Archived FMP Annual Updates

For stock status information prior to 2018, email the Fisheries Management Section Chief, Steve Poland, at Steve.Poland@ncdenr.gov.

Tab/Accordion Items

July 2022, based on 2021 Data
Species	Comments
Bay Scallop	Bay scallops are a short-lived species that are managed as an annual crop. They are sensitive to environmental change and may experience high levels of predation, which can impact annual abundance. As a result, a stock assessment is not an effective tool for management. The August 2020 Bay Scallop Fishery Management Plan update was approved as an information update to the Bay Scallop Fishery Management Plan. For more information, contact Jeff Dobbs at Jeffrey.Dobbs@ncdenr.gov.
Blue Crab	Results of the 2018 benchmark stock assessment indicate the blue crab stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. The assessment passed peer review and the model was accepted for use in management. Amendment 3 to the Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan was approved in February 2020 to address the overfished status and end overfishing. For more information, contact Daniel Zapf at Daniel.Zapf@ncdenr.gov.
Eastern Oyster	A stock assessment could not be conducted due to limited data; therefore, population size and the rate of removals from the population are not known. Commercial landings from public bottom have been variable, and landings from private bottom in the past few years have increased significantly due to more interest in aquaculture. Work is underway with N.C. State University and the Nature Conservancy to develop methodologies to determine survey methodologies. Amendment 4 to the Oyster Fishery Management Plan was approved in February 2017. For more information, contact Joe Facendola at Joe.Facendola@ncdenr.gov.
Estuarine Striped Bass Albemarle Sound/ Roanoke River Management Area	Results from the 2020 assessment indicate the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River (A-R) striped bass stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. Amendment 2 was developed by the Division of Marine Fisheries and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to address the overfished status and end overfishing. The Marine Fisheries Commission adopted Amendment 2 in November 2022. For more information, contact Nathaniel Hancock at Nathaniel.Hancock@ncdenr.gov or see the Amendment 2 information page.
Estuarine Striped Bass Central/Southern Management Area	The Central Southern Management Area (CSMA) stocks include the Tar-Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers. A traditional stock assessment cannot be conducted due to limited data; therefore, stock status is unknown. Matrix model results indicate CSMA populations are depressed to an extent that sustainability is unlikely at any level of fishing mortality and a tagging model showed consistent decline in abundance estimates for striped bass in the Cape Fear River from 2012–2018. Based on genetic analysis, a high percentage of the fish in these systems are hatchery reared (stocked) with limited natural recruitment occurring. Amendment 2 to the Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan maintains the harvest moratorium. For more information, contact Todd Mathes at Todd.Mathes@ncdenr.gov or see the Amendment 2 information page.
Hard Clam	A stock assessment cannot be conducted due to limited data; therefore, population size and the rate of removals from the population are unknown. Harvest fluctuates, often in response to changes in demand, improved harvesting methods, and increases in polluted shellfish area closures. Amendment 2 to the Hard Clam Fishery Management Plan was approved in February 2017. For more information, contact Jeff Dobbs at Jeffrey.Dobbs@ncdenr.gov.
Kingfishes	A stock assessment is not available due to lack of migration data, so an annual trend analysis with management triggers is used to monitor the stock. Due to impacts from Covid, a complete trend analysis is unavailable in 2021 or 2020. However, since two triggers must be activated for two consecutive years and only one management trigger was activated in 2019, no action is required. For more information, contact Kevin Brown at Kevin.H.Brown@ncdenr.gov.
Red Drum	The regional benchmark stock assessment (North Carolina and all states north), conducted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in 2017, indicates that overfishing is not occurring and that management targets continue to be met. The size of the fish stock (overfished status), however, continues to be unknown due to limited data available for the adult population. A new benchmark stock assessment is scheduled for completion in 2024. For more information, contact Lee Paramore at Lee.Paramore@ncdenr.gov.
River Herring (Closed to fishing)	An Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Atlantic coastwide stock assessment update for river herring was completed in August 2017, with data through 2015. The North Carolina portion of the assessment includes the Albemarle Sound blueback herring stock only. River herring in other parts of the state are currently listed as unknown due to the lack of data. The stock assessment update indicated the North Carolina Albemarle Sound stock was not experiencing overfishing, but remains overfished. The factors leading to this status remain largely unchanged since the 2012 stock assessment. The spawning stock biomass remains at 12% of the amount necessary to replace itself in the complete absence of fishing. For more information, contact Holly White at Holly.White@ncdenr.gov.
