Mandatory Harvest Reporting
The North Carolina General Assembly passed Session Law 2023-137 in the fall of 2023. Section 6 of this legislation requires that any person who recreationally harvests Red Drum, Flounder, Spotted Seatrout (speckled trout), Striped Bass and Weakfish (gray trout) must report that harvest to the NC Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF). Additionally, it requires anyone holding a commercial fishing license who is engaged in a commercial fishing operation to report all fish harvested to DMF, regardless of sale.
The mandatory harvest reporting requirement applies to Coastal Fishing Waters, Joint Fishing Waters and Inland Fishing Waters adjacent to Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters. Fishermen will be required, starting December 1, 2024, to report their harvest.
DMF staff, in collaboration with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC), are developing processes and reporting methods that will be used to meet this mandate. The reporting system will be funded through a one-time, $5 million allocation to DMF in SL 2023-134.
DMF and WRC are preparing temporary rules to implement the mandatory reporting law. After Marine Fisheries Commission and Wildlife Resources Commission review, there will be a public comment period and a public hearing for the proposed temporary rules.
The rules will be enforced by DMF’s Marine Patrol and the WRC’s Law Enforcement Division. Enforcement will be phased in over a period of three years.
Phase 1: Effective December 1, 2024, and includes a verbal warning for failure to report harvest.
Phase 2: Starting December 1, 2025, warning tickets will be issued.
Phase 3: Starting December 1, 2026, an infraction with a $35 fine. These infractions count towards suspension of fishing licenses and permits.
Check back here for updates.