North Carolina Shrimpers Protest Bill to Ban Trawling

In North Carolina, shrimpers are taking a stand against legislation that threatens their livelihoods as a bill aimed at banning commercial shrimp trawling progresses through the state government. The proposed legislation has sparked widespread concern amongst the shrimping community, who argue that it could devastate their industry.

Legislative Background

The North Carolina state Senate recently passed House Bill 442 with a significant majority, voting 39-2 in favor of the ban. This bill would prohibit the use of trawl nets for catching shrimp in inshore waters and within a half-mile of the Atlantic Ocean shoreline.

The bill has undergone notable changes from its original intention, which focused on regulating flounder and red snapper harvesting. As a result, it will require another vote in the House of Representatives, which had initially approved the original bill on June 19.

Protest at the Capitol

On June 24, hundreds of protestors, primarily members of the shrimping industry, gathered at the state capitol in Raleigh. They voiced their concerns during a Senate meeting addressing a related piece of legislation, House Bill 441. This bill, now referred to as the “Shrimp Trawling Transition Program/Fees,” aims to provide temporary financial assistance to commercial fishing license holders impacted by the looming ban.

Many shrimpers expressed gratitude for the proposed aid but remain opposed to the sweeping restrictions on trawling, a crucial method for their shrimp harvesting. “I’m sure a little aid in that area would be beneficial to the fishermen because it is a pretty hefty blow,” said Lambert Long, a fisherman from Motts Channel Seafood. “All that gear, equipment, boats, that stuff with a closure like that, you know, that’s a lot of investment to just try to shut down suddenly.”

Support for the Ban

Advocates for the ban, including the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, argue that it could aid in the restoration of the state’s shrimp fishery, which has faced significant declines in recent years. They assert that reducing the impacts of shrimp trawling will help protect the habitats that juvenile fish rely on and reduce bycatch.

According to the Commission, “There is no magic bullet that will restore depleted fisheries overnight, but limiting bycatch of those fish will make a difference.”

Rising Tensions

The discussion surrounding these bills has become increasingly confrontational. In a troubling turn of events, a protestor named Anthony Wayne Street was arrested on June 20, charged with communicating threats against lawmakers who support the ban. Street allegedly made threatening posts on Facebook, referencing recent violent incidents involving Minnesota lawmakers.

He appeared in court on June 23, where a judge set his bond at $25,000. The rising tensions reflect not only the stakes involved in the shrimping debate but also the emotional strain felt by those whose livelihoods are at risk.

Conclusion

As the legislative process unfolds, the future of the shrimping industry in North Carolina hangs in the balance. Shrimpers are uniting, voicing their concerns, and pushing back against potential policies that could change the landscape of their profession forever.