Save the dates for scoping period for Red Drum Fishery Management Plan review

Red Drum is North Carolina’s official state saltwater fish, and a popular one at that. Those who fish for Red Drum, also known as puppy drum, redfish, bull drum and channel bass, should save the dates for an upcoming scoping period, which includes four public meetings. 

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) will hold a scoping period Oct. 1-30, to provide fishermen and other stakeholders an opportunity to share ideas on potential management strategies for the scheduled comprehensive review of the N.C. Red Drum Fishery Management Plan (FMP). 

DMF is statutorily required to conduct a comprehensive review of each state fishery management plan at least every five years. Scoping is the first stage of this review process to gather information from stakeholders. DMF has not developed management options for the Red Drum FMP and will consider input gathered during the scoping period to determine if management changes should be considered. If changes are identified, the DMF will draft an Amendment to the FMP. If no changes are identified, the DMF may develop an information update to maintain current management.

The most recent Red Drum stock assessment, approved for management in October 2024 by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), found that the Northern stock (North Carolina to New Jersey) is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. Overfished means the population is too small; overfishing means the removal rate is too high. However, the stock assessment noted concern about increased fishing mortality rates in the final year of the assessment (2021), likely driven by increased harvest in Viriginia and Maryland.

Based on the stock assessment, the ASMFC developed and approved Addendum II to Amendment 2 to the Interstate FMP for Red Drum in October 2025. Addendum II standardized recreational regulations in Virginia and Maryland but did not require North Carolina to modify its existing management measures.

Beginning Oct. 1, the public may provide input in writing or at any of the scheduled scoping meetings. More information — including a scoping document with background information and links to the virtual meeting registration and public comment forms — will be made available closer to the opening of the scoping period.
 

For questions about Red Drum biology, life history and management please contact: