Information on Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2
Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2
Frequently Asked Questions about Striped Mullet Management
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission adopted the Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2 during its May 2024 business meeting. The goal of Amendment 2 is to manage the striped mullet fishery to achieve a self-sustaining population that provides sustainable harvest using science-based decision-making processes.
Management measures for the commercial fishery include:
- 11:59 p.m. Friday to 12:01 a.m. Monday closure from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30.
- 11:59 p.m. Friday to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday closure from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.
- Manage the stop net fishery with the same measures as the rest of the striped mullet fishery.
Management measures for the recreational fishery include:
- Recreational individual bag limit of 100 fish.
- Recreational vessel limit of 400 fish.
- An exception for For-hire Vessel Operations to possess a bag limit for the number of anglers fishing up to the 400-fish maximum (including in advance of a trip).
For questions, contact Jacqui Degan, Jacqui.Degan@deq.nc.gov, or Willow Patten, Willow.Patten@deq.nc.gov.
DMF Listening Sessions are opportunities for engagement between the public and DMF staff on Fishery Management Plans that have been approved for public review by the Marine Fisheries Commission. The Listening Session begins with a presentation of the issues by DMF staff and is followed by a question and answer period.
The striped mullet listening session was held on December 19, 2023.
The 2022 stock assessment for striped mullet determined the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. A 33% reduction in total removals is needed to end the overfishing within two years. A 20-33% reduction in total removals is needed to rebuild the female spawning stock biomass to sustainable levels and end the overfished status within 10 years.
2022 Stock Assessment of Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus) in North Carolina Waters