Drift Nets' Dirty Little Secrets

The problem with drift nets is their indiscriminate killing power. While it's easy for a commercial angler to claim they only target mullet or flounder, other fish species, birds, and turtles obviously aren't privy to such information. Also, while nets are supposed to be tended by their owner to minimize unintended consequences, this doesn't always happen (sometimes it rarely happens). So what netters end up with is a whole lot of by-catch - all the creatures they don't want or cant sell as designated commercial species (including redfish). And while netters are supposed to report by-catch, there is little incentive do so, especially if they kill endangered species such as turtles or gamefish such as redfish. It is easier to simply dump the evidence and go about your business or underreport by-catch that can be sold such as redfish. Gill netters in North Carolina regularly exceed their state sanctioned quota for by-catch, which in reality is likely far higher than what actually gets reported. In 2013, netters officially exceeded their redfish by-catch quota by more than 10,000 pounds! Given the environmental impact of gill nets, they represent a sort of tyranny of the minority. In other words, a small number of netters have an inordinate impact on the environment and the ability of others, such as guides, to make a living. 

green turtle caught in drift net

Wilmington Reds

First stop Wilmington! North Carolina represents a mixed bag when it comes to redfish. On one hand North Carolina is home to a thriving sport fishing industry and culture, but on the other it is one of the last states to allow gill nets and trawling in and around its marshes. Gill netters, although small in number and economic importance, have a powerful stranglehold on North Carolina fisheries policy. Study after study shows that sport fishing generates far more income than commercial fishing, yet gill netters are still allowed in the marshes where they kill far more fish than targeted species such as mullet. The nets by-catch includes birds, endangered turtles, and yes, sport fish such as redfish,  a lot of redfish. North Carolina has the marsh habitat to become a world class redfish fly fishing destination, but nets and commercial interests continue to degrade the resource. However, even with the nets I saw plenty of reds with guide Seth Vernon and even managed to catch a few. We both wondered out loud how great the fishery would be if the gill nets were permanently removed.