Division of Marine Fisheries Announces Scoping Period on Southern Flounder
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public scoping period from December 4-18 to solicit public comments on potential management strategies for an upcoming amendment to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan.
The primary management strategy for Amendment 3 is long-term sustainable harvest in the southern flounder fishery. The South Atlantic Southern Flounder Stock Assessment update (containing data through 2017) indicated the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring.
Fisheries stakeholders can provide in-person comments at two scoping meetings that will be held:
Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
Central District Office
5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City
Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.
Dare County Government Complex
Commissioners Meeting Room
954 Marshall C. Collins Dr., Manteo
Beginning Dec. 4, comments can also be submitted through the division’s website with an online form or by mail. A news release will be issued closer to the scoping period providing details on how the public can participate.
A scoping document outlining the potential management strategies can be found on the Southern Flounder Amendment Information Page.