Fisheries Gone Wild

Listen in to the latest episode of Fisheries Gone Wild!! On this episode we take a dive into Southern Flounder, the states failed management approach and how we got to this point. The state has truly failed the public angler , we have now been shut out of another public trust fishery here in North Carolina with no recreational southern flounder season this year. Why did this happen? How in the world did our public trust fishereies get to this point? Why is the public angler taking the brunt of the States failure to manage our fisheries and what can you do about it? Now is the time to become informed on the issues, contact your legislaters, send that email raising your concerns, become apart of the process. We need your voice now more than ever!!    For nearly three decades, North Carolina has managed its marine and estuarine resources under the auspices of the Fisheries Reform Act.  It sets forth a series of policies and regulations that are overly cumbersome, unflexible, and inefficient.  By design, changes needed to modify the base FMP take an average of 3-5 years to enact. And no matter what those changes need to be, a politically appointed MFC can undo those years of work on a whim.  Because we are mandated to manage our fisheries resources through separate FMPs, too many problems slip through the cracks, too many issues can be purposely ignored.  All the while, we continue to watch species after species fall into decline.  A few examples follow:  →  From the speckled trout FMP, it is noted that small mesh gill nets are very effective at removing 14” trout, with very few speckled trout discarded as bycatch.  Because of this, the commercial industry claims that this is a clean, selective gear and that they should be given a greater share of the fishery because they will fish it more effectively than public anglers will.  What isn't mentioned or considered in developing future management measures for speckled trout is the effectiveness that those same nets have when it comes to removing 14” (sublegal), striped bass and red drum. Rather than be allowed to recruit to their respective fisheries, these fish are discarded and left to serve as fodder for scavengers.  In addition, the mullet fishery is closely tied to the speckled trout fishery, with each species being listed as the primary incidental catch for the other. If mullet fishermen catch trout and trout fishermen catch mullet, then the two species should co-managed to mitigate the bycatch losses that the coming restrictions in each amendment to each FMP will generate.  In other words, gill net restrictions in one fishery should be applied to both fisheries.  →  When it comes to striped bass in NC, we commonly hear, “It's all about flow.”  Clearly, it isn't as good flow rates in the ASMA for the past five years have led to nothing but failed spawns.  The real issues are:  (a) a lack of big fish, the best spawners, which DMF stats show have been historically harvested in gill nets, (b) an increasing problem from blue catfish through food competition and/or direct consumption of juvenile stripers, (c) climatic changes altering spawning cycles, or zooplankton availability, or egg density, or etc... →  Shrimp trawling in our estuaries continues to destroy millions of juvenile spot, croaker, weakfish, Southern flounder, and blue crab. (a) We continue to cut the legs off of spot, croaker, and weakfish recovery by trawling through a key secondary nursery habitat, the Pamlico Sound, for the coastwide populations of these species.  (b) Ignoring blue crab bycatch in this industry is certainly contributing to the troubled status of that fishery where the latest series of management measures has failed, again. (c) Failing to protect a documented Southern flounder hotspot in the latest version of the shrimp, Southern flounder, and CHPP plans will only further hamper its recovery. →  The benefits of SAV habitats are undeniable.  In fact, they are one of the most critical areas throughout the coast of NC.  Failing to protect them because of the recommendations of standing ACs that are dominated by the commercial industry shows only a willingness to genuflect to that industry.  →  Continuing to allow mechanical harvest of our few remaining oyster reefs:  (a) removes more key habitat for numerous species, (b) promotes diminished water quality, and (c) leads to shoreline loss as oyster reefs diminish wave energy during storms. With no synergy, no connectivity between plans, failures such as this have become the rule instead of the exception. We will not save our fisheries until we can find a way to manage the system as a whole. Remember your basic biology. Our estuarine system is a resilient, yet fragile one full of complex habitats, food webs, and trophic levels that are all interdependent.  How many important finfish species forage on crabs, mullet, menhaden, shrimp, croaker, and more?  How often do flounder, stripers, trout, redfish, black drum, and sheepshead occupy the same habitat areas?  What untold damage is done by excessive shrimp trawling in Pamlico Sound?  How much longer can we afford to ignore the subtle complexities of our estuaries?  It is a unique system that should be managed and protected as a whole. 

