Final Opportunities to Comment on Mullet Regulations
It is up to you to come out this week and defend your mullet fishery! This fishery is executed very differently throughout the state and every part of this fishery is important to sustain our commercial fishing livelihoods. The only way to equitably meet the statutory requirement to end over fishing is a weekend closure, preferably with a small bycatch allowance to reduce waste.
The recommendation for maximum reduction from the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is unnecessary and would cause undue burden on the commercial fishermen once again. DMF data, commercial landings, and what everyone is seeing on the water proves the mullet stock is seeing an upward trend since the stock assessment.
Many do not even know how the mullet fishery is executed throughout the state and do not understand that closing harvest for 48 hours every week will surely allow for escapement. Mullet abundance changes over time and setting various trip limits throughout the year like DMF recommends will do nothing but cause confusion and more waste, just like the mullet closure did last year. If you get chance listen to the Southern Advisory Committee meeting from last week. There was a lot of misinformation and confusion about how our fisheries operate and what would work best for our fish and our fishermen.
Listen to the meeting last week here: Southern Regional Advisory Committee
Come out, let your voices be heard. Help your Advisory Committee members be more informed about what you do and how you see these recommended regulations affecting the fishery. The option is available to choose a weekend closure with a small bycatch allowance that will meet the requirements without all of the unnecessary confusing trip limits but you have to come to one of these meetings and tell the DMF if that is what you want!
Briefing Materials:
Draft Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2
Striped Mullet Decision Document
These meetings will be live streamed on YouTube but if you want to make public comment you will need to attend one of these three meetings in person.
Finfish Advisory Committee
Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at 6:00pm
Division of Marine Fisheries
Central District Office
5285 Highway 70 West
Morehead City, NC
Northern Advisory Committee
Thursday, January 18th at 6:00pm
Dare County Administrative Building
Commissioners Meeting Room
954 Marshal C. Collins Drive
Manteo, NC
Written Comment
Written comment period ends Wednesday, January 17th at 5pm.
You can Click here to submit comment online.
Or mail written comments to:
Draft Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2 Comments,
P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557
Thomas Newman
Fisheries Liaison
