The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is hosting two public hearings this month on a proposed temporary rule amendment for sheepshead in inland and joint fishing waters of the state.
The commission is also accepting public comments on the proposed regulation, which would align with a North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries proclamation, through March 31.
Supporter Spotlight
The proposed temporary rule amendment for sheepshead calls for decreasing the daily creel limit of that species from 10 to five fish, and increasing the minimum size from 10 to 14 inches in inland and joint fishing waters (hook and line).
“The Wildlife Resources Commission initiated the temporary rulemaking process to provide regulatory consistency for sheepshead following the Marine Fisheries’ proclamation,” Inland Fisheries Division Chief Corey Oakley said in a release.
The commission continues to accept public comments on a proposed temporary rule amendment to close recreational harvesting of spotted seatrout in inland and joint fishing waters from April 6 to June 30. That proposed rule amendment aligns with DMF’s proclamation for all commercial and recreational coastal and joint fishing waters that was enacted in response to cold stun events earlier this year.
Both the sheepshead and the spotted seatrout temporary rule amendments will be discussed at an in-person public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 10 at the N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Lenoir County Center, 1791 N.C. 11, Kinston. Registration is not required for this hearing.
A virtual hearing has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on March 17 and registration is required to attend.
Supporter Spotlight
Comments on the proposed temporary rule amendment for sheepshead may be submitted online, by email to regulations@ncwildlife.gov, or by mail to Rulemaking Coordinator, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1701. Mail must be postmarked by March 31.
The public comment period for the proposed temporary rule amendment for spotted seatrout is set to close March 13.
Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the temporary rule pertaining to sheepshead during their April business meeting.