North Carolinas Oyster aquaculture industry is still in its enfancy, although rapidly expanding. This emerging shellfish farming industry has rapdily increased in size in upwards of 600% in some areas of our state such as Pender County within a very short amount of time. This growth has caught the attention of many stakeholders in the area that share these public trust marine reasources, including many local fishing guides.  Nearly 30 people spoke Wednesday night Januray 31 during a North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries-hosted public hearing on shellfish lease applications of two (Pender Co) area oyster farming companies.  "The overwhelming consesus from those who packed a room in the Surf City Municipal Complex was, while they support local Shellfish farming efforts, more leases will infringe upon popular fishing spots, impeded boating and kayaking access, and affect the viewshed of waterfront properties near the farms." " and most said they are specifically against the water column lease applications of N.Sea. Oyster Co, and Pirate Oysters LLC, raising concerns about the floating equipment used for this type of shellfish farming" (Opponents say Pender shellfish leases will crowd waters | Coastal Review)  Joining us on todays episode of "Fisheries Gone Wild" we have Captain Ray Britian of Springtide guide Service (Topsail Island) and Captian Rennie Clark of Tournament Trail Charters (Wilmington). Both of these guys share a passion for fishing, conservation and want to see a healthy sustanable fishery for years to come.  Listen in as they discuss the effects these water column oyster leases will have on the local community and the impact that can have on all stakeholders ability to access our public trust fisheries resources.  There is a lot to unpack in this episode and both captain Ray and Rennie to a great job explaining the ins and outs of the situiation going on right in their backyard.  Tight lines! 

Join us for yet another episode of "Fisheries Gone Wild" with the CCA NC crew. This episode, we take you on a journey away from the Coast of North Carolina and into the diverse coastline of Costa Rica. CCA NC holds 12 fundrasing banquets across the state of North Carolina , at these banquets we offer incredible trips on our live auction from destinations around the world. Fishing Nosara Paradise Rentals in Costa Rica is one of the trips you dont want to miss out on if you have the opportunity to go!  We have a few special guest on with us who just got back from a week of fishing in Nosara Costa Rica, listen in to some incredible fishing stories. We also bring on Craig Sutton the owner of Fishing Nosara to give you all the details of his accommodations, boats, the fishing and other activites that they offer on your visit to Costa Rica. Craig Sutton and his crew at Fishing Nosara will be sure to provide an experience that will make you want to come back every year, they operate a top notch fishing, lodging, and outdoor activities service in Costa Rica and CCA NC is proud to partner with them on a yearly basis.  We hope to see you at one of our CCA NC banquets this year and make sure to add this trip to your calender in 2024 and beyond.  Pura Vida!! 

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in-person next week at the Islander Hotel and Resort, 102 Islander Dr., Emerald Isle. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15; at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16; and at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 17. The commission will hold in-person public comment sessions at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, and at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16. We will have a special edition of the Fisheries Gone Wild podcast posted by the end of this week when we dig into what on the surface appears to be a light meeting agenda and look closer at how the sausage is being made. We will post the link here as soon as it is live or add us to your library on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you do not miss an episode. The following information pertains to in-person public comment: Those who wish to speak may sign up at the hotel prior to the public comment period in which they wish to speak. To accommodate as many speakers as possible, the chair will limit each speaker to 3 minutes. Those making comments will be asked to speak only once, either Wednesday night or Thursday morning, but not during both public comment periods. Those who wish to submit handouts to the commission during a public comment period should bring at least 12 copies to the meeting. The public may also submit written comments via the following methods: An online form accessible through the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage. Mail to November 2023 Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.  Dropped off at the Division of Marine Fisheries' Morehead City Headquarters Office at 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City.    The deadline to submit written comments for this meeting is 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13. The YouTube link will be posted on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage. After the meeting, a recording will be posted online. Agenda items include: Votes on a slate of nominees for the at-large seat for the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the at-large seat for the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Review of the scoping meetings and approval of the goal and objectives for the Hard Clam Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 and Eastern Oyster Fishery Management Plan Amendment 5. Approval of the Draft Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2 for public and advisory committee review. Final approval of proposed rules pertaining to data collection and the prevention of harassment of N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries staff, the Shellfish Relay Program and shellfish leases and franchises, oyster sanctuaries, and shellfish sanitation procedures.   The full agenda and briefing book are posted on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage

