Topics Related to Marine Fisheries

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.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has rescheduled the Lines of Communication meetings in North Carolina that were postponed due to inclement weather in early February.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish bottom and water column leases in Carteret County beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The hearing will be held in person at the hearing was held in person at the Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office, 5285 Hwy 70 W, Morehead City, and virtually via Webex.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish bottom and water column leases in Pamlico County beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The hearing will be held in person at the Pamlico County Courthouse, 202 Main St, Bayboro, NC 28515, and by Webex.The hearing will cover the following proposed shellfish lease applications in Onslow County: