The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries plans to hold a scoping period for the fishery in October on red drum, also known as puppy drum, redfish, bull drum, channel bass, or the state’s official state saltwater fish.
The monthlong scoping period is to give fishermen and other stakeholders an opportunity to share ideas on potential management strategies for the scheduled comprehensive review of the North Carolina Red Drum Fishery Management Plan.
Supporter Spotlight
The division is statutorily required at least every five years to conduct a comprehensive review of each state fishery management plan and scoping is the first stage of that process.
More information, including a scoping document with background information and links to the virtual meeting registration and public comment forms, will be made available closer to the opening of the scoping period, officials said.
Beginning Oct. 1, the public may provide input in writing or at any of the scheduled scoping meetings, including on Oct. 13 at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington; Oct. 15 at N.C. State University’s McKimmon Conference Center in Raleigh; Oct. 20 at Craven Community College in New Bern; and Oct. 22 at the College of the Albemarle in Manteo. There will be a virtual option for the Raleigh meeting. All meetings are 6-8 p.m.
Division staff have not developed management options for the red drum management plan but are to consider the input gathered during this time to determine if management changes are needed. If changes are identified, the division will draft an amendment to the plan. If no changes are, the division may develop an information update to maintain current management.
The North Carolina red drum fishery management plan must comply with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s red drum plan.
Supporter Spotlight
The Division of Marine Fisheries acts as staff to Marine Fisheries Commission and carries out the rules and regulations they establish.
