Commercial Fishing Resource Fund

The Commercial Fishing Resource Fund receives money from an increase in commercial fishing license fees that took effect in 2015. The fund pays for observer coverage to fulfill the state’s obligations under incidental take permits for sea turtles and Atlantic sturgeon under the federal Endangered Species Act. Any additional money left in the fund is to be used for projects to develop and support sustainable commercial fishing in the state.

Spending for these projects must be approved by the Commercial Fishing Resource Funding Committee, which is made up of six commercial fishing representatives, and the Marine Fisheries Commission Commercial Fishing Resource Fund Committee, comprised of members of the commission holding the three commercial fishing seats. View the following links to learn more.

N.C. Commercial Fishing Resource Fund

Strategic Plan for the North Carolina Commercial Fishing Resource Fund

Administrative Procedures for Funding from the North Carolina Commercial Fishing Resource Fund

For more information, please contact William.Brantley@ncdenr.gov or call 252-808-8015.