Col. Chris Lee, who was formally pinned during a ceremony Tuesday, took the helm as the N.C. Marine Patrol’s top officer on Jan. 1.
fisheries
Commercial fishing fund committees to meet jointly in January
Committees that oversee funds collected from an increase in commercial fishing license fees that have been in effect since 2015 will meet jointly Jan. 14.
Mechanical oyster season extended in parts of Pamlico Sound
Beginning last Monday, the mechanical oyster harvest season is extended in portions of Pamlico Sound.
State asks public to report any cold-stunned spotted seatrout
Division of Marine Fisheries officials said that cold stuns can occur when there is a sudden drop in temperature or during prolonged periods of cold weather, making the fish so sluggish they can be harvested by hand.
Recreational bag limits for bluefish to increase Jan. 1
Bag limits for recreationally caught bluefish are increasing on Jan. 1 in North Carolina coastal fishing waters and joint fishing waters.
Recreational, commercial harvest reporting now in effect
The North Carolina General Assembly established the new rules through a 2023 law and charged the Division of Marine Fisheries with enforcing the requirements that went into effect Monday.
Fisheries to host public hearing on Carteret shellfish leases
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is holding a public hearing Monday on two proposed shellfish leases in Carteret County waters.
Update: Blue crab harvest vote removed from agenda
The Marine Fisheries Commission was expected to consider adopting more restrictions on the commercial harvest of blue crabs, a move the N.C. Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition opposes, but the item has been removed from an updated agenda.
Seafood dealers reminded to switch software by year-end
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries reminds seafood dealers that they need to switch from the PC Trip Ticket Software Program to the new VESL software by the end of the year to report their transactions with fishermen.
State to host meetings for charter, for-hire businesses
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Marine Fisheries Division is hosting three meetings to cover relevant topics such as mandatory harvest reporting.
Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition to hold third meeting
The group formed in opposition to a proposed but failed shrimp-trawling ban is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Morehead City.
New fisheries reporting rules go into effect in a month
New reporting requirements for certain species of catch will go into effect Dec. 1 for recreational and commercial fishers.
NOAA urges boaters to slow down in seasonal whale areas
Operators of vessels 65 or longer must maintain speeds of 10 knots or slower through federal seasonal management areas for North Atlantic right whales.
Estuarine striped bass management changes meeting Nov. 5
NCDEQ’s Division of Marine Fisheries and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission staff have planned an informational meeting for 6 p.m. Nov. 5 in Washington on management changes for striped bass in the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers.
Fisheries seeks comment on sheepshead management
Fisheries officials plan to implement management changes for sheepshead because of increased fishing pressure in recent years and are seeking public input on potential management strategies.
Henry Barksdale of Virginia lands state record almaco jack
Barksdale was fishing with Capt. Shaun Dunn out of Teach’s Lair Marina in Hatteras Village.