On this episode of "Fishereis Gone Wild" we sit down with New Bern Native and owner of Custom Marine Fabrication, Donald Willis as well as Oriental fishing guide, Captain Bobby Brewer to talk about the Bull Drum Fishery here in the Neuse River and Pamlico sound.  Listen in as we go over the conservation succes story behind this world class fishery that we have right here in North Carolina. The bull drum fishery is one of the only success stories we have here in North Carolina Fishereis Management. Due to conservation measures, pro resource management and slot size we have protected our red drum breeding stock!! Anglers continue to practice ethical angling while targeting these trophy class fish and will continue to have access to this world class catch and release old drum fishery for years to come!!  For all your tackle shop needs, head on over to see Donald Willis at Custom Marine Fabrication of hwy 70E in James City!! He has your covered for all your fishing needs. 252-638-5422 If you are interested in a Trophy bull drum charter here on the Neuse River, give Captain Bobby Brewer a call!!  919-349-6112 Check him out here:  https://baldheadedbobby.com/

This weeks episode we get to sit down with Captain Jot Owens, native to Wrightsville Beach, NC. One of Jot's favorite fisheries is our flounder fishery here in NC. He has seen the good days and the bad days. Like many he would love to see this fishery rebound to what it once was. With that being said, taking a little pressure of these fish has surley helped to rebuild the southern flounder population and Jot has noticed those numbers increasing in his fishing!  If you are interested in booking a charter with Captain Jot, Contact info below:  Captainjot@yahoo.com  910-233-4139

Join us as we sit down with Captain Seth Vernon of Double Haul Guide Service. Listen in as we get Seth's life story, dive into his conservation ethic and gain valuable angling knowledge! Dont miss out on this episode of Fisheries Gone Wild.  Captain Seth can best described as a passionate sportsman who has never met a stranger, and loves to share his knowledge. Quick with a laugh and professional on the water, you'll be pressed to find a harder working guide or with a more infectious enthusiasm for angling. Seth's passion for the sport of angling and his deep rooted conservation ethics are whats needed to progress the angling community forward.  We hope you enjoy! If your looking to book a guide in the Wilmington area please give Captain Seth Vernon a call, to book a trip visit: Double Haul Guide Service - Home (captainsethvernon.com)

Thanks for tuning into another episode of "Fisheries Gone Wild" with CCA NC. This week we are in Wilmington NC where we sit down with Captain Judson Brock of Eastern Angling and Captain Cameron Pappas of Blackbird guideservice to talk about thier guide buisnesses here in the Cape Fear region of our state.  We discuss how their summer guide season has been so far this year and both Cameron and Judson talk about the changes they are seeing in their local Red Drum fishery. They both have noted a decrease in thier local red drum populations this year, what could be the root cause of this issue?? More people on the water? Technology changing the way we fish? Weather Patterns? Overall pressure on the resource??? Youll have to listen in to find out.  One thing is certain, thier are more anlgers enjoying our coastal resources today than ever before. As anglers we all have an impact on the overall health and abundance of our local fisheries and we also all have an obligation to to promote a sutainable fishery that will be here for future generations to enjoy.    We hope you enjoy this podcast!  To learn more about how to get involved in the Local CCA NC Cape Fear Chapter, please contact Matthew Wallin at 757-508-3980 or email matthew@ccanc.org  CCA NC will be kicking off the 5th annual STATEWIDE Inshore Open fishing tournament August 25th- September 29th. To register for this statewide tournament click here: https://ccanc.org/product/inshoreopen2023/   The local Cape Fear Chapter will also be bringing back thier annual banquet the night of August 25th at The Warehouse on the Water, downtown Wilmington. If you register to fish the tournament that also covers your entry into the banquet. If your company is intersted in supporting the Cape Fear Chapter banquet you can purchase a table to the event here:  https://ccanc.org/product/cape-fear-banquet/    

