Source: NCDENR, 10/1/21 The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is accepting public
comment on proposed amendments and re-adoption of 109 rules under a state-mandated periodic review schedule.
Most of the rules pertain to artificial reefs in state ocean waters, shellfish
leases, shellfish and crustacea public health protections, and marking
requirements for certain commercial fishing gears. Several rules contain
only minor technical changes. Three
of the rules would restrict highly efficient fishing gears on the 13
artificial reefs in state ocean waters out to 3 nautical miles, to protect all
species of finfish, reducing the likelihood of overexploiting resources on the
reefs. Fishing gears considered highly efficient would be all those other
than hand line, hook and line, rod and reel, and spearfishing gear. All
harvest by spearfishing gear would be restricted to recreational limits.
The rules are proposed as a complement to federal restrictions for snapper
grouper species that became effective earlier this year for the 30 artificial
reefs off North Carolina in the Exclusive Economic Zone, from 3 to 200 nautical
miles in the Atlantic Ocean. A public hearing will be held by web conference on Oct. 27
at 6 p.m. The public may join the meeting 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 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, 2021. 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. Other proposed
rule changes would: =
Continue supporting the efficiency of the State's shellfish
lease and aquaculture program and shellfish production. Specifically,
changes would streamline and shorten processes for shellfish lease
applications, shellfish lease application grievances by the public, production
reporting requirements, and shellfish lease transfers and subleases.
Also, changes would continue to address user conflicts associated with
shellfish leases. =
Clarify the different types of shellfish management areas, including
oyster sanctuaries and seed oyster management areas, and delegate proclamation
authority to the division director for flexibility to manage areas that are no
longer productive, as well as for user conflicts. This authority would
also allow for further protection of public health and help prevent resources
from being overexploited. =
Strengthen the ability of Marine Patrol to enforce permit and
fish dealer requirements for sanitary handling of shellfish and crustacea (crab
meat), to prevent illness. Specific requirements for shellfish and
crustacea permits, shellfish tagging, and depuration of shellfish are proposed. =
Standardize marking requirements across all rules pertaining to
commercial gears, including new requirements for pots and trotlines to have
buoys engraved with certain information. The requirements would allow
Marine Patrol, fishermen, and boaters to more easily identify gear, potentially
reducing user conflicts. =
Correct grammar and punctuation, update agency names, and make
other minor technical changes. The proposed rule changes will be presented to the N.C.
Marine Fisheries Commission for final approval in February 2022 and have an
earliest effective date of May 1, 2022. 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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N.C.
Marine Fisheries Commission
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WHAT:
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Public
Hearing for Proposed Rules
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WHEN:
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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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