Source: NCDENR, 12/3/21 The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries wants to
remind the public to report any cold stunned spotted seatrout they may see in
North Carolina coastal waters. During the winter, spotted seatrout move to relatively shallow
creeks and rivers, where they can be vulnerable to cold stun events. Cold stun
events have the potential to occur when there is a sudden drop in temperature
or during prolonged periods of cold weather, making fish so sluggish that they
can be harvested by hand.
Many fish that are stunned die from the cold or fall prey to birds and other
predators. Studies suggest that cold stun events can have a significant
negative impact on spotted seatrout populations. No cold stun events have been reported so far this season, but if
there are concerning weather conditions in the upcoming weeks as described
above then a cold stun event could occur in coastal rivers and creeks. Spotted seatrout cold stun events can be reported at any time to
the N.C. Marine Patrol at 1-800-682-2632 or during regular business hours to
the division spotted seatrout biologist Tracey Bauer at 252-808-8159 or Tracey.Bauer@ncdenr.gov. If reporting a spotted seatrout cold stun
event, please provide where (the specific location) and when (date and time)
the cold stun was observed, along with your contact information. Under the N.C.
Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan, if a significant cold stun event
occurs, the Division of Marine Fisheries will close all spotted seatrout
harvest within a management area until the following spring. A significant cold
stun event within a management area is determined by 1) assessing the size and
scope, and 2) evaluating water temperatures to determine if triggers of 5 C (41 F) at eight
consecutive days and 3 C
(37.4 F) during a consecutive 24-hour period are met. Data loggers are deployed
statewide to continuously measure water temperatures in coastal rivers and
creeks that are prone to cold stuns. Closing harvest
allows fish that survive the cold stun event the chance to spawn in the spring
before harvest re-opens. Peak spotted seatrout spawning occurs from May to June. Under N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission rules, the spotted
seatrout season automatically closes in inland waters when it closes in
adjacent coastal waters.
Download a photo illustration of what a spotted seatrout cold stun
might look like.
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