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NC DEQ »   About »   Divisions »   Marine Fisheries »   Marine Fisheries Commission »   MFC Meetings

Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings

Meetings Overview

The MFC typically holds four business meetings a year, but may hold additional meetings if necessary. Three of the annual meetings are held in the coastal regions, with the fourth typically held in a central location. For the commission to conduct business there must be at least five of the nine members present, with at least one recreational member and one commercial member.

How to Participate

All MFC meetings are open to the public. You may attend in person, when possible, or virtually online. To provide comments for MFC consideration, you may complete the online form, submit comments by U.S. Mail or you may register to speak during the public comment period during the meeting. Please see the Meeting Materials and Details section below for more information on how to participate.

View the 2022 MFC Meeting Planning Calendar 

Meeting Materials and Details

Quarterly Business Meeting - May 25 - 26, 2022

Meeting Agenda

Provide Public Comment

Join the Meeting Online

To Join by Phone:

Number: 415-655-0003
Access Code: 2434 332 1832
Event Password: 1234

Meeting Agenda Overview

May 25, 2022

  • Public Comment Period

May 26, 2022

  • Preliminary Matters
  • Public Comment Period
  • Chairman's Report
  • Committee Reports
  • Director’s Report
    • Division of Marine Fisheries Quarterly Update
    • Federal Economic Assistance Programs Update
    • Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Update
    • South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Update
    • Marine Patrol Update
    • Shellfish Lease Program Update
    • Flounder Symposium Update
    • Blue Catfish Update
    • Protected Resources Update
    • CHPP Implementation
    • Informational Materials:
      • MFC Workplan
      • Protected Resources ITP Reports
      • Landings Updates
  • Stock Assessments 101
  • Fishery Management Plans
    • Status of ongoing plans

      • Vote on final approval of the N.C. FMP for Interjurisdictional FIsheries**
    • Striped Mullet Stock Assessment Report
    • Amendment 2 to the Estuarine Striped Bass FMP Update
      • Vote to select preferred management options**
    • Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder FMP
      • Vote on final approval of Amendment 3**
  • Rule Suspensions
  • Rulemaking Update
    • 2020-2021 Rulemaking Cycle
    • 2021-2022 Rulemaking Cycle
      • "Package A"
      • "Package B"
      • "Package C"
    • 2022-2023 Rulemaking Cycle Preview
  • Issues from Commissioners
  • Meeting Assignments and Preview of Agenda Items for Next Meeting
Special Meeting - March, 8 2022

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission held a meeting by web conference on Mar. 8 to vote on notice of text to begin the readoption process for nine rules pertaining to joint fishing waters that are managed jointly with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Agenda Overview

March 8, 2022

Listen to this meeting on YouTube

  • Preliminary Matters
  • 2021-2022 Annual Rulemaking Cycle “Package C”
    • Vote on Notice of Text for readoption of 15A NCAC 03Q .0101-.0109 (9 rules) per G.S 150B-21.3A.**
    • Possible vote to submit public comments for proposed N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission rules in 15A NCAC 10C as published in the January 18, 2022 issue of the N.C. Register.**
Quarterly Business Meeting - February 23 - 25, 2022

Meeting Agenda

Online Public Comment

Meeting Agenda Overview

February 23, 2022

Listen to Day 1 on YouTube

  • Public Comment Period

February 24, 2022

Listen to Day 2 on YouTube

  • Preliminary Matters
  • Public Comment Period
  • Chairman's Report
  • Committee Reports
  • Director’s Report
    • Division of Marine Fisheries Quarterly Update
    • Federal Economic Assistance Programs Update
    • Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
      • Updated ASMFC & MAFMFC Joint Meeting Summary
    • Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Update
    • South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Update
    • Marine Patrol Update
    • Latent License Information (Presentation)
    • Shellfish Lease Program Update
    • Diamondback Terrapin Update
    • Catch-U-Later App Update
    • Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Update
    • Southern Flounder Updates
      • Tagging Research (Presentation)
      • 2021 Landings Update (Presentation)
    • Estuarine Striped Bass Update
      • 2021 Albemarle and Roanoke Sound Management Area Striped Bass harvest and 2022 Total Allowable Landings
    • Informational Materials and Memos:
      • Highly Migratory Species
      • Protected Resources Update
        • Observer Program
        • Incidental Take Permit Updates
      • Landings Updates
      • Rule Suspensions
  • Lunch Break
  • Fishery Management Plans
    • Status of ongoing plans (Presentation)
    • Amendment 2 to the Estuarine Striped Bass FMP (Presentation)
      • Presentation of Draft Amendment 2
      • Vote to approve draft Amendment 2 to the Estuarine Striped Bass FMP for review by the public and advisory committees**
    • Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder FMP (Presentation)
      • Public Comment Summary and Review of Recommendations
      • Vote to Select Preferred Management Options**
    • Amendment 2 to the Shrimp FMP (Presentation)
      • Review comments from DEQ Secretary and legislative commission and committee
      • Vote on final approval of Amendment 2 **  

February 25, 2022

Listen to Day 3 on YouTube

  • Proposed Amendment to the Mutilated Finfish Rule Issue Paper (Presentation)

