Information on Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2
A review of the striped mullet FMP is underway. Results of the 2022 stock assessment indicate the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. The Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2 is under development to address the stock status. The division is requesting stakeholders share expertise on the striped mullet fisheries to inform Amendment 2.
For questions, contact Daniel Zapf, Daniel.Zapf@deq.nc.gov, Jeffrey Dobbs, Jeffrey.Dobbs@deq.nc.gov, or Willow Patten, Willow.Patten@deq.nc.gov.
The N.C. Division of Marine fisheries will be holding the Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee Workshop July 25-27 at the Craven County Community College, Naumann Community Room within Ward Hall, 800 College Ct., New Bern.
The workshop consists of the fishery management plan advisory committee and division plan development team working together to refine draft Amendment 2. The advisory committee will assist by providing input for consideration to refine management options in the draft amendment. Workshop-style meetings allow scientists, managers, and stakeholders on the committee to address questions, comments, and concerns more effectively and in a less formal setting.
The workshop is open to the public, but public comment will not be held. The public is welcome to speak with staff and advisory committee members during breaks.
| Striped Mullet FMP Advisory Committee Workshop July 25: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. July 26: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. July 27: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
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|---|---|
| Naumann Community Room within Ward Hall Craven County Community College 800 College Ct., New Bern |
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| Workshop Documents | |
| Agenda | Base Plan |
| Small Mesh Gill Net Information Paper | Recreational Fishery Issue Paper |
| Sustainable Harvest Issue Paper | |
The Division will hold an Amendment 2 scoping period September 26-October 7, 2022 to receive public input on potential management strategies. The primary management strategy for Amendment 2 is long-term sustainable harvest in the striped mullet fishery. The scoping document outlines potential management strategies.
The Division will begin receiving comments September 26, 2022. Stakeholders may provide comment throughout the scoping period by online questionnaire or by mail. Send mail to N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, Striped Mullet Scoping, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. Comments will be received until 5 p.m. local time October 7, 2022.
Scoping is the best time for stakeholders to inform the plan. Three public meetings will be held during the scoping period. All meetings will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.
| September 27 | October 4 | October 6 |
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Dare County Administration Building In-person only |
Division of Marine Fisheries In-person and available by Web Conference |
Department of Environmental Quality In-person only |
Division staff will give a short presentation during meetings and then the public will have the opportunity to comment. Following the public comment period, the public is encouraged to discuss subject matter concerns directly with species leads in small groups. Stakeholder comments and concerns will be considered in developing management strategies and management measures in Amendment 2.
The 2022 stock assessment for striped mullet determined the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. A 33% reduction in total removals is needed to end the overfishing within two years. A 20-33% reduction in total removals is needed to rebuild the female spawning stock biomass to sustainable levels and end the overfished status within 10 years.
2022 Stock Assessment of Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus) in North Carolina Waters