DMF’s 2025 Fishery Management Plan Review offers a quick guide of scientific and management information for managed coastal species in the state.
fisheries
EMC committee to hear draft habitat protection plan status
The Environmental Management Commission’s water quality committee is to hear the status of the 2026 draft update to the state’s long-term plan to protect and preserve habitats that support coastal fisheries.
Brock Davenport of Beaufort lands state record jolthead porgy
The Division of Marine Fisheries announced Thursday that Brock Davenport of Beaufort is the new state recordholder for his recent catch jolthead porgy.
Recreational fishermen reminded to report flounder harvest
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries officials are reminding recreational flounder anglers that they must report their harvest this year.
Fisheries ruling sets up likely yearslong state response
Now that a judge has ruled that the state has failed to rebuild and maintain healthy fish stocks and protect key habitats as required by law, fisheries officials must turn to the remedy phase, which is unclear at best.
State record cubera snapper boated off Cape Hatteras
The 85-pound fish measured just over 56 inches total length and had a girth of 40 inches, officials said.
Report blue land crab sightings to help biologists understand breadth
If you spot the non-native species, which looks like enormous fiddler crabs, snap a photo and report the date and location to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.
Anglers asked to donate flounder carcasses for research
Flounder carcasses donated to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries during the 2026 recreational flounder season will be used for research to help inform future stock assessments.
Amid moratorium hits, misses, shellfish growers seek leases
Latest in our series: As tensions grow among various users of public trust waters over site selection for North Carolina’s growing shellfish mariculture industry, new lease applications filed with the state would cover a combined 55 acres of bottom and water columns in six counties.
Kingfishes management plan scoping period to open Sept. 1
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is opening a 30-day scoping period beginning Sept. 1 to gather input on potential management strategies and discuss priorities for the kingfishes fishery management plan
Panel to update CRC on hardened structures report revisions
The Coastal Resources Commission and the science panel that advises the commission are scheduled to meet in Manteo Aug. 26-27 to discuss, among other topics, the draft report on coastal hardened erosion-control structures.
Marine Fisheries Commission to meet in Raleigh Aug. 19-20
The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission is expected to hear the draft update to the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan during its meeting this month.
NOAA seeks input on potential commercial aquaculture areas
NOAA is seeking public input through Sept. 14 on where the agency should consider future aquaculture opportunity areas in U.S. waters.
John Theodorakis lands state record yellowfin grouper
The 45-pound, 9.6-ounce fish caught July 2 about 45 miles offshore of Carolina Beach broke a 2009 record.
Proposed Atlantic bonito bag limit comment period to open
A proposed rule to set a recreational bag limit for Atlantic bonito will go out for public comment beginning Monday.
Standard commercial fishing license applications due Sept. 21
The eligibility board is to meet Oct. 14 to that consider standard commercial fishing license applications deemed complete and submitted by the Sept. 21 deadline to the Division of Marine Fisheries.
