Press Releases

Sixty-nine Marine Fisheries Commission rules go into effect today, including rules pertaining to marking requirements for commercial pots and trotlines; license and permit suspensions and revocations; shellfish and crustacea management and processing; recordkeeping requirements and tournament licenses; and importation permits. The rules were amended and/or readopted under a state mandated periodic review schedule.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish leases in Dare County at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 12. The hearing will be held in-person at the Dare County Government Center, Commissioner Boardroom, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo and by WebEx.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries announced today that the spring 2023 recreational striped bass season in the Albemarle Sound Management Area will close at 11:59 P.M., Sunday Mar. 12, 2023. Preliminary estimates of recreational striped bass harvest indicate the spring harvest allocation for these waters has been met.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission took a stand with its fellow state environmental commissions for improved water quality in North Carolina.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is conducting a survey of for-hire operators that work in coastal waters of the state.

The Division of Marine Fisheries is developing Amendment 1 to the N.C. Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish leases in Hyde County at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 29.

A recreational spring season for ocellated (Gulf and summer) flounder will not occur in 2023, as preliminary data from the 2022 recreational flounder season (Sept. 1-30, 2022) indicates that removals of southern flounder exceeded the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) by 25,000 pounds.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in-person Feb. 22-24 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New Bern Riverfront, 100 Middle St., New Bern. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified a new state record Common Thresher (Alopias vulpinus).

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish leases in Pender County at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 15. The hearing will be held in-person at Topsail Beach Town Hall, 820 S. Anderson Blvd., Topsail Beach, and by WebEx.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Commercial Resource Fund Committee and the Funding Committee for the N.C. Commercial Fishing Resource Fund will meet jointly by web conference on March 1 at 6 p.m.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish leases in Onslow County at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28. The hearing will be held in-person at the Town of Holly Ridge Community Room, 404 Sound Road, Holly Ridge, and by WebEx.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold an in-person public hearing on a proposed shellfish lease in Pamlico County at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2 at the Pamlico County Courthouse, Commissioner’s Room, 202 Main Street, Bayboro.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is inviting the public to follow the Division of Marine Fisheries’ new accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.