THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 8, 1996 TAG: 9603080596
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: MOREHEAD CITY LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
The 16th annual Commercial Fishing Show will be held this weekend at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City. Billed as ``the biggest and best'' show yet, the two-day event will feature at least 54 exhibitors from across the state. More than 5,000 people are expected to attend.
Hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3.50 per person. Children under 12 years old are admitted free.
Besides boat builders, tackle supply companies, seafood dealers, engine companies and a variety of commercial fishing-related exhibitors, this year's show will include a maritime art show and children's poster contest. All artwork will be displayed at the civic center in Morehead City throughout the commercial fishing show. Proceeds from art sales will be used for scholarships in art and marine biology.
Sea Grant of North Carolina also will sponsor a fisheries forum in conjunction with the show from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Joslyn Hall of Carteret Community College in Morehead City. The forum will allow state officials, General Assembly delegates and fisheries experts to present information about emerging issues in the commercial fishing industry - and will give watermen an opportunity to express their views about these issues. Admission is free.
Agenda items include an update on suggested rule changes from the state's Moratorium Steering Committee, a discussion on water quality and the recent Neuse River pollution problems, and a presentation on public health issues and water quality, specifically those related to seafood harvests.
The U.S. Coast Guard will demonstrate water rescues at 3 p.m. behind the civic center. And a drawing for a 1996 Chevrolet truck will be held at 3:30 p.m.
For more information, call the North Carolina Fisheries Association, which is sponsoring the show, at (919) 633-2288. Or call N.C. Sea Grant, which is hosting the forum, at (919) 515-2454.
Sea Grant also has a site on the World Wide Web: http:www2.ncsu by CNB