WECT Archives - Saving Seafood

December 31, 2015 — On January 1 we will have imposed on commercial fishermen (those who fish with nets) and people who like fresh seafood bought either from the local fish market or prepared in a local restaurant an example of the worst kind of government. That is, the imposition of regulations for the sake of regulation, without valid or reliable science or even common sense. The Division of Marine Fisheries will impose absurd regulations on the catching of flounder in North Carolina’s coastal waters.

The purpose of the regulations, plus the mission of the DMF in general in recent years, could be said to extinguish commercial fishing in the state’s waters.

Here’s how WECT-TV reports it:

The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission voted in late November to put new restrictions on catching Southern Flounder into place beginning Jan. 1, 2016.

Marine Fisheries Commission voting on new southern flounder regulations Thursday

Living on the Coast many of you enjoy catching and eating fresh southern flounder, but soon that fish might be harder to get. For almost a year, the Division of Marine Fisheries has been talking about changing the regulations on Southern Flounder.

Read the full opinion piece at Beaufort Observer

August 5, 2015 — As the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission plans to hold its quarterly meeting at the end of August, many recreational and commercial fishermen are worried about what the outcome might be.

“This is just a very fast track way to get this passed,” said North Carolina Fisheries Association Membership and Operations Manager Lauren Morris. “We are very concerned that their assessment cannot determine whether the fish is over-fished or not.”

The fish up for debate is the Southern Flounder, which is one of the most sought after fish in North Carolina.

The NCFA and commercial fishermen in the state are uneasy about the possible changes. The groups say it would mean drastic reductions in bag limits for fishermen, which would eventually lead to a sharp price increase for consumers and less dollars for the families and communities of fishermen.

“We have scientists that are telling us they don’t see exactly what the Division sees,” Morris added. “We are asking for kind of a pause button. Let’s go into the amendment process and let’s look at this more in depth.”

Read the full story from WECT

More absurdness from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries

Tensions build leading up to NC Marine Fisheries quarterly meeting