Blake Price, fisheries biologist from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) hold a serious discussion with commercial fishermen at the Fessenden Center in Buxton on Thursday over the rising number of turtle captures. They debated to find the ways to minimize the accidental capture of sea turtles in flounder gill nets in Pamlico Sound.
According to Price it is not possible to bring immediate changes in the management of flounder gill nets for this year season. While fishermen says that the fishing season could be cut short again if large number of turtles are captured in their nets. However the fishery was closed in November 2007 by order DMF as the interactions between green sea turtles and gill nets surpassed the quantity of non-lethal captures authorized by the federal government.
Price noted that the population of sea turtle has changed since 2002 through 2004. Price informed, “There ahs been three times increased in the number of sea turtles in Pamlico Sound.” He added that last year the accidental capture of turtle didn’t reach 50 percent of the number allowed by the federal government.
As per fisherman Asa Gray from Rodanthe the conditions were distinct last year as the season become dry and water temperatures increases. IN the meeting Price and fishermen exchanges notes on gear modifications such as requiring low-profile nets or banning tie-downs. Price suggests that limitation on the length of nets could help to reduce turtles capture.
National Marine Fisheries Service has put a ban on gill nets with a mesh size greater than five inches in a large portion of the Sound. The federal agency’s authority even plan to shut down the state waters that come under the Endangered Species Act. Now the fishermen ahs to obtain special permit from DMF to go for fishery, which specifies gear restrictions and informing and observing coverage requirements.