Sheepshead	No stock assessment is currently available for sheepshead. Landings trends and other biological data prompted the Marine Fisheries Commission to implement harvest restrictions in June 2015. The division continues to monitor landings and collect data on the stock. In 2021, the commercial and recreational landings increased compared to 2020. Commercial landings were below the 10-year average, while the recreational landings were above. For more information, contact Anne Markwith at Anne.Markwith@ncdenr.gov.
Shrimp	The stock is considered an annual crop that consists of three species of shrimp (brown, pink, white). Population size is determined mainly by the number of shrimp entering the population each year, which is driven by environmental conditions. A stock assessment is not an effective tool for management, but annual landings are a good indication of relative abundance. Amendment 2 was adopted in February 2022 and focuses on further reducing bycatch of non-target species and minimizing habitat impacts in the shrimp trawl fishery. For more information, contact Chris Stewart at Chris.Stewart@ncdenr.gov.
Southern Flounder	The 2019 stock assessment of southern flounder in the south Atlantic indicated that the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. This assessment passed peer review and the model was accepted for management use. Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan was adopted in May 2022, maintaining reductions in total removals in North Carolina of 72%. Management is being implemented through proclamation. These changes include reducing the recreational bag limit to 1 fish, developing a quota for the commercial and recreational fisheries, and changes to harvest seasons. For more information, contact Anne Markwith at Anne.Markwith@ncdenr.gov or see the Amendment 3 information page.
Spotted Seatrout	The 2022 benchmark stock assessment indicated the spotted seatrout stock in North Carolina and Virginia was not overfished, however, overfishing was occurring in the terminal year (2019). Additionally, recreational and commercial landings in 2020 and 2021 remained above average. The scheduled fishery management plan review is underway, and management will need to address the overfishing status. For more information, see the Information on Spotted Seatrout FMP Amendment 1 page or contact Lucas Pensinger at Lucas.Pensinger@ncdenr.gov.
Striped Mullet	The 2022 stock assessment of striped mullet in North Carolina indicated the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. The assessment passed peer review and was accepted for management use. Review of 2021 commercial landings indicated neither the maximum (2.76 million pounds) nor minimum (1.13 million pounds) triggers had been exceeded. A review of the plan began in July 2020. For more information contact, Daniel Zapf at Daniel.Zapf@ncdenr.gov or Jeffrey Dobbs at Jeffrey.Dobbs@ncdenr.gov, or see the Amendment 2 information page.

July 2021, based on 2020 Data
Species	Comments
Bay Scallop (Closed to fishing)	Bay scallops are a short-lived species that are managed as an annual crop. They are sensitive to environmental change and may experience high levels of predation, which can impact annual abundance. As a result, a stock assessment is not an effective tool for management. The August 2020 Bay Scallop Fishery Management Plan update was approved as an information update to the Bay Scallop Fishery Management Plan. For more information, contact Jeff Dobbs at Jeffrey.Dobbs@ncdenr.gov.
Blue Crab	Results of the 2018 benchmark stock assessment indicate the blue crab stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. The assessment passed peer review and the model was accepted for use in management. Amendment 3 to the Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan was approved in February 2020 to address the overfished status and end overfishing. For more information, contact Daniel Zapf Daniel.Zapf@ncdenr.gov.
Eastern Oyster	A stock assessment could not be conducted due to limited data; therefore, population size and the rate of removals from the population are not known. Commercial landings from public bottom have been variable, and landings from private bottom in the past few years have increased significantly due to more interest in aquaculture. Work is underway with N.C. State University and the Nature Conservancy to develop methodologies to determine survey methodologies. Amendment 4 to the Oyster Fishery Management Plan was approved in February 2017. For more information, contact Joe Facendola at Joe.Facendola@ncdenr.gov.
Estuarine Striped Bass Albemarle Sound/ Roanoke River Management Area	Results from the 2020 assessment indicate the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River (A-R) striped bass stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. With overfishing occurring in the terminal year of the assessment (2017), adaptive management measures contained in Amendment 1 are required to reduce the total allowable landings to a level that is projected to lower the fishing mortality back to the target. The November 2020 Revision to Amendment 1 was effective Jan. 1, 2021 and reduced the total allowable landings for the A-R stock to 51,216 pounds. Staff from the Division of Marine Fisheries and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission continue development of Amendment 2. For more information, contact Nathaniel Hancock at Nathaniel.Hancock@ncdenr.gov or view the Information on Estuarine Striped Bass Amendment 2 page.
