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

Scheduled Hearings

HearingDateTimeLocation
Craven County04/02/20256 - 7pmCraven Community College
Pender County04/15/20256 - 7pmTopsail Beach Town Hall
Onslow County04/22/20256 - 7pmHolly Ridge Community Center

 

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
Craven2024/07/24View MinutesView Comments
Dare2024/11/11View MinutesView Comments
Dare2023/04/12View MinutesView Comments
Dare2021/04/13View MinutesView Comments
Hyde2023/12/18View MinutesNo comments received
Hyde2023/03/29View MinutesNo comments received
Hyde2021/03/09View MinutesNo comments received
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 MinutesNo comments received
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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