The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) of NC is criticizing the state Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) for trying to exempt speckled trout from a recently passed law aimed at ending overfishing of the stock.
The MFC has asked the state legislature for an exemption from recently passed NC legislation requiring that Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) end overfishing of their affected fish stocks within two years. The MFC is asking for the exemption in order not to have to impose regulations in November that would end speckled trout overfishing in that time frame.
CCA posted their response to the MFC's request for an exemption on their website:
“CCA NC's position is that the new law should not be amended as it has not been given a chance on ANY fisheries management plans. Furthermore, since the (speckled trout) FMP has not been finalized it is subject to the new law and thereby no exemptions should be granted.”
Although the new law, passed by the General Assembly on July 23, was fully supported by the MFC it appears that members of the MFC did not understand that speckled trout would fall under the new guidelines. The regulations became law the day the bill was passed and would apply to any FMPs adopted after July 23.
According to MFC Chairman Rob Bizzell, the MFC was confused by the fact that they had already passed the speckled trout plan. However, the speck FMP has yet to be approved by the state and sent back to the MFC for final approval, meaning that speckled trout would be affected after all.
“A staffer with the DMF discovered the possible timing problem and brought it to our attention,” said Bizzell, calling the confusion a “technicality.”
According to the CCA the MFC is trying to back out of a policy they approved which will help end overfishing of speckled trout.
“As we now have a law that provides a process by which we can address overfishing and restore depleted stocks in a reasonable timeline, CCA NC believes the MFC must abide by their adopted policy, not to mention the requirements of the new law,” the statement says.
The full CCA statement can be read on their website.
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