Memorial Day Tribute

Happy Memorial Day, Remembering all who have served, and their families. Also praying for the vets waiting for VA hospital care. God Bless you all!

Topsail Fishing Report 5 25 2016

Surf City Pier Anglers

Anglers at Surf City Pier, hoping for the big one. If they don't catch it, It won't be because they don't have their lines in the water. Good Luck folks!

Till next time....

Tight lines!

Johnny

New Recreational cobia regulations go into effect Monday

Recreational cobia regulations go into effect Monday

MOREHEAD CITY –The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has issued a proclamation consistent with the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission’s decision to impose restrictions on the recreational cobia fishery. On Thursday the commission voted to impose the following restrictions on recreational cobia:

• A 37-inch fork length (measured from the tip of the snout to the fork in the tail) minimum size limit for all recreational fisheries.
• Anglers fishing from private boats may only fish on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays under daily possession limit of two fish per vessel or one fish per person if only one person is on board.
• Those fishing from the shore or shore-based structures (pier or surf) may fish seven days a week with a daily possession limit of one fish per person.
• Those fishing on a for-hire boat (charter or guide) may fish seven days a week with a daily possession limit of four fish per vessel or one fish per person if fewer than four people are on board.
• Those practicing catch-and-release may fish seven days a week.

The commission’s decision was in response to a federal announcement that, because the annual catch limit was exceeded last year, it intends to close the recreational cobia season in federal waters north of the Georgia-Florida border on June 20. In order to remain consistent with the federal fishery management plan, the federal government encouraged states close state waters for recreational cobia season on June 20. The commission did not approve the division’s recommendation to either close state waters on June 20 or select one of eight size and vessel limit combinations already analyzed by federal government that would have resulted in a lengthened season if adopted by both North Carolina and Virginia.

The commission’s decision to impose these additional restrictions is an effort to extend the recreational cobia season in state waters. These new restrictions go into effect on Monday. The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will submit these new restrictions to the federal government and request an expedited review to determine whether these actions will be sufficient to allow the season to be extended in state waters beyond June 20. If the federal government determines that these restrictions are not sufficient to remain consistent with the federal fishery management plan for the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic regions, additional restrictions may be necessary.

For more specifics on the regulations, see Proclamation FF-25-2016 at http://ncmarinefisheries.net/proclamations.

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Public Comment Sought for Periodic Review of 10F and 10H Rules

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking public comment on classifications of its existing rules for the periodic review process, as required by the General Assembly (150B-21.3A). On April 21, 2016, the Commission approved initial determinations classifying each of its Motorboats and Water Safety rules (15A NCAC 10F) and Regulated Activities rules (15A NCAC 10H) into one of three classifications: (1) unnecessary; (2) necessary with substantive public interest; or (3) necessary without substantive public interest. The initial determination reports for 10F and 10H rules are posted on the agency’s Periodic Rules Review page.   Public comments on these classifications may be submitted from May 16, 2016-August 1, 2016.  Public comments may be submitted online or in writing via the US Postal Service to the following address: Erica Garner NCWRC Periodic Review 1701 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1701   For more information on the periodic review process for the Wildlife Commission or to comment on a rule, visit the agency’s Periodic Rules Review page. A “public comment” is defined by G.S. 150B-21.3A(a)(5) as a written objection to all or part of a rule. Additionally, pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A(c)(2), in order for the Rules Review Commission to determine whether the public comment has merit, the public comment must address the specific content of the rule. Till next time.... Tight lines! Johnny

Planning a fishing trip?

Don't leave the important stuff at home!
Source: Fix.com Blog

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny

N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting

N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings

The commission is mandated to meet at least quarterly, but may hold additional meeting at any time and place within the state at the call of the chair or upon the written request of a least four members. Three of the quarterly meetings must be held in one of the coastal regions.

For the commission to conduct business there must be a quorum, which means at least five of the nine members are present. Also, at least one recreational member and one commercial member must be present.

All meetings are open to the public, and may only be closed for reasons outlined in GS 143-318.11.
Please read the public comment guidelines if you plan to address the commission.

Listen to Live Audio Streaming of Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings

2016 MFC Meeting Schedule
Feb. 17-19 Blockade Runner, Wilmington	May 18-20 Crystal Coast Civic Center, Morehead City
Aug. 17-19 Hilton Brownstone, Raleigh	Nov. 16-18 Hilton Garden Inn, Kitty Hawk

Full and accurate minutes are maintained for each meeting of the commission and its advisory committees. Briefing books are also prepared for the commissioners, commission staff, the director, and counsel. These books contain reports and materials for each agenda item, written public comment, recurring updates, special informational reports on fishing issues not on the agenda, and presentations. An electronic version of each book is available by clicking on the meeting date on the schedule below or the posting on the meeting schedule page.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny