A GORDIAN KNOT; SOLUTION FOR GILL NETS?

    Why? The evidence seems clear. We've been bombarded for years with photos of red drum illegally left to rot in nets, sea birds entangled in monofilament and sea turtles caught in the stuff. More...
JUST RELEASED!
US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE REPORT ON NC GILL NETS
THE ANGRY FISHERMAN PRESS RELEASE 4/14/09

  • Sea Turtles
    The only place in the world that allows gill nets in the turtle sanctuaries is North Carolina (Hammocks Beach State Park). For every 10,000 Sea Turtles hatchlings 1 makes it back to lay eggs. Almost any animal that swims into a gill net will drown if not removed in a timely manner.
  • Joint Enforcement
    Why is North Carolina the only state that doesn't have dual enforcement with the Federal Marine Fisheries for its marine patrol? PS...we have it for our wildlife officers!! Having dual enforcement will mean about 1.5 million dollars from the Feds to increase our Marine Patrols effectiveness. The only person who can object to dual enforcement are poachers!

  • In Shore Gill Nets
    Why is North Carolina the only state that still allows in shore gill nets knowing that 65% of their catch is by-catch:
    • Birds
    • Turtles
    • Non-targeted Fish
    • Destroys the bottom of the Sound and Rivers

  • Other states have worked out a way to remove the nets. Why can't North Carolina?
    • The damage is much greater than the renewal
    • There are less than 250 fisherman putting out gill nets in North Carolina that do it full time.

Although there are an estimated 600,000 to 1,000,000 recreational fisherman in North Carolina, they seem to be largely overlooked. They contribute over $3 Billion and 27,000 jobs to the state's economy each year, yet don't get the same respect that far fewer golfers receive. And they are tired of it!

Why have 4000 commercial fisherman who contribute $103 Million (2002 numbers) economic impact to the state's economy get preference over the vastly larger recreational industry?

 

Allowing gill nets in our inshore waters results in tons of dead by-catch. Much of the by-catch is juvenile finfish that cannot be sold, but it contributes to overfishing or inhibits the recovery of over fished stocks. Furthermore, gill nets kill threatened/endangered sea turtles and many species of sea birds.

 

The use of gill nets catch and kill 65% of the non targeted species by-catch. Sea turtles, pelicans, ducks, and other sea birds along with numerous other kinds of fish are killed as by-catch in gill nets and dumped overboard. Why have other states disallowed in shore gill nets and have been very successful in doing so? North Carolina must take corrective action to eliminate this problem. Gill nets are unnecessary and have significantly reduced numerous fish species in the state.

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The Angry Fisherman
PO Box 1708
Swansboro, NC 28584