North Carolina Archives - Page 66 of 74

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:

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.

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 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

NOAA Expands Critical Habitat for Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales

January 26, 2016 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Using new information not previously available, NOAA Fisheries is expanding critical habitat for endangered North Atlantic right whales to cover its northeast feeding areas in the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank region and southeast calving grounds from North Carolina to Florida.

This final rule, which was initially proposed in February 2015 and received 261 general comments over a 60-day comment period, does not include any new restrictions or management measures for commercial fishing operations.

North Atlantic right whale mother and calf. Credit: Christin Khan/NOAA

“With two decades of new information and improved understanding since we first designated critical habitat for the species, we believe the expansion will further protect essential foraging and calving areas to further improve recovery of this animal,” said Eileen Sobeck, assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “We’re making significant progress in reversing the population decline of the species, and are seeing signs of recovery – up to about 500 animals from the estimated 300 in 1994. But we still have a long way to get to complete recovery. “This rule is based on 35 years of aircraft and ship borne surveys of right whale distribution, research into foraging and prey availability to better understand right whale movements and life history. Together, these data provide a far more robust understanding of the factors critical to species recovery. Based on this information and public comments, NOAA scientists and managers determined a critical habitat expansion associated with feeding in the North and calving in the South is necessary for species recovery.

Under the Endangered Species Act, critical habitat within the range of the species consists of areas that contain physical or biological features essential to conservation of the species. The new designation does not create preserves or refuges or any other restrictions that directly affect the public. However, federal agencies conducting, funding or permitting activities in these areas, and project proponents that need federal permits or funding for such activities, are required to work with NOAA Fisheries to avoid or reduce impacts on critical habitat.

Figure 1: Comparison of 1994 and 2016 Right Whale Critical Habitat Designations

Read the final rule, along with comments and responses, as filed in the Federal Register this morning.

Read the whole press release on our website.

SAFMC Solicits Public Input on Proposed Electronic Reporting Requirements for Charterboats and Other Fisheries Issues

January 26,2016—The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Public Hearing Webinar to be Held February 8

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting public input through a series of public hearings on proposed measures that could affect federally permitted charter vessels along the Atlantic coast. For-hire vessels (charter and headboats) operating more than three miles offshore in federal waters must have specific federal permits to legally target dolphin and wahoo, Coastal Migratory Pelagics (mackerel and cobia), and snapper grouper species. The SAFMC is considering alternatives that would require electronic reporting for charter vessels with those federal permits, ranging from weekly reporting to daily reporting, through development of the Atlantic Generic Charterboat/Headboat Reporting Amendment. The SAFMC is also soliciting comments on Coastal Migratory Pelagic Amendment 26, which includes several proposed management actions for Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic migratory group king mackerel. Additional information about these actions and public comment opportunities is available here.

On Tuesday, February 9, at 5:00 PM, SAFMC staff will provide a brief presentation on the Generic Charter/For-Hire Reporting Amendment during the Mid-Atlantic Council’s February 2016 meeting in New Bern, North Carolina.

Public Hearings

The South Atlantic Council will hold a series of public hearings to gather input on these proposed measures.

February 8, 2016, 6:00 PM – public hearing webinar – Click HERE to Register

January 25 – February 3 – In-person public hearings will be held throughout the South Atlantic region. See this page for date, time, and location details.

Submit Written Comments

Written comments for the amendments may be submitted via mail, fax, and email and will be accepted until 5:00 PM on February 10, 2016.

E-mail – mike.collins@safmc.net (Please reference the name of the amendment you are submitting comments about in the subject line of your e-mail.)

Fax – 843.769.4520

Mail – Send written comments to Gregg Waugh, Executive Director, SAFMC, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. Charleston, SC 29405.

Questions? For more information, please visit http://safmc.net/meetings/public-hearing-and-scoping-meeting-schedule or call 843/571-4366, (toll free) 866/SAFMC-10

NORTH CAROLINA: Fisheries meetings this Monday in New Bern!

January 23, 2016 — The following was released by North Carolina Fisheries Association:

NCFA’s Annual Meeting is this coming Monday, January 25th, at the Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern.

The day’s agenda will include the Bycatch reduction workshop at 10:00, the Southern Shrimp Alliance at 2:00 and our Annual Meeting at 3:00.

At the very top of this note, you will see a link to print out a proxy form if you cannot attend. You can either email the form to David Bush, davidbush@ncfish.org, or fax it to us at 252-633-6233.

NCFA will celebrate its 64th anniversary this summer. I’ve been involved for almost 30 of those years. Every year since 1987, I have heard some fishermen and some dealers complain about what we do or what we don’t do. Some of those criticisms have been valid and some absolute bull. Regardless, there is no doubt that we can learn from those comments to make us more effective.

Some who criticize do it for the right reason and some are just chronic complainers. NCFA gives one vote to each member in good standing regardless of what they do. Our meetings are not closed but open to anyone, although only members in good standing can vote. If you are a regular member in good standing of one of our affiliates, you are automatically a member of NCFA.

We remain in a rebuilding mode at NCFA. We need your help to make that effort successful and once again, ask you to make a very strong attempt to attend the Annual Meeting this Monday. If you cannot, please send in your proxy.

View the Annual Meeting Proxy Form