|
Donate your car or boat
|
|
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The stated
purpose of CCA is to advise and educate the public on
conservation of marine resources. The objective of CCA is
to conserve, promote and enhance the present and future
availability of these coastal resources for the benefit and
enjoyment of the general public.
| MFC Once Again Fails to Comply |
On behalf of the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC), Chairman Robert Bizzell, recently sent a letter to the Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture requesting support of a clarifying amendment to Session Law (SL) 2010-13; An Act to Improve Success of Fishery Management Plans (FMP). The amendment proposed by the MFC would exempt those FMPs already submitted to the state for approval prior to the effective date of the law. The intent of the letter was to prevent the proposed Spotted Sea Trout (SST) FMP from falling under the new law.
The conditions in SL 2010-13 require restrictions to reduce fishing mortality to a level that will end over-fishing within two years. The law also mandates a return of the fishery to sustainability within ten years and a probability of success of at least 50%. The SST FMP, as now proposed, fails on all three requirements. The Commission is asking to exempt any FMP from the standard to end overfishing within two years for any plan approved prior to the effective date of the law.
CCA NC's position is that the new law should not be amended as it has not been given a chance on ANY fisheries management plans. Furthermore, since the SST FMP has not been finalized (it is now at step 5 of 6), it is subject to the new law and thereby no exemptions should be granted.
The MFC had already adopted a "policy" of requiring all FMP's to have a 50% or better probability of ending over-fishing within two years and recommended SL 2010-13 while in the N.C. Legislature. As we now have a law that provides a process by which we can address overfishing and restore depleted stocks in a reasonable timeline, CCA NC believes the MFC must abide by their adopted policy, not to mention the requirements of the new law.
In regards to the Speckled Trout, CCA NC believes the MFC could require NC Division of Marine Fisheries Director, Louis Daniel, to meet the intent of the new law by proclamation. Use of proclamation authority would allow proper management of Speckled Trout without requiring the SST FMP process to be revisited. As has been shown, the recreational sector is willing to sacrifice for the next two years to end over-fishing and protect the Spotted Sea Trout fishery (the current FMP proposal does not require an equitable reduction on the commercial sector). Delaying a decision that ends over-fishing within two years may result in very restrictive measures, including a possible moratorium. The restrictions and reductions needed to end over-fishing of the SST must be borne by both user groups in an equitable manner.
Read More... |
|
| 7 Sep 2010 - 10:16 by CCA North Carolina |
XNews
| |
| Sportsman Channel and DISH Network Collaborate ToSupport Gulf Region Recovery Efforts |
Sportsman SD and HD Now Available as A la Carte Option; New Subscriber Proceeds To Support Gulf Coast Fund & Coastal Conservation Association
New Berlin, Wis. (August 31, 2010) - Sportsman Channel, the leader in outdoor TV for the American Sportsman, today announced the network is available in both SD and HD as an a la carte option on DISH Network Ch. 395. In an effort to raise awareness and funds for Gulf regions working to recover from the recent oil spill disaster, Sportsman Channel will funnel this year's proceeds from the a la carte pricing to a special "Sportsman's Fund" created with the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) to benefit Gulf coast habitat restoration and research. CCA is one of the largest non-profit marine conservation groups in America.
To help support and bring awareness to these efforts, DISH Network is offering a free preview of Sportsman Channel Sept. 3 - 28. Additionally, Sportsmen Channel and its parent company, InterMedia Outdoors, are utilizing all print, on-air and digital assets to further promote the cause. Outdoor enthusiasts can subscribe to Sportsman Channel a la carte by visiting www.dish.com or calling (800) 894‐9131. Sportsman Channel and Sportsman HD launched in DISH Network's America's Top 250 package in February 2010.
"Because we're donating our monthly fee to CCA, every new Sportsman Channel SD and HD a la carte subscriber on DISH Network is helping Gulf region sportsmen, families and wildlife," said Sportsman CEO Gavin Harvey. "We are proud to join DISH Network and CCA in this drive to raise money and also to raise awareness that Gulf communities still need our support."
CCA has worked closely with government and regulatory agencies since the beginning of the Gulf oil disaster to ensure the Gulf's habitats, fishing industries, marine life and resources are adequately represented and supported. CCA's history and experience in marine habitat restoration and coastal conservation will continue to be a vital component in the recovery and restoration of Gulf marine resources.
"We are thankful to have this unique partnership with Sportsman Channel and DISH Network that helps to raise awareness and vital funds to restore the Gulf of Mexico," said Pat Murray, CCA president. "There are some very positive programs and signs of progress occurring throughout the Gulf, but there is still much to do. This generous program will be an important part of restoring and enhancing the Gulf's fragile habitats."
Read More... |
|
| 1 Sep 2010 - 11:50 by CCA North Carolina |
XNews
| |
| A Win for Fisheries Management |
CCA NC bill signed into law
Raleigh - June 23, 2010 marked a hopeful day for our state's coastal fisheries. By signing into law House Bill 1713, Governor Perdue greatly improved the process for which our marine resources are managed. The bill establishes a requirement for all Fisheries Management Plans (FMP) to have a success rate of at least 50% in order to be implemented. In 1997, The Fisheries Reform Act put into law that all significant species of saltwater fish must have a FMP in order to be properly managed. Unfortunately however, there were no guidelines established to ensure proper success of those plans and past years have seen management plans that had been approved with less than a 25% chance of success."HB 1713 represents a milestone towards Marine Fisheries Reform in NC. It is the most important piece of Marine Fisheries legislation since the Fisheries Reform Act of 1997. As a result, Fisheries Management Plans are required to have at least a coin toss of success. Incredibly, past FMP's have been passed that everyone knew were going to fail, and they did" said Chris Elkins, CCA NC Fisheries Committee Chairman.
The NC Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) in January 2009 adopted a policy for a minimum standard that FMP's must have at least a 50% chance of success. While this is good policy, codification of minimum requirements for success will assure future FMP's will have a reasonable chance of being effective and hold our marine management agencies accountable. "The Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) supported this bill, and the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) worked closely with the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina to see this legislation through the lawmaking process. While the policy to only select management measures that have a 50% probability of success has been an MFC policy for several years, the bill helps to ensure that ending overfishing and rebuilding will occur as quickly as possible to provide a sustainable harvest to our fishing constituents and communities" stated Louis Daniel, Director of NC Division of Marine Fisheries.
The law will minimize debate on the level of stock recovery needed, and focus efforts instead on how to achieve the management target. Jay Dail, Chairman of CCANC, lauded the bill becoming law as a significant step towards securing the sustained well being of our state fisheries, "Although this may not be viewed as a flashy piece of legislation, the passage of this bill will become one of the most important laws to affect and protect the many fisheries on North Carolina's coast."
CCA North Carolina wishes to thank Dr. Louis Daniel and the DMF, the MFC, and all the members that were involved in this process. CCA NC will continue to lead the fight for our state's marine resource.
Read More... |
|
| 22 Jul 2010 - 09:23 by CCA North Carolina |
XNews
| |
|
