Fisheries Gone Wild

The Marine Fisheries Commission is scheduled to meet November 20-22, 2024 at the Islander Hotel and Resort in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. The address for the hotel is:

102 Islander Dr Emerald Isle, NC 28594

If you are a speckled trout fisherman in the state of North Carolina then this meeting is of utmost importance to participate in!

The Division of Marine Fisheries has proposed draft recommendations to curtail harvest in the speckled trout fishery. Please see the below recommendations from the NC DMF: 

Preliminary Division management recommendation for both sectors:

• Statewide harvest closure Jan. through Feb.

Preliminary Division management recommendation for recreational fishery:

• 14”–20” slot limit with allowance for one fish >26”
• 3 fish bag limit

Preliminary Division management recommendation for commercial fishery:

• 11:59 p.m. Friday to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday closure from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31
• No changes to Bogue Banks stop net quota, but formalize management in Amendment 1

Preliminary Division supplemental and cold stun management recommendations:

• Eliminate spotted seatrout captain/crew limit on for-hire trips
• Extend harvest closure following a severe cold stun through Jun. 30

For questions, contact Lucas Pensinger, [email protected] or Melinda Lambert, [email protected].

Now is the time to speack up about the future of our Speckled Trout Fishery, you can submit public comment below: 

NC Marine Fisheries Commission Comment Form | NC DEQ

In this episode of Fisheries Gone Wild, we bring on a special guest, Graham Taylor. Graham recently experienced a very nerve-racking situation offshore fishing out of Beaufort inlet, an experience that could happen to anyone while fishing offshore and one that many people haven’t made it back from. Graham's life jacket most certainly played a major role in saving his life, he wants to share his story to help his fellow anglers mitigate the risk of fishing offshore and to come home safe and sound to your loved ones at the end of the day. 

We hope you enjoy this incredible story of Grahams survival! 

Fisheries Gone Wild Podcast is back again to discuss the upcoming Marine Fisheries Commission meeting on August 21-23. Please come out for Public comment in Raleigh 6:00pm August 21 and 9:00am August 22. The Division of Marine Fisheries will be presenting thier management recomendations to the Marine Fisheries Commision on updating Amendment 1 to the Speckled Trout Fisheries Management Plan. 

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT: Public Comment Period for August 2024 Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting | NC DEQ

The Division of Marine Fisheries has come out with thier recomendations that go against what the Speckled Trout advisory committee proposed earleir this year.

CCA NC is not in favor of the DMF recomendations below: 

Division of Marine Fishereies Recomendations: August 2024 MFC Briefing Book (nc.gov)

Click above for the full report!!!! 

Summary of Preliminary Management Recommendations A summary of the DMF’s preliminary recommendations can be found below. Based on recreational  harvest from 2019-2022, the recommendations for the recreational sector equate to a 39.5%  reduction in recreational harvest. Based on commercial harvest from 2019-2022, the  recommendations for the commercial sector equate to a 40.2% reduction in commercial harvest.  When combined across sectors, the Division is preliminarily recommending a 39.6% total harvest  reduction. Please note: these are the Division’s initial recommendations and are subject to  change. The DMF recommends the following options that are projected to end overfishing with a greater than  70% probability of keeping SSB above the target: Recreational Recommendations o 3 fish recreational bag limit (Appendix 2: Sustainable Harvest Issue Paper) o 14”–20” recreational slot limit with allowance for one fish >26” (Appendix 2: Harvest Issue  Paper) o Jan–Feb statewide recreational harvest closure (Appendix 2: Sustainable Harvest Issue  Paper) o Eliminate the captain/crew allowance on for-hire trips with no broader vessel limit (Amendment 3: Supplemental Management Issue Paper) Commercial Recommendations o Oct–Dec, 11:59 p.m. Friday to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday statewide commercial harvest closure (Appendix 2: Sustainable Harvest Issue Paper) o Jan–Feb statewide commercial harvest closure (Appendix 2: Sustainable Harvest Issue  Paper) o Stop Net Management (Appendix 2: Sustainable Harvest Issue Paper) o Restrict stop nets to the Atlantic Ocean on Bogue Banks with a 4,595 lb. Spotted  Seatrout season quota. o A maximum of four stop nets are allowed between Beaufort Inlet and Bogue Inlet at  any one time and each combined fishing operation is limited to a maximum of two  stop nets at any one time. o The season will open no sooner than October 15 and close when the Spotted Seatrout  quota is reached or no later than December 31.  o Stop net crews must contact N.C. DMF Marine Patrol Communication each time a  stop net is set and two hours prior to each time a stop net is fished.  o The same day a stop net is fished and the catch is landed at the fish house, a  representative of the stop net crew must contact DMF Fisheries Management Section  to report the daily total of Spotted Seatrout in pounds as it appears on the trip ticket.  Same day reporting is required even if zero Spotted Seatrout are harvested.  o Failure to follow reporting requirements will result in an immediate closure of the stop  net fishery.  o Additional gear and setback requirements from previous proclamations will  continue 

