Game fish Status

[IGOTTEM2]

The bill is supposed to come up for a vote in the next week or so.

Told you it would come out of committee just after the budget was finished. Everyone was so busy speculating based upon what the commercial folks wanted you to think. We demand an up or down vote, so that we know where each member of the legislature stands. I've fielded umpteen hundred emails from people telling me that they heard the bill was dead and lost in committee. Whatever. We will get our vote soon enough. Legislators would be stupid if they ignored 24,000 emails and phone calls the year before the next election cycle.
Unlike in years past, we will get an up or down vote. Do you feel better now?

Thursday June 9th is the deadline for a vote! As of now the bill is still being held in committee, and might not be heard this session.

[Ringneck]

From an email I received today:

"Dear Saltwater Angler,

I am pretty disgusted with NC politics right at this moment. With only 2 days left before the crossover deadline in the General Assembly, HB353 is not on any calendar to be heard in committee. It appears that a couple of legislators that are sold out to the commercial fish house owners have made a deal involving the budget and tied the gamefish bill to the deal. Unless someone in leadership in the House steps up on behalf of this bill in the next 48 hours, it appears that the bill will die in committee just like it did 2 years ago.

I just wanted you to know what is going on.

I also wanted you to know that I am in the process of emailing my Representatives and Senator, and letting them know it is not too late to do the right thing! I am also letting them know how disappointed I will be in the new leadership in Raleigh if they do not give us a vote on this.

I thought we were going to get treated better this time.

If you are as angry about this as I am, then please take a few minutes, and in your own words, let them know how you feel.

You can use the following link courtesy of the NC Wildlife Federation to contact your legislators. Please use your own words, and tell them how you feel. Maybe if enough of us put a final push on, some sort of miracle might happen...

...I will keep you posted over the next 2 days to let you know what is happening."

Thanks again,

Coastal Fisheries Reform Group
CFRG@northstate.net
www.cfrgnc.blogspot.com/

[IGOTTEM2]

I got my info from NC Camo.

[IGOTTEM2]

From an email I received today:

"Dear Saltwater Angler,

I am pretty disgusted with NC politics right at this moment. With only 2 days left before the crossover deadline in the General Assembly, HB353 is not on any calendar to be heard in committee. It appears that a couple of legislators that are sold out to the commercial fish house owners have made a deal involving the budget and tied the gamefish bill to the deal. Unless someone in leadership in the House steps up on behalf of this bill in the next 48 hours, it appears that the bill will die in committee just like it did 2 years ago.

I just wanted you to know what is going on.

I also wanted you to know that I am in the process of emailing my Representatives and Senator, and letting them know it is not too late to do the right thing! I am also letting them know how disappointed I will be in the new leadership in Raleigh if they do not give us a vote on this.

I thought we were going to get treated better this time.

If you are as angry about this as I am, then please take a few minutes, and in your own words, let them know how you feel.

You can use the following link courtesy of the NC Wildlife Federation to contact your legislators. Please use your own words, and tell them how you feel. Maybe if enough of us put a final push on, some sort of miracle might happen...

...I will keep you posted over the next 2 days to let you know what is happening."

Thanks again,

Coastal Fisheries Reform Group
CFRG@northstate.net
http://www.cfrgnc.blogspot.com/

How do you find out who these two legislators are?

[seastreet]

Don't worry folks. Things are happening behind the scene that makes it immune to crossover.

Just remember these numbers... 12, 9, 3 & 1

Don't fret about the hamburger when you're about to fed a steak dinner.

Patience folks.

PS: I can't divulge any more information about what's going on, so please don't flood my inbox asking. Just have patience and I'll let you know when action is needed.

[Ringneck]

Deadline for the bill was yesterday. I wonder what's going on with it now?

[IGOTTEM2]

Deadline for the bill was yesterday. I wonder what's going on with it now?

Seastreet sounds pretty confident, I think he know's something behind the scene.

[seastreet]

Deadline for the bill was yesterday. I wonder what's going on with it now?

Seastreet sounds pretty confident, I think he know's something behind the sceen.

Whatever would give you that idea?

Let's just say that patience will reward us with a steak dinner, instead of just a hamburger.

Again, remember these numbers... 12, 9, 3, 1

Some things are well worth waiting for. The short session will be fun.

[IGOTTEM2]

Deadline for the bill was yesterday. I wonder what's going on with it now?

Seastreet sounds pretty confident, I think he know's something behind the sceen.

Whatever would give you that idea?

Let's just say that patience will reward us with a steak dinner, instead of just a hamburger.

Again, remember these numbers... 12, 9, 3, 1

Some things are well worth waiting for. The short session will be fun.

When is the short session?

[seastreet]

10-1/2 months away in May. There will be no budgets or anything of the kind to get in the way, because that was handled in the long session (which is what's in now).

[Ringneck]

That doesn't leave us much time. Doesn't the world end sometime in 2012?

[IGOTTEM2]

10-1/2 months away in May. There will be no budgets or anything of the kind to get in the way, because that was handled in the long session (which is what's in now).

