f r o m the top 



Dear Readers: 



Commercial fishing. It's a way of life in small North 

 Carolina communities such as Stumpy Point, Hobucken, 

 Salter Path, Sneads Ferry and Vamumtown. For decades 

 that way of life went unchanged. 



But times are different. 



What was once a simple matter of catching a few fish is 

 now much more complicated. Watermen must purchase 

 expensive gear, study mountains of regulatory information 

 and lobby policymakers for more say in the rules that 

 govern their livelihoods. 



No doubt bureaucracy has changed the industry. 

 Regulations are rampant, but resource managers feel a need 

 to protect fish populations that are dwindling because of 

 overharvesting, pollution and habitat degradation. 



Fishermen, however, think there is too much govern- 

 ment interference. They long for the days when they could 

 call the oceans and sounds their own. 



Carla Burgess outlines the problems and complexities 

 facing today's commercial fishing industry. She talks to 

 federal and state fisheries managers, policymakers and 



representatives from commercial fishing organizations. 



I talk with Sea Grant scientists who are looking at 

 innovative ways to address the problems. Sea Grant's 

 social and economic research may give resource managers 

 more to think about than just biological statistics when it 

 comes to forming regulations. 



For the fishermen's side of the story, Jeannie Faris 

 interviews four Tar Heel watermen whose family histories 

 are steeped in saltwater and seafood. They relate their 

 frustrations, possible solutions and hopes for the future. 



I hope that you enjoy the issue and learn more about 

 the unique people who call themselves commercial 

 fishermen. 



During February, some of you will receive a survey for 

 evaluating Coastwatch. We want to know what you like 

 and don't like and how you rate our efforts thus far. Please 

 take a few minutes to honestly answer our questions. Your 

 responses and opinions are important to us and will help 

 shape future issues. 



Until next issue, 



Kathy Hart 



In t h i 



s issue 



Page 3 



Understanding the Rigors of Commercial Fishing ... 2 



i 

 i 



Numbers Critical to Decision-Making ... 8 



N.C. DOCUMENTS 



Factoring Fishermen Into Fisheries Management ... 10 CLEARINGHOUSE 



Are Fishermen Nearing Their Last Cast? ... 15 



Marine Advice 

 Specialist Focuses on Seafood Safety ... 20 



Field Notes 

 Pollution and Seafood ... 21 



The Aft Deck ... 22 



Back Talk . . . 25 



MAR 24 1993 



N.C. STATE LIBRARY 

 RALEIGH 



Page 16 



COASTWATCH I 



