MAFMC Volunteer Angler Data Workshop

In response to requests from the fishing community for hands-on participation in data collection, several states have implemented volunteer angler data collection programs to collect recreational data.

On Thursday, February 2, 2012, a one-day Volunteer Angler Data workshop will explore ways that these and future programs can be most effective.

This workshop, co-sponsored by the Council and the Marine Recreational Information Program (www.countmyfish.noaa.gov), will bring together the people who manage these state programs and other volunteer data collection programs to examine questions such as: "Which data needs are best filled by volunteer angler data?" and "How can programs establish and sustain angler enthusiasm and support?"

The meeting is open to the public and will be webcast. There will be opportunities for public participation from those attending in person as well as via webinar - webinar registration and additional information is available via the above link.

Details:

MAFMC Volunteer Angler Data Workshop

Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Four-Points Sheraton, BWI Airport

7032 Elm Road, Baltimore, MD 21240

And via the Internet at:

http://www.mafmc.org/events/volunteerdata.htm

source: MAFMC

North Carolina Fishing Issues Meeting

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will hold a public hearing Sept. 30 to receive comments on several proposed new rules.

The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at the Craven County Cooperative Extension office, 300 Industrial Dr., New Bern.


The proposed rules will:

Reorganize the fisheries rulebook by removing repetitive or non-regulatory language in Subchapter 03H and relocating maps and marking regulations to Subchapter 03I;

Define the terms “corkline,” “headrope” and “lead” referred to in other rules;

Correct a cross-reference to a definition for coral and live rock (this will not change the definition);

Clarify that only those holding a Recreational Commercial Gear License that use pots authorized by the license are required to mark their pots with hot pink buoys;

Broaden the existing proclamation authority of the director of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries to maintain compliance with interstate regulations for horseshoe crabs;

Add a definition for pectoral fin curved fork length and allow bluefin tuna to be measured this way for consistency with federal regulations for commercially-caught tunas;

Allow for the head of a commercially-caught tuna to be removed at sea, making state rules consistent with federal regulations;

Require ocean fishing piers to submit a monthly report of the daily head counts of anglers so that the state may maintain exemption to the National Angler Registry;

Require shellfish culture training certification for new lease applicants and transferees, as required by state law;

Remove the requirement to notarize signatures on fishing permit renewal applications;

Classify Long Creek Gut and reclassify Eastham Creek as Primary Nursery Areas;

Classify a portion of Chadwick Bay as a Special Secondary Nursery Area;

Update the list of cross-references to no-trawling areas in Rule 03R .0106; and

Codify an existing proclamation that protects a new coastal fishing reef/oyster sanctuary at Gibbs Shoal in Hyde County.


Full texts of the proposed rules were published in the N.C. Register and can be found online at http://www.oah.state.nc.us/rules/register/