The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission during its February meeting is scheduled to vote on a preferred management option and proposed rulemaking language for the Atlantic bonito.
The meeting is taking place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, and at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on YouTube.
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The Division of Marine Fisheries, under the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, acts as staff for and carries out the policies established by the commission.
In response to a request by the Marine Fisheries Commission, the division will present proposed options for management of Atlantic bonito.
The selection of a preferred management option and associated proposed rulemaking language would lead to completion of a fiscal analysis by the division so the formal rulemaking process can begin at the commission’s May 2026 business meeting.
The public comment period will be announced by a news release.
The commission is also expected to vote on an initial determination of rules and public notice for the state-mandated periodic review and expiration of existing rules. If approved, a public comment period for the rules and determinations would be held from March 2 to May 1, according to the division.
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The commission is to hear the following information items:
- North Carolina’s application for a red snapper exempted fishing permit pilot project, which will allow the state to test a phone application to collect catch data to monitor a recreational red snapper season this year.
- Spotted seatrout cold-stun closures that occurred in 2025 and early 2026.
- Upcoming fishery management plans and the implementation of recently adopted plans.
- Mandatory harvest reporting.
A full agenda and meeting materials, as well as link to the YouTube livestream, are posted on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage.
To speak during the in-person public comment sessions at 6 p.m. Feb. 18 and 9 a.m. Feb. 19, sign up at the hotel before the public comment sessions. Bring at least 12 copies if planning to give commissioners handouts.
The public may also submit written comments using the online form on the Marine Fisheries Commission meetings webpage; by mail to Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557: or dropped off at the Division of Marine Fisheries’ Morehead City Headquarters Office at 3441 Arendell St.
The deadline to submit written comments for this meeting is 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16.