Estuarine Striped Bass Central/Southern Management Area	The Central Southern Management Area stocks include the Tar-Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers. Based on genetic analysis, a high percentage of the fish in these systems are hatchery reared (stocked) with limited natural recruitment occurring. Supplement A to Amendment 1 to the N.C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan instituted a recreational and commercial no-possession limit in the CSMA to provide stock protection until Amendment 2 to the N. C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan is adopted. A traditional stock assessment cannot be conducted because of limited data; therefore, stock status is unknown. Matrix model results indicate CSMA populations are depressed to an extent that sustainability is unlikely at any level of fishing mortality and a tagging model showed consistent decline in abundance estimates for striped bass in the Cape Fear River from 2012–2018. Staff from the Division of Marine Fisheries and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission continue development of Amendment 2. For more information, contact Todd Mathes at Todd.Mathes@ncdenr.gov or view the Information on Estuarine Striped Bass Amendment 2 page.
Hard Clam	A stock assessment cannot be conducted due to limited data; therefore, population size and the rate of removals from the population are unknown. Harvest fluctuates, often in response to changes in demand, improved harvesting methods, and increases in polluted shellfish area closures. Amendment 2 to the Hard Clam Fishery Management Plan was approved in February 2017. For more information, contact Jeff Dobbs at Jeffrey.Dobbs@ncdenr.gov.
Kingfishes	A stock assessment is not available due to lack of migration data, so an annual trend analysis with management triggers is used to monitor the stock. Due to impacts from Covid, a complete trend analysis is unavailable in 2020. However, since two triggers must be activated for two consecutive years and only one management trigger was activated in 2019, no action is required. For more information, contact Kevin Brown at Kevin.H.Brown@ncdenr.gov.
Red Drum	The regional benchmark stock assessment (North Carolina and all states north), conducted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in 2017, indicates that overfishing is not occurring and that management targets continue to be met. The size of the fish stock (overfished status), however, continues to be unknown due to limited data available for the adult population. The Red Drum Fishery Management Plan Update was approved as an information update in August 2017. A new benchmark stock assessment is scheduled to begin in 2022. For more information, contact Lee Paramore at Lee.Paramore@ncdenr.gov.
River Herring (Closed to fishing)	An Atlantic coastwide stock assessment update for river herring was completed in August 2017, with data through 2015, by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The North Carolina portion of the coastwide stock assessment is for the Albemarle Sound blueback herring stock only, due to the long-term data available for this area. River herring in other parts of the state are currently listed as unknown by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission due to the lack of data for these systems. The stock assessment update found that the North Carolina stock in the Albemarle Sound was not experiencing overfishing due to the harvest moratorium, but the stock remains overfished. The factors leading to this recommendation of stock status remain largely unchanged since the 2012 stock assessment, despite fishing pressure that is negligible. The spawning stock biomass remains at 12 percent of the amount necessary to replace itself in the complete absence of fishing. For more information, contact Holly White at Holly.White@ncdenr.gov.
Sheepshead	No stock assessment is currently available for sheepshead. Landings trends and other biological data prompted the Marine Fisheries Commission to implement harvest restrictions in June 2015. The division continues to monitor landings and collect data on the stock. In 2020, the commercial and recreational landings were below the 10-year average. For more information, contact Anne Markwith at Anne.Markwith@ncdenr.gov.
Shrimp	The stock is considered an annual crop that consists of three species of shrimp (brown, pink, white). Population size is determined mainly by the number of shrimp entering the population each year, which is driven by environmental conditions. A stock assessment is not an effective tool for management, but annual landings are a good indication of relative abundance. Amendment 2 was approved February 2022 and focuses on further reducing bycatch of non-target species and minimizing habitat impacts in the shrimp trawl fishery. For more information, contact Chris Stewart at Chris.Stewart@ncdenr.gov or view the Information on Shrimp FMP Amendment 2 page.
Southern Flounder	The 2019 stock assessment of southern flounder in the south Atlantic indicated that the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. The assessment passed peer review and the model was accepted for use in management. Amendment 2 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan was approved in August 2019 implementing reductions in total removals in North Carolina of 62% in 2019 and 72% beginning in 2020. Development of Amendment 3 is underway, as required by Amendment 2. For more information, contact Michael Loeffler at Michael.Loeffler@ncdenr.gov, or view the Frequently Asked Questions about Southern Flounder Management page or the Information on Southern Flounder Amendment 3 page.
