Carteret Commissioners oppose Amendment 16

Carteret Commissioners oppose Amendment 16

Jannette Pippin
JDnews


Carteret County commissioners supported local watermen this week by opposing proposed fisheries regulations head boat operators say will hurt their business and the local economy.
The Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution at its Monday night meeting that opposes Amendment 16 to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act as passed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
The amendment includes measures to end overfishing of gag grouper and vermillion snapper, including prolonged seasonal closures, reductions in bag limits and harvest quotas specifying allocations between commercial and recreational fishermen.
Commissioner Jonathan Robinson said the county's Marine Fisheries Advisory Board reviewed the amendment and endorsed the resolution against it.


Several Carteret County head boat operators spoke during the public comment period encouraging commissioners to adopt the resolution opposing Amendment 16.


They said implementing the regulations would hurt their fishing charters and the county's tourism-driven economy.
"We're looking at a loss of tourism dollars for my operation right on down to selling gas, to restaurants, hotels, the whole spectrum of the tourism industry," said Terrell Gould, captain-owner of the Carolina Princess in Morehead City.
Sonny Davis, owner of Capt. Stacy Fishing Center in Atlantic Beach, said families who visit the coast and fish are the livelihood of the head boats and a plus to the economy.


"I feel like this operation of mine depends on it and brings a lot of people to the county," Davis said.


Vermillion snapper in particular is an important fishery to the head boats. Under the Amendment 16 rules, there would be a reduction in the bag limit from 10 to 5 and seasonal closures from November through March for commercial and recreational fishing.
The regulations would mean reductions in fishing time and catches, which could reduce the number of people visiting Carteret County for time on their boats, said Tom Backman.


Backman, who co-owns Carolina Headboats with Gould, said it would be a long drive for their out-of-state fishermen.
"Our fear is they are not going to drive here to catch five fish and that they are not going to drive here for the five months they can't fish," he said.


The Amendment 16 rules approved by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council require approval from the U.S. Secretary of Commerce before they can be implemented. In its resolution, the county board asks the secretary to indefinitely suspend implementation of Amendment 16 until there is more analysis of economic impact and more comprehensive review stock assessments for affected species.


The proposed Amendment 16 rules are also being watched closely at the state level and are expected to be discussed during the January meeting of the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission, said Brian Cheuvront of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.
"The division supports the resolution and remains concerned about this issue," Cheuvront said.