Marine Fisheries Commission to meet by webinar May 14

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet by webinar starting at 9 a.m. May 14.

The public may listen to the meeting by phone or listen and view presentations in real-time by joining online. Directions for calling in by phone or joining the webinar online, including information on system requirements and testing, will be forthcoming and available here [portal.ncdenr.org]. Following the meeting, an audio recording will be posted online.

As required by the N.C. Public Meetings Law, a telephone listening location will be available at the Division of Marine Fisheries’ Central District Office, 5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City. Based on the current Executive Order to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the capacity of the room will be limited to 10 individuals and proper social distancing will be required. It is strongly encouraged that members of the public access the meeting remotely by webinar or by telephone.

Public comment will not be accepted during the meeting. Members of the public may submit written comments to the commission in two ways:

1. Online Comments – Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. May 12 through an online format by clicking here.
2. Mailed Comments – Written comments may be mailed to May Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting Comments, P.O Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. Comments must be received by the division by 5 p.m. May 12.

Public comment will not be accepted through email.The meeting agenda includes votes on:

• Approving two diamondback terrapin management areas in the southern coastal waters of the state (Masonboro Island Diamondback Terrapin Management Area and Bald Head Island Diamondback Terrapin Management Area) where fishermen will be required to use turtle excluders in crab pots;
• Beginning the process for the re-adoption of seven rules pertaining to recreational water quality monitoring to protect the public health of recreational swimmers under a mandatory periodic review of existing rules; and
• Continuing the suspension of rules for several proclamations.

The agenda also includes presentations and possible votes on the issues of:

• Recreational hook and line modifications pertaining to circle hooks and barbless treble hooks to reduce dead discards; and
• Repacking of foreign crab meat in North Carolina.

Additionally, Division Director Steve Murphey will update the commission about the state’s ongoing review of small mesh gill net management measures.

A full meeting agenda and briefing book materials are posted online here [portal.ncdenr.org].