Press Releases

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries today announced that the 2023 recreational flounder season will open at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 15 and close at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 29.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified a new state record Blueline Tilefish, also called Gray Tilefish (Caulolatilus microps).

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will host an in-person workshop for its five advisory committees on July 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is launching a new license and vessel registration system July 1. As part of the transition to the new system, hunting and fishing licenses — including Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses — and vessel registrations will be unavailable for purchase from 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 27 to 8 a.m. Saturday, July 1.

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in Dare County.

A fun day led to a big win for one Carteret County youngster who attended Saturday’s Bicentennial Jamboree at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ office in Morehead City.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR) has issued National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit #NC0090000 to Colonial Pipeline Company (Colonial Pipeline) for remediation of a major petroleum spill near Huntersville, Mecklenburg County.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources is investigating a discharge event related to foam substance reported in Lincoln and Gaston County waterways on June 6-7. The source of the discharge has been identified by DWR as untreated animal waste from Gar-Mac Dairy of Crouse in Lincoln County (AWC550002) as the result of a broken hydrant in their irrigation system.

An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Dare County, where state recreational water quality officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

A lifetime of fishing awaits one lucky youth who attends the upcoming N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Bicentennial Jamboree. Neuse Sport Shop has volunteered to sponsor a Jamboree Passport raffle, and the prize is a Lifetime Coastal Recreational Fishing License!