owwA - Ocracoke Working Watermen`s Association

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HardyPlyler
VinceO'Neal
Bill Evans
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David Hilton
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o.w.w.A.
P.O.Box I165
416IrvinGanishHwy.
Ocracoke,NC
27960
info@ocracokewatemen.
org
Dear OcracokeSupporter,
The BeasleySeaTurtle Rescueand RehabilitationCenter(BeasleyCenter)hasfiled a
noticeof intentto suetheNorth CarolinaDivision of MarineFisheries(NCDMF) and
the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (NCMFC) over sea turtle
interactionsin commercialfishing gear. Their premiseis that NCDMF and the
NCMFC havenot performedtheir regulatorymandatesunderthe EndangeredSpecies
act (ESA) to protect sea turtles in NC waters and specifically violated certain
mandatesof the Pamlico Sound Gill Net ReshictedArea (PSGNRA) Section 10
permit(NMFS lncidentalTakePermit# 1528). This permitallowsuseof gill netsin
the PSGNRA with certain restrictionsand assurancesof enforcementeffort by
NCDMF. It is the opinionof OcracokeWorking Watermen'sAssociation(OWWA)
andthe OcracokeSeafoodCompany(OSC)that the NCDMF andNCMFC haveacted
proactivelyto supportseaturtle conservation
with the longterm goal of havingall NC
fisheriesoperatingundera section10permit.
o
NCMFC formed the SeaTurtle Advisory Committee(STAC): The STAC
consistedof 12 members(5 commercialfishermen,5 sea turtle technical
advisors,I recreationalfishermanand I NCDMF staff) and was formed in
2003. NCDMF and NCMFC have adopted the following STAC
recommendations:
l. NCDMF conducted low-profile large mesh gill net studies to
investigategear modifications that could help reduce sea turtle
interactions
2. PoundNetsarerequiredto be out the waterby Jan 12e.
3. Goalof implementingan ESA section10permitto coverall fisheries.
o
NCDMF established the Pamlico Sound Gill Net Restricted Area
(PSGI\RA) in 2000 when NCDMF successfullyappliedfor an ESA section
10 permit. In the law suit, it is allegedthat NCDMF failed to enforcethe
mandatess€t forth in the permit. Both OWWA and OSC contendthat the
NCDMF actedin goodfaith to fulfill its responsibilities.
.
NCDMF acted proactively by issuinga proclamationthat reducedgill net
yardageandrequiredlow profile gearaftertheNMFS observed"takes"of sea
turtlesin gill netsthis pastsummer.
o
NCDMF has funded observer trips throughout the state to build a
comprehensive
database.
Over the last 7 yearsthe NCDMF and NCDMF have developedand implemented
FisheryManagementPlans(FMP's) for all commerciallyharvestedseafood.These
plans also addressother protected species.\Mhile trying to balance all of these
mandatesand maintaina viable economicalenvironmentfor the commercialseafood
industry, the NCDMF hashad to work within a limited budget,minimal staffrngand
shorttimelines.
Examples of Industry Cooperation with Sea Turtle Researchers and the Beasley Center:
o
o
o
o
NC pound net fishermen have been working voluntarily with the Index of Abundance
Survey observersfrom 1996 (federal observation project) to the presentin support ofthis
long term researchproject.
NC pound netters have provided researcherswith opportunities to tag sea turtles to help
build a data basethat track their movementsacrossthe globe. This data has helped to fill
major gaps in the understandingof seaturtle life cycles.
Fishermen from Ocracoke have sent sea turtles, by working with NCWRC
representatives,to the Beasley Center that were injured from commercial interactions,
boat strikes, cold stunting and overall poor physical shape. In most cases,the seaturtles
have recoveredand been released.
Industries ongoing voluntary support of sea turtle researchand conservation has helped
build bridges between industry and researchers that facilitates continuing research
opportunities for the stateand private researchers.
Seaturtle conservation,recreationalfishing and commercial fishing can work together. A balance
needsto be achieved.Fishermenfrom our village have for years supportedseaturtle researchand
the sustainable harvest of seafood. We encourage NC citizens who value locally harvested
seafood and the coastal communities that it sustains to speak out in support of the NCDMF,
NCMFC and our statelegislators who are fighting to preserveour seafoodindustry.
Without a NC seafoodindustry, NC residentsand tourists will be forced to buy imported=seafood.
Without our local fisheriesjobs will be lost, families will move, communitieswill fold, county
tax dollarswill dwindle.
OWWA and OSC success and bright future are possible because of community support,
educational outreach, researchand restoration. The fish house and seafoodmarket are part ofthe
economic enginethat is responsiblefor over 60% of Hyde County's revenueand has becomea
hub of trade that supports Ocracoke tourism, restaurants,job creation, and preservation of the
cultural heritage. In a time when our local, state and federal governmentsneed tax revenues,job
security and optimism about our future, it does not make senseto dismantle one of the keystones
of Ocracoke's and other coastal communities economies when a balanced approach between
industry and seaturtle conservationcan be achieved.
Pleasecontact your local, county, state and federal representativesto expressyour support for a
fair and sensible process that protects sea turtles while maintaining North Carolina's coastal
communitieseconomicdiversity.
Sincerely,
Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association
& Ocracoke SeafoodCompany