The North Carolina legislature is currently discussing House Bill 442. The bill passed the House, passed the Senate with some changes, and now goes back to the House for another vote. This is a very bad bill that would put many North Carolina families who have been fishing for generations out of business.

This is the opening paragraph of the bill:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO RESTORE RECREATIONAL FISHING FOR FLOUNDER AND RED 2 SNAPPER IN NORTH CAROLINA THROUGH THE CREATION OF A FOUR-YEAR 3 PILOT PROGRAM AND TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF TRAWL NETS TO TAKE 4 SHRIMP IN COASTAL FISHING WATERS OR THE ATLANTIC OCEAN WITHIN 5 ONE-HALF MILE OF THE SHORELINE.

WITN News reported on Wednesday:

Carteret County commissioners are voicing their opposition of a North Carolina House bill amendment that would impact the state’s shrimp industry.

On Monday, county commissioners signed a resolution opposing a proposed amendment to House Bill 442.

If passed, this would prohibit all shrimp trawling within a half mile of the state’s shoreline.

In the resolution, the board of commissioners said they are urging the North Carolina Senate Agriculture, Energy and Environment Committee to reject the proposed amendment.

Unfortunately, representatives of the commercial fishing industry have very effective lobbyists with very deep pockets, and commercial fishing brings money into the state. However, local fishing families are an important part of the North Carolina economy and need to be recognized as such.

This is the suggested course of action: