Source: NCDENR, 10/1/20 The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is accepting public comment
on proposed amendments and re-adoption of 50
rules under a
state-mandated periodic review schedule.
Most of the rules pertain to shellfish lease user
conflicts, reclassification of Special Secondary Nursery Areas, oyster
sanctuaries, classification of shellfish growing waters, and sanitation
standards for commercial crustacea processing procedures. Other rules
pertaining to joint fishing waters are proposed for re-adoption with no changes. Two public hearings will be held by web conference on Oct. 21 at 6
p.m. and on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. The public may join the meetings online;
however, those who wish to comment during the hearing must register to speak by
noon on the day of the hearing.
Members of the
public also may submit written comments through an online form or through the
mail to N.C.
Marine Fisheries Commission Recreational Water Quality Rules Comments, P.O Box
769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. Comments must be posted online or be received
by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries by 5 p.m. Nov. 30, 2020. Links to the public hearing registration form and online comment
form, as well as text of the proposed rules and links to join the meeting, can
be found on the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission’s Proposed Rules Page. The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission proposes re-adoption of a
portion of rules in 15A NCAC 03O (shellfish lease user conflicts),
15A NCAC 03Q (joint fishing waters), 15A NCAC 03R (Special Secondary
Nursery Areas and oyster sanctuaries), and 15A NCAC 18A (shellfish growing
waters and shellfish sanitation and processing). Proposed rule changes will: =
Address user conflicts associated with shellfish leases while
supporting a productive shellfish aquaculture industry, as required by NCGA Session Law 2019-37. The proposed changes
will increase setback requirements from developed shorelines for new shellfish
leases; limit the allowable number of corner markers for demarcating shellfish
leases to simplify the polygon shapes; set new criteria for shellfish lease
stakes and signage to alleviate navigation concerns; and, initiate a new
shellfish leaseholder training program that emphasizes user conflict reduction
strategies. =
Reclassify nine Special Secondary Nursery Areas to Secondary
Nursery Areas, as recommended by the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Amendment
1. The nine areas have not been opened to trawling since at least 2004, so
there will be no effective change to the shrimp trawl fishery; however, the
reclassification will result in a small mesh gill net attendance requirement in
these waters, except for Scranton Creek. All areas have gill net attendance
requirements now; the proposed rules would require additional attendance in all
waters, not just 50 yards from the shoreline, from May 1 to Nov. 30. =
Amend the oyster sanctuaries rule by adding five new sites (Long
Shoal, Little Creek, Pea Island, Raccoon Island, and Swan Island), updating
boundaries for three existing sites (Neuse River, West Bluff, and Gibbs Shoal),
and removing two sites that no longer function as sanctuaries (Ocracoke and
Clam Shoal). =
Update shellfish sanitation laboratory procedures, sanitation
survey reporting requirements, standards for classifying shellfish waters, and
definitions to conform with current national standards. =
Readopt with no changes nine rules that pertain to joint fishing
waters, in accordance with a state-mandated periodic review schedule. =
Correct grammar, typographical errors, and update agency names.
The proposed rule changes will be presented to
the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission for final approval in February 2021 and
have an earliest effective date of April 1, 2021.
For questions about the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission
rulemaking process, email Catherine Blum (Catherine.Blum@ncdenr.gov), rules coordinator for the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.
WHO
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Marine
Fisheries Commission
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WHAT:
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Two Public
Hearings for Proposed Rules
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WHEN:
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Oct. 21 at 6 p.m.
Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.
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WHERE:
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Meeting by Web Conference
Click Here for Information and to Sign
Up to Speak
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