Agenda - 10-19-1993 - IV-B - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . FISHERIES GOAL Restore or maintain fisheries and provide for their long-term, sustainable use, both commercial and recreational. OMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAI,FISHING IS A$1 BILLION BUSINESS IN NORTH CAROLINA,PROVIDING THOUSANDS OF JOBS FOR COASTAL RESIDENTS. COMPARED TO OTHER STATES, NORTH CAROLINA ALLOWS A • WIDE VARIETY OF FISHING ACTIVITIES WITH RELATIVELY LITTLE • •••••••••-• REGUIATION.AS A RESULT,THE AI.J3EMARLE-PAMLICO SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE MOST INTENSIVELY FISHED AREAS ON THE ATIAN- • TIC APPROXNATELY ONE MILLION RECREATIONAL ANGLERS FISH THE STATE'S COASTAL WATERS ANNUALLY. THESE FISHER- MEN PURSUE MANY OF THE SAME SPECIES AS COMMERCIAL FISH- ERMEN AND 011LN USE THE SAME GEAR. CONSEQUENTLY, -.•••:.] CONFLIGIS BETWEEN CONEAER.CIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHER- MEN, AND WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL FISHING COUMUNTIY, ,:•:•••• SEEM TO BE INCREASING PUBLIC DEMAND FOR FISH PRODUCTS IS INCREASING AT THE SAME TIME INTEREST IN SPORT FISHING IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. BOTH HAVE PUT INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE REGION'S •-•-• ••:.:•••• re•:•:•: FISHERIES. DOWNWARD TRENDS IN coNamRam_. LANDINGS OF • FISH SPECIES MAY INDICATE DECLINING STOCKS. CATCHES ARE DECLINING DESPITE IMPROVEMENTS IN FISHING GEAR AND METHODS. AT PRESENT, EIGHT IMPORTANT SPECIES ARE BELIEVED TO BE OVER FISHED OR SEVERELY DEPLETED ATLANTIC CROAKER, AT 0 0..000000 LkNTIC STURGEON, EASTERN OYSTER, RED DRUM, STRIPED BASS, SUMMER FLOUNDER, WEAKFISH AND RIVER HERRING. DECLINES MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING HABITAT LOSS, NATURAL EVENTS AND OICJ FS, EXCESSIVE HAR -,...•••••••• VEST PRESSURE, CHANGES IN STREAM FLOWS AND WATER QUAL- TIY DEGRADATION. • ..•• • ... 25