The public comment period is now open on proposed management to implement comprehensive, long-term measures to achieve sustainable harvest in the southern flounder fishery.
Draft Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan contains a suite of management options to address seven management strategies, including sustainable harvest, increased recreational harvest, inlet corridors, adaptive management, sector allocations, slot limits and phasing out large-mesh gill nets,state Division of Marine Fisheries officials said Wednesday.
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A companion decision document precedes Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan. The decision document includes the Division’s initial recommendations and rationale. Information is on this decision document is on Southern Flounder Amendment 3 webpage.
The division will hold a listening session at 1 p.m. on Jan. 5 where staff will give a presentation on details of the Draft Southern Flounder Amendment 3 and allow the public opportunity to ask questions.
Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. Jan. 14 through an online form until 5 p.m. Jan. 14 or mailed to Draft Southern Flounder FMP Amendment 3 Comments, P.O Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. Emailed comments will not be accepted.
There will also be public comment during the Marine Fisheries Commission Advisory Committees. The Northern Regional Advisory Committee will meet Jan. 11, Southern Regional Advisory Committee on Jan. 12 and Finfish Advisory Committee Jan. 13. Meeting times and instructions on how to attend will be posted on the Marine Fisheries Commission Advisory Committees Meetings webpage when it becomes available.
The Marine Fisheries Commission is scheduled to consider public comment and advisory committee input and select its preferred management measures for departmental and legislative review at its February 2022 business meeting and consider final approval of the amendment in May 2022.
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For more information contact division biologists Michael Loeffler at 252-381-6002 or Anne Markwith at 910-796-7292.
