Releases – May 7, 2015
The recreational black sea bass fishing season will open May 15 in both federal and North Carolina waters north of Cape Hatteras.
During the open season, the minimum size limit will be 12.5 inches, and the bag limit will be 15 fish per person, per day.
The season will close Sept. 21, and will reopen again from Oct. 22 through Dec. 31.
The recreational black sea bass regulations north of Cape Hatteras comply with the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Plan.
The recreational black sea bass fishery south of Cape Hatteras is managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. South of Cape Hatteras, the minimum size limit is 13 inches and the bag limit is five fish per person per day. The recreational black sea bass season begins April 1 each year and closes when the quota is met. The 2015-2016 season is open.
For more information, contact Chris Batsavage at (252) 808-8009 or Chris.Batsavage@ncdenr.gov
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has re-opened the Turkey Creek Boating Access Area in Onslow County after completing renovations.
The boating access area, which is located at 619 Turkey Point Road in Holly Ridge, provides access to the Intracoastal Waterway where anglers can catch speckled sea trout, redfish and flounder. GPS coordinates are: 34° 29’ 39” N, 77° 27’ 55” W.
Wildlife Commission staff replaced the original ramps and docks, which were more than 30 years old, with a new two-lane concrete ramp and a 60-foot x 8-foot floating dock. Staff also constructed vinyl walls on each side of the ramp.
Staff plans to pave the parking lot for 11 trailer spaces and two single-vehicle spaces. After the parking lot is paved, the site will be ADA accessible. Staff will begin paving later this year.
The Commission paid for the renovation of the Turkey Creek Boating Access Area using money from motorboat registration receipts as well as a coastal recreational fishing license grant from the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.
Leaders in the recreational fishing and boating community recently highlighted the progress in elevating the importance of saltwater recreational fishing in the nation’s primary law governing marine fisheries management. The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), H.R. 1335, to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), which addresses top priorities of the recreational fishing community.
These priorities were identified by the Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management, also known as the Morris-Deal Commission after co-chairs Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, and Scott Deal, president of Maverick Boats. In 2014, the Morris-Deal Commission released “A Vision for Managing America’s Saltwater Recreational Fisheries,” which includes six key policy changes to produce the full range of saltwater recreational fishing’s social, economic and conservation benefits to the nation.
“The recreational fishing community owes a debt of gratitude to Chairman Rob Bishop and Congressman Don Young for incorporating meaningful changes to recreational fisheries management into the reauthorization of the nation’s marine fisheries law,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Coastal Conservation. “The Morris-Deal Report set forth a vision for the future of saltwater recreational fishing, and this bill would help to achieve that vision.”
“The nation’s 11 million saltwater recreational anglers have a $70 billion economic impact annually and support 450,000 jobs,” said Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. “However, federal marine fisheries management has never sufficiently acknowledged the importance of recreational fishing to the nation. H.R. 1335 would enact many of the necessary changes to elevate saltwater recreational fishing to the level it deserves.”
The recommendations of the Morris-Deal Commission include: (1) Establishing a national policy for recreational fishing; (2) Adopting a revised approach to saltwater recreational fisheries management; (3) Allocating marine fisheries for the greatest benefit to the nation; (4) Creating reasonable latitude in stock rebuilding timelines; (5) Codifying a process for cooperative management; and (6) Managing for the forage base.
“Management that emphasizes conservation and abundance, and allows for consistent access to public resources for saltwater anglers, was at the heart of the recommendations made by the Morris-Deal Commission,” said Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Including those recommendations into legislation aimed at improving our nation’s fisheries management means Congress is recognizing the importance of angling to American culture and our economy.”
“The broad coalition of leading recreational fishing and boating organizations that has come together to support our community’s priorities should be pleased with this bill,” said Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance. “RFA is proud to have participated as part of this coalition.”
One of the recommendations of the Morris-Deal Commission was addressed by an amendment offered by Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) that would prompt a review of quota allocations in fisheries in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico with both a commercial and recreational component. Despite the tremendous importance that allocation decisions have in maximizing the benefits that our fisheries provide to the nation, federal fisheries managers have not revisited allocations – most of which were determined decades ago – primarily because of a lack of clear guidance on how decisions should be made and because these decisions are inherently difficult.
“Congressman Duncan’s amendment is a significant achievement for ensuring that the benefits of our nation’s fisheries are maximized,” said Jeff Crane, president of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “For far too long, allocations have been rusted shut, and we applaud Congressman Duncan for his leadership on this critically important issue.”
Beginning May 1 until further notice, the Division of Marine Fisheries License Office in Washington will be closed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The office in the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office at 943 Washington Square Mall, U.S. 17, Washington, will be open only from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The division is temporarily shortening the license office hours because a license clerk is retiring and a replacement has not yet been hired. The division will make an announcement later when the office returns to full-time hours.
Other division license offices in Manteo, Elizabeth City, Wilmington, and Morehead City will remain open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
With seven boating fatalities already reported this year in North Carolina, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission urges boaters to follow a few simple steps to ensure safety.
Last year, the Wildlife Commission recorded 27 fatalities in 23 fatal boating accidents, of 130 boating accidents investigated.
“We want to help everyone have a safe, enjoyable boating experience,” said Maj. Chris Huebner, the state boating safety coordinator. “If there is a single recommendation to start with, it is: ‘Wear a life vest.’ It is an effective life-saving strategy.”
U.S. Coast Guard statistics show drowning as the cause of death in almost three-fourths of recent recreational boating fatalities, with 84 percent of victims not wearing a life vest.
“Most people who drown in a boating accident had a life vest available, but they were not wearing it when they went into the water,” Huebner said. “You don’t have to be on a moving boat or in turbulent waters to fall overboard. Accidents happen quickly. Wearing a life vest is the best way to be prepared.”
Another important preparation to ensure a safe boating experience is conducting a pre-launch inspection to make sure the vessel is in good working order and all required safety equipment is on board. Once underway, do not maneuver in a reckless manner, pay attention to navigational markers and other boaters, and never operate a boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
North Carolina requires anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, who is operating a vessel powered by a 10-horsepower or greater motor to have completed an approved boating safety education course or otherwise be in compliance with the law.
For more information, call (919) 707-0031 or visit www.ncwildlife.org/boating.
