The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding individuals interested in leasing public coastal waters to cultivate shellfish that the 2026 Shellfish Lease & Aquaculture Program application period closes Aug. 1, 2026.
The NC Division of Marine Fisheries has asked to withdraw the Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application for Red Snapper that would have allowed a 62-day recreational season from July 1 through Aug. 31. Until further notice, it remains unlawful to possess Red Snapper taken from North Carolina waters or from federal waters.
The Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee to the NC Marine Fisheries Commission will meet Thursday, June 25 at the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office, 5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City.
The Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee to the NC Marine Fisheries Commission will meet Thursday, June 25 at the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office, 5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City.
Fifteen lucky anglers won $100 each in a yearly drawing held by the NC Division of Marine Fisheries’ Multi-Species Tagging Program
Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee Meeting
June 25, 2026 at 6 p.m.Watch the Meeting on YouTubeN.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
Central District Office
Eleven new and amended Marine Fisheries Commission rules are now in effect, including rules pertaining to False Albacore management, pot marking requirements, shellfish leases and franchises and various permits.
The 2026 recreational flounder season will open Sept. 1-14 in Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters of the state.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified a new state record for the Graysby Grouper (Cephalopholis cruentata).
The N.C. Artificial Reef Program this month completed two major reef enhancements at offshore reefs off Cape Hatteras and off Ocracoke.
