Striped Mullet FMP - NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources
Striped Mullet FMP - NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources
Striped Mullet FMP - NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources
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4.4.1 <strong>Environment</strong>al degradationSuitable <strong>and</strong> adequate habitat is a critical element in the ecology <strong>and</strong> productivity <strong>of</strong>estuarine systems. Degradation or improvement in one aspect <strong>of</strong> habitat may have acorresponding impact on water quality. Maintenance <strong>and</strong> improvement <strong>of</strong> suitable estuarinehabitat <strong>and</strong> water quality are probably the most important factors in providing a sustainablestriped mullet stock. Habitat <strong>and</strong> water quality protection, conservation, <strong>and</strong> restoration areessential to accomplish the goal <strong>and</strong> objectives <strong>of</strong> this plan.4.4.2 Fishing issuesThe bycatch <strong>of</strong> striped mullet in commercial fishing gear was quantified by analyzingfishery-dependent data, fishery-independent data, <strong>and</strong> DMF Trip Ticket data. From this itappears that the bycatch <strong>of</strong> striped mullet is not a major concern for North Carolina fisherymanagers at this time. A possession limit <strong>of</strong> 200 mullets (white <strong>and</strong> striped in aggregate) perperson in the recreational fishery is recommended. The intent is to eliminate anglers fromtaking large amounts <strong>of</strong> bait mullets from North Carolina <strong>and</strong> selling them in other states withoutimpinging on normal fishing practices. A possession limit in the recreational fishery allowsMarine Patrol to distinguish between a commercial <strong>and</strong> a recreational fishing operation. Inaddition, given the low fishing mortality on striped mullet juveniles estimated from the 2004stock assessment, there is currently no biological urgency to reduce the recent levels <strong>of</strong> stripedmullet bait harvest.4.4.3 User conflictsThe change in inshore striped mullet fishing practices from traditional, passive soak netsto active tower boats with runaround nets has created conflicts with marinas <strong>and</strong> shorelineresidents. Setting <strong>of</strong> gill nets around private piers <strong>and</strong> in restricted navigation areas <strong>and</strong>disruptive practices associated with night fishing have resulted in charges against the stripedmullet fishermen <strong>of</strong> impeding navigation <strong>and</strong> disturbing the peace. The situation has resulted inpetitions for rulemaking asking the MFC for varying degrees <strong>of</strong> gill net exclusion from specificareas. Inshore gill net conflicts should continue to be h<strong>and</strong>led on a case-by-case basis <strong>and</strong>management actions implemented to address specific fishery related problems. User conflictsin the Atlantic Ocean striped mullet beach seine fishery have existed along Bogue Banks sincethe mid 1980s <strong>and</strong> have involved allocation issues between commercial gill netters <strong>and</strong> stop netcrews, <strong>and</strong> between the ocean fishing pier owners, pier patrons <strong>and</strong> stop net crews. Althoughnot as intense as in years past, these confrontations still occur. Prior to April 2006, userconflicts in the Atlantic Ocean were to be h<strong>and</strong>led by adopting gill net restrictions on BogueBanks currently in proclamation as Rule. Due to the sale <strong>of</strong> two <strong>of</strong> the three subject oceanfishing piers, the restrictions will remain in annually issued proclamations to maintain neededflexibility. It is premature to put the stop net proclamation measures into Rule because <strong>of</strong> theupcoming NMFS restrictions <strong>and</strong> the changing nature <strong>of</strong> the beach seine striped mullet fishery.Flexibility needs to be maintained for stop net setting sites <strong>and</strong> gear parameters.6