Thanks for tuning into another episode of Fisheries Gone Wild. Your Host and CCA NC Exectuive Director is Joined again by CCA NC Fisheries Chair Stuart Creightonto discuss the latest NC Marine Fisheries Commision meeting last week in May of 2023!  For a meeting that everyone though had a "Light agenda", there were plenty of fireworks. Listen in as we discuss those fireworks and whats next to come with the upcoming Speckled Trout Fisheries Management Plan process later this year. 

  Tune into another Episode of Fisheries Gone Wild with CCA NC!!! This week we dive deep into the upcoming Speckled Trout Fisheries Management Plan. Stuart Creighton explains the ins and outs of the FMP process and the proposal that Commercial Commisioner Doug Cross has proposed at the last MFC meeting in February.  The NC Division of Marine Fisheries latest Spotted Seatrout stock assessment has determined that the stock is not overfished but overfishing is occurring (Catching more fish faster than the stock can replenish). The Division is mandated by state statute to end overfishing within two years, to do so the Division will need a reduction in total removals of speckled trout between 14.6-39.6%. CCA NC will continue to advocate for maintaining angler access to the speckled trout fishery while ensuring a healthy sustainable stock. CCA NC is interested in garnering feedback from the fishing public on options to help reduce overfishing while maintaining a healthy, sustainable stock.  The public scoping period is the best opportunity for the fishing public to provide input on the plan! Decades of mismanagement and commercial overfishing have led to depleted stocks and severely restricted access for the fishing public to our public trust resources. Participating in our survey is an opportunity to ensure that the fishing public has a strong voice in the shaping future of speckled trout fisheries management in North Carolina. Let your voice be heard! Take a minute and fill out the survey below:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecYma7SqLjwAL0y9T6zNOFhqm6SuwScw6LQX2aDz439shEWQ/viewform  

We are back with another episode of Fisheries Gone wild!!! This week we head over to Pirate Waters Outfitter in Washington NC to meet up with owner Bo Brooks and renowned NC fishing guide, Captain Richard Andrews of Tar- Pam Guide Service. In this episode Richard breakes down the multi facited seasonal fishereis of the Pamlico Sound and its tributaries. From rockfish in Weldon to the growing tarpon fishery in the Pamlico and everything in between! We also discuss the frustraitions of our States failed fishereies management system and the impacts it has on our fishery and its stakeholders as a whole. This surley is an episode you dont want to miss.    Check out Bo Brooks and his Fly Shop Pirate Waters Outfitter next time you are in Washington NC!! @piratewatersoutfitter • Instagram photos and videos Book your next fishing Trip with Captain Richard Andrews of Tar-Pam Guide Service:  Tar-Pam Guide Service (tarpamguide.com)

In this weeks episode of Fisheries Gone Wild we bring on our freinds over at the North Carolina Wildlife Federation to talk fisheries policy and discuss the history of North Carolina's failed management stratagies over the past three decades.  We welcome our two guest Tim Gestwicki, NCWF CEO and Dr. Louis Daniels, NCWF Senior Marine Scientist!!  To learn more about the North Carolina Wildlife Federation check them out at: Home - North Carolina Wildlife Federation (ncwf.org)