On this Episode of "FISHERIES GONE WILD", we sit down with Steven Brewster. Steve is a Veteran, NC angler and an advocate for our marine resources here in North Carolina. Steve has taken a deep dive into fully understanding how our fisheries are managed here in NC, he has created a Facebook group called "Anglers Rights Alliance": (1) Anglers Rights Alliance | Facebook

The Facebook group is a great place to learn how to get involved, educate yourself on the issues within the fisheries management system and find ways to make a difference by reaching out to your local representatives. 

Steve has also created a YouTube channel called: Fishing with Brewski, where he has created a series of videos to help you get informed on the ins and outs of the issues with fisheries management in NC.

You're not going to believe this (Shrimp trawl bycatch NC) (youtube.com)

Listen in to the latest episode of Fisheries Gone Wild!! On this episode we take a dive into Southern Flounder, the states failed management approach and how we got to this point. The state has truly failed the public angler , we have now been shut out of another public trust fishery here in North Carolina with no recreational southern flounder season this year. Why did this happen? How in the world did our public trust fishereies get to this point? Why is the public angler taking the brunt of the States failure to manage our fisheries and what can you do about it? Now is the time to become informed on the issues, contact your legislaters, send that email raising your concerns, become apart of the process. We need your voice now more than ever!! 

For nearly three decades, North Carolina has managed its marine and estuarine resources under the auspices of the Fisheries Reform Act.  It sets forth a series of policies and regulations that are overly cumbersome, unflexible, and inefficient.  By design, changes needed to modify the base FMP take an average of 3-5 years to enact. And no matter what those changes need to be, a politically appointed MFC can undo those years of work on a whim. 

Because we are mandated to manage our fisheries resources through separate FMPs, too many problems slip through the cracks, too many issues can be purposely ignored.  All the while, we continue to watch species after species fall into decline.  A few examples follow: 

→  From the speckled trout FMP, it is noted that small mesh gill nets are very effective at removing 14” trout, with very few speckled trout discarded as bycatch.  Because of this, the commercial industry claims that this is a clean, selective gear and that they should be given a greater share of the fishery because they will fish it more effectively than public anglers will.  What isn't mentioned or considered in developing future management measures for speckled trout is the effectiveness that those same nets have when it comes to removing 14” (sublegal), striped bass and red drum. Rather than be allowed to recruit to their respective fisheries, these fish are discarded and left to serve as fodder for scavengers.  In addition, the mullet fishery is closely tied to the speckled trout fishery, with each species being listed as the primary incidental catch for the other. If mullet fishermen catch trout and trout fishermen catch mullet, then the two species should co-managed to mitigate the bycatch losses that the coming restrictions in each amendment to each FMP will generate.  In other words, gill net restrictions in one fishery should be applied to both fisheries. 

