By Wes Sumner, CAM -Crystal Coast Publisher
House Bill 353, which seeks gamefish status for red drum, speckled trout, and striped bass, has been included in a study bill, which creates a Marine Fisheries Study Committee, consisting of four members of the Senate and four members of the House of Representatives. While the H 353 did not make it out of committee in the recent session, due to the time demands of the budget bill, this action will keep it in the legislative system for the upcoming short session. The committee is empowered to study the potential impact to the state’s resources and economy related to the designation of red drum, striped bass and speckled trout as coastal gamefish. Other subjects listed for study include possible changes to the appointment process for membership on the NC Marine Fisheries Commission, creation of a hook-and-line commercial fishery, elimination of the trawl boat fishery and whether Marine Fisheries should be a division of the Coastal Resources Commission or the Wildlife Resources Commission.
The original bill was filed in the North Carolina House on March 14 on behalf of the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina. A gamefish designation prohibits the taking of those species by means other than hook-and-line and bans the sale of those species.
The complete study bill, designated as H 773, can be found at www.ncleg.net.