The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is to open a 30-day scoping period in September for the public to share ideas for the state’s Kingfishes Fishery Management Plan.
The scoping period Sept. 1-30 is an opportunity to offer input on potential management strategies and discuss priorities for the scheduled five-year review of the plan.
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Southern, gulf and northern are the three species of kingfishes found in North Carolina waters and managed collectively under the state’s kingfishes fishery management plan.
The division has scheduled scoping meetings from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Morehead City office, which will be livestreamed, and 6-8 p.m. Sept. 17 at the division’s Wilmington regional office, 127 Cardinal Drive Extension.
A listening location will be available at the Manteo Field Office for the Sept. 3 meeting.
Additional information, including a scoping document with background information, links to the livestream and public comment forms, will be made available closer to Sept. 1.
Input gathered during the scoping period and at the meetings will be used to determine whether changes should be made to management of the species.
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“If changes are identified, the division will draft an Amendment to the FMP,” according to a release. “If no changes are identified, the division may develop an information update that maintains current management.”
Questions about kingfishes biology, life history and management may be directed to Matthew Doster at Matthew.Doster@deq.nc.gov or 252-515-5623, or to Claire Pelletier at Claire.Pelletier@deq.nc.gov or 252-948-3871.
