Today our Fisheries Gone Wild podcast crew talked with Captain Josh Sutton of Pamlico Point Guide Service for Episode 2 of our Outdoor Sporting Heritage series. Outdoor sporting activities, particularly hunting and fishing, are a way of life for millions of North Carolinians, passed down by one generation to the next as an important part of our local heritage, connecting us to our local history and natural resources. This heritage relies on healthy ecosystems and public waters and lands, demanding responsible stewardship. Additionally, outdoor recreation fuels a multibillion-dollar economy, supporting guides, businesses and conservation efforts. Preserving this heritage ensures continued access and opportunities for future generations of sportsmen and women to enjoy.

The Marine Fisheries Commission is scheduled to meet November 20-22, 2024 at the Islander Hotel and Resort in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. The address for the hotel is:

102 Islander Dr
Emerald Isle, NC 28594

If you are a speckled trout fisherman in the state of North Carolina then this meeting is of utmost importance to participate in!

The Division of Marine Fisheries has proposed draft recommendations to curtail harvest in the speckled trout fishery. Please see the below recommendations from the NC DMF:

Preliminary Division management recommendation for both sectors:

• Statewide harvest closure Jan. through Feb.

Preliminary Division management recommendation for recreational fishery:

• 14"–20" slot limit with allowance for one fish >26"
• 3 fish bag limit

Preliminary Division management recommendation for commercial fishery:

• 11:59 p.m. Friday to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday closure from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31
• No changes to Bogue Banks stop net quota, but formalize management in Amendment 1

Preliminary Division supplemental and cold stun management recommendations:

• Eliminate spotted seatrout captain/crew limit on for-hire trips
• Extend harvest closure following a severe cold stun through Jun. 30

For questions, contact Lucas Pensinger, Lucas.Pensinger@deq.nc.gov or Melinda Lambert, Melinda.Lambert@deq.nc.gov.

Now is the time to speack up about the future of our Speckled Trout Fishery, you can submit public comment below:

NC Marine Fisheries Commission Comment Form | NC DEQ

In this episode of Fisheries Gone Wild, we bring on a special guest, Graham Taylor. Graham recently experienced a very nerve-racking situation offshore fishing out of Beaufort inlet, an experience that could happen to anyone while fishing offshore and one that many people haven't made it back from. Graham's life jacket most certainly played a major role in saving his life, he wants to share his story to help his fellow anglers mitigate the risk of fishing offshore and to come home safe and sound to your loved ones at the end of the day.

We hope you enjoy this incredible story of Grahams survival!

Fisheries Gone Wild Podcast is back again to discuss the upcoming Marine Fisheries Commission meeting on August 21-23. Please come out for Public comment in Raleigh 6:00pm August 21 and 9:00am August 22. The Division of Marine Fisheries will be presenting thier management recomendations to the Marine Fisheries Commision on updating Amendment 1 to the Speckled Trout Fisheries Management Plan.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT: Public Comment Period for August 2024 Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting | NC DEQ

The Division of Marine Fisheries has come out with thier recomendations that go against what the Speckled Trout advisory committee proposed earleir this year.

CCA NC is not in favor of the DMF recomendations below:

Division of Marine Fishereies Recomendations: August 2024 MFC Briefing Book (nc.gov)

Click above for the full report!!!!

Summary of Preliminary Management Recommendations
A summary of the DMF's preliminary recommendations can be found below. Based on recreational
harvest from 2019-2022, the recommendations for the recreational sector equate to a 39.5%
reduction in recreational harvest. Based on commercial harvest from 2019-2022, the
recommendations for the commercial sector equate to a 40.2% reduction in commercial harvest.
When combined across sectors, the Division is preliminarily recommending a 39.6% total harvest
reduction. Please note: these are the Division's initial recommendations and are subject to
change.
The DMF recommends the following options that are projected to end overfishing with a greater than
70% probability of keeping SSB above the target:
Recreational Recommendations
o 3 fish recreational bag limit (Appendix 2: Sustainable Harvest Issue Paper)
o 14"–20" recreational slot limit with allowance for one fish >26" (Appendix 2: Harvest Issue
Paper)
o Jan–Feb statewide recreational harvest closure (Appendix 2: Sustainable Harvest Issue
Paper)
o Eliminate the captain/crew allowance on for-hire trips with no broader vessel limit
(Amendment 3: Supplemental Management Issue Paper)
Commercial Recommendations
o Oct–Dec, 11:59 p.m. Friday to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday statewide commercial harvest closure
(Appendix 2: Sustainable Harvest Issue Paper)
o Jan–Feb statewide commercial harvest closure (Appendix 2: Sustainable Harvest Issue
Paper)
o Stop Net Management (Appendix 2: Sustainable Harvest Issue Paper)
o Restrict stop nets to the Atlantic Ocean on Bogue Banks with a 4,595 lb. Spotted
Seatrout season quota.
o A maximum of four stop nets are allowed between Beaufort Inlet and Bogue Inlet at
any one time and each combined fishing operation is limited to a maximum of two
stop nets at any one time.
o The season will open no sooner than October 15 and close when the Spotted Seatrout
quota is reached or no later than December 31.
o Stop net crews must contact N.C. DMF Marine Patrol Communication each time a
stop net is set and two hours prior to each time a stop net is fished.
o The same day a stop net is fished and the catch is landed at the fish house, a
representative of the stop net crew must contact DMF Fisheries Management Section
to report the daily total of Spotted Seatrout in pounds as it appears on the trip ticket.
Same day reporting is required even if zero Spotted Seatrout are harvested.
o Failure to follow reporting requirements will result in an immediate closure of the stop
net fishery.
o Additional gear and setback requirements from previous proclamations will
continue

On this Episode of "FISHERIES GONE WILD", we sit down with Steven Brewster. Steve is a Veteran, NC angler and an advocate for our marine resources here in North Carolina. Steve has taken a deep dive into fully understanding how our fisheries are managed here in NC, he has created a Facebook group called "Anglers Rights Alliance": (1) Anglers Rights Alliance | Facebook

The Facebook group is a great place to learn how to get involved, educate yourself on the issues within the fisheries management system and find ways to make a difference by reaching out to your local representatives.

Steve has also created a YouTube channel called: Fishing with Brewski, where he has created a series of videos to help you get informed on the ins and outs of the issues with fisheries management in NC.

You're not going to believe this (Shrimp trawl bycatch NC) (youtube.com)