Onslow County Shellfish Lease Hearing - February 12, 2026

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries held a public hearing on proposed shellfish bottom and water column leases in Onslow County on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the Holly Ridge Community Center, 404 Sound Rd, Holly Ridge, North Carolina 28445. The hearing concerned the proposed shellfish lease applications listed below.
 

Shellfish Lease Applications Reviewed at the Hearing

1. 25-001BL
   Shellfish Bottom
   4.78 acres
   New River below NC 172 bridge
   Applicant: Old Baldy Aquaculture, LLC (Matthew T. Miller)
    
2. 25-002BL
   Shellfish Bottom
   1.19 acres
   Stones Bay
   Applicant: Old Baldy Aquaculture, LLC (Matthew T. Miller)
    
3. 25-003BL / 25-004WC
   Shellfish Bottom and Water Column
   0.76 acres
   Seaside Areas
   Applicant: Alonzo L. Davis III
    
4. 25-015BL / 25-016WC
   Shellfish Bottom and Water Column
   4.77 acres
   Stones Bay
   Applicant: Stump Sound Oyster Company, LLC (Shawn P. Burns)
    
5. 25-017BL
   Shellfish Bottom
   0.87 acres
   Alligator Bay
   Applicant: Anthony A. Grant
    
6. 25-020BL / 25-021WC
   Shellfish Bottom and Water Column
   0.58 acres
   Seaside Areas
   Applicant: Alonzo L. Davis III
    
7. 25-026BL / 25-027WC
   Shellfish Bottom and Water Column
   3.73 acres
   Ellis Cove
   Applicant: Joshua A. Thompson
    
8. 25-028WC
   Shellfish Water Column
   3.65 acres
   New River below NC 172 bridge
   Applicant: Joshua A. Thompson
    
9. 25-029WC
   Shellfish Water Colum
   4.24 acres
   Stones Bay
   Applicant: Joshua A. Thompson

The proposed lease areas can be identified by lease numbers at each corner of the proposed shellfish lease footprints.
 

Public Comment

Public comments on these proposed shellfish leases were accepted at the hearing and through the comment methods described in the original notice. The public participation windows associated with this hearing have ended.

Read Submitted Public Comments
 

Meeting Materials

Biological Investigation Reports

• View 25-001BL Biological Investigation Report
• View 25-002BL Biological Investigation Report
• View 25-003BL / 25-004WC Biological Investigation Report
• View 25-015BL / 25-016WC Biological Investigation Report
• View 25-017BL Biological Investigation Report
• View 25-020BL / 25-021WC Biological Investigation Report
• View 25-026BL / 25-027WC Biological Investigation Report
• View 25-028WC Biological Investigation Report
• View 25-029WC Biological Investigation Report

Presentation

View Onslow County Shellfish Lease Hearing Presentation

Minutes

Read Onslow County Shellfish Lease Hearing Meeting Minutes
 

Contact Information

Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program

Phone: (252) 515-5600
Email: SLAP@deq.nc.gov

Media Inquiries

Patricia Smith, Public Information Officer
Phone: (252) 515-5500