The public has until 5 p.m. Jan. 17 to submit comments to the Division of Marine Fisheries on the proposed management to address sustainable harvest in the striped mullet fishery.
Results of the 2022 stock assessment indicate the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring, according to the division.
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The Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan Draft Amendment 2 contains a suite of proposed management options pertaining to the commercial and recreational fisheries. Management measures are necessary to achieve sustainable harvest in the striped mullet fishery within a 10-year timeline.
The division will begin accepting written public comments starting Monday by using the online form or at the three advisory committee meetings next month.
Written comments also may be mailed to Draft Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2 Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557.
An online listening session is planned for 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, when division staff will give a presentation on management options available in the Draft Striped Mullet Amendment 2, and the public may ask questions. Register to attend online.
The public may also comment at the three advisory committee meetings:
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- Northern regional advisory committee meeting 6 p.m. Jan 9 in the Dare County Administration Building Commissioners Meeting Room in Manteo.
- Southern regional advisory committee meeting 6 p.m. Jan. 10 in the Department of Environmental Quality Wilmington Regional Office.
- Finfish advisory committee 6 p.m. Jan. 16 in the Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office in Morehead City.
The division and Marine Fisheries Commission will consider public comment received during this period while determining management strategies to recommend.
The commission is scheduled to select its preferred management measures for departmental and legislative review at its February meeting. Consideration for final approval of the amendment is scheduled for May.
For more information contact division biologists Jeffrey Dobbs at Jeffrey.Dobbs@deq.nc.gov or 252-808-8193 or Willow Patten at Willow.Patten@deq.nc.gov or 252-948-3884.
