THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 10, 1996 TAG: 9602100267
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ESTES THOMPSON, ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WILMINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Discussion about revising saltwater fishing regulations in North Carolina raises strong emotions among fishermen, but they also say they want to work with the state to get fair rules.
A state study panel has until January to make recommendations to the General Assembly on widespread changes to laws regulating fishing. The changes could include enforcement, gear restrictions, licensing, and the composition of the state Marine Fisheries Commission.
The licensing issue already is certain - everyone will have to buy a license.
Fishermen told the study panel at a hearing Thursday to be fair when changing the rules and creating the licenses. But most of the speakers supported the new license concept and said they were willing to pay to get better management of the state's marine fishing industry.
``We've got something precious,'' said Bob Lucas, chairman of the Marine Fisheries Commission and the study panel, which is named the North Carolina Fisheries Moratorium Steering Committee.
``North Carolina has the largest shallow estuarine system in the United States,'' Lucas said. ``We've got to protect it.''
Current licenses are based on the use of nets. Most commercial fishermen set out gill nets that trap fish, or they pull trawl nets behind their boats to gather fish. Some recreational fishermen use nets and crabpots, and they also need licenses. Those who use only hook and line do not.
State officials freely admit that they don't know exactly how many fishermen ply the state's waters. An estimated 4,500 commercial fishermen work the waters full time.
``We have more people fishing than we have resource to catch,'' said Bruce Freeman, director of the division of fisheries.
Freeman said the state's population is growing because more people are moving to North Carolina, and many will move to the coast. Plus, he said, fishermen from New England and Florida are coming to the state's waters because fishing in their areas has been closed. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
PROPOSAL
The licensing proposal as now written would establish three
license categories for fishermen 16 and over:
Commercial fishermen who use nets and more than three crabpots
and sell their catch.
The license fee proposed is $25. Still unresolved is whether a
fisherman must sell a certain amount to be considered commercial, or
whether everyone will be allowed to obtain commercial licenses.
Currently, about 4,500 commercial fishermen have licenses to sell
their catch.
Recreational fishermen who use limited-size nets and three or
fewer pots and don't sell their catch. The proposed fee is $35.
Recreational fishermen who use fishing rods. The proposed fee is
$15.
KEYWORDS: SALTWATER FISHING LICENSE by CNB