We have 10 1/2 months to find out?

[monroe duck]

10-1/2 months away in May. There will be no budgets or anything of the kind to get in the way, because that was handled in the long session (which is what's in now).

We have 10 1/2 months to find out?

Or we have 10 months for the elected officials to figure out how to save face.

[seastreet]

10-1/2 months away in May. There will be no budgets or anything of the kind to get in the way, because that was handled in the long session (which is what's in now).

We have 10 1/2 months to find out?

Or we have 10 months for the elected officials to figure out how to save face.

No way they skip it in the short session. Not in an election year, especially the way it is about to be done. It would be political suicide if you consider the > 500K rec fishermen in this state that would have an axe to grind if it were to get "Basnighted" again.

[monroe duck]

Or we have 10 months for the elected officials to figure out how to save face.

No way they skip it in the short session. Not in an election year, especially the way it is about to be done. It would be political suicide if you consider the > 500K rec fishermen in this state that would have an axe to grind if it were to get "Basnighted" again.

The elected officials continue to amaze me with their behaviour on many topics. Nothing, let me repeat, nothing would surprise me. Until this thing passes there are zero things I would bet the house on. Forgive me for being a cynic but that's what I am these days.

[Ringneck]

Out of 500K recreational anglers, how many really care? That is the question. I've brought it up numerous times with friends, and most look at you and say "whhaaaaaat? Duuuuhh... In general, people are very fickle, and their memory is about as long as a Wilmington (used to be New York, but they're all here now) minute.

[IGOTTEM2]

Out of 500K recreational anglers, how many really care? That is the question. I've brought it up numerous times with friends, and most look at you and say "whhaaaaaat? Duuuuhh... In general, people are very fickle, and their memory is about as long as a Wilmington (used to be New York, but they're all here now) minute.

I know this is and important issue to some, but in my area of the state, employment issues/teacher's, health care, taxes, are alot more important than this issue. If someone is going to get voted out it will be by these issues.

[Pot Hole]

Ringneck, Check your PMs.

[IGOTTEM2]

Deadline for the bill was yesterday. I wonder what's going on with it now?

Seastreet sounds pretty confident, I think he know's something behind the sceen.

Whatever would give you that idea?

Let's just say that patience will reward us with a steak dinner, instead of just a hamburger.

Again, remember these numbers... 12, 9, 3, 1

Some things are well worth waiting for. The short session will be fun.

Any update on H353?

[IGOTTEM2]

Legislative Alerts and Updates • Current Legislation • Key Votes • Capitol Hill Basics


Action Alert

Coastal Game Fish Bill (H 353)


The budget has passed both Houses of the NC General Assembly now and much political maneuvering is taking place as the Governor considers a veto. No bills are moving and our Coastal Game Fish Bill (H 353) is caught up in this delay as well. The Crossover Deadline for bills to pass at least one House or die is this Thursday, June 9th. So this may be the last opportunity for recreational fishermen to have input into passage of this important legislation.

The Coastal Game Fish Bill classifies red drum, striped bass, and speckled sea trout as game fish and limits the take of these fish to hook and line. The bill also prohibits sale of these three species of fish. This protection is necessary given the current depleted state of these fishery stocks and overfishing pressure. These three fish are relatively less important to the commercial fishing industry since they constitute only about 1.5 percent of the commercial harvest in NC. The value of these fish to the local and state economies as game fish is hundreds of times greater than when managed as commercial fisheries.

NC Camo encourages you to go to the Take Action section of this alert and compose an e-mail to your state Senator and Representative asking them to do everything in their power to ensure that the Coastal Game Fish Bill gets a fair hearing in both Houses. Use the blank, pre-addressed e-mails we provide but put it in your own words, your message has more impact that way. Do it right now because time is very short. Do it for the fishery resources and for the economic returns that game fish status will deliver.

NC Camo Coalition is a project of the NC Wildlife Federation.

[seastreet]

HB-773 (Omnibus Study Bill) formed to replace gamefish bill with conservation wish list.

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2011&BillID=H773

http://outerbanksvoice.com/2011/06/19/gamefish-proposal-sent-to-new-legislative-committee/

http://ahabsjournal.typepad.com/ahabs_journal/2011/06/marine-fisheries-legislative-study-committee-created-in-hb-773.html

PART XLVIII. MARINE FISHERIES LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE (H.B. 353 8 – McCormick, Glazier, Ingle, Samuelson)

SECTION 48.1. Committee created. – There is created the Marine Fisheries Legislative Study Committee (Committee). The Committee shall consist of eight members as follows:(1) Four members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.(2) Four members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

SECTION 48.2. The Committee may study the following:

(1) The potential impact to both the State's fisheries resources and the State's economy related to the designation of Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), Spotted Sea Trout (Cynoscion nebulosus), and Striped Bass (deleted word e saxatilis) as coastal game fish.

(2) Changes to the appointment process and qualification for membership on the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission.

(3) Creation of a hook and line commercial fishery.

(4) Elimination of the trawl boat fishery in North Carolina.

