Save the dates for Division of Marine Fisheries scoping period for Kingfishes (sea mullet) Fishery Management Plan review

Do you love to catch a sea mullet and fry it up for supper? Maybe you catch them to make a living? Either way, you may want to save the dates to participate in the upcoming scoping period for Kingfishes.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) will hold a scoping period from Sept. 1 to 30, to provide fishermen and other stakeholders an opportunity to share ideas on potential management strategies and to discuss priorities for the scheduled 5-year review of the N.C. Kingfishes Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Two scoping meetings will be held Sept. 3 and Sept. 17.

There are three species of Kingfishes, commonly called sea mullet or whiting, found in North Carolina waters: Southern, Gulf and Northern. All three species are managed collectively under the Kingfishes FMP.

DMF will consider input gathered during the scoping period to determine if management changes should be considered. If changes are identified, the division will draft an Amendment to the FMP. If no changes are identified, the division may develop an information update that maintains current management.

Beginning Sept. 1, the public may provide input in writing or at either of the two meetings. More information — including a scoping document with background information, links to the livestream and public comment forms — will be made available closer to the opening of the scoping period.