glen Skinner of Carteret County and Joey Daniels of Dare County, as the newest members of the Board of Directors!!

The following were elected as officers of the Board:

Chairman: Brent Fulcher
Vice Chairman: Glen Skinner
Treasurer: Leslie Daniels
President & Corporate Secretary: Jerry Schill

After a lengthy discussion on southern flounder, including comments from attorney Steve Weeks, the following motion was approved by the membership:

To pursue administrative, legal and legislative options;

To create a southern flounder fund for the purpose of challenging the NC Marine Fisheries Commission’s decision on southern flounder in November 2015 and expose the illegal actions of the commission.

The motion requires that NCFA staff exhaust all efforts to resolve the problems associated with the illegal decision made by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission regarding southern flounder. To that end, NCFA will establish a “Southern Flounder Fund” that will be set aside to pay for costs associated with this effort. Those costs may be legal, public relations or communications Contributions to this fund will not be used for administrative costs. More details will be included in a press release in a few days.

NCFA’s membership also agreed to:

* Assure that the current definition of a commercial fisherman remains as is;

* Reaffirm its opposition to catch shares or individual quotas.

SOUTHERN SHRIMP ALLIANCE & SHRIMP IMPORTS:

John Williams, Executive Director of SSA presented an overview of the history of SSA and their efforts and successes in curbing the importation of shrimp being “dumped” into US markets.

We have copies at the office, so call if you want us to send you one or more. Or you can contact John Williams of the Southern Shrimp Alliance directly: John@shrimpalliance.com or call: 727-934-5090.

Jerry’s comments:

I would like to add my personal thanks and congratulations to those who were re-elected to NCFA’s Board, and to Sonny Davis, Glen Skinner & Joey Daniels for their willingness to serve. Special kudos to Brent Fulcher, Glen Skinner and Leslie Daniels as officers. It takes a significant amount of time to serve on our Board as we meet monthly, and the meetings are not short! They all deserve the gratitude of everyone involved with commercial fishing and those who support it.

In addition, I appreciate the support of the Board in appointing me to continue for another year as President and Corporate Secretary. It’s a role that I don’t take lightly, and offer my assurances that we will do our utmost to address the challenges facing the industry and assure that commercial fishermen will have a future in North Carolina.

It was very gratifying to see the excellent turnout for our annual meeting, and speaking for David & Peggy, the staff appreciates everyone that took the time to attend our annual meeting and also the bycatch reduction workshop and the presentation by John Williams of the Southern Shrimp Alliance prior to our meeting. It was the best attendance of any annual meeting that I’ve been involved with and allows us to build upon that energy for the coming year. David & Peggy spent a considerable amount of time in preparation for the day’s events and did an outstanding job!

There is one issue that I would like to mention here concerning the Annual Meeting. I would like to expand on the comments I made at the meeting regarding 2015. When reviewing the last year, it’s hard to jump up and down with joy. Would you agree? I made the statement that in my 29 years of being involved, it was the harshest to commercial fishing that I can remember. My purpose in saying that was not to depress everyone, as I’m sure everyone agreed that last year was a tough one, but to let those involved in commercial fishing know that we, meaning the staff at NCFA, feel it too. We are not oblivious to the negative effects of overzealous regulations that y’all face. While it’s our job at NCFA to promote a positive face, our members will wonder what we’ve been smoking if we don’t acknowledge the harsh climate facing fishermen!

However, I should have spent more time in speaking about the positives and how those positives can be used to approach the issues in 2016. For example, the relationship we have with the North Carolina General Assembly is the best it’s ever been. Commercial fishermen have many friends in the legislature and they’re not only from the coast. That is a benefit that is directly responsible to the effort we, and others, have put into it. Personally, I missed very few days being in Raleigh when they were in session last year. We do need to do the same for our congressional folks in Washington and we’ve been working on that, especially with Senator Burr, Senator Tillis and Congressman Rouzer. Congressman Walter Jones is staunchly in our corner but we do need to maintain that dialogue with his office so they understand our positions. Likewise, his staff keeps us informed on upcoming issues at the federal level.

We also have Tradewinds back and try to make it better with every issue. Our website and Facebook pages are being kept current thanks to Aundrea O’Neal. Using technology enables us to do our best in educating consumers. Of course, those efforts need to be expanded. For the past 2 years, we have partnered with North Carolina Watermen United and NC Catch in educational efforts at the Seafood Festival and the State Fair. We have a very good relationship with Farm Bureau as they have been a steadfast ally. And we have a Board of Directors that’s as pro-active as any I’ve seen. In the “old” days we had quarterly Board meetings. We now have monthly meetings that cover a multitude of issues.

The challenges are many, but we have a positive base to build on to address those challenges.

What we really need now is for more participation in terms of MEMBERSHIP, especially half percenters. If you commercially fish and are not a Half Percent Member, you need to be! It’s an easy way for you to do your part in addressing the issues facing commercial fishing. If you are a dealer and not participating, you need to be! The days for letting the other guy carry the load are over if you want commercial fishing to continue! We can assist you in getting started as a half percenter.

Give us a call or drop us a note. Stop by the office in New Bern. Or call one of the members of the Board. Get involved!

God bless,
Jerry

View a PDF of the release

NORTH CAROINA: Marine officials and fishermen exchange concerns about fishing risks

January 27, 2016 — SNEADS FERRY, Onslow County – Officials from Camp Lejeune met with dozens of commercial fishermen at the Sneads Ferry Community Center Wednesday evening to discuss and exchange concerns about possible risks in a part of the New River.

“We’re soliciting public feedback to determine the next steps ahead as we try to mitigate this hazard,” said Camp Lejeune Public Affairs Director Nat Fahy.

At issue is a 2012 to 2014 study that turned up more than 7,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance and debris from the waters alongside Camp Lejeune’s K-2 range.

For now, the base says it will put up signs warning against activities that would disturb the bottom of the river–activities like clam raking, crabbing, and anchoring.

Our position is very simple and that is that these are not federal waters, the waters don’t belong to the military, they are state waters,” said Jerry Schill, President of the North Carolina Fisheries Association. “Camp Lejeune cannot enact restrictions in these waters. That can only come from the Army Corps of Engineers.”

Read the full story at WCTI News

$1.7 Million Granted for 15 Projects to Improve Coastal Fishing and Access Areas

January 26, 2016—Each year, a portion of money generated through the sales of North Carolina’s coastal recreational fishing licenses is set aside to fund projects to benefit anglers, fish species, and fishing access points. This year, more than $1.7 million will be split between 15 projects.

The money will be used to fund projects across three different focus areas. The People Focus Area is made up of education projects and public water access projects. The Fish Focus Area funds fisheries research projects. Finally, the Habitat Focus Area will pay for projects that protect or enhance the habitat of fish.

The majority of the $1.7 million has been approved for the People Focus Area, which is made up of six different projects to benefit anglers. These total $983,505, and include the following projects, along with the dollar amount set aside for each:

$77,750 has been earmarked for the fourth update and printing of the North Carolina Coastal Recreational Angler’s Guide.

$11,800 will be used to continue funding the Marine Patrol Education Team, providing educational equipment and resources to the N.C. Marine Patrol.

Read the full story at the North Carolina Sportsman