Press Releases

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will collect flounder carcasses from recreational fishermen during the 2025 season, held Sept. 1-14. The carcasses will be used for research purposes.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries today announced the 2025 commercial flounder season opening dates for Internal Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission increased this year’s flounder allocation for the recreational fishery at its business meeting this week, adopting Amendment 4 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet Aug 20-21 at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills, 3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, N.C. 27609. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on YouTube.

Looking for the latest scientific information on your favorite coastal fish? The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has released its annual Fishery Management Plan Update.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Board will meet by conference call at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 22. The board will consider license applications that are deemed complete and submitted by Sept. 24.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is accepting public comment on nine proposed rules pertaining to permits, and franchises and shellfish leases.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries recently established new a state record for the rarely encountered and deep-dwelling Channel Scabbardfish (Evoxymetopon taeniatus) and a Spinycheek Scorpionfish (Neomerinthe hemingwayi).

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries today announced that the 2025 recreational flounder season will open in Coastal and Joint waters of the state Sept. 1 at 12:01 a.m. and close Sept. 14 at 11:59 p.m.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Division of Marine Fisheries recently established a new state record for Bulleye (Cookeolus japonicus).

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will collect Red Snapper carcasses from recreational fishermen during the 2025 mini-season, held July 11-12. The carcasses will be used for research purposes.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified a new state record for Almaco Jack (Seriola rivoliana).

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries recently established a new state record for the Mutton Snapper (Lutjanus analis).

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a meeting of the Shellfish Cultivation Lease Review Committee at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the Division’s Central District Office, 5285 U.S. 70 West, Morehead City.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has opened the 2025 application period for the state’s shellfish lease and aquaculture program. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 1 from individuals, businesses, and partnerships interested in leasing public coastal waters to farm oysters or clams.