Information on Shrimp FMP Amendment 2

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission adopted the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2 during its February 2022 business meeting. The goal of Amendment 2 is to further reduce bycatch of non-target species and minimize ecosystem impacts.

Management measures include:

• Prohibit all trawling in crab spawning sanctuaries year-round.
• Prohibit trawling in Bogue Sound and the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin, except within the Intracoastal Waterway.
• Simplify the recreational creel limit for cast nets to a single, state-wide limit (48 quarts, heads on or 30 quarts, heads off).
• Change the flexible opening date in all Special Secondary Nursery Areas to a static Sept. 1, if deemed appropriate by the DMF Director.
• Continue collaboration with the industry workgroup to identify and test gear modifications to further reduce bycatch in the shrimp fishery.
• Provide for adaptive management for future action to address issues related to submerged aquatic vegetation identified through Division collaboration with the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan support staff, the Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee, and stakeholder groups.
• Maintain existing headrope limits for shrimp trawls in internal coastal waters but allow for adaptive management to resolve user conflicts.
• Investigate the feasibility and use of a long-term shrimp trawl observer program that encompasses all seasons, areas, and gears.

The Division is working on implementing management from the plan.

For questions, please contact Chris Stewart, Daniel Zapf, or Jason Rock.