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Rick
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Posted: 11 December 2019 at 10:12am |
Who would have thought that today, Dec 11th, there would still be trawlers working the Pamlico Sound? I can see two- how many more are running "dark"?
One of my facebook "friends" who "likes" my AIS tracking posts recently sent me the message below. When is the USCG going to start enforcing AIS use...it's a safety issue for ALL boaters-
The MFC formally asked the USGC to enforce AIS rules in NC waters.
Edited by Rick - 11 December 2019 at 5:21pm
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fiogf49gjkf0d NC Fisheries Management- Motto: Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad Slogan: Shrimp On! Mission Statement: Enable Commercial Fishing At Any and All Cost, Regardless of Impact to the Resource.
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lcg8978
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Posted: 11 December 2019 at 5:17pm |
Is the boat aground at Brown's Inlet part of his fleet? Hard to confirm from the photos, but they sure do look similar...
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Rick
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Posted: 11 December 2019 at 5:22pm |
lcg8978 wrote:
Is the boat aground at Brown's Inlet part of his fleet? Hard to confirm from the photos, but they sure do look similar...
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No. The boat in Browns Inlet is a Carolina Atlantic Trawling LLC vessel owned by Garland Christopher Fulcher.
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fiogf49gjkf0d NC Fisheries Management- Motto: Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad Slogan: Shrimp On! Mission Statement: Enable Commercial Fishing At Any and All Cost, Regardless of Impact to the Resource.
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bakesta
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Posted: 12 December 2019 at 10:18am |
Rick wrote:
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Is running with the AIS in the off position illegal?
If yes -- is it a federal law or just state? and is there any punishment?
This guy is just publicly thumbing his nose at the AIS so apparently there's either no penalty or no enforcement if it's a law.
Frustrating either way.
And all of this is publicly available so any enforcement agency could use the data to show non-compliance. I don't get it.
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"Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest." --- Mark Twain
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Rick
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Posted: 12 December 2019 at 10:37am |
The big shrimp boats fall under the Class B device for fishing vessels
over 65 feet. The law says if you're required to have one,
you're required to have it active 15 minutes prior to getting underway.
6. When must AIS be in operation? Per 33 CFR 164.46(d), vessels required to have AIS must operate it in U.S. navigable waters (as defined in 33 CFR 2.36) at all times that the vessel is navigating (underway or at anchor) and at least 15 minutes prior to unmooring. Should continual operation of AIS compromise the safety or security of the vessel or where a security incident is imminent, the AIS may be switched off. This action and the reason for taking it must be reported to the nearest U.S. Captain of the Port or Vessel Traffic Center and recorded in the ship's logbook. The AIS should return to continuous operation as soon as the source of danger has been mitigated. Note, vessels equipped with AIS--either by mandatory carriage or voluntarily--must abide by the requirements set forth in 33 CFR 164.46 which state an AIS must be: properly installed, use an officially assigned MMSI, that its data be accessible from the primary operating position of the vessel, and, always be in effective operating condition; which entails the continuous operation of AIS and the accurate input (see USCG AIS Encoding Guide) and upkeep of all AIS data parameters. Although Coast Guard AIS authority (46 USC 70114) does not extend beyond U.S. navigable waters or to all voluntary users, mariners are reminded that Navigation Rule 7 requires that every vessel use all available means to determine risk of collision. AIS is one of the most effective means currently available, particularly when coupled with radar and sight, to not only determine the risk of, but, also mitigate collisions. Thus the Coast Guard exhorts all AIS users to maintain their AIS in effective operation, at all times.
9. Are fishing vessels subject to AIS carriage, and, are onboard Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) an acceptable substitute for AIS? Yes and no. Commercial self-propelled fishing vessels of 65 feet or more in length are subject to AIS carriage requirements; see 33 CFR 164.46(b). Per 33 CFR § 164.46(b)(2), fishing industry vessels (i.e. fishing processors, tenders, and vessels as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101) may use lower-cost AIS Class B units in lieu of Class A devices. However, a NOAA Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) are not an acceptable substitute for AIS because they are not inter-operable or compatible. Each uses different communication systems, protocols, reporting rates, and, most importantly VMS does not, nor is it designed to, mitigate collisions or enhance users’ situational awareness. Read more...
...and the MFC unanimously agreed in formal motion to write the USCG asking them to properly enforce AIS compliance in NC- Did that happen?
Did you know there was another trawler collision in Pamlico Sound this past summer? It's all hush-hush. The USCG is playing difficult on supplying info. It seems when this happens, the big dealer swoops in with a settlement that includes buying everyone's silence.
Edited by Rick - 12 December 2019 at 10:40am
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fiogf49gjkf0d NC Fisheries Management- Motto: Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad Slogan: Shrimp On! Mission Statement: Enable Commercial Fishing At Any and All Cost, Regardless of Impact to the Resource.
