Information on Eastern Oyster Amendment 5 and Hard Clam Amendment 3
Draft Eastern Oyster FMP Amendment 5
Draft Hard Clam FMP Amendment 3
Reviews of the Eastern Oyster and Hard Clam FMPs are underway. Previous plans focused on managing wild harvest and addressing shellfish aquaculture. With changes in shellfish leases, aquaculture, and franchises being addressed by the Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture program, the amendments under development focus only on wild harvest. Additionally, stock assessments have not been completed for these species due to data limitations. At its March 2025 meeting, the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission selected their preferred management options for both plans.
For oyster questions, contact Joe Facendola or Bennett Pardis.
For clam questions, contact Jeffrey Dobbs or Lorena de la Garza.
The Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting public comment on the draft Eastern Oyster Fishery Management Plan Amendment 5 and draft Hard Clam Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3.
Comments may be given in writing and at any of four advisory committee meetings scheduled for January:
| Northern Regional Advisory Committee Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. Dare County Administration Building Room 168 954 Marshall Collins Drive Manteo, NC 27954 | Southern Regional Advisory Committee Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office 5285 Highway 70 West Morehead City, NC 28557 |
| Shellfish/Crustacean Advisory Committee Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. Department of Environmental Quality Washington Regional Office 943 Washington Square Mall Washington, NC 27889 | Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office 5285 Highway 70 West Morehead City, NC 28557 |
Written comments may be submitted through an online form or through mail to Draft Oyster/Clam FMP Amendments Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. Comments must be received by the Division of Marine Fisheries by 5 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2025.
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries held the Oyster and Hard Clam Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee Workshop July 15-17, 2024. Workshop-style meetings allow scientists, managers, and stakeholders on the committee to address questions, comments, and concerns more effectively and in a less formal setting. The workshop was open to the public.
The Division of Marine Fisheries is developing Amendment 5 to the N.C. Oyster Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and Amendment 3 to the N.C. Hard Clam FMP. The division held a public scoping period in September of 2023 to solicit input on potential management strategies for the amendments and discuss stakeholder priorities.
A scoping document outlining potential management strategies can be found below. Stock assessments are not available for these species due to data limitations. Eastern Oyster Amendment 5 will potentially explore different management for intertidal and subtidal oyster reefs. Hard Clam Amendment 3 will potentially explore management for mechanical harvest and maintenance dredging. A joint management strategy looks to fill the recreational effort and catch data gap for both shellfish species.