Topics Related to Marine Fisheries

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 held a public hearing on a proposed shellfish bottom and water column lease in Carteret County on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office, 5285 Hwy 70 W, Morehead City, NC 28557.

This hearing was held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries held a public hearing on a proposed shellfish bottom and water column lease in Pamlico County on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Pamlico County Courthouse, 202 Main St, Bayboro, NC 28515. The hearing concerned the proposed shellfish lease application listed below. 

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries held a public hearing on proposed shellfish bottom and water column leases in Hyde County on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Hyde County Courthouse, 40 Oyster Creek Rd, Swan Quarter, NC 27885.