Public hearing scheduled for proposed shellfish leases in Onslow County

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, on proposed shellfish leases in Onslow County. The hearing will be held at the Holly Ridge Community Center, 404 Sound Road, Holly Ridge, N.C. 28445, and by Webex. The hearing will address the following applications:

• GOH2, LLC (Claressa Grant) has applied for a 4.32-acre shellfish bottom lease in Alligator Bay (No. 25-024BL).
• White Oak Oyster Company, LLC (Benjamin Davey) has applied for a 1.82-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in Bogue Inlet (Nos. 26-001BL and 26-002WC).
• White Oak Oyster Company, LLC (Benjamin Davey) has applied for a 1.00-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in Bogue Inlet (Nos. 26-003BL and 26-004WC).
• Permuda Island Oyster Company, LLC (Michael Davanzo) has applied for a 4.26-acre shellfish water column lease in Permuda Island Bay (No. 26-028WC).
• Caccavale Fisheries, LLC (Vincent Caccavale) has applied for a 3.37-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in Bogue Inlet (Nos. 26-031BL and 26-032WC).

Signs at the corners of each proposed lease area will identify the proposed shellfish lease and its number.

To comment through Webex, register by 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, using the Onslow County speaker registration form. In-person speakers must sign up at the hearing location between 5-6 p.m. Nov. 17. Registration is not required to listen online. The Webex link, telephone access instructions, presentation and biological investigation reports will be posted as available on the Onslow County hearing webpage.

The Division will also accept sworn written comments for up to 24 hours after the hearing concludes. Comments may be submitted by either method:

1. Online: Complete the Onslow County hearing comment form.
2. Mail: NC. Division of Marine Fisheries, Shellfish Lease & Aquaculture Program, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

Questions may be directed to the Shellfish Lease & Aquaculture Program at 252-515-5480 or SLAP@deq.nc.gov.

AT-A-GLANCE

WHO:          NCDEQ Division of Marine Fisheries

WHAT:         Public hearing on proposed shellfish leases in Onslow County

WHEN:        Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, at 6 p.m.

WHERE:      Holly Ridge Community Center 404 Sound Rd. Holly Ridge, N.C. 28445

ONLINE:     Hearing information and Webex access