Press Releases

2022 Recreational Flounder season announced for Sept. 1-30

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries today announced that the 2022 recreational flounder season will open at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and close at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30.

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

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

State certifies first state record Graysby Grouper

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified the first state record Graysby Grouper (Cephalopholis cruentata).

Public hearing scheduled July 21 on wind energy facility application in Chowan County

The Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) will hold a public hearing on July 21, 2022, on an application by Timbermill Wind, LLC, to construct a 189-megawatt wind energy facility in Chowan County.

Various readopted marine fisheries rules take effect today

Thirty-seven readopted fisheries rules become effective today, but most fishermen will see very little change.

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

An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in New Hanover 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.

REMINDER: State Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Plan to Administer American Rescue Plan Act’s Funding for Stormwater Projects

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting comments until June 3, 2022 on the proposed plan to administer approximately $100.5 million in federal funds appropriated in the state budget for stormwater projects.

Division of Marine Fisheries reminds fishermen to promptly complete license/permit renewals

The Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding fishermen to complete and return their commercial and for-hire license and permit renewals for fiscal year 2023 without delay.

Marine Fisheries Commission adopts preferred management for estuarine striped bass; gives final approval to southern flounder plan amendment

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission voted to approve the Division of Marine Fisheries’ recommendations for Amendment 2 to the Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan as its preferred management options. Final action on the amendment is scheduled for August.

Public Hearings Scheduled for Chemours Draft Permit to Address Groundwater Contamination

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) will hold public hearings on June 21 and 23 to accept comments on the draft discharge permit for a proposed groundwater treatment system at the Chemours Fayetteville Works facility that would substantially reduce the PFAS entering the Cape Fear River via contaminated groundwater. Chemours is required to remove at least 99% of PFAS from the contaminated groundwater before discharge. Currently, contaminated groundwater flowing into the river is not intercepted or treated.