State seeks comments on fishery issues

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is asking the public to submit comments on issues they would like to see addressed in an upcoming Shrimp Fishery Management Plan.
The division is beginning a mandated five-year review of the N.C. Shrimp Fishery Management Plan that was adopted by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission in 2006.
The agency is soliciting public comment as part of an internal process to determine what procedural method to take in reviewing the plan.
 If changes in management strategies or rules are needed, the division will pursue a plan amendment, where division staff and an advisory committee develop positions on specific issues that need to be addressed.  
If changes in management strategies are not required, the division will proceed with a revision, which is a more abbreviated process that involves updating data and fishery information contained in the plan.
Written comments will be accepted until Dec. 2 and should be addressed to Trish Murphey, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557 or sent by email to Trish.Murphey@ncdenr.gov or to Chris Stewart, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, 127 Cardinal Dr., Wilmington, N.C. 28405 or sent by email to Chris.Stewart@ncdenr.gov.
State law requires the division to prepare a fishery management plan for adoption by the Marine Fisheries Commission for all commercially and recreationally significant species or fisheries that comprise state coastal waters. These plans provide management strategies designed to ensure long-term viability of the fishery.
State law also requires the division to review each fishery management plan every five years.