Shellfish Lease Hearings

Overview

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) oversees shellfish leasing to support sustainable aquaculture while balancing the use of public trust resources. Shellfish lease hearings provide an opportunity for public input on proposed lease applications.

These hearings support transparent decision-making and allow stakeholders to provide input prior to lease approvals.

Current Status

There are no upcoming shellfish lease hearings scheduled at this time.

Please check this page periodically for updates, as new hearings will be posted when available.

Archived Hearings

All previous shellfish lease hearings and associated materials are listed below. Records are maintained to support transparency and public access to the decision-making process.

Available materials include:

• Meeting Minutes – Summary of proceedings and outcomes
• Public Comments – Submitted feedback from the public

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a Shellfish Lease Hearing?

A public meeting where stakeholders can provide input on proposed shellfish aquaculture leases prior to approval.

Who Can Participate?

Any member of the public may attend hearings and submit comments when hearings are scheduled.

How Are Lease Decisions Made?

DMF evaluates applications using criteria including environmental impact, navigation, and public interest. Public input is incorporated into the review process.