Fishing

Atlantic sturgeon are now a federally endangered species. The National Marine Fisheries Service has published a final rule in the Federal Register listing four distinct population segments of Atlantic sturgeon as endangered and another as threatened. To read the final rule, go to: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/regs/frdoc/12/12AtlSturgeonFR_SER.pdf.
The Carolina and South Atlantic population segments, both of which are prevalent in North Carolina waters, will be listed as endangered.

With the amazingly wild warm weather we have had this winter and early spring, it’s hard to declare a start to the fishing season that the weatherman says never closed. Although conditions have been perfect for weeks and the fish have been co-operating, what’s missing are the fishermen.
I can only imagine the number of baby fish being born because of the lack of fishing pressure; so if there is a silver cloud to the high fuel prices keeping fishermen off the water, maybe that’s it.

Staff Report

Last year the N.C. Marine Fisheries designated AR460 (Artificial Reef 460) as OIFC/Jolly Mon Reef in honor and appreciation of the work done by Ocean Isle Fishing Center to enhance and promote the fisheries. (AR460 was established by the Long Bay Artificial Reef Association 3 miles off Ocean Isle Beach.)
At the presentation ceremony, Capt. Brant McMullan said, “Our goal at OIFC will be to make this the best artificial reef along the coast and we will put our minds to work to come up with a plan to make that happen.”

There is no doubt spring is firmly here. It has pretty much been here since November.  
The interesting story this season is going to be how the fish react to such a mild winter.  Last winter was extremely cold and the resulting fishing was below average. Will the opposite hold true this season? One fact is for sure: the fish will be arriving well ahead of schedule.
There are reports of good catches of Mahi-mahi off Charleston, S.C., which means those fish are soon to be off our coast; typically not seen until May.