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Rick
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Posted: 12 December 2019 at 3:25pm |
Today in our coastal waters-
Forgiven- Southport, Fla
Cathryn Elizabeth- Mobile, AL
Redemption- Southport, Fla
Daddy's Boy- Savanah, Ga
Jenna Renee- Savannah, Ga
Gaston's Legacy- New Bern, NC
Evening Tide- Theodore, AL
Lady Susie II- Crescent, Ga
Mighty Tide- Theodore, AL
Country Girl- Bayou La Batre, AL
Perseverance- Oriental, NC
The Shootist- Citronelle, AL
Miss Alice- Richlands, NC
Lady Denise- Panama City, Fla
Lady Madison- Mobile, Ala
Mary Magdalene- Jacksonville, Fla
Jane Carolyn- Hobucken, NC
Capt Potter- Hobucken, NC
Debra Lee- Mobile, AL
McKenzie- Hobucken, NC
Miss Victoria- Wilmer, AL
Capt Ralph- Manns Harbor, NC
Crystal Amanda- Grantsboro, NC
Bridgot Denise- Hampton, VA
Lady Samaira- Swanquarter, NC
Birdie P- Hobucken, NC
There are three additional unidentified trawlers thought to be Cooke Seafood vessels
out of Hampton, Va or Brent Fulcher vessels out of New Bern, NC.
There are other trawlers less than 65-feet in length which are not required to have
an AIS signal.
Based on past personal observations on the water, there are additional trawlers
65-ft or greater in length that are running "dark".
It looks like two of my "FB friend's" trawlers from Alabama decided not to run dark. Maybe the Atlantic Carolina Trawling, Inc. vessel stuck on the bar at Brown's Inlet has a nice little USCG pressence that changed his mind-
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fiogf49gjkf0d NC Fisheries Management- Motto: Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad Slogan: Shrimp On! Mission Statement: Enable Commercial Fishing At Any and All Cost, Regardless of Impact to the Resource.
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bakesta
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Posted: 12 December 2019 at 4:15pm |
10 out of 26 (only 38%) with reporting signals are from North Carolina.
Why are we the only state that allows this????
Edited by bakesta - 12 December 2019 at 5:24pm
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"Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest." --- Mark Twain
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Rick
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Posted: 12 December 2019 at 4:55pm |
There are interstate commerce agreements and limits to what NC can prohibit...but
We should be holding out-of-state vessels to this statute-
§ 113-170.1. Nonresidents reciprocal agreements.
Persons who are not North Carolina residents are not eligible
to obtain licenses under the provisions of this Article except as provided in
this section. Residents of jurisdictions that sell commercial fishing licenses
to North Carolina residents are eligible to hold North Carolina commercial
fishing licenses under the provisions of G.S. 113-168.2. Licenses may be
restricted in terms of area, gear, and fishery by the Commission so that the
nonresidents are licensed to engage in North Carolina fisheries on the same or
similar terms that North Carolina residents can be licensed to engage in the
fisheries of other jurisdictions. The Secretary may enter into reciprocal
agreements with other jurisdictions as necessary to allow nonresidents to
obtain commercial fishing licenses in the State subject to the foregoing
provisions. (1997-400, s. 5.1; 1998-225, s. 4.20; 2001-213,
s. 2.)
and this one
§ 113-168.1. General provisions governing licenses and
endorsements. (d) No Dual Residency. - It is unlawful for any person
to hold any currently valid license issued under this Article to the person as
a North Carolina resident if that person holds any currently valid commercial
or recreational fishing license issued by another state to the person as a
resident of that state.
Edited by Rick - 12 December 2019 at 5:02pm
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fiogf49gjkf0d NC Fisheries Management- Motto: Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad Slogan: Shrimp On! Mission Statement: Enable Commercial Fishing At Any and All Cost, Regardless of Impact to the Resource.
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Redfisher
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Posted: 12 December 2019 at 5:12pm |
16 trawlers from out of state. Makes my blood boil.
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Rick
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Posted: 13 December 2019 at 11:19am |
So here are a few photos of the vessels in the list above and a few of vessels running "dark"-
The first "Dark" vessel is the Jeffrey Logan out of Hilton Head, SC-
1255834 |
JEFFREY LOGAN |
SPA |
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HILTON HEAD |
SC |
29926-1142 |
07/31/2019 |
01/31/2020 |
This boat returns ZERO information on a vessel search other than from NOAA on FOIA SPA licensed vessels- It is really running dark.
Carolina Girls is an example of a 61-ft vessel not required to run AIS
500724 |
CAROLINA GIRLS |
SPA |
OLIVIA B LLC |
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WADMALAW ISLAND |
SC |
29487-7007 |
01/01/2019 |
12/31/2019 |

Brent Fulcher's the Lillie Belle has been showing at dock since Dec 3
Here's are a few trawlers from the list above-
...and credit for the photos above go to the Capt of the Moon Shadow, a 63-foot Sneads Ferry trawler who is not required to transmit an AIS signal-
His view today from the MOON SHADOW...maybe he'll post a few more shots to FB-
Edited by Rick - 13 December 2019 at 11:19am
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fiogf49gjkf0d NC Fisheries Management- Motto: Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad Slogan: Shrimp On! Mission Statement: Enable Commercial Fishing At Any and All Cost, Regardless of Impact to the Resource.
