The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has approved the order which allow gill net fishermen to modify their old flounder nets to meet current regulations for mesh depth. The decision would now allow the fishermen to bind their old nets so that they fish only 15 meshes deep, said Louis Daniel, director of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.
Daniel issued a proclamation May 13, which took effect May 15, requiring fishermen that set large mesh gill nets (4-inch to 6 ½ mesh) to use low-profile nets of no more than 15 meshes in height in inshore waters. Mesh size refers to the size of the openings between the knots of a net. Daniel also said that fishermen are showing great interest in this regulation.
This regulation will allow the fishermen to continue fishing, with the expectation that they will purchase the proper 15-mesh webbing in the future. Another policy-decision the division has made to clarify the new net regulations pertains to the use of float lines. However, fishermen may not use a continuous line of float line for multiple sets. They may use a continuous lead line on the bottom of the net, but these nets require two yellow, properly-marked buoys at the end of each 100 yard shot of net.
