No Reply Allowed (Closed)
From: Lead Slinger
Date: 8/13/2019
Time: 12:09:15 PM
While TR is correct in regards to jumping mullet (i.e. striped mullet, listed in HB 483), finger mullet are a different species (silver or white mullet). Difficult to differentiate, but they are not affected by HB483.
From what I have been reading, the main pressure on striped mullet is for their roe (which is popular in Asia). Harvesting of roe seems to be particularly depressing for fish stocks (regardless of species).
Striped mullet reach sexual maturity at age 3, and average lifespan is about 5 years (estimated 7 years max for males, 8 years for females). Average length at sexual maturity is around 8". Adults grow to a length of 9 to 19.5".
From NCDENR.ORG website:
"No one may possess aboard a vessel or while engaged in fishing any fish subject to limits without head and tail attached, except for mullet when used for bait and hickory shad when used for bait provided not more than two fish per boat/operation may be cut at any one time – Reference 15A NCAC 3M .0101"
Most of the mullet we get for bait is probably about 12" to 15" long. We don't fish from a boat, and I'm not sure what the definition of an "operation" is - but each group working out of a bait cooler usually cuts up a mullet and uses it until finished, and then cuts up another whole fish.
So I don't really see a major problem with mullet used as bait (but I could be wrong). But if this bill goes into effect, I would recommend everyone become an expert on fish identification (particularly with mullets and flounder).