The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has announced a proclamation that prohibits the use of large-mesh gill nets (4-inch to 6.5-inch stretch mesh, inclusive) in Core Sound and its tributaries between Drum Inlet and the east end of Harkers Island. Core Sound reopened Wednesday to large-mesh gill net fishing after it was closed June 28 due to sea turtle interactions. In these first overnight hours, division observers witnessed interactions with one live Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle and one live loggerhead sea turtle.
Division Director Louis Daniel informed that southern Core Sound has been the main problem area for interactions with sea turtles since the division began a statewide sea turtle observer program in May. He explained that the main aim behind the decision to close the area is to prolong the Core Sound flounder gill net fishery in waters north of Drum Inlet, where few interactions have occurred.
Northern Core Sound will remain open under restrictions implemented as part of a lawsuit settlement agreement with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Under these restrictions, fishermen who set large-mesh gill nets (4-inch to 6.5-inch stretch mesh, inclusive) must use low-profile nets of no more than 15 meshes in height. The regulations limit fishermen to 100-yard sets with at least 25 yards between the separate lengths of net. Fishermen may not use more than a total of 2,000 yards of large mesh gill net per vessel.
