The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission has opened a public comment period on a host of proposed rules to permits, franchises and shellfish leases.
The comment period on nine proposed rules runs through September, during which time the public will also have an opportunity to provide input at a public hearing.
Supporter Spotlight
Proposed rules include the following:
- Requiring seafood dealers that report trip tickets electronically to report quota monitoring logs electronically
- Adding four permits to permanent rule that are currently issued by proclamation, including a dealer permit for the estuarine flounder fishery and the Estuarine Gill Net Permit. There are no changes to current requirements.
- Clarifying a fish dealer is required to submit a trip ticket for fish not sold consistent with North Carolina law and state Marine Fisheries Commission rules for commercial harvest reporting requirements
- Relocating from proclamation to rule the permit condition that makes it unlawful to refuse to allow N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries employees to obtain data for the conservation and management of marine and estuarine resources
- Broaden the definition of “educational institution” to include schools and educational organizations.
- Adding links to webpages in rules for supporting information that can change frequently.
- Repealing the Horseshoe Crab Biomedical Use Permit. Harvest would continue to be allowed during the open commercial bait harvest season.
- Adding email as an additional means to satisfy call-in requirements for two permits.
- Removing the requirement to notarize a permit application and instead require only the initial permit general condition form to be notarized.
The commission is also proposing amending five rules that pertain to shellfish leases and franchises.
The amendments would “codify current procedures and align rules with state laws,” according to a DMF release by removing removing franchises from productions requirements and termination procedures, clarifying that production requirements for leases are based on the date a lease was granted or last renewed, and clarifying who determines eligibility for additional shellfish lease acreage, the time at which the determination of eligibility occurs, what is considered additional lease acreage, and what is considered acres under a lease.
The public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 26 via WebEx.
Anyone who wishes to speak during the hearing must register by noon of that day.
Supporter Spotlight
A listening station will be set up at DMF’s Central District Office, 5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City. Those who wish to speak at the listening station may sign up upon arrival.
Written comments are being accepted through an online form or via mail to: N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557.
The deadline to submit written comments is 5 p.m. Sept. 30.
The proposed changes will be presented to the commission for final approval In November and, if approved, those rules would pend legislative review next year.
Questions about the commission’s rulemaking process may be emailed to Catherine Blum, DMF’s rule coordinator, at catherine.blum@deq.nc.gov.