Spotted Seatrout	The 2014 stock assessment indicated that the spotted seatrout stock in North Carolina and Virginia was not overfished and that overfishing was not occurring in the terminal year (2012). Recreational and commercial landings in 2019 and 2020 increased compared to the previous years, but there is no indication that the stock is at risk. A benchmark stock assessment for spotted seatrout is underway coinciding with the scheduled fishery management plan review, and it will incorporate data through February 2020. For more information, contact Tracey Bauer at Tracey.Bauer@ncdenr.gov.
Striped Mullet	Amendment I to the Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan was adopted in November 2015. An update of the 2013 stock assessment model with data through 2017 indicated overfishing is not occurring, but could not determine the overfished status. Review of 2020 commercial landings indicated neither the maximum (2.76 million pounds) nor minimum (1.13 million pounds) triggers had been exceeded. A review of the plan began in July 2020. For more information, contact Daniel Zapf at Daniel.Zapf@ncdenr.gov.

July 2020, based on 2019 Data
Species	Comments
Bay Scallop (Closed to fishing)	Bay scallops are a short-lived species that are managed as an annual crop. They are sensitive to environmental change and may experience high levels of predation, which can impact annual abundance. As a result, a stock assessment is not an effective tool for management. Harvest has not been allowed since 2013 because abundance levels have not met the thresholds to open the season. For more information, contact Jeff Dobbs.
Blue Crab	Results of the 2018 benchmark stock assessment indicate the blue crab stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. The assessment passed peer review and the model was accepted for use in management. Amendment 3 to the Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan was approved in February 2020 to address the overfished status and end overfishing. For more information, contact Corrin Flora.
Eastern Oyster	A stock assessment could not be conducted due to limited data; therefore, population size and the rate of removals from the population are not known. Commercial landings from public bottom have been variable, and landings from private bottom in the past few years have increased significantly due to more interest in aquaculture. Work is underway with N.C. State University and the Nature Conservancy to develop methodologies to determine stock status. Amendment 4 to the Oyster Fishery Management Plan was approved in February 2017. For more information, contact Joe Facendola.
Estuarine Striped Bass Albemarle Sound/ Roanoke River Management Area	Amendment 2 to the N. C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan is being jointly developed with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Results from a peer-reviewed benchmark stock assessment utilizing data through 2017 are expected in 2020. For more information, contact Sean Darsee.
Estuarine Striped Bass Central/Southern Management Area	The Central Southern Management Area stocks include the Tar-Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers. Based on genetic analysis, a high percentage of the fish in these systems are hatchery reared (stocked) with very limited natural reproduction occurring. Supplement A to Amendment 1 to the N.C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan was approved in March 2019 instituting a recreational and commercial no-possession limit in the CSMA to provide additional protection for those non-hatchery fish until Amendment 2 to the N. C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan is adopted. These temporary management measures will ensure the protection of these naturally spawned year classes of striped bass until the amendment is completed. Due to data limitations the stocks are being assessed using a matrix model for the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers and a tagging model for the Cape Fear River. Amendment 2 is being jointly developed with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. For more information, contact Todd Mathes.
Hard Clam	A stock assessment cannot be conducted due to limited data; therefore, population size and the rate of removals from the population are unknown. Harvest fluctuates, often in response to changes in demand, improved harvesting methods, and increases in polluted shellfish area closures. Amendment 2 to the Hard Clam Fishery Management Plan was approved in February 2017. For more information, contact Jeff Dobbs.
Kingfishes	A stock assessment is not available due to lack of migration data, so an annual trend analysis with management triggers is used to monitor the stock. Though one management trigger was activated in 2019, no action is required because two triggers must be activated for two consecutive years to warrant further evaluation and possible management change. For more information, contact Kevin Brown.
Red Drum	The regional benchmark stock assessment (North Carolina and all states north), conducted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in 2017, indicates that overfishing is not occurring and that management targets continue to be met. The size of the fish stock (overfished status), however, continues to be unknown due to limited data available for the adult population. The Red Drum Fishery Management Plan Update was approved in August 2017. A new benchmark stock assessment is scheduled for 2022. For more information, contact Lee Paramore.
