Marine Fisheries Commission to meet Nov. 16-18 in Emerald Isle

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in-person Nov. 16-18 at the Islander Hotel, 102 Islander Drive, in Emerald Isle. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, and 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 18.

The commission will hold in-person public comment sessions at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, and near the beginning of the meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17. Public comment will not be taken through web conference.

The following information pertains to in-person public comment:

• Those who wish to speak may sign up at the hotel prior to the public comment period in which they wish to speak.
• To accommodate as many speakers as possible, the chair will limit each speaker to 3 minutes.
• Those making comments will be asked to speak only once, either Wednesday night or Thursday morning, but not during both public comment periods.
• Those who wish to submit handouts to the commission during a public comment period should bring at least 12 copies to the meeting.

The public may also submit written comments via the following methods:

• An online form accessible through the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage.
• Mail to November 2022 Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting Comments, P.O Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.
• Dropped off at the Division of Marine Fisheries’ Morehead City Headquarters Office at 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City.

Written comments must be received by 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14.

The YouTube link will be posted on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage. After the meeting, a recording will be posted online.

The commission is scheduled to receive a presentation on results of the benchmark Spotted Seatrout Stock Assessment for North Carolina and Virginia.

Agenda items also include votes on:

• Adoption of the Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2.
• Supplement A to the Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan Amendment 1.
• Approval of the Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2 Goal and Objectives.
• Choosing a slate of names for the Governor’s consideration as nominees for the obligatory seat for the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
• Continuation of suspension of subitems (c), (i), and (j) of item 1 of NCAC 15A 03R 0117 Oyster Sanctuaries.

The full agenda and briefing book are posted on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage.