The press communiqué of N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission states that the authority is keen allowing a higher oyster harvest limit for mechanical harvest in Pamlico Sound. The commission has started a 30-day comment period on this proposal which includes a public comment session at a Shellfish Advisory Committee meeting on Oct. 4. Currently, the director of the Division of Marine Fisheries opens oyster harvest and sets harvest limits by proclamation. However, the Oyster Fishery Management Plan limits mechanical oyster harvest to 15 bushels per operation per day.
Increasing demand for oysters have resulted in increased requests for raising the daily harvest limit for mechanically harvested oysters. Additionally, oyster dealers and fishermen from Hyde County have formally petitioned the Marine Fisheries Commission to change the oyster harvest limits to allow two commercial fishermen, working together on one boat, to each take a daily harvest limit.
According to fishermen there are safety issues to be answer because one fisherman’s limit does not allow enough income for boat owners to hire a crewman to help with the harvest and provide first aid or rescue in the event of an accident. The Marine Fisheries Commission is considering changing the fishery management plan to allow the director to determine the mechanical harvest limit, at his discretion, up to a set amount selected by the commission.
