LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene September 2, 2020, so not much going on, so here is an update since the beginning of the year concerning deaths or resignations of legislative members.
RESIGNATIONS & APPOINTMENTS:
Senator Jerry Tilman, District 26 resigned June 30th. His replacement was named on July 17th and is David Craven.
Representative Jean Farmer-Butterfield, District 24, resigned on July 16th. Her replacement has not yet been named.
Representative Mary Ann Black, District 29, died on March 25th. Her replacement is Vernetta Alston.
Representative Linda Johnson, District 82, died on February 18th. Her replacement is Kristin Baker.
Senator Floyd McKissick, District 20 resigned January 7th. His replacement is Natalie Murdock.
God Bless,
Jerry
SPANISH MACKEREL -NORTHERN ZONE- FEDERAL WATERS
WHAT/WHEN:
The commercial harvest of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel northern zone in federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 22, 2020 and will re-open on March 1, 2021. The northern zone for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel includes federal waters from North Carolina through New York. During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of Spanish mackerel in or from the northern zone federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open, but those fish may not be sold.
WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:
Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial quota for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel northern zone. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the quota from being exceeded.
DURING THE CLOSURE:
- The prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for Spanish mackerel does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, July 22, 2020, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
- During the closure, a person on board a vessel that has been issued a valid federal commercial permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish may continue to retain Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the northern zone under the recreational bag and possession limits, as long as the recreational sector for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel is open.
This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=38b00fbc079181f330b3d8428a1d8fea&mc=true&n=pt50.12.622&r=PART&ty=HTML#sp50.12.622.q.
The Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA) has put together the petition below in support of the commercial fishing industry in the face of threats from offshore wind.
It is important that BOEM hear from members of the fishing industry and related businesses about your concerns about offshore wind as it considers approving the first wind project in federal waters. https://www.savingseafood.org/offshore-wind-petition/
The petition will close Monday, July 27th at noon.
ASMFC:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 22, 2020
PRESS CONTACT, TINA BERGER, 703.842.0740
The final agenda and meeting materials for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 2020 Summer Meeting Webinar (August 3-6, 2020) are now available at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2020-summer-meeting-webinar; click on the relevant Board/Committee name to access the documents for that Board/Committee. For ease of access, all documents have been combined into one document Main Meeting Materials.
Supplemental materials will be posted to the website on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. For those Boards that have FMP Reviews and Compliance Reports on their agendas, the compliance reports are not posted due to their large file sizes. If you would like a copy of a specific state’s or jurisdiction’s compliance report, please contact the respective FMP Coordinator.
The agenda is subject to change. The agenda reflects the current estimate of time required for scheduled Board meetings. The Commission may adjust this agenda in accordance with the actual duration of Board meetings. It is our intent to begin at the scheduled start time for each meeting, however, if meetings run late the next meeting may start later than originally planned. Please note there has been a change in meeting times and the order of meetings on Wednesday (August 5) and a slight shift in meeting times on Thursday (August 6).
Board proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar; please register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/4049656764540271887 (Webinar ID 393-732-675) for all the meetings conducted throughout the week. Detailed instructions on joining and participating in the webinars can be found at http://www.asmfc.org/files/Meetings/2020SummerMeeting/Webinar_Instructions_July2020.pdf.
For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen in to the audio portion only, you can do so by dialing 213.929.4212 (access code: 568-469-389).
NC AGROMEDICINE INSTITUTE IS LOOKING FOR NC SHRIMPERS TO PARTICIPATE IN STUDY.
NC Agromedicine Institute is looking for NC Shrimpers name and phone numbers who are willing to participate in a phone interview regarding sleep habits and safety issues aboard their vessels. The interview would take approximately 30-45 minutes and they will receive a $30 gift card when completed.
NC Shrimpers are also wanted for free health screening, wear a Fitbit, and have an occupational nurse go out with them on the boat to observe.
There will be some compensation for this as well. Details and information can be obtained by contacting:
LeMar Grafft, Associate Director
NC Agromedicine Institute
Agromedicine Extension Specialist
NC Cooperative Extension
319-270-4403 (Cell)
252-744-9542 (Office)