Shellfish farmers are petitioning the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission to change the punishment for what farmers call clerical errors and minor permit violations.
aquaculture
Online survey to help guide coastal management strategies
North Carolina Division of Coastal Management officials are in the process of determining priority areas for the 2026-2030 cycle of the Section 309 Assessment and Strategy, and are asking for public input.
Pender, Onslow towns seek moratorium on shellfish leases
North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach and their counties, Onslow and Pender, are asking state lawmakers to put in place a moratorium on new shellfish leases in their waterways.
UNCW Blue Economy Index rises 3.07% during August
The University of North Carolina Wilmington Blue Economy Index, a measure of economic activities in the oceans, slightly underperformed its closest benchmarks.
Hearing Aug. 28 on six proposed Onslow shellfish leases
The Division of Marine Fisheries is holding the hearing that begins at 6 p.m. in the Holly Ridge Community Room.
NOAA recommends Jacksonville, Cape Fear project funding
The two eastern North Carolina projects are among the 32 recommended to receive federal money to restore habitat and build resilience.
Public hearing on Adams Creek shellfish leases set for July
The public hearing on the two proposed leases for Adams Creek is set for 6 p.m. July 24 in Havelock.
Hearing set on 2 proposed shellfish leases in Carteret
The hearing July 17 is on applications by Cedar Island Oyster Co. LLC for water column leases in Cedar Island Bay and east North Bay.
Dirty birds prompt worry over shellfish safety, state staffing
It’s rare for bird droppings to cause shellfish illness, but officials say there is potential, and the state Division of Marine Fisheries has fewer than 60 officers along the entire coast to do federally required inspections and check deterrent effectiveness.
Opponents say Pender shellfish leases will crowd waters
Speakers at the public hearing said they support Topsail Island-area shellfish farming, but more leases will infringe upon popular fishing spots, impede boat and kayak access, and the floating equipment used will detract from the view from waterfront properties.
Sea Grant funding available for aquaculture projects, programs
Projects that focus on the following aquaculture categories and organisms in both marine and freshwater are eligible for this competition and include microalgae and macroalgae, or seaweed, mollusks, crustaceans, ornamentals, baitfish, finfish species for food production, and miscellaneous invertebrates.
Comment deadline Oct. 2 on proposed fisheries rule changes
A public hearing is set for Aug. 16 in Morehead City for the 103 proposed rule changes to be considered by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission for oyster sanctuaries, the shellfish lease program, and commercial shellfish sanitation.
Hearing March 29 on 4 proposed shellfish leases in Hyde
The public can attend the 6 p.m. meeting in-person at the Hyde County Government Center in Swan Quarter or online.
College aquaculture lab turns nursery as octopus eggs hatch
The aquaculture program at Carteret Community College recently welcomed tens of thousands of tiny, wiggly bundles of joy, an unusual success — so far.
Comment period opens for draft National Seafood Strategy
A 30-day period for public review and comment opened Tuesday for the plan to increase seafood consumption and support and make the industry more resilient.
CRC to discuss shellfish farmers’ floating structures rules
The Coastal Resources Commission meets Nov. 17 in Beaufort.