Listen in as we dive into one of Swansboro's most renowned fly fishing guides, rod builder, philosapher and conservationist; Captain John Mauser of Tailing Tide Guide Service.  John is based out of the Swansboro area in North Carolina where he specializes in Fly Fishing and Light Tackle Charters. John specifically loves to target fish by sight casting in clear shallow water. Whether its tailing Redfish, blitzing Albacore or Stripers rolling on the surface, its exciting, its challenging and its what John and his clients live for!!!  John strives to provide his clients an experince with memeories that will last long after your trip. He takes great pride in his work as a rod builder and a guide and you can expect him to give his 100% on and off the water. He truly enjoys that process and understands what it takes to create a memorable and succsessfull day on the water!!!  To book a trip with John visit his website: TAILING TIDE GUIDE SERVICE - Tailing Tide Guide Service Home Page   If you are interested in purchasing a (Made in the USA) Fly Rod built by John and his team, check him out here: Mauser Fly Fishing   To learn more about the issues facing our coastal fishereis please check out our Save Our Fisheries Website: Save Our Fisheries | Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina | CCA NC  

Welcome back to another episode of Fishereis Gone Wild, hosted by CCA NC Executive Director David Sneed. This episode dives into the upcoming Marine Fisheries Commision meeting November 16-18, 2022. The MFC will be voting on Amendment 2 to the Estuarine Striped Bass FMP. Within this plan, the commision will vote to either continue the gill net ban on the Neuse, Tar and Pamlico rivers above the ferry lines or vote to allow the nets back in the water. This gill net ban has been in place to protect the Striped Bass and allow the species to reach a sustainable spawning biomass to continue to rebuild the population. This upcoming MFC meeting November 16-18 is by far one of the most important meetings and we need your voice to show up and speak for the resource more than ever!!!  Tight Lines!

Welcome back to another episode of Fisheries Gone Wild with CCA NC. This week we invite our good freind Pat Donovan Brandenburg with the city of Jacksonville to join us as we dicuss how water quality and habitat play a major role in having healthy and sustainable fisheries. Pat has built her career around restoring and cleaning up the New River, from the late 1980s to 2001 the New River was closed to commercial and recreational uses. Since 2001 due to Pat, her staff and many partners the New River has remained open and water quality continues to improve. Listen in as Pat covers the past, present and furture of the condition of the New River and how the Oyster Highway played a pivitol role in the cleanup effort. This is a true success story and Pat has been able to see all of her hard work become a reality. CCA NC is glad to have played a role in the restoration process. 

We are excited to be back with another episode of Fisheries Gone Wild with our host David Sneed the Executive Director of CCA NC along side Chairmen of our fisheries committee Stuart Creighton.  The Marine Fisheries commission met in May of 2022 to finalize the vote on amendment 3 to the southern flounder FMP. Listen in as we dive into the ins and outs of this plan to rebuild our flounder stock and how the State of NC has allowed the fishery to get to this point.  Learn more about the sea turtle ITP and its renewal in 2023 and hear in depth conversations on the vote to continue the Gill Net ban above the ferry lines on the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers. Tight Lines!!!

Welcome back to another episode of Fisheries Gone Wild! Once again join our host and CCA NC Executive Director David Sneed along side members of our fisheries committee Stuart Creighton and Rocky Carter as we look back on the year.  2022 is starting off with amendment 3 of the Flounder fisheries management plan process. Listen in as we go over the different management options that the Division of Marine Fisheries lays out in their FMP.  If you are concerned about the future of our fisheries and especially pertaining to angler access to our flounder fishery, then you will find this episode very informing.  Tight Lines! 

Welcome back to another episode of Fisheries Gone Wild, where we join CCA NC Executive Director David Sneed along side Co host Rocky Carter. Listen in as they go over the facts and issues behind the fisheries management plan process pertaining to shrimp trawling here in NC.  Joining in on the discussion we have CCA NC current and former chairmen of the fisheries committee. They will go over the impacts that large industrial shrimp trawling have on our coastal resources and how the states management process has led to diminished fish stocks across multiple species. 

Dive in to how North Carolina Fisheries managment got to where we are today with Fisheries Historian Mac Currin. 

Dick Brame joins David and Rocky for our first episode to share his wealth of knowledge on the history of NC fisheries management and where it went wrong. The audio on this one is a bit sub-par but the conversation was a great one. Bare with us as we get the bugs on the technical side of podcasting worked out. Follow us on Instagram @cca_nc Join our newsletter by visiting ccanc.org to stay up to date with all the latest in NC Fisheries