Oyster and Clam AC Meeting Recap
The Oyster and Clam Advisory Committee (AC) met in New Bern last week. The purpose of this meeting was for stakeholders and outside biologists (AC members) to provide feedback and input to the NC Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) staff while they refine draft Amendments 5 and 3 to the Oyster and Clam fisheries management plans (FMPs).
DMF staff made sure to let the AC know that no formal votes would be taken during this meeting and everyone’s opinions and ideas would be respected and considered. Staff also noted that this is all still a work in progress and input is welcome and encouraged after the meeting.
One big topic of concern from all AC members was water quality. Everyone knows water quality plays one of biggest roles in the health of all of our fisheries, especially oyster and clam populations. This concern is brought forth regularly to the DMF and the Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC), but so far neither group has been able to find meaningful solutions to adequately protect our waters from the many environmental threats we continue to experience.
As far as management options that were discussed, the AC and staff had long discussions about the current 26% trigger sampling program used to monitor legal sized oysters to determine mechanical harvest season length. I do not think anyone in the room (or outside the room) is 100% happy with the current status of the program and there is much room for improvement. There also was not a clear answer on how to best manage this part of the fishery. I believe more input is urgently needed from oyster fishermen on this issue.
Some AC members also had concerns with closing large deep water areas to mechanical oyster harvest. DMF staff seemed to agree that a much smaller closed area would likely be more appropriate. The idea was these areas could be closed through adaptive management and studies could be done to see if there was potential for these deep water reefs to begin growing again before any hard permanent closures were implemented.
Much support was also expressed for the oyster sanctuary and cultch planting programs supported by DMF. These programs have been in place for a long time and their benefits to the overall health of the environment cannot be overstated. Oysters have always been an important ecological and cultural resource in North Carolina. These programs have and will continue to ensure oysters will be here for generations to come.
The biggest clam management issue discussed was the future (or lack thereof) of mechanical clam harvest. The AC mostly agreed that mechanical clam harvest needed to continue and did not need to be phased out. Although participation in this fishery is currently low, it is still an important component of commercial clam harvest.
Key Takeaway
The AC discussions at this meeting are just advisory. It is an important step in the fisheries management process but ultimately the vote and decision comes down the MFC. DMF considers all stakeholder input during the draft amendment process and most options, including closures can and most likely will still be included as this draft continues to be refined.
Next Steps
The next time the Oyster and Clam draft amendment will be discussed publicly will be at the August MFC meeting. This will be an informal presentation and discussion generally addressing the AC meeting takeaways and staff progress on the draft amendment.
In November the draft amendment will be presented in its entirely to the MFC and if it is approved, it will then go out for public comment.
Get involved, stay informed, and provide input if you have something beneficial to help guide these discussions. NCFA will continue to keep you updated on this and all other issues concerning our waters.
Thomas Newman
Fisheries Liaison
Upcoming Meeting
MAFMC SSC Meeting
The Mid Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC) Science and Statistics Committee (SSC) is meeting this week to discuss many species import to North Carolina from bluefish to black sea bass and many in between. They meet Tuesday, July 23rd through Thursday, July 25th.
Click here to join the July 23-25, 2024 SSC meeting
For information visit their website: July MAFMC SSC Meeting
