Guest commentary: The state needs time to build out its new catch-reporting system, and while it may annoy some, the improved data will mean more fish, longer seasons.
fisheries
Commission to vote on mandatory harvest reporting rules
The Marine Fisheries Commission will meet by web conference June 6 to vote on the final adoption of temporary rules to implement mandatory harvest reporting requirements.
Commission votes on broader look at seagrass protections
The Marine Fisheries Commission voted to have the Division of Marine Fisheries take a broader look at protecting submerged aquatic vegetation.
Harvest reporting rules draw expletive-laden comments
Temporary mandatory harvest reporting rules for recreational and commercial fishers will go up for a vote next month by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission.
No 2024 recreational flounder season: Fisheries officials
The North Carolina recreational flounder season will not open for harvest this year “in order to preserve the southern flounder resource,” the Division of Marine Fisheries announced Thursday.
NC Maritime Museums have full month of programs ahead
Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras, N.C., Maritime Museum at Beaufort and the N.C. Maritime Museum at Southport have programs planned for all ages in June.
Marine Fisheries Commission set to give final OK to 20 rules
The commission, when it meets in Beaufort this month, is set to consider the remaining 20 of more than 100 rules up for readoption.
Fisheries Division seeks to delay mandatory catch reporting
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is asking the legislature for another year before making effective a controversial new catch-reporting requirement now set to go in force Dec. 1.
Anglers: Reporting law puts burden on them, unenforceable
Coastal recreational anglers are questioning the fairness and motive of a new law requiring them and commercial fishermen to report certain harvests to the state starting this year.
Hearing set on new fishing catch reporting requirement
Coastal recreational and commercial fishermen will have to report certain fish harvests under a new North Carolina law that takes effect later this year.
Division of Marine Fisheries now accepts credit cards
The division’s license offices in Morehead City, Manteo, Washington and Wilmington will accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express for in-person payments.
80 readopted marine fisheries rules effective Monday
The rules pertain to standards for commercial shellfish sanitation and processing procedures, and most of the amendments codify existing practices or regulations already implemented via proclamation.
Southport, Beaufort NC Maritime Museums ready for spring
The N.C. Maritime Museums System is beginning its April programs with a ribbon-cutting for a new exhibit on the commercial fishing history of the Cape Fear area.
Congressional staff, NOAA, DEQ officials tour projects
The North Carolina Coastal Federation was host Friday to Sens. Tillis’ and Budd’s staffs, NOAA and N.C. Department of Environmental Quality officials visiting to see progress on funded efforts.
Lost fishing gear recovery project begins in southeast NC
The project to collect lost crab pots in waters between Emerald Isle and the South Carolina border began Monday.
Dirty birds prompt worry over shellfish safety, state staffing
It’s rare for bird droppings to cause shellfish illness, but officials say there is potential, and the state Division of Marine Fisheries has fewer than 60 officers along the entire coast to do federally required inspections and check deterrent effectiveness.