The state Division of Marine Fisheries is calling for public input on an upcoming amendment to the shrimp fishery management plan.
The amendment will examine management strategies to further reduce bycatch of nontarget species in the shrimp trawl fishery and potential changes to existing shrimp management strategies, according to DMF.
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The public can provide input in writing or at one of scoping meetings taking place 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the state Department of Environmental Quality, Wilmington Regional Office,127 Cardinal Drive Extension, and 6-8 p.m. Monday at Division of Marine Fisheries, Central District Office, 5285 N.C. 70 West, Morehead City.
Written comments can be submitted through an online form accessed through the Shrimp Amendment Information Page or by mail to: Shrimp Amendment 2 Scoping Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. Comments should be posted online or postmarked by 5 p.m. Jan. 21. The division will not accept comments submitted by email.
The scoping meetings will begin with a presentation before the public comment period. Speakers have three minutes to comment on a first-come-first-served basis. The first meeting was held Tuesday in Washington.
A scoping document further outlining the potential management strategies on the Shrimp Amendment Information Page. Scoping is the first stage of the amendment process. There will be more chances to comment on the draft amendment as the fishery management plan process proceeds.
