Commission votes on broader look at seagrass protections

The commission that makes North Carolina’s marine fisheries rules has voted to have the state Division of Marine Fisheries take a broader look at seagrass protections.

The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission decided Thursday to request the division, which is part of the Department of Environmental Quality, work with its Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee to develop more comprehensive options for protecting submerged aquatic vegetation, often called SAV or seagrass.

The commission wants the division to consider all activities under the commission’s authority, rather than just shrimp trawling area closures. The comprehensive options could still include shrimp trawl area closures but should also consider other fishing activities that may affect seagrass.

Submerged aquatic vegetation federally designated as essential fish habitat and habitat areas of particular concern. These underwater grassy areas provide refuge and forage for juvenile fish and serve as spawning areas for numerous species. They serve other ecological functions, too.

Also during the meeting, the commission adopted the Estuarine Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2.

Officials said that the following management measures for the commercial fishery are estimated to generate a 34.9% reduction in harvest:

• 11:59 p.m. Friday to 12:01 a.m. Monday closure from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30.
• 11:59 p.m. Friday to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday closure from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.
• Manage the stop net fishery with the same measures as the rest of the striped mullet fishery.

The recreational individual bag limit is 100 fish, the recreational vessel limit is 400 fish. There is an exception for for-hire vessel operations to possess a bag limit for the number of anglers fishing up to the 400-fish maximum, including in advance of a trip.

The Amendment 2 includes adaptive management for both commercial and recreational fisheries that allows the division director to use proclamation authority to adjust season closures, day of week closures, and trip limits. The proclamation authority is contingent on Commission approval after consultation with advisory committees.