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Marine Fisheries Commission: Pamlico Sound research survey suspended after vessel found unsound; staff weighs alternatives as blue crab indicators decline
Summary
The commission heard that the RV Carolina Coast was found structurally unsound and the long-running Pamlico Sound survey has been suspended while staff explore alternative vessels and methods. Division scientists warned that multiple independent and dependent datasets show declining blue crab recruits and spawners and said management options will be discussed in November.
The Marine Fisheries Commission was told the Pamlico Sound long-term research survey has been suspended after staff found the research vessel used for the survey structurally unsound.
"The boat that we have is disabled, not structurally sound due to a lot of rotting and leaking that we just recently found out during a haul out," Kathy, director of the Division of Marine Fisheries, told commissioners. Division staff are testing alternative tow methods and consulting regional stock assessment scientists to identify possible replacements or interim approaches.
Why it matters: The Pamlico Sound survey (program 195) and other long-running fishery-independent and -dependent datasets feed stock assessments and management decisions for species including blue crab. Robert Corbett, a blue crab lead at the division, said those datasets continue to show worrying, long-term declines in recruits and spawners and that the suspension of the Pamlico Sound sampling creates a gap in a key index used for assessments.
Corbett summarized the current picture: "The division remains concerned about the blue crab stock. The stock indicators in our independent and dependent sampling programs continue to show concerning negative trends," and staff said they will present adaptive management options in November that may include limits on trawling during biologically important periods, season closures or bushel limits to protect mature females.
Scientists explained the tradeoffs of alternatives. Jackie Deegan, a marine biologist who briefed the commission on sampling methods, said fishery-independent surveys use standardized stations and gears to reduce bias and are therefore essential to tracking trends over time. "Fishery independent surveys can be critical to determining how factors other than fishing impact the stock," she said, noting that independent surveys and well‑designed dependent sampling together inform stock assessments.
Commissioners and staff discussed possible stopgap measures — chartering vessels, conducting experimental tows with smaller boats, or re-prioritizing other internal surveys — but noted costs and the time needed to rebuild comparable baselines. Kathy said staff have cost and repair estimates for the research vessel and are talking with regional partners about priorities.
Next steps: Division staff will report back with an assessment of options and the consequences for stock assessments and fishery management in time for the commission's November meeting, when updated adaptive management recommendations for blue crab are scheduled for consideration.
