Topics Related to Marine Fisheries

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish bottom and water column leases in Hyde County at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The hearing will be held in person at the Hyde County Courthouse, 40 Oyster Creek Road, Swan Quarter, N.C. 27885 and via Webex.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has opened the 2026 application period for the state’s Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program. Individuals interested in leasing public coastal waters to cultivate shellfish may submit applications through Aug. 1, 2026.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has updated freezer sites for collecting Gulf Flounder carcasses from recreational fishermen during the 2026 spring season, held March 9-22 in ocean waters from Portsmouth Island to the South Carolina line. The carcasses will be used for research purposes.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will collect Gulf Flounder carcasses from recreational fishermen during the 2026 spring season, held March 9-22 in ocean waters from Portsmouth Island to the South Carolina line. The carcasses will be used for research purposes.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding fishermen that Sheepshead regulations will change for both recreational and commercial fisheries beginning March 1. The Division is implementing changes because of increases in sheepshead harvest, particularly juvenile fish, in recent years.

The Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee will meet at 6 p.m. on March 18 to discuss the 2026 Amendment to the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan.

The Shellfish/Crustacean Advisory committee will meet on March 17 to discuss upcoming fishery management plans. 

The Finfish Advisory committee will meet on March 12, 2026 to discuss upcoming fishery management plans.

The Northern Regional Advisory committee will meet on March 10, 2026

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission took a step toward state management of Atlantic Bonito, including a five-fish recreational bag limit in draft rule language. The vote occurred at the Commission’s quarterly business meeting this week.