The incidental take permit application and conservation plan was submitted to address sturgeon and sea turtle interactions in the state’s estuarine anchored gill-net fishery.
fisheries
Abundant elsewhere, NC’s blue crab population dwindles
The state’s commercial harvests of blue crabs topped 67 million pounds in the mid ’90s, but there’s been a generally steady decline ever since, and while overfished, that’s not the only reason.
Comment deadline Oct. 2 on proposed fisheries rule changes
A public hearing is set for Aug. 16 in Morehead City for the 103 proposed rule changes to be considered by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission for oyster sanctuaries, the shellfish lease program, and commercial shellfish sanitation.
State releases annual fishery management plan review
The state has released its fishery management plan review with 2022 updates on the 13 N.C.-managed fishery plans.
NC river toxins threaten subsistence fishing, tribal practices
An advisory alerting people to PFAS contamination in certain fish species that inhabit the middle and lower Cape Fear River basin brings more bad news for people living in the region.
Professional know-how a fisheries biologist’s fishing secret
A quarter-century career as a state fisheries biologist may give Chris Batsavage an edge on the water, but his personal database may be his most powerful advantage.
Hunt club challenges recently approved shellfish lease
The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission’s Shellfish Cultivation Lease Review Committee meets Tuesday to consider the club’s petition.
State seeks requests for US boating infrastructure grants
The 2024 request for proposals is for a grant program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that reimburses up to 75% of costs for projects to build, renovate or maintain tie-up facilities and related amenities for recreational transient vessels that are at least 26 feet long.
Shellfish lease application period ends Aug. 1
Applications for 2023 must be either postmarked or dropped off at the Division of Marine Fisheries Headquarters Office in Morehead City by the deadline.
NC sets recreational flounder season for Sept. 15-29
Provisions for both the recreational hook-and-line and gig fisheries include a limit of one fish per person, per day, and a 15-inch total length minimum size.
Commission committees to review Fisheries Reform Act
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission has scheduled an in-person workshop for its five advisory committees July 10 in the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.
Evan Kekahuna, 3, wins lifetime NC fishing license in raffle
His name was drawn from 53 entrants in the Bicentennial Jamboree passport raffle Saturday at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ office in Morehead City after he qualified by completing tasks and receiving passport stamps at exhibits.
NC joins pact to cover offshore wind-related fisheries losses
The East Coast Fisheries Mitigation Project seeks to improve upon what had been a project-by-project, state-by-state approach to address fishing industries’ concerns over offshore wind development.
Commission acts to reduce striped mullet harvest by 20%
The Marine Fisheries Commission approved supplemental management measures to address overfishing of striped mullet in state waters.
New striped bass slot limit takes effect June 1
Beginning June 1, fishers will be allowed to possess one striped bass per person per day that is at minimum 28 inches and not greater than 31 inches total length.
Commission to vote on rule change to help protect shellfish
During the meeting May 24-26 in Beaufort, N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission members are scheduled to vote on a rule change to help protect shellfish and amendments to striped mullet and spotted seatrout management plans.