(5) Entering into reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions with regard to the conservation of marine and estuarine resources; and regulating placement of nets and other sports or commercial fishing apparatus in coastal fishing waters with regard to navigational and recreational safety as well as from a conservation standpoint.

(6) Entering into agreements regarding the delegation of law enforcement powers from the National Marine Fisheries Service over matters within the jurisdiction of the Service.

(7) Potential modification of the Fisheries Reform Act of 1997.

(8) Whether Marine Fisheries should be a division of the Coastal Resources Commission or the Wildlife Resources Commission.

(9) Other findings that promote the allocation of the State's resources to the optimum use.

(10) Any other matters the Committee deems relevant.

SECTION 48.3. The Committee may make a final report to the 2012 Regular Session of the 2011 General Assembly that includes findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals relating to its study. The Committee shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2013 Regular Session of the General Assembly, whichever is earlier.

SECTION 48.4. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the appointing authority. The Committee shall choose from among its membership a chair and a vice-chair. A quorum of the Committee shall be five members.

SECTION 48.5. The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120-19 and G.S. 120-19.1 through G.S. 120-19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them, and the power to subpoena witnesses.

The Committee may meet at any time upon call of the chairs. The Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120-32.02.

The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The House of Representatives' and Senate's Directors of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical staff to the Committee, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. Members of the Committee shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, or 138-6, as appropriate.


Sorry I couldn't say much earlier to you guys about this. Couldn't exactly tip our hand at what was going on. The issues shall be studied this summer and fall and recommendations will be made for passage in the short session beginning in May. As I said, gamefish is not dead. I also said don't worry about missing the hamburger when you can get the steak dinner. Enjoy!!!

[IGOTTEM2]

HB-773 (Omnibus Study Bill) formed to replace gamefish bill with conservation wish list.

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2011&BillID=H773

http://outerbanksvoice.com/2011/06/19/gamefish-proposal-sent-to-new-legislative-committee/

http://ahabsjournal.typepad.com/ahabs_journal/2011/06/marine-fisheries-legislative-study-committee-created-in-hb-773.html

PART XLVIII. MARINE FISHERIES LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE (H.B. 353 8 – McCormick, Glazier, Ingle, Samuelson)

SECTION 48.1. Committee created. – There is created the Marine Fisheries Legislative Study Committee (Committee). The Committee shall consist of eight members as follows:(1) Four members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.(2) Four members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

SECTION 48.2. The Committee may study the following:

(1) The potential impact to both the State's fisheries resources and the State's economy related to the designation of Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), Spotted Sea Trout (Cynoscion nebulosus), and Striped Bass (deleted word e saxatilis) as coastal game fish.

(2) Changes to the appointment process and qualification for membership on the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission.

(3) Creation of a hook and line commercial fishery.

(4) Elimination of the trawl boat fishery in North Carolina.

(5) Entering into reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions with regard to the conservation of marine and estuarine resources; and regulating placement of nets and other sports or commercial fishing apparatus in coastal fishing waters with regard to navigational and recreational safety as well as from a conservation standpoint.

(6) Entering into agreements regarding the delegation of law enforcement powers from the National Marine Fisheries Service over matters within the jurisdiction of the Service.

(7) Potential modification of the Fisheries Reform Act of 1997.

(8) Whether Marine Fisheries should be a division of the Coastal Resources Commission or the Wildlife Resources Commission.

(9) Other findings that promote the allocation of the State's resources to the optimum use.

(10) Any other matters the Committee deems relevant.

SECTION 48.3. The Committee may make a final report to the 2012 Regular Session of the 2011 General Assembly that includes findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals relating to its study. The Committee shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2013 Regular Session of the General Assembly, whichever is earlier.

SECTION 48.4. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the appointing authority. The Committee shall choose from among its membership a chair and a vice-chair. A quorum of the Committee shall be five members.

SECTION 48.5. The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120-19 and G.S. 120-19.1 through G.S. 120-19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them, and the power to subpoena witnesses.

The Committee may meet at any time upon call of the chairs. The Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120-32.02.

The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The House of Representatives' and Senate's Directors of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical staff to the Committee, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. Members of the Committee shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, or 138-6, as appropriate.


Sorry I couldn't say much earlier to you guys about this. Couldn't exactly tip our hand at what was going on. The issues shall be studied this summer and fall and recommendations will be made for passage in the short session beginning in May. As I said, gamefish is not dead. I also said don't worry about missing the hamburger when you can get the steak dinner. Enjoy!!!

Any update on Game Fish Status?

[IGOTTEM2]

Any updates?

[IGOTTEM2]

Deadline for the bill was yesterday. I wonder what's going on with it now?

Seastreet sounds pretty confident, I think he know's something behind the sceen.

Whatever would give you that idea?

Let's just say that patience will reward us with a steak dinner, instead of just a hamburger.

Again, remember these numbers... 12, 9, 3, 1

Some things are well worth waiting for. The short session will be fun.

Whatever happened

[Jimbob]

Nothing, as expected.