Proposals for managing the southern flounder fishery, including a possible gill net ban, has both sides of the issue gathering forces in advance of Wednesday’s public hearing.
The North Carolina Fisheries Association, the state’s trade association for the commercial fishing industry, is rallying commercial fishermen to attend the June 17 public hearing to be held in New Bern to express their concerns about a draft supplement to the North Carolina Southern Flounder Management Plan.
The public hearing is set for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center, 203 South Front St.
Six management proposals are being considered by the Marine Fisheries Commission and include a range of impacts to different fisheries and gears.
Under the proposals, the commercial sector would take the biggest hit, with recommendations including a commercial Total Allowable Catch, 15-inch size limit, seasonal closures and a possible ban of anchored large-mesh gill nets in internal waters effective Jan. 1, 2016.
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