New fisheries reporting rules go into effect in a month – Coastal Review

Report on New Fishery Management Measures in North Carolina and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries has instituted new mandatory harvest reporting requirements, effective December 1, to advance sustainable fisheries management. This initiative directly supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), by enhancing data collection for key marine species to ensure their long-term viability.

Contribution to SDG 14: Life Below Water

The new regulations are a critical step towards achieving several targets under SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

• Target 14.4 (Sustainable Fishing): The primary objective is to regulate harvesting and combat overfishing through science-based management plans. The data collected will provide a more accurate assessment of fish stocks, enabling the restoration of populations to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield.
• Target 14.2 (Protecting Marine Ecosystems): By generating comprehensive harvest data, this program facilitates the sustainable management and protection of coastal and marine ecosystems, strengthening their resilience against adverse impacts.
• Target 14.a (Scientific Knowledge): This program directly increases scientific knowledge and research capacity regarding fish populations and harvest rates, which is fundamental to improving ocean health and making informed management decisions.

Details of the Mandatory Reporting Requirements

The mandate, established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2023, applies to all coastal, joint, and adjacent inland fishing waters, extending as far inland as Chatham and Wake counties.

Recreational Fishers

Mandatory reporting is required for the harvest of the following species:

• Flounder
• Red Drum
• Striped Bass
• Spotted Seatrout
• Weakfish

Commercial Fishers

Mandatory reporting is required for all finfish, shellfish, and crustaceans that are kept for personal use and not sold through a licensed seafood dealer via the North Carolina Trip Ticket Program.

Reporting Methods

To facilitate compliance, harvests must be reported electronically through one of the following methods:

• A designated online webform.
• A mobile application for iPhone users (to be released).
• A mobile application for Android users (currently under development).

Implementation and Enforcement Framework

A phased, three-year approach to enforcement will be utilized to ensure a smooth transition and educate the public on the new requirements.

1. Phase 1 (Dec. 1, 2024 – Dec. 1, 2026): Verbal warnings will be issued for non-compliance.
2. Phase 2 (Dec. 1, 2026 – Dec. 1, 2027): Written warning tickets will be issued.
3. Phase 3 (Beginning Dec. 1, 2027): Non-compliance will result in an infraction with a $35 fine, with the potential for suspension of fishing licenses and permits.

Fostering Partnerships and Responsible Consumption (SDG 17 & SDG 12)

The initiative exemplifies effective collaboration and promotes sustainable resource management, aligning with additional Sustainable Development Goals.

• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The program is a collaborative effort between the Division of Marine Fisheries and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, which will jointly enforce the regulations. This inter-agency partnership is crucial for the comprehensive management of shared water resources.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): By requiring fishers to report their harvest, the state encourages greater accountability and promotes the sustainable use of natural marine resources. This data-driven approach supports responsible consumption patterns and helps ensure the long-term viability of fish stocks for future generations.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the primary SDG addressed in the article. The goal aims to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” The article focuses entirely on the management of marine and coastal fisheries in North Carolina. The new mandatory reporting requirements for fishers are a direct measure to manage marine resources, which aligns with the core objective of SDG 14.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics.

  The article directly relates to this target. The new mandatory reporting requirement is a tool to regulate harvesting and specifically addresses “unreported” fishing by both recreational and commercial fishers. The stated purpose of the data collection is to “enhance fisheries management” and “help fisheries managers better understand harvest rates,” which are fundamental components of implementing science-based management plans to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 14.4.1: Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels.

  The article does not state a specific value for this indicator, but the entire initiative it describes is a mechanism to collect the data necessary to measure it. The mandatory reporting of harvests for specific species like “flounder, red drum, striped bass, spotted seatrout, and weakfish” is a direct effort to gather data on fishing pressure. This information is critical for fisheries managers to assess the health of these fish stocks and determine if they are within biologically sustainable levels. Therefore, the implementation of the reporting system itself is an implied measure of progress toward being able to calculate and act upon this indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: coastalreview.org