Marine Fisheries Commission Passes Blue Crab Fisheries Management Plan
The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commissions (MFC) adopted a new Blue Crab Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) at their December 2-3, 2004 meeting in Atlantic Beach, NC.
The Blue Crab FMP is a revision of one previously adopted by the MFC in 1998. Blue crab supports North Carolina’s most important commercial fishery, averaging fifty million pounds annually from 1994-2003. North Carolina was the top crab producing state in the country during this period.
The FMP specifies management measures that are needed to conserve the blue crab stock, will protect the ecological and economic value of blue crab in North Carolina, and will optimize the long-term use of the blue crab resource in North Carolina. Information on the blue crab’s biology, habitat, stock status, fisheries and research needs are also summarized in the Blue Crab FMP. A summary of the recommended actions is listed below.
Habitat and water quality protection and restoration measures.
To protect the blue crab spawning stock, seasonal size limits will be implemented if the spawning stock falls below a specified level of abundance for two consecutive years. Conversely, if the spawning stock rises above this level for two consecutive years, the maximum size limits will be lifted. The maximum size limits and season time periods are:
6 3/4 inch maximum size limit on mature females from September to April, with a five percent tolerance;
5 ¼ inch maximum size limit on female peeler crabs from September to April, with a three percent tolerance.
Crab spawning sanctuaries will be more accurately defined and protected.
Prohibit the sale of white-line peelers with a five percent tolerance, but allow possession by a licensee/harvester for use in their own shedding operation.
Extend the abandoned pot cleanup period, when pots cannot be legally set unless authorized by the Director of Marine Fisheries, by nine days (January 15-February 7).
Shorten the pot attendance period from seven to five days to reduce ghost pots (those pots without identification).
Require a four inch tail bag on crab trawlers in the western Pamlico Sound and the Neuse, Pamlico, Pungo, and Bay rivers to reduce bycatch.
Restrict channel net harvest of blue crabs to fifty percent of the total weight of the combined shrimp and crab catch or 300 pounds, whichever is larger, in order to protect reproducing crabs.
Utilize MFC regional advisor committees to resolve localized user conflicts.
Open specific long haul areas to crab potting by proclamation.
Shift the time period when pots must be moved to shallow waters to allow better access to crabs by potters in the spring and to minimize conflict with trawlers in the fall.
Use water depth as the criteria to determine where pots can be allowed in the Pamlico, Pungo, Neuse, and Bay rivers.
Implement a strategy to promote public education for blue crab resource issues.
Marine Fisheries Commission Chairman Jimmy Johnson said, “The MFC unanimously adopted a plan that we believe will continue to provide a blueprint for a healthy crab resource and productive fisheries. I want to thank all those advisors and public, who provided valuable input at numerous meetings in order to have a good plan. I also want to thank the Division of Marine Fisheries for all their hard work in preparing the plan and for all the excellent information it contains.”
Public hearings will be held in 2005 for proposed rules to implement the Blue Crab FMP. For further information, contact Jess Hawkins at 252 726-7021 or 800-682-2632 or Je*********@nc****.net, or you can access the Division’s web site at www.ncdmf.net.
Marine Fisheries Commission Passes Blue Crab Fisheries Management Plan
The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commissions (MFC) adopted a new Blue Crab Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) at their December 2-3, 2004 meeting in Atlantic Beach, NC.
The Blue Crab FMP is a revision of one previously adopted by the MFC in 1998. Blue crab supports North Carolina’s most important commercial fishery, averaging fifty million pounds annually from 1994-2003. North Carolina was the top crab producing state in the country during this period.
The FMP specifies management measures that are needed to conserve the blue crab stock, will protect the ecological and economic value of blue crab in North Carolina, and will optimize the long-term use of the blue crab resource in North Carolina. Information on the blue crab’s biology, habitat, stock status, fisheries and research needs are also summarized in the Blue Crab FMP. A summary of the recommended actions is listed below.
Habitat and water quality protection and restoration measures.
To protect the blue crab spawning stock, seasonal size limits will be implemented if the spawning stock falls below a specified level of abundance for two consecutive years. Conversely, if the spawning stock rises above this level for two consecutive years, the maximum size limits will be lifted. The maximum size limits and season time periods are:
6 3/4 inch maximum size limit on mature females from September to April, with a five percent tolerance;
5 ¼ inch maximum size limit on female peeler crabs from September to April, with a three percent tolerance.
Crab spawning sanctuaries will be more accurately defined and protected.
Prohibit the sale of white-line peelers with a five percent tolerance, but allow possession by a licensee/harvester for use in their own shedding operation.
Extend the abandoned pot cleanup period, when pots cannot be legally set unless authorized by the Director of Marine Fisheries, by nine days (January 15-February 7).
Shorten the pot attendance period from seven to five days to reduce ghost pots (those pots without identification).
Require a four inch tail bag on crab trawlers in the western Pamlico Sound and the Neuse, Pamlico, Pungo, and Bay rivers to reduce bycatch.
Restrict channel net harvest of blue crabs to fifty percent of the total weight of the combined shrimp and crab catch or 300 pounds, whichever is larger, in order to protect reproducing crabs.
Utilize MFC regional advisor committees to resolve localized user conflicts.
Open specific long haul areas to crab potting by proclamation.
Shift the time period when pots must be moved to shallow waters to allow better access to crabs by potters in the spring and to minimize conflict with trawlers in the fall.
Use water depth as the criteria to determine where pots can be allowed in the Pamlico, Pungo, Neuse, and Bay rivers.
Implement a strategy to promote public education for blue crab resource issues.
Marine Fisheries Commission Chairman Jimmy Johnson said, “The MFC unanimously adopted a plan that we believe will continue to provide a blueprint for a healthy crab resource and productive fisheries. I want to thank all those advisors and public, who provided valuable input at numerous meetings in order to have a good plan. I also want to thank the Division of Marine Fisheries for all their hard work in preparing the plan and for all the excellent information it contains.”
Public hearings will be held in 2005 for proposed rules to implement the Blue Crab FMP. For further information, contact Jess Hawkins at 252 726-7021 or 800-682-2632 or Je*********@nc****.net, or you can access the Division’s web site at www.ncdmf.net.