Press Releases

Division of Marine Fisheries plans dye study training in Carolina Beach

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries, in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will conduct dye study training in the Cape Fear River, beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 18. The dye, which may cause the water to appear reddish or pinkish in a portion of the river, will be released from the Carolina Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant for a 12-hour period, beginning in the early morning.

Precautionary swimming advisory issued for an ocean-side and sound-side areas in Emerald Isle where floodwater pumping is occurring

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today advised beachgoers to be aware of the floodwaters being pumped to the ocean surf and to the sound in Emerald Isle. Surfers and swimmers should avoid these areas.

Marine Fisheries Commission advisory committees to meet in September

Three advisory committees of the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet this month to discuss adaptive management in the blue crab fishery. The meetings will be held in person and livestreamed on YouTube.

Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Steering Committee to meet

The N.C. Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Steering Committee will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, Sept. 23 at the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Washington Regional Office, 943 Washington Square Mall, Highway 17, Washington, NC 27889 and by web conference.

State officials advise against swimming in coastal waters impacted by a tropical storm in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials are advising the public to avoid swimming in North Carolina coastal waters from Mason Inlet down to Shallotte Inlet, to include Holden Beach, Long Beach, Oak Island, Caswell Beach, Bald Head Island, Kure Beach, Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach that are being heavily impacted by Tropical Cyclone 8.

Precautionary swimming advisory issued for an ocean-side site in Emerald Isle where floodwater pumping is occurring

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today advised beachgoers to be aware of the floodwaters being pumped to the ocean surf in Emerald Isle. Surfers and swimmers should avoid these sites.

Precautionary swimming advisory issued for ocean area in Oak Island where floodwater pumping has occurred

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today advised beachgoers to be aware of the floodwaters being pumped to the ocean surf in Oak Island. Surfers and swimmers should avoid these sites.

Water quality swimming advisory lifted for sound-side site in New Hanover County

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in New Hanover County.

Water quality swimming advisory lifted for sound-side site in Carteret County

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in Carteret County.

State awards more than $2.8 million to improve public beach and coastal waterfront access

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management has awarded more than $2.8 million to fourteen local governments to improve public access to coastal beaches and waters for the 2024-25 fiscal year.