River Herring (Closed to fishing)	An Atlantic coastwide stock assessment update for river herring was completed in August 2017, with data through 2015, by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The North Carolina portion of the coastwide stock assessment is for the Albemarle Sound blueback herring stock only, due to the long-term data available for this area. River herring in other parts of the state are currently listed as unknown by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission due to the lack of data for these systems. The stock assessment update found that the North Carolina stock in the Albemarle Sound was not experiencing overfishing due to the harvest moratorium, but the stock remains overfished. The factors leading to this recommendation of stock status remain largely unchanged since the 2012 stock assessment, despite fishing pressure that is negligible. The spawning stock biomass remains at 12 percent of the amount necessary to replace itself in the complete absence of fishing. For more information, contact Holly White.
Sheepshead	No stock assessment is currently available for sheepshead. Landings trends and other biological data prompted the Marine Fisheries Commission to implement new harvest restrictions in June 2015. The division continues to monitor landings and collect data on the stock. In 2019, the commercial and recreational landings were below the 10-year average. For more information, contact Anne Markwith.
Shrimp	The stock is considered an annual crop that consists of three species of shrimp (brown, pink, white). The population size is determined mainly by the number of shrimp entering the population each year, which is driven by environmental conditions. A stock assessment is not an effective tool for management, but annual landings are a good indication of relative abundance. Additional gear restrictions were implemented as part of the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Amendment 1 in 2019 to reduce bycatch in all shrimp trawls (except skimmer trawls) in the Pamlico Sound and portions of the Pamlico, Bay and Neuse rivers. The division is continuing to collaborate with the commercial fishing industry on bycatch reduction in the shrimp trawl fishery. Development of Amendment 2 is underway. For more information, contact Chris Stewart.
Southern Flounder	The 2019 stock assessment of southern flounder in the south Atlantic indicated that the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. This recent assessment passed peer review and the model was accepted for use in management. Amendment 2 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan was approved in August 2019 implementing reductions in total removals in North Carolina of 62% in 2019 and 72% beginning in 2020. Development of Amendment 3 is underway, as required by Amendment 2. For more information, contact Michael Loeffler.
Spotted Seatrout	The 2014 stock assessment indicated that the spotted seatrout stock in North Carolina and Virginia was not overfished and that overfishing was not occurring in the terminal year (2012). Recreational and commercial landings in 2019 increased compared to the previous years, but there is no indication that the stock is at risk. A benchmark stock assessment for spotted seatrout is underway in 2020 coinciding with the scheduled fishery management plan review, and it will incorporate data through 2019. For more information, contact Tracey Bauer.
Striped Mullet	The 2013 stock assessment indicated overfishing was not occurring, but it could not determine the overfished status. Though commercial landings and abundance from independent indices in 2017 were near historic lows, an update of the 2013 stock assessment model with data through 2017 indicated overfishing is not occurring. The striped mullet commercial fishery primarily targets mature females during the fall when they are migrating to the ocean to spawn, which could lead to poor recruitment. Amendment 1 to the Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan was approved in November 2015. Review of 2019 commercial landings indicated neither the maximum (2.76 million pounds) nor minimum (1.13 million pounds) triggers had been exceeded. A benchmark review of the plan is scheduled to begin in July 2020. For more information, contact Daniel Zapf.

July 2019, based on 2018 Data
Species	Comments
Bay Scallop (Closed to fishing)	Bay scallops are a short-lived species that are managed as an annual crop. They are sensitive to environmental change and may experience high levels of predation, which can impact annual abundance. As a result, a stock assessment is not an effective tool for management. Harvest has not been allowed since 2013 because abundance levels have not met the thresholds to open the season. Amendment 2 to the Bay Scallop Fishery Management Plan was adopted in February 2015. For more information, contact Jeff Dobbs.
Blue Crab	Results of the 2018 benchmark stock assessment indicate the blue crab stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. The assessment passed peer review and the model was accepted for use in management. Development of Amendment 3 to the Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan is underway in conjunction with an advisory committee and is scheduled to be completed in early 2020. For more information, contact Jason Rock.
Eastern Oyster	A stock assessment could not be conducted due to limited data; therefore, population size and the rate of removals from the population are not known. Commercial landings from public bottom have been variable, and landings from private bottom in the past few years have increased significantly due to more interest in aquaculture. Work is underway with N. C. State University and the Nature Conservancy to develop methodologies to determine stock status. Amendment 4 to the Oyster Fishery Management Plan was adopted in February 2017. For more information, contact Joe Facendola.