→  When it comes to striped bass in NC, we commonly hear, “It's all about flow.”  Clearly, it isn't as good flow rates in the ASMA for the past five years have led to nothing but failed spawns.  The real issues are:  (a) a lack of big fish, the best spawners, which DMF stats show have been historically harvested in gill nets, (b) an increasing problem from blue catfish through food competition and/or direct consumption of juvenile stripers, (c) climatic changes altering spawning cycles, or zooplankton availability, or egg density, or etc...

→  Shrimp trawling in our estuaries continues to destroy millions of juvenile spot, croaker, weakfish, Southern flounder, and blue crab. (a) We continue to cut the legs off of spot, croaker, and weakfish recovery by trawling through a key secondary nursery habitat, the Pamlico Sound, for the coastwide populations of these species.  (b) Ignoring blue crab bycatch in this industry is certainly contributing to the troubled status of that fishery where the latest series of management measures has failed, again. (c) Failing to protect a documented Southern flounder hotspot in the latest version of the shrimp, Southern flounder, and CHPP plans will only further hamper its recovery.

→  The benefits of SAV habitats are undeniable.  In fact, they are one of the most critical areas throughout the coast of NC.  Failing to protect them because of the recommendations of standing ACs that are dominated by the commercial industry shows only a willingness to genuflect to that industry. 

→  Continuing to allow mechanical harvest of our few remaining oyster reefs:  (a) removes more key habitat for numerous species, (b) promotes diminished water quality, and (c) leads to shoreline loss as oyster reefs diminish wave energy during storms.

With no synergy, no connectivity between plans, failures such as this have become the rule instead of the exception. We will not save our fisheries until we can find a way to manage the system as a whole.

Remember your basic biology. Our estuarine system is a resilient, yet fragile one full of complex habitats, food webs, and trophic levels that are all interdependent.  How many important finfish species forage on crabs, mullet, menhaden, shrimp, croaker, and more?  How often do flounder, stripers, trout, redfish, black drum, and sheepshead occupy the same habitat areas?  What untold damage is done by excessive shrimp trawling in Pamlico Sound?  How much longer can we afford to ignore the subtle complexities of our estuaries?  It is a unique system that should be managed and protected as a whole. 

North Carolinas Oyster aquaculture industry is still in its enfancy, although rapidly expanding. This emerging shellfish farming industry has rapdily increased in size in upwards of 600% in some areas of our state such as Pender County within a very short amount of time. This growth has caught the attention of many stakeholders in the area that share these public trust marine reasources, including many local fishing guides. 

Nearly 30 people spoke Wednesday night Januray 31 during a North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries-hosted public hearing on shellfish lease applications of two (Pender Co) area oyster farming companies. 

"The overwhelming consesus from those who packed a room in the Surf City Municipal Complex was, while they support local Shellfish farming efforts, more leases will infringe upon popular fishing spots, impeded boating and kayaking access, and affect the viewshed of waterfront properties near the farms." " and most said they are specifically against the water column lease applications of N.Sea. Oyster Co, and Pirate Oysters LLC, raising concerns about the floating equipment used for this type of shellfish farming" (Opponents say Pender shellfish leases will crowd waters | Coastal Review) 

Joining us on todays episode of "Fisheries Gone Wild" we have Captain Ray Britian of Springtide guide Service (Topsail Island) and Captian Rennie Clark of Tournament Trail Charters (Wilmington). Both of these guys share a passion for fishing, conservation and want to see a healthy sustanable fishery for years to come. 

Listen in as they discuss the effects these water column oyster leases will have on the local community and the impact that can have on all stakeholders ability to access our public trust fisheries resources. 

There is a lot to unpack in this episode and both captain Ray and Rennie to a great job explaining the ins and outs of the situiation going on right in their backyard. 

Tight lines! 

Join us for yet another episode of "Fisheries Gone Wild" with the CCA NC crew. This episode, we take you on a journey away from the Coast of North Carolina and into the diverse coastline of Costa Rica. CCA NC holds 12 fundrasing banquets across the state of North Carolina , at these banquets we offer incredible trips on our live auction from destinations around the world. Fishing Nosara Paradise Rentals in Costa Rica is one of the trips you dont want to miss out on if you have the opportunity to go! 

