Recreational anglers who donate their red snapper fish carcass and complete the required catch-card will receive an inverted hook-descending device, and be entered into a drawing to win one of three SeaQualizer descending devices.
News Briefs
Spotted seatrout harvest season now open
New rules have been implemented for the spotted seatrout harvest season, which opened earlier this week in inland and joint fishing waters.
Volunteers needed to help clean up Radio Island Monday
Carteret County’s Litter Free Land and Sea needs volunteers Monday morning to help clean up Radio Island after the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Shrimp fry to honor local, western NC first responders
The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center on Harkers Island is giving special recognition during its annual Fourth of July shrimp fry Saturday to the Crystal Coast Water Rescue Team that helped during Helene response in late 2024 and the Black Mountain Fire Department.
Woodard pens letter to Senate leader on roots of ‘Shrimpgate’
Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard sent a letter June 30 to Senate Leader Phil Berger expressing “deep concern” about the last-minute changes to the two House bills that resulted in last week’s “Shrimpgate” protests.
State wildlife officers to increase presence on waterways
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission law enforcement officers will increase their presence on North Carolina waters through the July 4 holiday weekend.
State, law enforcement officials urge holiday weekend safety
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office urge visitors of Masonboro Island Reserve to use caution and be respectful this coming holiday weekend.
Fireworks displays July 2 in Ocracoke, July 4 at Avon pier
Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials encourage the public to attend the two permitted fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day and note that it is illegal to detonate or possess fireworks on all seashore beaches.
Brunswick burn ban to go into effect Monday
Brunswick County is implementing a burn ban starting at 5 p.m. Monday due to continuing hot temperatures.
Shifting sands
A wall of sandbags extends along the roadside far into the distance aside N.C. Highway 12 on the north end of Ocracoke Island. This is where washouts and erosion from storm surge repeatedly chew away at the barrier island beach and roadway, part of the normal ocean dynamics that humans often try to control. Photo: Dylan Ray
House Republicans decline to take up shrimp trawling bill
The North Carolina Senate’s proposed ban on shrimp trawling in inland and nearby offshore waters is off the table, for now.
State wildlife agency seeks conservation steward nominations
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is accepting nominations for the annual Thomas L. Quay Award through Friday.
UNCW road project adds permeable materials to reduce runoff
Work has begun at the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus to upfit an existing service road as part of a federally supported plan to protect nearby creeks and streams.
‘Shrimp Day’ in Raleigh to protest proposed trawling ban
N.C. Catch, N.C. Watermen United, Carteret County Fisherman’s Association, Ocracoke Seafood Co. and Carteret Catch are calling for supporters to “Save NC Shrimp: Shrimp Day at the Legislature” starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Raleigh.
All North Carolina counties drought free for first time in months
North Carolina’s 100 counties are free from drought for the first time since Oct. 15, 2024.
Senate kicks shrimp trawl ban bill back to House for vote
Despite public outcry against the move, the Senate has voted in favor of the shrimp trawling ban in inshore waters and within a half-mile of the shoreline that was tacked onto a bill earlier this week to open up recreational harvest for flounder and red snapper.
