THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 11, 1995 TAG: 9505110423
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY LANE DEGREGORY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Because many of North Carolina's fish also swim through more northern waters, the Tar Heel State needs to join the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, says U.S. Rep. Walter Jones Jr.
Now, North Carolina representatives serve on the South Atlantic Marine Fisheries Management Council. But the state's watermen also are affected by many of the rules made by the 19-member mid-Atlantic council.
So on Wednesday, Jones introduced an amendment to the proposed Magnuson Act, which would govern offshore fisheries. The amendment would add two North Carolina representatives to the mid-Atlantic council.
North Carolina would continue to serve on the South Atlantic council, said Jones, a 3rd District Republican. But the state also would gain a voice on the organization that governs waters between three and 200 miles offshore, from New York through Virginia.
The amendment passed a House committee Wednesday and will move to the floor for full debate, Jones said. ``I want North Carolina to have representation in both the South and mid-Atlantic councils,'' he said. ``They're both making rules that affect us. We need some input on all those regulations.''
Most likely, Jones said, the governor would appoint North Carolina's representatives if the Magnuson Act - and the amendment - meet with congressional approval. Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. supports state membership on the mid-Atlantic council.
The state's fisheries chief, Robert V. Lucas, agreed with the amendment on Tuesday.
North Carolina is the southernmost habitat for many of the northern fish species, Lucas said. Management plans for those fish need to include North Carolina concerns.
``I feel certain,'' Jones said, ``that the entire Magnuson Act will pass on the Senate side, too.''
Also Wednesday, Jones said he plans to meet with the top officer in the U.S. Coast Guard next week to discuss the future of the Ocracoke Island Coast Guard facility. Federal downsizing plans call for cutting back the 19-person staff at the southern Outer Banks facility and curtailing some of the operations. Changes probably wouldn't take effect until fall.
``They're trying to make government more efficient by cutting back on funding for the Coast Guard,'' Jones said. ``We want to reach a middle ground to make sure the local people and boaters are provided for in case of an emergency.''
Now, the Ocracoke Coast Guard Station operates three boats, including two special search and rescue craft. Jones' aide, Bob Berry, said the congressman wants to make sure that even if funding is cut, the two boats will continue to operate and be on hand in case of emergencies.
``They're trying to downsize Ocracoke's station to what they call a sub-unit. One way or another, staff will have to be trimmed,'' Berry said. ``What we're trying to do is keep the two main boats - at least - there full time. They may have to cut back to working only weekends or part time. We're trying to reach a compromise.''
Jones also said that by Thanksgiving, he plans to open a satellite office in northeastern North Carolina and hire two more aides. Now, nine staff members in Washington, D.C., and four in Greenville help him respond to public concerns and research legislative issues. In his first three months in office, Jones said, he and his staff answered more than 6,000 letters and phone calls from constituents.
``We cover 19 counties and we have to reach the people in all those areas,'' said Jones, who plans to reallocate resources from his budget rather than increase funding for the additional office and personnel.
KEYWORDS: FISHING INDUSTRY NORTH CAROLINA by CNB