Regulators have adopted other restrictions to minimize the incidental capture of sea turtles in fishing nets. Using gill nets for flounder fishing would be continuing as the ban is not approved. Now the state and fishermen are holding their collective breath, waiting to hear if the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will decide the measures offer adequate protection to sea turtles.
Louis Daniel, director of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), informed that NMFS put the state on notice in July that it was not in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) after observing the incidental capture of turtles in flounder nets in Core Sound.
Without an ESA Section 10 Permit, any capture of turtles in fishing nets is illegal, even if the turtles are released alive and unharmed. The permit allows restricted fishing unless the number of captures authorized for any species is reached. MFC chairman Rob Bizzell warned that if they elect to not address NMFS’ concerns and a lawsuit is filed, a judge could order an injunction stopping all commercial fishing that could last indefinitely.
Commissioner Bradley Styron, a commercial fisherman and seafood dealer from Cedar Island, said he recognized the risk, but believed there were ways to eliminate turtle interactions without putting fishermen out of work. Many fishermen spoke about the economic hardship that would result from banning large mesh set gill nets from May 15 until December 15.
Stephen Ammons, executive director of the NC Coastal Conservation Association, a recreational fishing group, said the proposed ban was too limited in scope. He opined that commercial flounder fishermen would move into other fisheries, placing more stress on species like speckled trout.
