The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission is expected to hear the draft update to the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan during its meeting this month.
Marine Fisheries Commission
Proposed Atlantic bonito bag limit comment period to open
A proposed rule to set a recreational bag limit for Atlantic bonito will go out for public comment beginning Monday.
Standard commercial fishing license applications due Sept. 21
The eligibility board is to meet Oct. 14 to that consider standard commercial fishing license applications deemed complete and submitted by the Sept. 21 deadline to the Division of Marine Fisheries.
Work begins for periodic update of state coastal habitat plan
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality staff are to present outlines for the new issue papers for the 2026 update to the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan, the state’s long-term strategy to protect coastal habitat, a necessity for a sustainable seafood industry.
Fishing guides cast concerns over shellfish lease proliferation
Special report: The state’s rapid growth of shellfish leases, especially water column leases where gear must float, has not only led to viewshed complaints from waterfront property owners but also frustration among fishing guides over the operations’ effects on access.
Former Sea Grant Director BJ Copeland leaves coastal legacy
Dr. B.J. Copeland, 89, who died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, influenced coastal science and management in the state for decades.
Commercial fishing fund committees to meet jointly in January
Committees that oversee funds collected from an increase in commercial fishing license fees that have been in effect since 2015 will meet jointly Jan. 14.
Update: Blue crab harvest vote removed from agenda
The Marine Fisheries Commission was expected to consider adopting more restrictions on the commercial harvest of blue crabs, a move the N.C. Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition opposes, but the item has been removed from an updated agenda.
Estuarine striped bass management changes meeting Nov. 5
NCDEQ’s Division of Marine Fisheries and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission staff have planned an informational meeting for 6 p.m. Nov. 5 in Washington on management changes for striped bass in the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers.
Committee to select candidates for Mid-Atlantic council
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Nominating Committee is set to pick candidates for the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council on Oct. 20.
Seafood coalition proposes moving Fisheries to Agriculture
The new North Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition’s held its second meeting last week, during which it laid out priorities that include transferring the Division of Marine Fisheries from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
State fisheries now accepting applications for committees
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is accepting applications through Oct. 24 for its various committees.
Flounder allocation increased for recreational fishers
The state Marine Fisheries Commission has adopted an amendment that equally splits the flounder allocation between commercial and recreational fisheries beginning this year.
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.
