Tuesday, May 23, 2006

MFC Votes to Not Recommend Withdrawal from ASMFC

Monday the NC Marine Fisheries Commission held a meeting in Morehead City to address the growing concern of commercial fishermen and discuss the possibility of withdrawal from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Commercial fishermen have seen declining catches for the last 9 years and many have started to blame the quotas and management plans of the ASMFC for what they believe are practices that benefit other states at the expense of North Carolina. The long day of discussions lead to a vote late Monday night where the NC MFC voted to send letters voicing their disappointment rather than recommending withdrawal. Withdrawal from the ASMFC was never very likely as even if NC withdrew, the state would still be held accountable to their quotas according to federal law. The NC Coastal Conservation Association has voiced serious concern about the potential withdrawal recommendation and had said that they would stringently oppose it. More on the ASMFC vote is available from the New Bern Sun Journal.

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