Press Releases

A recreational spring season for ocellated flounder (Gulf and summer flounder) in the Atlantic Ocean will not occur in 2023

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.

N.C. Sedimentation Control Commission to meet Feb. 21

The N.C. Sedimentation Control Commission will meet in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury St. in Raleigh, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m., and the public may join in person, by webinar or by phone.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Marine Fisheries Commission to meet Feb. 22-24 in New Bern

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.

Division of Water Infrastructure Announces Spring 2023 Funding Application Training at Five Sites Statewide

The Division of Water Infrastructure in the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality will hold training for completing and submitting water and wastewater funding and stormwater planning grant applications for the Spring 2023 funding round at five locations across the state. Application training will be offered from February 28 through March 9 at Hendersonville, Hickory, Raleigh, Pembroke and Williamston.

State certifies Common Thresher as new state record

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

Public Comment Period Begins on Draft of Pregis PolyMask Air Quality Permit

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is seeking public comment on a draft air quality permit for Pregis PolyMask, Inc., a protective tape manufacturing facility in Catawba County.

State certifies 50th North Carolina Clean Marina

The N.C. Division of Coastal Management has certified its 50th North Carolina Clean Marina. Clean Marina is a designation given to marinas that exceed minimum regulatory requirements. Point Marina/Marine Craft in Pamlico County received certification in January and became the 50th marina to join the program.

MEDIA ADVISORY: State Water Infrastructure Authority to meet Feb. 21 in Raleigh and by Teleconference

The State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 9:00 a.m. at the Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center in Raleigh. The public may listen to the meeting online or by phone.

Reminder: Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board to meet February 9

The Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board will hold its quarterly business meeting in-person on February 9 at

MEDIA ADVISORY: Public hearing scheduled for proposed Pender County shellfish leases

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.