Estuarine Striped Bass Albemarle Sound/ Roanoke River Management Area	The 2016 Albemarle/Roanoke striped bass stock assessment update indicates overfishing is not occurring and the stock is not overfished. Although the stock is not overfished, the abundance of mature females in the population has declined steadily since the peak in 2003. While very large, the estimate of abundance in the final year of the assessment (2014) is the most uncertain and should be viewed with caution. The estimate will likely decrease as additional years of data are added to the model. The fishery management plan review for estuarine striped bass is currently underway and results from a benchmark stock assessment utilizing data through 2017 are expected in late 2019. This is a joint plan with the Wildlife Resources Commission. For more information, contact Sean Darsee.
Estuarine Striped Bass Central/Southern Management Area	The Central Southern Management Area stocks include the Tar-Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers. Based on genetic analysis, a high percentage of the fish in these systems are hatchery reared (stocked) with very limited natural reproduction occurring. Agency data in 2018 suggested there were two recent naturally spawned year classes. In February 2019, Supplement A to Amendment 1 to the N. C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan was adopted instituting a recreational and commercial no-possession limit in the CSMA. The no-possession management is a temporary measure to provide additional protection for the non-hatchery fish until Amendment 2 to the N. C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan is adopted. The division will use multiple stock assessment techniques to determine the overfished/overfishing status for each stock as well as continue with drafting Amendment 2 to the N. C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan. This is a joint plan with the Wildlife Resources Commission. For more information, contact Todd Mathes.
Hard Clam	A stock assessment cannot be conducted due to limited data; therefore, population size and the rate of removals from the population are unknown. Harvest fluctuates, often in response to changes in demand, improved harvesting methods, and increases in polluted shellfish area closures. Amendment 2 to the Hard Clam Fishery Management Plan was adopted in February 2017. For more information, contact Jeff Dobbs.
Kingfishes	A stock assessment is not available due to lack of migration data, so an annual trend analysis with management triggers is used to monitor the stock. Though one management trigger was activated in 2018, no action is required because two triggers must be activated for two consecutive years to warrant further evaluation and possible management change. The Kingfish Fishery Management Plan Information Update was approved in December 2015. For more information, contact Kevin Brown.
Red Drum	The regional benchmark stock assessment (North Carolina and all states north), conducted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in 2017, indicates that overfishing is not occurring and that management targets continue to be met. The size of the fish stock (overfished status), however, continues to be unknown due to limited data available for the adult population. The Red Drum Fishery Management Plan Update was approved in August 2017. For more information, contact Lee Paramore.
River Herring (Closed to fishing)	An Atlantic coastwide stock assessment update for river herring was completed in August 2017, with data through 2015, by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The North Carolina portion of the coastwide stock assessment is for the Albemarle Sound blueback herring stock only, due to the long-term data available for this area. River herring in other parts of the state are currently listed as unknown by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission due to the lack of data for these systems. The stock assessment update found that the North Carolina stock in the Albemarle Sound was not experiencing overfishing due to the harvest moratorium, but the stock remains overfished. The factors leading to this recommendation of stock status remain largely unchanged since the 2012 stock assessment, despite negligible fishing pressure. The spawning stock biomass remains at 12 % of the amount necessary to replace itself in the complete absence of fishing. Amendment 2 to the River Herring Fishery Management Plan was adopted in February 2015. For more information, contact Holly White.
Sheepshead	No stock assessment is currently available for sheepshead. Landings trends and other biological data prompted the Marine Fisheries Commission to implement new harvest restrictions in June 2015. The division continues to monitor landings and collect data on the stock. In 2018, the commercial landings were below the 10 year average; however, recreational landings were above the 10 year average. For more information, contact Anne Markwith.
Shrimp	The stock is considered an annual crop that consists of three species of shrimp (brown, pink, white). The population size is determined mainly by the number of shrimp entering the population each year, which is driven by environmental conditions. Therefore, a stock assessment is not an effective tool for management. The division is continuing to collaborate with the industry on bycatch reduction in the shrimp trawl fishery. At its May 2018 meeting, the Marine Fisheries Commission adopted management measures to reduce bycatch by implementing new gear restrictions in all shrimp trawls, except skimmer trawls, used in the Pamlico Sound and portions of the Pamlico, Bay and Neuse rivers. The management measures were effective July 1, 2019. Amendment 1 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan was adopted in February 2015. For more information, contact Chris Stewart.