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Rick
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Posted: 05 March 2020 at 4:00pm |
March the 5th, 2020-
It's been a busy season that is winding down as trawlers move to port to get polished up for the next round.
There is one remaining trawler off Ocracoke transmitting a received AIS signal. She's a long way from home.
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fiogf49gjkf0d NC Fisheries Management- Motto: Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad Slogan: Shrimp On! Mission Statement: Enable Commercial Fishing At Any and All Cost, Regardless of Impact to the Resource.
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TomM
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Posted: 20 March 2020 at 4:13pm |
When do they start back
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Rick
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Posted: 24 March 2020 at 9:37pm |
TomM wrote:
When do they start back |
Country Girl who was off Ocracoke on March 5th is now off St. Augustine-
There are few other trawlers working south of Country Girl off Daytona tonight.
The Cooke boats started searching in late March of last year off Ocracoke. The Potter and Fulcher boats worked off Georgia in March/April and moved up the coast with the fleet in tow.
By the first full week in July they'll be in the Pamlico where they will stay until November unless a hurricane or heavy rain pushes them out. Then they hit the ocean.
It looks like shrimp landings for 2019 are going to come in at about 9.6-million pounds to slightly more.
 One of the battle cries from the commercials has always been that- "We can't make a living in the ocean- we have to shrimp inside."
You can see above that the 2019 ocean landings now exceed the "old" average combined landings of about 6-million pounds annually- four from inside and two from outside.
The other notable trend is that inside trips, vessels and participants have dropped dramatically while ocean trips, vessels and participants have remained fairly constant...
while pounds landed have increased. Those dramatic drops represent the exit of the small mom-n-pop operations from the fishery. The fishery is now dominated by large ocean going vessels that can fish both in the Pamlico Sound and the ocean.
It is important to understand that many participants, dealers and vessels are counted in both Estuarine and Ocean data.
For example, in 2019 there are 341 estuarine vessels and 226 ocean vessel. I'd guess that most of those 226 ocean vessels are included in the 341 estuarine vessels. The total number of vessels in the fishery is not 226+341=567, but closer to the 341.
DMF has intentionally misled the NC Legislature, ASMFC, NOAA, SAMFC and the public for years stating that "trawl effort is down 50% to 75%" with the implied correlation being that bycatch is down an equal amount due to "reduced effort".
DMF conveniently measures "effort"
by trips, not gear size and time trawled.
Those mom-n-pop small wooden trawlers pulling 50-ft of net making a day trip have been replaced by behemoth ocean going trawlers pulling 220-ft of net leaving the dock on Sunday and returning on Friday.
A trip does
not equal a trip.
Bycatch is a function of Catch. Catch= landings + non-targeted bycatch + regulatory discards.
Shrimp landings are not down 50% to 75%, they are up as much as 200% in recent years.
The majority of the increased landing are coming from the ocean. It is time to close the Pamlico Sound to these highly destructive mega-sized industrial trawlers.
As Ray Brown has pleaded for way too long- Let's adopt Louisiana trawl rules in NC.
...push the big industrial boats to the ocean and let the small mom-n-pop trawlers have the rivers and sounds. 
Edited by Rick - 24 March 2020 at 9:44pm
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fiogf49gjkf0d NC Fisheries Management- Motto: Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad Slogan: Shrimp On! Mission Statement: Enable Commercial Fishing At Any and All Cost, Regardless of Impact to the Resource.
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Rick
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Posted: 20 July 2020 at 8:58am |
I passed the Capt Phillips yesterday as she was heading for the Pamlico Sound
Looks like the season is underway.
Edited by Rick - 20 July 2020 at 12:51pm
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fiogf49gjkf0d NC Fisheries Management- Motto: Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad Slogan: Shrimp On! Mission Statement: Enable Commercial Fishing At Any and All Cost, Regardless of Impact to the Resource.
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TomM
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Posted: 20 July 2020 at 10:43pm |
Need a drone
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chasintrout
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Posted: 20 July 2020 at 11:18pm |
Tell me how many boats u see now in the pamlico?
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Rick
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Posted: 21 July 2020 at 9:17am |
chasintrout wrote:
Tell me how many boats u see now in the pamlico? |
Very few. Black gill disease hurt the browns last year and it looks like it affected this year's spawn. It's going to be a slow season in the Pamlico, which is good for spot, croaker, weakfish and blue crab.
With the abundance of white shrimp in the ocean, it looks like the industry doesn't need to trawl in our important nursery areas to "make a living".
Edited by Rick - 21 July 2020 at 9:32am
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fiogf49gjkf0d NC Fisheries Management- Motto: Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad Slogan: Shrimp On! Mission Statement: Enable Commercial Fishing At Any and All Cost, Regardless of Impact to the Resource.
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