Ocracoke Fishermen Sue DMF 

A group of eighteen shallow water gillnet fishermen from Ocracoke filed suit against the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) on Dec. 28, 2000. The fishermen claim that a state ban on southern flounder net fishing in the southeast portion of the Pamlico Sound illegally endangered their income and traditional livelihood.
The closure, which was aimed at protecting endangered sea turtles, was rescinded by DMF proclamation on Jan. 8. But Katherine S. Parker-Lowe, attorney for the Ocracoke fishermen, says the suit will go forward.

'This is about the right to work and the right to equal protection under the law," Lowe says. Lowe went on to state that DMF science doesn't show that shallow water gillnet fishing has impacted the endangered turtles, adding that her clients cooperated with regulators and freely accepted the presence of DMF observers only to have their fishing privileges unfairly withheld.

A spokesperson from the DMF recently told the Raleigh News & Observer that the division attempted to open the restricted area to shallow-water fishing operations but National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) refused a change in the restricted area.

A turtle workshop, sponsored by NMFS, North Carolina Sea Grant and the DMF, will be held on Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in New Bern, North Carolina.
Sponsors hope the workshop will facilitate a dialogue on sea turtle populations as well as fishing activities in coastal waters.

Presentations will be given by NMFS, Turtle Stranding Network, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NC Sea Grant, and the DMF. The meeting will conclude with a panel discussion, followed by a question and answer session and the formation of a working group that can identify and recommend research needs. Admission to the workshop is free. For more information contact DMF at 1-800-682-2632.