The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting public comment until Jan. 14 on Draft Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan.
fisheries
State reminds public of blue crab harvest closures
Annual blue crab harvest closures will take place early next year in North Carolina waters to help end overfishing.
Winds, temperatures can affect varying red drum numbers
A new UNCW study looks at how wind, water temperature and food source can affect juvenile red drum in nearshore areas.
Fisheries officials ask public to report cold-stunned trout
Though no cold-stun events have happened so far this season, the Division of Marine Fisheries is asking the public to keep an eye out for cold-stunned spotted seatrout.
What do anglers really want for Christmas this year?
Capt. Gordon Churchill, Coastal Review’s new fishing columnist and longtime guide on the North Carolina coast, shares his list of responses to that familiar question this time of year.
Marine Fisheries creates, certifies new red hind state record
Matthew Parr of Wilmington caught the record-setting 7-pound, 1.6-ounce red hind Oct. 1 off Cape Lookout.
Hearing on 3 Pender shellfish lease proposals Jan. 13
The state Division of Marine Fisheries has scheduled a public hearing by web conference on proposed shellfish leases in Pender County.
What’s on the line? Spotted seatrout, aka ‘speckled trout’
Spotted seatrout, commonly known as speckled trout, can be found in coastal and estuarine waters from Massachusetts along the U.S. Atlantic Coast to as far south as the Yucatan Peninsula.
Commercial spot, croaker closures to begin next month
Commercial season closures for spot are Dec. 10 through April 4, 2022, and for croaker Dec. 16-31.
Commission votes down shrimp plan recommendations
The Marine Fisheries Commission voted down last week shrimp management plan recommendations that faced opposition from commercial shrimpers, consumers and officials.
New Hanover County shellfish lease hearing Jan. 5
Kimberly Watters and Stephen Boyette have applied for a roughly half-acre bottom lease.
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan 2021 amendment approved
The Coastal Habitat Protection Plan’s 2021 amendment to the 2016 plan has been unanimously approved by the Coastal Resources, Environmental Management and Marine Fisheries commissions.
CRC OKs Coastal Habitat Protection Plan amendment
The Coastal Resources Commission was the first vote of the three commissions needed to approve the 2021 amendment.
Recognition of migratory fish’s value predates colonization
Migratory fish have long played a significant role in the recreational and commercial fisheries that contribute to the economy of North Carolina and their value was recognized long before European settlement, but overfishing has taken a toll in more recent times.
Lifetime Sportsman license fee lowered for older residents
Residents aged 50-69 can now purchase at half price a Lifetime Sportsman license and a Lifetime Unified Sportsman license.
Fisheries Commission to vote on Habitat Protection Plan
The Marine Fisheries Commission is set to consider the draft amendment to the state Coastal Habitat Protection Plan when the board meets this month in Emerald Isle.
