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.
fisheries
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.
Extensive study aims to help state better manage fisheries
Researchers from multiple universities are working under the North Carolina Collaboratory umbrella to develop recommendations to improve state management of species like oysters.
Commercial fishing boards to get update on PR campaign
The informal presentation for fisheries funding committees is an update on a public relations campaign for the Always NC Fresh awareness program.
Southern flounder research focus of March symposium
The Division of Marine Fisheries staff invites stakeholders to a daylong symposium to talk about ongoing state research of southern flounder.
Opponents say Pender shellfish leases will crowd waters
Speakers at the public hearing said they support Topsail Island-area shellfish farming, but more leases will infringe upon popular fishing spots, impede boat and kayak access, and the floating equipment used will detract from the view from waterfront properties.
Fisheries division sets symposium on southern flounder
The Division of Marine Fisheries has scheduled for March 20 in New Bern a daylong symposium on the troubled southern flounder fishery.
Agencies acknowledge confusion fisheries conflict creates
Officials agree that the public is caught in the middle of inconsistent state fisheries regulations enacted by the state Wildlife Resources Commission and Marine Fisheries Commission for inland and coastal waters, respectively.
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan steering committee to meet
The public can listen to the meeting by computer or at a listening station in the North Carolina Department of North Carolina Environmental Quality’s Wilmington Regional Office.
Fisheries advisory committees scheduled to meet in January
North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission committees will meet in January to discuss various fisheries topics including striped mullet and eastern oyster management plans, and seagrass protection.
Fisheries ask public to report any cold-stunned seatrout
Though no cold-stun events have been reported so far this season, officials say conditions in the coming weeks could affect spotted seatrout in coastal rivers and creeks.
Division to accept comments on striped mullet fishery
The public has until Jan. 17 to comment on the Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan Draft Amendment 2 that contains a suite of proposed management options pertaining to the commercial and recreational fisheries.
Sea Grant funding available for aquaculture projects, programs
Projects that focus on the following aquaculture categories and organisms in both marine and freshwater are eligible for this competition and include microalgae and macroalgae, or seaweed, mollusks, crustaceans, ornamentals, baitfish, finfish species for food production, and miscellaneous invertebrates.
DEQ plans to use federal funds to expand coastal programs
Two divisions under DEQ have been been awarded funds for coastal community resilience, install living shorelines and low-impact stormwater retrofits.
Agencies’ joint rules conflict set ‘stage for a showdown’
The conflict between the Marine Fisheries Commission and Wildlife Resources Commission appears to have begun when the two state agencies decided to work together in 2018 on delineating jointly managed waters.
