The Marine Fisheries Commission voted down last week shrimp management plan recommendations that faced opposition from commercial shrimpers, consumers and officials.
fisheries
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.
Striped mullet stock assessment peer review workshop set
The Division of Marine Fisheries is welcoming the public to listen in by phone or online to a peer review workshop webinar for striped mullet stock assessment Nov. 8-10.
Tagging study yields new understanding of sheepshead
Lewis Naisbett-Jones, a doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, is doing research that may help state fisheries officials better understand how vulnerable the species could become to overfishing.
Commercial Fishing Resource Funding Committees to meet
N.C.’s Marine Fisheries Commission Commercial Resource and Commercial Fishing Resource Fund committees are expecting an update on the Division of Marine Fisheries’ satellite flounder tagging project.
Rules revision may streamline process for shellfish leasing
Proposed changes to rules covering state management of shellfish areas and water column leases could improve clarity and efficiency and are steps in the right direction, says the North Carolina Shellfish Growers Association president.
Council seeks applicants for fishery advisory panels
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is looking to fill open seats on various advisory panels and find candidates to serve as representatives on its System Management Plan Workgroup.
Feds close Atlantic mackerel season because of overfishing
NOAA Fisheries has prohibited vessels from fishing for or landing more than 5,000 pounds of Atlantic mackerel per trip in or from federal waters through Dec. 31.
NOAA Fisheries is celebrating National Seafood Month
The National Marine Fisheries Service is celebrating National Seafood Month to recognize the U.S.’s role as a global leader in sustainable seafood for both wild-caught and farmed species.
Nature Notes: Northern puffers are one hoot of a blowfish
Their defensive strategy can be amusing to watch and their powerful teeth can crush almost any kind of shellfish — northern puffers are a strange but familiar sight in North Carolina waters.
Officials remind aquaculture operators that permits required
The Division of Marine Fisheries warns that conducting aquaculture operations without the proper permits can result in a citation and officials could shut down the aquaculture operation.
