The state Marine Fisheries Commission has adopted an amendment that equally splits the flounder allocation between commercial and recreational fisheries beginning this year.
Marine Fisheries Commission
Commission to vote on southern flounder harvest allocation
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is scheduled to meet in Raleigh Aug. 20-21 and is set to vote on an amendment to the southern flounder fishery that would evenly split that fishery’s allocation between commercial and recreational fishers.
Public comment period opens for proposed fisheries rules
The public has opportunity to comment on several proposed rules to permits, franchises and shellfish leases at a hearing later this month and in writing through September.
Report: State needs more fisheries scientists to meet goals
The mandated study of North Carolina’s fisheries management practices finds that the state, despite increasingly intense management measures, is failing to protect and enhance coastal fisheries, and it includes no recommendation on trawling.
Two-week recreational flounder season opens Sept. 1
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries announced Wednesday the season for recreational hook-and-line and gig flounder harvest.
Measure that would halt inshore shrimp trawling advances
A controversial bill in the North Carolina General Assembly that would ban shrimp trawling in inshore waters and offshore waters up to a half-mile gained momentum Tuesday.
Spotted seatrout harvest to reopen July 1 with new rules
Spotted seatrout season is to reopen July 1, with new measures for commercial and recreational harvest in coastal and joint waters, after a monthslong closure following widespread cold stuns.
Fisheries Commission advances flounder allocation for 2025
The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission wants to advance toward an even split between commercial and recreational southern flounder allocations this year instead of a 60/40, commercial-recreational allocation.
Commission to consider flounder management plan options
Two draft Southern Flounder Management Plan amendments at different stages of the rulemaking process are to go before the Marine Fisheries Commission at its meeting May 21-23 in Beaufort.
Agencies set to spread word on mandatory harvest reporting
Division of Marine Fisheries and Wildlife Resources Commission, the two agencies that manage state fisheries, are working to prepare recreational and commercial fishermen for the mandatory harvest reporting rules that are to go in effect Dec. 1.
Public comment opens on proposed 50/50 flounder split
Advisory committees to the Marine Fisheries Commission are hosting meetings in April as part of the public comment period on a proposal to allow more recreational access to the southern flounder fishery by balancing allocation with commercial operators.
Comment period open for state flounder management plan
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting input through March and hosting four informal, open-house-style public scoping meetings on an amendment to the state’s Southern Flounder Fisheries Management Plan.
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.
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.
Descender devices: Safely resend released fish to their depth
Bringing up a fish too quickly is rough on the fish, and if not a keeper, releasing it improperly results in barotrauma, meaning the poor thing is shark bait — that’s where descenders come in.
