Shellfish Lease Hearings

Overview

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) oversees shellfish leasing to support sustainable aquaculture while balancing public trust resource use. Shellfish lease hearings provide an opportunity for public input on proposed lease applications. The hearings ensure transparency and allow stakeholders to voice support or concerns before leases are granted.

 

Upcoming Hearings

There are no additional shellfish lease hearings scheduled for the remainder of this calendar year.

All public hearings for 2025 have concluded. The Division of Marine Fisheries thanks all stakeholders and community members who participated and contributed their feedback.

Future hearing dates will be posted here as they are announced. Please check back periodically or subscribe to our mailing list for updates.

 

Previous Hearings

Archived Hearings

Below is a list of past shellfish lease hearings and their associated materials:

CountyDateMeeting MinutesPublic Comments
Brunswick2021/05/25View MinutesView Comments
Carteret2025/03/13View MinutesView Comments
Carteret2024/07/17View MinutesView Comments
Carteret2023/12/14View MinutesView Comments
Carteret2023/05/23View MinutesView Comments
Carteret2023/02/15View MinutesView Comments
Carteret2022/02/08View MinutesView Comments
Carteret2021/03/16View MinutesView Comments
Craven2025/04/02View MinutesView Comments
Craven2024/07/24View MinutesView Comments
Dare2025/05/06View MinutesView Comments
Dare2024/11/11View MinutesView Comments
Dare2023/04/12View MinutesView Comments
Dare2021/04/13View MinutesView Comments
Hyde2025/04/29View MinutesView Comments
Hyde2023/12/18View MinutesView Comments
Hyde2023/03/29View MinutesView Comments
Hyde2021/03/09View MinutesView Comments
Onslow2025/04/22View MinutesView Comments
Onslow2024/08/28View MinutesView Comments
Onslow2023/02/28View MinutesView Comments
Onslow2022/01/27View MinutesView Comments
Onslow2021/05/11View MinutesView Comments
New Hanover2022/01/05View MinutesView Comments
Pamlico2023/12/20View MinutesView Comments
Pamlico2023/03/02View MinutesView Comments
Pender2025/04/15View MinutesView Comments
Pender2024/01/31View MinutesView Comments
Pender2023/03/15View MinutesView Comments
Pender2022/01/13View MinutesView Comments
Pender2021/05/18View MinutesView Comments

Important Information

  • Meeting Minutes: Summary of discussions and decisions.
  • Public Comments: Feedback from the community.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a Shellfish Lease Hearing?

A shellfish lease hearing is a public meeting where stakeholders can provide input on proposed shellfish aquaculture leases before they are approved by DMF.

Who Can Participate?

Any member of the public, including residents, businesses, and environmental groups, may attend hearings and submit comments.

How Are Lease Decisions Made?

DMF reviews lease applications based on criteria such as environmental impact, waterway navigation, and public interest. Public comments are considered in the decision-making process.

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