The next meeting of the North Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, in Morehead City’s Crystal Coast Civic Center.
The press release from Dare County Tuesday announcing the meeting time and location did not include a proposed agenda but does state that the purpose of the meeting is to “discuss issues related to the fishing industry, and any other issues considered necessary and relevant.”
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Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard initiated the coalition last summer after a bill made it through the state Senate that would ban trawling in the state’s inland waters and just offshore. The House of Representatives decided not to move forward with the bill.
Woodard, after voicing his concerns to the General Assembly leadership, formed the coalition and invited elected officials and staff from Beaufort, Brunswick, Carteret, Camden, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Hertford, Hyde, Onslow, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington counties to participate.
The group first met Aug. 5, 2025, and again Sept. 16 and Nov. 5. The February meeting is the fourth total and first of the new year.
The coalition “supports our state’s commercial fishermen and fishing communities in an effort to protect their livelihoods, preserve coastal heritage, and safeguard the economic vitality of our working waterfronts. Together, we work to ensure the continued harvest of high-quality North Carolina seafood—feeding families, strengthening communities, and ensuring North Carolina Catch remains a priority for consumers to enjoy throughout our state and beyond,” according to the mission statement on Dare County’s website.
Related coverage:
Supporter Spotlight
- Fledgling commercial fisheries group looks to boost industry Aug. 7, 2025.
- Seafood coalition proposes moving Fisheries to Agriculture Sept. 24, 2025.
- Update: Blue crab harvest vote removed from agenda Nov. 14, 2025.
