Commercial fishermen will be paying more to catch fewer fish in the future, after the N.C. Department of Marine Fisheries commission voted for a 100-percent increase in commercial fishing licenses and the elimination of a harvest season for river herring.

However, a vote to add further limitations to spotted seatrout harvests and requirements for reduced bycatch devices of shrimp trawlers did not go through.

The MFC voting took place Wednesday and Thursday during a business meeting at Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City.

North Carolina’s commercial fishermen offered the proposal to increase six license fees: Standard Commercial Fishing License; Retired Standard Commercial Fishing License; License to Land or Sell; License for Fish Dealers; Recreational Commercial gear licenses; and Shellfish Licenses, according to the North Carolina Fisheries Association. 

Read the full story at The Daily News>>