Southern Flounder	The 2019 stock assessment of southern flounder in the south Atlantic indicated that the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. This recent assessment passed peer review and the model was accepted for use in management. Adoption of Amendment 2 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan is scheduled for August 2019. Development of Amendment 3 will begin upon adoption of Amendment 2. For more information, contact Michael Loeffler.
Spotted Seatrout	The 2014 stock assessment indicated that the spotted seatrout stock in North Carolina and Virginia was not overfished and that overfishing was not occurring in the terminal year (2012). Recreational and commercial landings in 2018 declined compared to the previous years but there is no indication that the stock is at risk. Due to widespread cold stun events in early 2018, the division closed the spotted seatrout fishery until the summer of 2018. Cold stuns are natural events that occur when there is a sudden drop in water temperature or prolonged periods of cold weather that make fish sluggish. Many fish die or fall prey to birds and other predators. The fishery was closed to allow surviving fish an opportunity to spawn. A benchmark stock assessment for spotted seatrout is underway in 2019 coinciding with the scheduled plan review. For more information, contact Tracey Bauer.
Striped Mullet	The 2013 stock assessment indicated overfishing was not occurring but could not determine the overfished status. Though commercial landings and abundance from independent indices in 2017 were near historic lows, an update of the 2013 stock assessment model with data through 2017 indicated overfishing is not occurring. The striped mullet commercial fishery primarily targets mature females during the fall when they are migrating to the ocean to spawn which could lead to poor recruitment. Amendment 1 to the Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan was adopted in November 2015. Review of 2018 commercial landings indicated neither the maximum (2.76 million pounds) or minimum (1.13 million pounds) triggers had been exceeded. For more information, contact Daniel Zapf.

July 2018, based on 2017 Data
Species	Comments
Bay Scallop (Closed to fishing)	Bay scallops are a short-lived species that are managed as an annual crop. They are sensitive to environmental change and may experience high levels of predation, which can impact annual abundance. As a result, a stock assessment is not an effective tool for management. Harvest has not been allowed since 2013 because abundance levels have not met the thresholds to open the season. Amendment 2 to the Bay Scallop Fishery Management Plan was adopted in February 2015. For more information, contact Jeff Dobbs.
Blue Crab	Results of the 2018 benchmark stock assessment indicate the blue crab stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. The assessment passed peer review and the model was accepted for use in management. Development of Amendment 3 to the Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan is underway in conjunction with an advisory committee and is scheduled to be completed in early 2020. For more information, contact Jason Rock.
Eastern Oyster	A stock assessment could not be conducted due to limited data; therefore, population size and the rate of removals from the population are not known. Commercial landings from public bottom have been variable, and landings from private bottom in the past few years have increased significantly due to more interest in aquaculture. Work is underway with N. C. State University and the Nature Conservancy to develop methodologies to determine stock status. Amendment 4 to the Oyster Fishery Management Plan was adopted in February 2017. For more information, contact Joe Facendola.
Estuarine Striped Bass Albemarle Sound/ Roanoke River Management Area	The 2016 Albemarle/Roanoke striped bass stock assessment update indicates overfishing is not occurring and the stock is not overfished. Although the stock is not overfished, the abundance of mature females in the population has declined steadily since the peak in 2003. While very large, the estimate of abundance in the final year of the assessment (2014) is the most uncertain and should be viewed with caution. The estimate will likely decrease as additional years of data are added to the model. The fishery management plan review for estuarine striped bass is currently underway and results from a benchmark stock assessment utilizing data through 2017 are expected in late 2019. This is a joint plan with the Wildlife Resources Commission. For more information, contact Sean Darsee.
Estuarine Striped Bass Central/Southern Management Area	The Central Southern Management Area stocks include the Tar-Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers. Based on genetic analysis, a high percentage of the fish in these systems are hatchery reared (stocked) with very limited natural reproduction occurring. Agency data in 2018 suggested there were two recent naturally spawned year classes. In February 2019, Supplement A to Amendment 1 to the N. C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan was adopted instituting a recreational and commercial no-possession limit in the CSMA. The no-possession management is a temporary measure to provide additional protection for the non-hatchery fish until Amendment 2 to the N. C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan is adopted. The division will use multiple stock assessment techniques to determine the overfished/overfishing status for each stock as well as continue with drafting Amendment 2 to the N. C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan. This is a joint plan with the Wildlife Resources Commission. For more information, contact Todd Mathes.
Hard Clam	A stock assessment cannot be conducted due to limited data; therefore, population size and the rate of removals from the population are unknown. Harvest fluctuates, often in response to changes in demand, improved harvesting methods, and increases in polluted shellfish area closures. Amendment 2 to the Hard Clam Fishery Management Plan was adopted in February 2017. For more information, contact Jeff Dobbs.
