Organizers have planned discussions on North Carolina fisheries, the value of community-based seafood businesses, seafood trends, marketing strategies, the new commercial fishing academy at Carteret Community College and consumer education.
fisheries
Wildlife officials suspend Roanoke River striped bass season
The striped bass population in the Roanoke River Management Area is not recovering, despite state-imposed harvest reductions in years past, state Wildlife Resources Commission officials say.
Commission to consider changes to some fisheries rules
At its meeting mid-March in Kitty Hawk, N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will consider next steps in the process to approve amendments for southern flounder, eastern oysters, hard clams and spotted seatrout management plans.
Public hearing slated for proposed Carteret shellfish leases
A public hearing will be held in Morehead City and via the web on several proposed bottom and water column shellfish leases in Carteret County waters.
Work in motion to expand artificial reef in lower Cape Fear
Work began this week to add 4 acres to an existing oyster and recreational fishing reef in the lower Cape Fear River near the banks of Carolina Beach State Park.
Commission proposes recreational spotted trout closure
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is proposing to temporarily close recreational harvest of spotted seatrout between May and mid-June in inland and joint waters.
Division to hold flounder advisory committee workshop
The workshop will be Monday at the Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office in Morehead City.
Division closes spotted seatrout season because of cold
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries announced Wednesday that it will close coastal and joint waters in North Carolina to both commercial and recreational spotted seatrout, or speckled trout, harvest effective 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, because of widespread cold stuns.
Agency nixes speed limits proposed to protect right whales
“Despite its best efforts, NMFS does not have sufficient time to finalize this regulation in this Administration due to the scope and volume of public comments,” NOAA said before Trump’s inauguration Monday.
Division sets training sessions for observer trip scheduling
The Division of Marine Fisheries is hosting a series of public outreach meetings to train fishermen on the Observer Trip Scheduling System for estuarine gill net permitholders in North Carolina.
Draft changes to oyster, clam rules comment period open
Comments on the proposed changes to eastern oyster and hard clam management plans are due to the Division of Marine Fisheries by Jan. 15, 2025.
Oyster farmers argue penalty too harsh for minor violations
Shellfish farmers are petitioning the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission to change the punishment for what farmers call clerical errors and minor permit violations.
Commission advances spotted seatrout plan sans closure
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission has chosen preferred management measures for speckled trout fisheries that do not include a proposed seasonal recreational closure.
Division sinks trawler at artificial reef site off Cape Lookout
The vessel joins three others at the site 28 nautical miles south of Beaufort Inlet that is popular with fishermen and divers.
State Artificial Reef Program looking for advisers, input
Regional advisers and public feedback are needed to recommend materials and reef sites for enhancements in five areas over five years.
Pender, Onslow towns seek moratorium on shellfish leases
North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach and their counties, Onslow and Pender, are asking state lawmakers to put in place a moratorium on new shellfish leases in their waterways.
