Untended net kills red drum

One of the major problems for sportfish in North Carolina waters continues to be untended nets.

During certain times of the year, home-owners at coastal creeks sometimes cant leave their docks because their access to main bodies of water is blocked by gill nets.

Recently a Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina member who was fishing for drum encountered a gill net registered to J.P. Darna in Pierce Creek, a tributary of the Neuse River. The net hadnt been attended for days.

The CCA member counted more than 25 red drum decaying in the net while many more other species struggled to escape.

From the net location, within one hour of a complaint to the Division of Marine Fisheries, a marine officer called the complainant and said he would contact the net owner and, after serving him with papers, get him to remove the net within 24 hours.

Failing that, the officer said he would return the next day, remove the net and track down the owner.

The complainant said he was pleased that DMF enforcement responded immediately.

For the latest in outdoor features, news and columns, subscribe to North Carolina Sportsman magazine by calling (800) 538-4355 or visiting www.northcarolinasportsman.com.

###

This story may be printed for free in any print or on-line publication. The tagline must appear at the end of the story whenprinted. A picture to accompany this story is attached.