The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission has approved a draft plan for public and advisory committee review concerning the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4. This amendment proposes advancing the scheduled sector allocation shift to an equal split between commercial and recreational sectors by 2025, instead of 2026 as previously planned in Amendment 3.
Amendment 3, adopted in 2022, initially outlined a gradual shift from a 70/30 commercial/recreational quota to a 60/40 split by 2025 and eventually reaching a balanced allocation by 2026. However, due to limited recreational flounder seasons over the past two years and one year without any season, the commission directed the Division of Marine Fisheries to explore options for increased recreational access while still adhering to stock rebuilding goals set in Amendment 3.
Long-term solutions for enhancing recreational access will be explored in Amendment 5, which is currently under development. The scoping period for this amendment remains open until March 31. Additional information can be found at https://www.deq.nc.gov/information-southern-flounder-amendment-5. Details regarding public comments and advisory committee meetings for Amendment 4 will be announced soon.
In other matters, the commission has decided on several measures:
1. Adoption of N.C. Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Amendment 1 includes:
– Recreational measures: A slot limit of 14 to 20 inches with one fish allowed over 26 inches and a three-fish bag limit.
– Commercial measures: Closures from Saturday through Sunday from January to September and Saturday through Monday from October to December; formalizing stop net fishery management within the plan.
– Adaptive Management: An adaptive management framework was adopted requiring commission review before implementation.
– Cold Stun Management: Extending closures by fifteen days post-severe cold stun events until June 30; adopting a cold stun adaptive management framework.
2. Final approval was given for amending eight rules related to various fisheries management aspects including pot marking requirements, false albacore management, and participation in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
3. A letter will be sent to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce supporting Amendment 59 concerning Red Snapper within the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan of the South Atlantic Region.
4. Preferred management options were selected for legislative review regarding Eastern Oyster Fishery Management Plan Amendment 5 and Hard Clam Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3:
– Establishing Deep-Water Oyster Recovery Areas not open to mechanical harvesting.
– Linking oyster harvest management in Pamlico Sound with cultch planting efforts based on pre-season sampling.
– Implementing rotational openings for mechanical oyster harvest on specific sites.
– Phasing out mechanical clam harvesting over three years.
– Exploring ways to estimate recreational shellfish participation and improve communication about shellfish sanitation health and safety information.
