The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries says the recreational black sea bass fishing season will open May 15 in both state and federal waters north of Cape Hatteras.
fisheries
Grants for sustainable commercial fishing projects available
Projects include fish stock research and surveys, public outreach and activities that protect, manage, conserve, enhance and map critical aquatic habitats that support fish, crustaceans, and shellfish.
Division of Marine Fisheries director visits Cape Point
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Director Kathy Rawls made her way to Cape Point in Buxton Wednesday to chat with fishers about red drum and address any concerns or questions.
Weakfish prolific spawners in North Carolina waters
It’s estimated that weakfish can spawn as many as 66 times per season, which is longer in North Carolina than in areas to the north.
Atlantic menhaden a small fish with an outsized role to play
It’s a popular baitfish and its commercial uses date back centuries, but Atlantic menhaden also serve important ecosystem needs.
Film looks at water quality’s impact on state fisheries
The documentary film “Tidal Alert: The State of Water Quality and its Impacts on Coastal Fisheries” is set for release March 22.
Lionfish an example of needed invasive species awareness
This week is National Invasive Species Awareness Week, and the red lionfish has gained increasing attention since the nonnative predator first began to appear in waters off the NC coast about 20 years ago.
DMF to dole out $7.5M in Hurricane Florence relief
Funds are available through the Division of Marine Fisheries for seafood dealers and processors, ocean fishing piers, for-hire fishing operations, and bait and tackle shops affected by Hurricane Florence.
Commission delays southern flounder allocation changes
Officials said the delay was proposed to allow time for the fishery to stabilize before additional management changes are implemented.
Commercial fishing resource funding committees to meet
The Marine Fisheries Commission Commercial Resource Fund Committee and the funding committee for the North Carolina Commercial Fishing Resource Fund will meet March 3 via web conference.
Discarded concrete pipes get new life under the sea
NCDOT and the Division of Marine Fisheries are working together to repurpose damaged and discarded precast concrete pipe to augment existing artificial reefs.
Todd Spangler of Merritt catches NC record speckled trout
The previous record was caught off Wrightsville Beach in 1961.
First female DMF director to speak during history program
The Windsor native is the guest speaker March 16 for the Museum of the Albemarle’s History for Lunch program.
Commission to review Southern flounder management plan
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is set to discuss the draft management plan for the southern flounder fishery.
Registration open for online course on fisheries science
The six-week course begins Feb. 22 and runs weekly on Tuesday nights through March 29.
NOAA seeks input on possible sea turtle bycatch measures
NOAA Fisheries is holding virtual webinars on sea turtle bycatch measures being considered for the Atlantic croaker, longfin squid, and summer flounder fisheries.
