Marine Fisheries Commission to meet Aug. 21-23 in Raleigh

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in person Aug. 21-23 at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills, in Raleigh. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21; at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22; and at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 23. The commission will hold public comment sessions at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, and at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22.

The following information pertains to in-person public comment:

• Those who wish to speak may sign up at the hotel prior to the public comment period in which they wish to speak.
• To accommodate as many speakers as possible, the chair will limit each speaker to 3 minutes.
• Those making comments will be asked to speak only once, either Wednesday night or Thursday morning, but not during both public comment periods.
• Those who wish to submit handouts to the commission during a public comment period should bring at least 12 copies to the meeting.

The public may also submit written comments via the following methods:

• An online form accessible through the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage.
• Mail to August 2024 Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.
• Dropped off at the Division of Marine Fisheries’ Morehead City Headquarters Office at 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City.

The deadline to submit written comments for this meeting is 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19.

The YouTube link will be posted on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage. After the meeting, a recording will be posted online.

Agenda items for this meeting include:

• A presentation on the Draft Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Amendment 1, including information about the Division’s preliminary recommendations, and a vote to approve the draft amendment for public and advisory committee review.
• A report on the Southern Flounder Stock Assessment Update and 2023 Southern Flounder landings.
• A presentation on the division’s Annual Fishery Management Plan Review.
• An overview of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation and its management in North Carolina.
• Votes on notice of text to begin the rulemaking process to amend or adopt the below three issues. The proposed rules will go to public hearing at a later date.
  • 15A NCAC 03J .0301 to Simplify Pot Marking Requirements
  • 15A NCAC 03M .0523 for False Albacore Management
  • 15A NCAC 03O .0601-.0606 for the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
• A vote to set the annual cap for the number of Standard Commercial Fishing Licenses available through the Eligibility Pool.
• Presentations on the division’s:
  • Carcass Collection Program
  • N.C. Saltwater Fishing Tournament
  • N.C. Saltwater State Record Fish
  • Multi-Species Tagging Program
• Election of a vice chair.

The full agenda and briefing book are posted on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage.