N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission’s southern flounder fiasco

80 percent of southern flounder caught in North Carolina's waters are caught in gill nets, and most never spawn a single time.

Lawmakers hurl words, but the real threat is to southern flounder

When is a threat not a threat? In the case of the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission’s southern flounder fiasco in August, Rep. Bob Steinburg, a Republican who represents several northeastern North Carolina counties in the heart of commercial-fishing territory, made a very real threat to the members of the Commission.

Steinburg, of course, said he didn’t make a threat and only said something the Commission “should keep in mind.”

After months of public hearings and study, the agency met for a vote on a supplement to the species’ Fisheries Management Plan to reduce this fall’s southern flounder harvest. The Commission had six options to choose from, plus any mixture of the proposals.

Southern flounder numbers, especially mature fish, have been driven to the cliff’s edge by overharvest. Statistics show netters kill 80 percent, while hook-and-line anglers take 20 percent. Also, 90 percent of those fish caught don’t live long enough to spawn even once.

“I want to share something (the Commission) may or may not be aware of as related to banning gill nets,” Steinburg said. “A significant number of legislators will watch this vote very carefully … but if any decision isn’t seen as fair, you will likely be dealing with the legislature. But that’s not a threat.”

Thirteen 13 legislators sent a letter to Donald R. van der Vaart, secretary of N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, telling him the Commission had better not vote on southern flounder. Van der Vaart forwarded the letter to the Commission.

Some commissioners were incensed. Chuck Laughridge was upset because Dr. Louis Daniel, NCDMF’s director, hadn’t told them until the 11th hour that Options 1 and 2 weren’t eligible for votes, but word is, NCDMF counsel contradicted Daniel on this topic. Commissioner Mike Wicker spoke of failed attempts to intimidate him.

Commercial fishing interests apparently told legislators that gill netting would be banned, along with pound nets, but those were options, nothing set in stone.

“Thirteen representatives and senators got bad information from the commercial group,” a Commission source said. “Van der Vaart told us to do this earlier, then he told us not to.”

NCDMF delayed action last year because it said a stock assessment didn’t account for “mixing” of North Carolina flounder with those from bordering states. But that’s happened for years and has never before stopped fish-revival plans.

But the commercial-fishing industry continues to oppose efforts to rebuild the stock. Sadly, allowing North Carolina’s “for-hire” politicians to bully state agencies on behalf of the few at the expense of the many is widespread today.