North Carolina considers limits on commercial fishing

Posted on 09 August 2011

A North Carolina bill would make red drum, spotted sea trout and striped bass off limits to commercial fishermen in order to preserve them for sport fishermen.

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Bill sponsors say those fish are more valuable to recreational fishermen and that making them game fish would attract tourism, create jobs and generate revenue for the state. Commercial fishermen say taking the fish away from them would cost the state money, destroy jobs and limit choices for consumers, The Lincoln Tribune newspaper reported.

“The value of binoculars sold to fishermen each year is more than the aggregate value of all three of those fish to the commercial fisherman,” state Rep. Darrell McCormick, the bill’s sponsor, told the newspaper. “There’s absolutely no impact on them, but these are the three most popular recreational fish.

“The dock value of one red drum is about $1.50 per pound,” he added. “Its value to our state, as a recreational fish, is $300 per pound.”

Commercial fishermen, however, say the bill would eventually destroy North Carolina’s commercial fishing industry.

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Comments

Commercial fishermen harvest a wide variety of animals, ranging from tuna, cod and salmon to shrimp,scallops.oysters, krill, lobster, clams, squid and crab, in various fisheries for these species.Well just as well close down all the seafood places to eat also!!!!!No more seafood in N.C.

State Rep. Darrell McCormick, vote this guy out!!!Charity starts at home.
Now i see why gop people lose election?Commercial fishermen have a hard time as it is!This guy is looking out for the rich playboys.We need tea party people in office.

Designation as gamefish only will have no benefit to the stock or the costal economy.All three species are abundant and easy enough to catch for even the most novice angler.Therefore you will not attract any more anglers by making them easier to catch.The only result of gamefish status is depriving the fish eating citzens of North Carolina of access to three species that they have as much a right to enjoy as the wealthiest anglers.Remember,many people dont have the time,interest,or ability to catch fish.This does not mean they should be denied access to fish that they have as much right to as any other citizen.Commercial fishermen provide access to this resource.As long as stocks are healthy all citizens should have access to their marine resource.

I wish more people thought like this the recreational fisherman spends more on fishing than the commercial people do the commercial boats can learn to fish for other salt species.The stiped bass population is on a decline when will people realize this commercial fisherman take more of what is out there recreational fisherman take so little and can and do keep the breeding stock at a higher percentage

Just another example of the government trying to kill off another industry (Commercial Fishing) because of a well funded lobby. Guess we will just have to pay higher prices for our fish, that we let foreign fishermen catch just out side our waters, while we put more Americans in the unemployment line. Real smart NC! I understand these three types of fish are of more interest to the sport fisherman, than a commercial fisherman, but this bill will not increase tourism one bit, it will only put more restrictions on the commercial fishing industry. One step closer to putting the commercial fishing industry out of business for good. And that is the goal of the sport fishing lobby!

This story sounds so familiar. I remember back in the 50's in the Northeast
the same battle was waged, Sport Fishing vs. Commercial. In my life time
having been fortunate to have sport and commercial fished. I also owned a Boat and Motor Marine Supply selling Bait and Tackle. Placing reasonable limits on the catch is good. I found the sport market more likely to exceed those limits. Commercially the discarding of by catch is a waste. My final comment deals with something VERY IMPORTANT. Where
I'm now unable by age to fish, I will be deprived of enjoying the taste of these fish which belong to all the people.

It's about time. We have been doing that for years in SC

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