NCFA WELCOMES NEW FOR-HIRE AFFILIATE GROUP
The North Carolina Fisheries Association is proud to represent the recreational fishing industry through our new affiliate: The North Carolina For-Hire Captain’s Association. Though we have always prided ourselves in representing all fishermen, we are honored to represent this fine group.
While the North Carolina For-Hire Captain’s Association got started in Brunswick County, they want to bring equal representation for North Carolina’s entire for-hire industry.
They are proud to be an affiliate of the North Carolina Fisheries Association.
Contact info for NCFHCA:
President: Ryan Williams (910) 263-3097
Vice President: John Dosher (910) 448-0536
Secretary/Treasurer: Cain Faircloth (910) 367-2998
NEW SHRIMP TRAWL BYCATCH REDUCTION RULES
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
As expected, things are getting more active in the General Assembly with all issues including the bills we’ve been watching. No committee meetings were held this week, but please note the very important meeting scheduled for next Tuesday.
HOUSE WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMITTEE TO MEET TUESDAY!
The Committee has several bills on the agenda for consideration, including:
H-483: LET THEM SPAWN (NCFA opposes)
H-486: COMMERCIAL FISHING LICENSE REFORMS (NCFA opposes)
H-597: WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION AMENDS (NCFA has no position)
H-598: BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN AS STATE MARINE MAMMAL (NCFA has no position)
The Committee meeting will be next Tuesday, April 16th, at 2:00pm in Room 1228/1327 of the Legislative Building.
H-169, The bill to make the Loggerhead Sea Turtle the state reptile is still in the House Environment Committee.
H-483: LET THEM SPAWN
Scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, April 16th in the Wildlife Resources Committee.
Would require minimum size limits on all species to ensure 75% of juvenile fish of each species have an opportunity to reach maturity and spawn at least once.
NCFA OPPOSES H-483
H-486 COMMERCIAL FISHING LICENSE REFORMS
Scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, April 16th in the Wildlife Resources Committee.
This is similar to a bill filed last year, but it died in committee. This bill would eliminate the RCGL or recreational commercial gear license, would only allow one standard commercial license per person with person including corporation; doubles the license fees.
NCFA OPPOSES H-486
S-517: PROTECT THE MILITARY/FISHERIES/TOURISM; by Senator Peterson
No action this week. Referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
Would prohibit offshore drilling.
S-554: MARINE FISHERIES REFORMS; by Senators Sanderson, Brown, Tilman and Steinburg
No action this week: Referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
This is a bill that began as a meeting of several stakeholder groups, including NCFA, with DEQ/DMF. In NCFA’s opinion, the bill as introduced needs to be modified.
S-648: SUPPORT SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE; by Senators Sanderson, Rabon and Steinburg
No action this week: Referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
This is a result of many meetings with a variety of stakeholders; this bill will be modified in committee.
H-545: PROTECT THE MILITARY/FISHERIES/TOURISM; by Rep. Harrison, Martin, Russell and others
No action this week: Referred to House Rules Committee.
Same as S-517 above.
H-598: BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN AS STATE MARINE MAMMAL by Reps Hanig, Grange and others.
Scheduled to be heard in Wildlife Resources Committee on Tuesday, April 16th.
This bill was not listed last week, but is scheduled for discussion in the House Wildlife Resources Committee on Tuesday, April 16th:
H-597: WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION AMENDS; sponsored by Adams, Henson, Wray, Yarborough and others.
https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2019/Bills/House/PDF/H597v1.pdf
Scheduled for Tuesday, April 16 in the House Wildlife Resources Committee substantially raises license fees and makes changes in proclamation authority.
THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SPECIAL ELECTION
Recently we listed the entire list of candidates and encouraged folks that are in the Third District to attend candidate forums or individual candidate meet and greet or fund raisers to meet them and learn more.
NCFA sent out a questionnaire about commercial fishing related issues to the candidates and will send them out via a special update next week.
Candidate Michael Speciale: Craven County Republican Men’s Club; Saturday, April 13th; 8:00am at The Emerald Clubhouse in New Bern;
Also, speaker on the Reese Gardner Show in Kinston at 11:00am on Monday, April 15th;
Also, candidate forum at the God & Country Christian Alliance at Moore’s BBQ in New Bern, 7:00pm on Monday, April 15th.
Also, candidate forum at Southern Salt Restaurant in Morehead City sponsored by the Carteret County Republican Men’s Club at 7:00pm on Thursday, April 18th.
Candidate Greg Murphy: Dare County Breakfast Meet and Greet in Kill Devil Hills, Friday, April 12th; 7:30-9am; Jolly Roger Restaurant.
Also: April 13th; 4:00 – 6:30pm; Down East Chicken Pickin; Harker’s Island RV Resort; Contact Lindy Robinson: 252-241-2309.
CANDIDATE FORUM IN NEW BERN: On April 15th, the following have agreed to speak to the God and Country Christian Alliance: Phil Law, Michelle Nix, Michael Speciale, Shannon Bray, Gary Ceres, Graham Boyd, Tim Harris and Celeste Cairns.
If you know of any events for the Third District candidates, please let us know. The primary is April 30th!