Boating Uses, Economic Significance, and Information Inventory for North Carolina's Offshore Area, 'The Point'. Volume I: Characterization of Recreational and Commercial Fisheries

摘要

North of Cape Hatteras, approximately 30 miles east of the town of Salvo, exists a steeply sloping bathymetric feature known as 'The Point.' In this area, the southward flowing coldwater Labrador Current meets the northward flowing, warmwater Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream, one of the largest and most powerful ocean currents, originates in the Gulf of Mexico and generally tracks the 100 fathom (183 m) curve along the east coast of the United States until it reaches the Cape Hatteras area off North Carolina, where it begins a northeastward flow across the Atlantic Ocean. Although the Gulf Stream meanders unpredictably, this northeastward bend generally occurs in the vicinity of 'The Point.' The purpose of this study was to determine the geographic extent of the area known as 'The Point;' to identify and characterize the primary users of 'The Point,' and to determine the extent of, and seasonality of their use. A four pronged approach was chosen to accomplish this task. First, the likely users of the area were determined by contacting resource agencies and fishers who were known to use the area extensively. Recreational and commercial fishers were identified as the primary user groups. Second, a directed survey was designed to define the area and estimate the use and seasonality of use by commercial fishers and charter boat captains. Thirdly, data from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Marine Recreational Fishing Statistics Survey (MRFSS) were obtained to augment the charter boat survey and to characterize the use by private boaters. And fourth, data from the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries' Trip Ticket Program (TTP) were obtained to augment the survey of commercial fishers.