Newly amended rules pertaining to coastal recreational water quality monitoring to protect the public health of swimmers go into effect today.
The rules, readopted by the Marine Fisheries Commission in November 2020 under a state-mandated periodic review schedule, include changes to 15A NCAC 18A .3400. Rules .3401, .3402, .3403, and .3405:
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission voted today to amend the previously adopted sector allocations for Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan to gradually equalize allocations between the commercial and recreational fisheries.
New recreational bag limits for spot and Atlantic croaker will take effect April 15, and commercial spot and Atlantic croaker seasons will close beginning in December.
The main phone number for the Elizabeth City office of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has changed.
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet by web conference on March 31 beginning at 1 p.m.
Changes to two marine fisheries rules are now in effect. One of the rules pertains to tarpon and the other to the transfer of Standard and Retired Standard Commercial Fishing Licenses.
Marine Fisheries Commission rule 15A NCAC 03M .0509, as now amended, prohibits the possession of tarpon and makes it illegal to gaff, spear, or puncture tarpon by any method other than hook and line.
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting scheduled for this afternoon has been postponed.
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet by web conference on March 18 beginning at 1 p.m.
The public may listen to the meeting by phone or listen and view presentations online.
For the link and phone number to join the meeting go to the Marine Fisheries Commission March 2021 Meeting webpage.
Members of the public may submit written comments to the commission in two ways:
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing by web conference on proposed shellfish leases in Dare County at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 13.
The 2021 recreational flounder season will open Aug. 16 and close Sept. 30 for internal and ocean waters of the state, as prescribed by Amendment 2 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan. Amendment 3 is currently underway and could impact the open season.