Kingfishes	A stock assessment is not available due to lack of migration data, so an annual trend analysis with management triggers is used to monitor the stock. Though one management trigger was activated in 2018, no action is required because two triggers must be activated for two consecutive years to warrant further evaluation and possible management change. The Kingfish Fishery Management Plan Information Update was approved in December 2015. or more information, contact Kevin Brown.
Red Drum	The regional benchmark stock assessment (North Carolina and all states north), conducted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in 2017, indicates that overfishing is not occurring and that management targets continue to be met. The size of the fish stock (overfished status), however, continues to be unknown due to limited data available for the adult population. The Red Drum Fishery Management Plan Update was approved in August 2017. For more information, contact Lee Paramore.
River Herring (Closed to fishing)	An Atlantic coastwide stock assessment update for river herring was completed in August 2017, with data through 2015, by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The North Carolina portion of the coastwide stock assessment is for the Albemarle Sound blueback herring stock only, due to the long-term data available for this area. River herring in other parts of the state are currently listed as unknown by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission due to the lack of data for these systems. The stock assessment update found that the North Carolina stock in the Albemarle Sound was not experiencing overfishing due to the harvest moratorium, but the stock remains overfished. The factors leading to this recommendation of stock status remain largely unchanged since the 2012 stock assessment, despite negligible fishing pressure. The spawning stock biomass remains at 12 % of the amount necessary to replace itself in the complete absence of fishing. Amendment 2 to the River Herring Fishery Management Plan was adopted in February 2015. For more information, contact Holly White.
Sheepshead	No stock assessment is currently available for sheepshead. Landings trends and other biological data prompted the Marine Fisheries Commission to implement new harvest restrictions in June 2015. The division continues to monitor landings and collect data on the stock. In 2018, the commercial landings were below the 10 year average; however, recreational landings were above the 10 year average. For more information, contact Anne Markwith.
Shrimp	The stock is considered an annual crop that consists of three species of shrimp (brown, pink, white). The population size is determined mainly by the number of shrimp entering the population each year, which is driven by environmental conditions. Therefore, a stock assessment is not an effective tool for management. The division is continuing to collaborate with the industry on bycatch reduction in the shrimp trawl fishery. At its May 2018 meeting, the Marine Fisheries Commission adopted management measures to reduce bycatch by implementing new gear restrictions in all shrimp trawls, except skimmer trawls, used in the Pamlico Sound and portions of the Pamlico, Bay and Neuse rivers. The management measures were effective July 1, 2019. Amendment 1 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan was adopted in February 2015. For more information, contact Chris Stewart.
Southern Flounder	The 2019 stock assessment of southern flounder in the south Atlantic indicated that the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. This recent assessment passed peer review and the model was accepted for use in management. Adoption of Amendment 2 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan is scheduled for August 2019. Development of Amendment 3 will begin upon adoption of Amendment 2. For more information, contact Michael Loeffler.
Spotted Seatrout	The 2014 stock assessment indicated that the spotted seatrout stock in North Carolina and Virginia was not overfished and that overfishing was not occurring in the terminal year (2012). Recreational and commercial landings in 2018 declined compared to the previous years but there is no indication that the stock is at risk. Due to widespread cold stun events in early 2018, the division closed the spotted seatrout fishery until the summer of 2018. Cold stuns are natural events that occur when there is a sudden drop in water temperature or prolonged periods of cold weather that make fish sluggish. Many fish die or fall prey to birds and other predators. The fishery was closed to allow surviving fish an opportunity to spawn. A benchmark stock assessment for spotted seatrout is underway in 2019 coinciding with the scheduled plan review. For more information, contact Tracey Bauer.
Striped Mullet	The 2013 stock assessment indicated overfishing was not occurring but could not determine the overfished status. Though commercial landings and abundance from independent indices in 2017 were near historic lows, an update of the 2013 stock assessment model with data through 2017 indicated overfishing is not occurring. The striped mullet commercial fishery primarily targets mature females during the fall when they are migrating to the ocean to spawn which could lead to poor recruitment. Amendment 1 to the Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan was adopted in November 2015. Review of 2018 commercial landings indicated neither the maximum (2.76 million pounds) or minimum (1.13 million pounds) triggers had been exceeded. For more information, contact Daniel Zapf.