The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is taking public comments beginning Saturday through to the end of March on a plan that would allow more recreational fishing access for southern flounder.
The public may also provide feedback on potential management strategies and priorities for Amendment 5 to the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan at one of four scoping meetings scheduled for March.
Supporter Spotlight
Amendment 5, which is in development, will address a motion the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission made last August “to allow for more recreational fishing access while maintaining the rebuilding requirements” of Amendment 3, according to a N.C. Department of Environmental Quality release.
The goal set forth in Amendment 3 is to reach a self-sustaining southern flounder population that supplies sustainable harvest.
Amendment 5 is being developed concurrently with Amendment 4 “to provide long-term, comprehensive approaches” to both recreational and commercial southern flounder management, according to the release.
Public feedback may be submitted through an online form or by mail to N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, Southern Flounder Scoping, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28577.
The comment period closes at 5 p.m. March 31.
Supporter Spotlight
The scoping meetings are to be held in an informal, open-house format, 6-8 p.m. on the following dates:
- March 4 at the Archdale Building, Ground Floor Hearing Room, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.
- March 6 at the Dare County Administration Building, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo.
- March 11 at the Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office, 5285 U.S. Highway 70 West, Morehead City.
- March 27 at Cape Fear Community College, Room U252, 502 N. Front St., Wilmington.
Division staff will be at the meetings to answer questions and discuss southern flounder science and management.
