The state’s Commercial Fishing Resource Funding Committee and Marine Fisheries Commission Commercial Fishing Resource Fund Committee will have a joint meeting by webinar 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, to review and vote on request for proposals for addressing invasive blue catfish, researching diamondback terrapin, reducing shrimp bycatch and improving water quality.
The meeting agenda can be found can be found on the website.
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The public can listen by phone or join the webinar online. Directions, including information on system requirements and testing, are available on the website.
While public comment will not be accepted during the meeting or through email, written comments can be submitted using an online format that can be reached by clicking here or by mail to June CFRF Meeting Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. Comments must be received by the division by 5 p.m. June 1.
The Commercial Fishing Resource Fund receives money from an increase in commercial fishing license fees that took effect in 2015. The fund pays for observer coverage to fulfill the state’s obligations under incidental take permits for sea turtles and Atlantic sturgeon under the federal Endangered Species Act. Any additional money left in the fund is to be used for projects to develop and support sustainable commercial fishing in the state, according to the Division of Marine Fisheries.
Spending for these projects must be approved by the Commercial Fishing Resource Funding Committee, which is made up of six commercial fishing representatives, and the Marine Fisheries Commission Commercial Fishing Resource Fund Committee, comprised of members of the commission holding the three commercial fishing seats.
For more information, contact William Brantley with the Division of Marine Fisheries’ Administrative Services Office at 252-808-8015 or William.Brantley@ncdenr.gov.
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