We have a few special guest on with us who just got back from a week of fishing in Nosara Costa Rica, listen in to some incredible fishing stories. We also bring on Craig Sutton the owner of Fishing Nosara to give you all the details of his accommodations, boats, the fishing and other activites that they offer on your visit to Costa Rica. Craig Sutton and his crew at Fishing Nosara will be sure to provide an experience that will make you want to come back every year, they operate a top notch fishing, lodging, and outdoor activities service in Costa Rica and CCA NC is proud to partner with them on a yearly basis. 

We hope to see you at one of our CCA NC banquets this year and make sure to add this trip to your calender in 2024 and beyond. 

Pura Vida!! 

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in-person next week at the Islander Hotel and Resort, 102 Islander Dr., Emerald Isle. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15; at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16; and at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 17. The commission will hold in-person public comment sessions at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, and at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16.

We will have a special edition of the Fisheries Gone Wild podcast posted by the end of this week when we dig into what on the surface appears to be a light meeting agenda and look closer at how the sausage is being made. We will post the link here as soon as it is live or add us to your library on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you do not miss an episode.

The following information pertains to in-person public comment:

• Those who wish to speak may sign up at the hotel prior to the public comment period in which they wish to speak.
• To accommodate as many speakers as possible, the chair will limit each speaker to 3 minutes.
• Those making comments will be asked to speak only once, either Wednesday night or Thursday morning, but not during both public comment periods.
• Those who wish to submit handouts to the commission during a public comment period should bring at least 12 copies to the meeting.

The public may also submit written comments via the following methods:

• An online form accessible through the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage.
• Mail to November 2023 Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. 
• Dropped off at the Division of Marine Fisheries’ Morehead City Headquarters Office at 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City. 

The deadline to submit written comments for this meeting is 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13.

The YouTube link will be posted on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage. After the meeting, a recording will be posted online.

Agenda items include:

• Votes on a slate of nominees for the at-large seat for the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the at-large seat for the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
• Review of the scoping meetings and approval of the goal and objectives for the Hard Clam Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 and Eastern Oyster Fishery Management Plan Amendment 5.
• Approval of the Draft Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2 for public and advisory committee review.
• Final approval of proposed rules pertaining to data collection and the prevention of harassment of N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries staff, the Shellfish Relay Program and shellfish leases and franchises, oyster sanctuaries, and shellfish sanitation procedures.  

The full agenda and briefing book are posted on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage

On this episode of "Fishereis Gone Wild" we sit down with New Bern Native and owner of Custom Marine Fabrication, Donald Willis as well as Oriental fishing guide, Captain Bobby Brewer to talk about the Bull Drum Fishery here in the Neuse River and Pamlico sound. 

Listen in as we go over the conservation succes story behind this world class fishery that we have right here in North Carolina. The bull drum fishery is one of the only success stories we have here in North Carolina Fishereis Management. Due to conservation measures, pro resource management and slot size we have protected our red drum breeding stock!! Anglers continue to practice ethical angling while targeting these trophy class fish and will continue to have access to this world class catch and release old drum fishery for years to come!! 

For all your tackle shop needs, head on over to see Donald Willis at Custom Marine Fabrication of hwy 70E in James City!! He has your covered for all your fishing needs. 252-638-5422

If you are interested in a Trophy bull drum charter here on the Neuse River, give Captain Bobby Brewer a call!!  919-349-6112

Check him out here: 

https://baldheadedbobby.com/

This weeks episode we get to sit down with Captain Jot Owens, native to Wrightsville Beach, NC. One of Jot's favorite fisheries is our flounder fishery here in NC. He has seen the good days and the bad days. Like many he would love to see this fishery rebound to what it once was. With that being said, taking a little pressure of these fish has surley helped to rebuild the southern flounder population and Jot has noticed those numbers increasing in his fishing! 

If you are interested in booking a charter with Captain Jot, Contact info below: 

[email protected] 

910-233-4139