The public can share their input on eight proposed marine fisheries rules through 5 p.m. Dec. 2, when the comment period ends.
North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission announced Tuesday the public comment period on the possible changes to the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, false albacore management and pot marking requirements.
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A public hearing by web conference is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. A listening station is to be available at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office at 5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City.
The public may join the meeting online. Register by noon Oct. 30 to speak during the meeting. Those who wish to speak at the listening station may sign up when they arrive.
Links to the public hearing registration form and online comment form, as well as text of the proposed rules and links to join the meeting, can be found on the Marine Fisheries Commission’s 2024-2025 Proposed Rules Page.
The proposed rules regarding the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
would allow the Division of Marine Fisheries to hold wildlife violators accountable, regardless of their state residency.
Another proposed rule would allow Marine Fisheries to manage the false albacore fishery if landings exceed a predetermined threshold. North Carolina currently has no procedural means to manage this fishery. The proposed rule adoption would be the first regulation for the false albacore fishery implemented in Atlantic waters.
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The proposed rule regarding pot marking would reduce the required identification from two forms to one form.
The public comments and proposed rule changes will be presented to the Marine Fisheries Commission for consideration and final approval in February 2025. The proposed rules have an earliest possible effective date of May 1, 2025.
