Commercial fishing harvest
increases, recreational harvest decreases in 2014
MOREHEAD CITY – North Carolina’s commercial fishing harvest
increased by 23 percent in 2014, boosted by higher landings of blue crabs,
spiny dogfish and summer flounder.
increased by 23 percent in 2014, boosted by higher landings of blue crabs,
spiny dogfish and summer flounder.
Commercial fishermen sold 61.7 million pounds of fish and
shellfish to North Carolina fish dealers last year, according the N.C. Division
of Marine Fisheries’ Commercial Trip Ticket Program. It was the first year
commercial fisheries landings rose since 2010, an upward tick in a long
declining trend since the late 1990s.
shellfish to North Carolina fish dealers last year, according the N.C. Division
of Marine Fisheries’ Commercial Trip Ticket Program. It was the first year
commercial fisheries landings rose since 2010, an upward tick in a long
declining trend since the late 1990s.
The estimated dockside value of the commercial harvest
climbed 19 percent in 2014 to $93.8 million, continuing an increasing trend
since 2011.
climbed 19 percent in 2014 to $93.8 million, continuing an increasing trend
since 2011.
Recreational fishermen harvested approximately 9.6 million
fish, weighing about 9 million pounds in 2014, a 25 percent decrease in pounds
from 2013, according to the division’s Coastal Angling Program. It is 29
percent lower than the average of recreational landings from 2010 to 2013.
fish, weighing about 9 million pounds in 2014, a 25 percent decrease in pounds
from 2013, according to the division’s Coastal Angling Program. It is 29
percent lower than the average of recreational landings from 2010 to 2013.
Commercial
As usual, hard blue crabs topped the state’s commercial
harvest in 2014, followed by spiny dogfish, shrimp, summer flounder and
Atlantic croaker.
harvest in 2014, followed by spiny dogfish, shrimp, summer flounder and
Atlantic croaker.
Commercial fishermen sold 2.9 million pounds of summer
flounder to North Carolina dealers in 2014 – five times more than in 2013. The
increase was a direct result of a more restrictive state policy on allowing
boats to land their harvest in Virginia and other states. In previous years,
the state allowed more boats to do this because of shallow waters in Oregon
Inlet. It required North Carolina to transfer much of its summer flounder quota
to other states, causing federal quota allocation concerns.
flounder to North Carolina dealers in 2014 – five times more than in 2013. The
increase was a direct result of a more restrictive state policy on allowing
boats to land their harvest in Virginia and other states. In previous years,
the state allowed more boats to do this because of shallow waters in Oregon
Inlet. It required North Carolina to transfer much of its summer flounder quota
to other states, causing federal quota allocation concerns.
Hard blue crab harvests increased by 18 percent from 2013,
as the number of fishing trips with crab pots rose by 5 percent and the average
catch of hard blue crabs in the pot fishery increased by 42 pounds per trip.
The estimated dockside value of blue crabs in North Carolina rose by 13
percent, as well.
as the number of fishing trips with crab pots rose by 5 percent and the average
catch of hard blue crabs in the pot fishery increased by 42 pounds per trip.
The estimated dockside value of blue crabs in North Carolina rose by 13
percent, as well.
Spiny dogfish landings rose by 88 percent to 5.7 million
pounds due to an increase in the state’s allotted quota.
pounds due to an increase in the state’s allotted quota.
Shrimp harvests decreased by 4 percent from 2013 to 4.7
million pounds in 2014.
million pounds in 2014.
Atlantic croaker landings increased 36 percent to 2.6
million pounds.
million pounds.
Overall, commercial finfish harvests increased by 34 percent
to 29.4 million pounds in 2014. Shellfish and crustacean harvests increased by
15 percent to 32 million pounds.
to 29.4 million pounds in 2014. Shellfish and crustacean harvests increased by
15 percent to 32 million pounds.
Recreational
The top recreationally harvested fish (in pounds) in 2014
were dolphin, bluefish, yellowfin tuna, spot and red drum.
were dolphin, bluefish, yellowfin tuna, spot and red drum.
Recreational dolphin landings decreased by 14 percent to 1.3
million pounds, bluefish landings decreased by 3 percent to 961,222 pounds,
yellowfin tuna landings decreased by 37 percent to 913,785 pounds.
million pounds, bluefish landings decreased by 3 percent to 961,222 pounds,
yellowfin tuna landings decreased by 37 percent to 913,785 pounds.
Red drum harvests decreased by 12 percent to 598,166 pounds,
after the highest landings on record in 2013.
after the highest landings on record in 2013.
Spot, however, returned to the top five after an absence
since 2007. Recreational spot harvests increased by 53 percent in 2014 to
704,445 pounds.
since 2007. Recreational spot harvests increased by 53 percent in 2014 to
704,445 pounds.
While the number of private boat and for-hire fishing trips
dropped by 18.7 percent and 8 percent, respectively, the number of beach and
bank fishing trips increased by 37.3 percent.
dropped by 18.7 percent and 8 percent, respectively, the number of beach and
bank fishing trips increased by 37.3 percent.
For a full landings report, click on the 2014 Annual
Fisheries Bulletin link at
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/marine-fisheries-catch-statistics.
Fisheries Bulletin link at
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/marine-fisheries-catch-statistics.
For more information, contact division License and
Statistics Section Chief Don Hesselman
Statistics Section Chief Don Hesselman
at 252-808-8099 or
Don.Hesselman@ncdenr.gov.
Don.Hesselman@ncdenr.gov.
###
Patricia Smith
Public Information Officer
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
3441 Arendell St.
Morehead City, N.C. 28557
(252) 808-8025 (Office)
(252) 342-0642 (Mobile)
Tricia.Smith@ncdenr.gov
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny
'via Blog this'
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