Because of increased COVID-19 cases in the state, the state Marine Fisheries Commission advisory committee meetings planned for later this month will now be held by web conference only.
The committees are to review and accept public comment on the Draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 during the following online only meetings:
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- The Northern Regional Advisory Committee 6 p.m. Jan. 11. Sign up to speak by 5 p.m. Jan. 10.
- Southern Regional Advisory Committee 6 p.m. Jan. 12. Sign up to speak by 5 p.m. Jan. 11.
- Finfish Advisory Committee 6 p.m. Jan. 13. Sign up to speak by 5 p.m. Jan. 12.
Public comment may be submitted by an online survey or through mail to Draft Southern Flounder FMP Amendment 3 Comments, P.O Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Jan. 14.
As a preface to the advisory committee meetings, the division said it will hold a web-only listening session about the the Draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Join the meeting online.
During the listening session, division staff are expected to present details of the draft amendment and allow the public opportunity to ask questions. The presentation is to be recorded and posted on the Information on Southern Flounder Amendment 3 webpage by 5 p.m. Jan. 6.
The Draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 contains several management options to implement comprehensive, long-term measures to achieve sustainable harvest in the southern flounder fishery including sustainable harvest, increased recreational harvest, inlet corridors, adaptive management, sector allocations, slot limits and phasing out large-mesh gill nets.
A companion decision document, which precedes the draft amendment in the online document, provides the division’s initial recommendations and rationale.
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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 during its February business meeting and consider final approval of the amendment in May.
More information is available on the Information on Southern Flounder Amendment 3 webpage.