    • Vote on management option and associated proposed language for rulemaking**

  • Rulemaking Update

    • 2020-2021 Annual Rulemaking Cycle Update

    • 2021-2022 Annual Rulemaking Cycle

      • “Package A” Update (56 rules)

      • “Package B” (109 rules)
        Vote on final approval of readoption and repeal through readoption of rules per G.S. 150B-21.3A and adoption and amendment of rules:

        • Highly Efficient Gears, Artificial Reefs, and Research Sanctuaries (3 rules)**
          15A NCAC 03I .0109, 03J .0404, 03R .0119

        • Shellfish Leasing Regulations (9 rules) **
          15A NCAC 03K .0111, 03O .0203, .0205-.0211

        • 15A NCAC 03 Rules with Conforming Changes (40 rules)**
          15A NCAC 03I .0113, .0118, 03J .0101, .0110, .0302, 03K .0101, .0102, .0105, .0106, .0108, .0201, .0202, .0204, .0207, .0301, .0302, .0304, .0305, .0401, .0505, 03L .0101-.0103, .0105, 03M .0201, .0202, .0204, .0205, .0503, 03N .0104, .0105, 03O .0301-.0303, .0401-.0406

        • 15A NCAC 03I, 03J, 03K, 03O, and 03R Rules for Definitions, Imported Species, Recordkeeping, Gear, Marketing Shellfish, and Licenses (18 rules)**
          15A NCAC 03I .0101, .0104, .0114, 03J .0105, .0109, .0305, 03K .0205, .0507, 03O .0101-.0105, .0107, .0109, .0110, .0113, 03R .0111

        • Commercial Blue Crab Harvest and Gear Regulations (8 rules)**
          15A NCAC 03J .0301, 03L .0201-.0205, 03R .0110, .0118

        • Permit and License Suspensions and Revocations and Pound Net Gears (11 rules)**
          15A NCAC 03I .0105, 03J .0501-.0505, 03O .0111, .0114, .0502, .0504, 03P .0101

        • 15A NCAC 03P Rules (8 rules)**
          15A NCAC 03P .0102, .0201-.0203, .0301-.0304

        • 15A NCAC 03K and 18A Crustacea and Shellfish Rules (12 rules)**
          15A NCAC 03K .0103, .0104, .0107, .0109, .0208, .0209, 18A .0135, .0302, .0303, .0304, .0425, .0912

    • Joint Rulemaking Update

      • Overview of Proposed WRC Joint Rules

      • 2021-2022 Annual Rulemaking Cycle “Package C” (9 rules)

        • Vote on Notice of Text for readoption and repeal through readoption of 15A NCAC 03Q .0101-.0109 (9 rules) per G.S 150B-21.3A.**

    • 2022-2023 Annual Rulemaking Cycle Preview

  • Issues from Commissioners

  • Meeting Assignments and Preview of Agenda Items for Next Meeting
  • Adjourn

Motions

Quarterly Business Meeting - November 17 - 19, 2021

Meeting Agenda

Online Public Comments

Meeting Minutes

Meeting Agenda Overview

November 17, 2021

Listen to Day 1 on YouTube

  • Public Comment Period

November 18, 2021

Listen to Day 2 on YouTube

  • Preliminary Matters
  • Public Comment Period
  • Chairman's Report
  • Committee Reports
  • Director’s Report
    • MFC Office Updates
    • Catch U Later Update
  • Landings Overview
  • Lunch Break
  • Fishery Management Plans
    • Status of ongoing plans
    • Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder FMP
      • Presentation of Draft Amendment 3
      • Vote to approve draft Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder FMP for review by the public and advisory committees**
    • Amendment 2 to the Interjurisdictional FMP
      • Vote on approval of the Goal and Objectives**
    • Amendment 2 to the Shrimp FMP (Presentation)
      • Public comment summary
      • Review recommendations from advisory committees and the Division of Marine Fisheries
      • Vote to select preferred management options**
      • Vote to send draft plan to the Department of Environmental Quality**

November 19, 2021

Listen to Day 3 on YouTube

  • North Carolina Oyster Blueprint – Erin Fleckenstein, NC Coastal Federation
  • Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (Presentation)
  • Rulemaking
    • Rule Suspensions**
    • Additional Labeling Requirements for Repacked Foreign Crab Meat Issue Paper**
      • Vote on preferred management option and associated proposed language for rulemaking**
    • 2020-2021 Rulemaking Cycle Update
    • 2021-2022 Rulemaking Cycle
    • 2022-2023 Rulemaking Cycle Preview
  • Issues from Commissioners
  • Review of MFC Workplan and Meeting Assignments
  • Adjourn

Motions

Special Meeting - September 9, 2021

All briefing materials are included below. Meeting audio, presentations, and MFC motions are made available following the conclusion of the meeting.

Meeting Agenda

Full Meeting Audio

Meeting Agenda Overview

September 9, 2021

  • Preliminary Matters
  • 2020-2021 Annual Rulemaking Cycle "Package B"
    • Vote on final approval of readoption of 15A NCAC 03Q .0101-.0109 per G.S. 150B-21.3A**

Motions

Quarterly Business Meeting - August 25-26, 2021

All briefing materials are included below. Meeting audio, presentations, and MFC motions are made available following the conclusion of the meeting.

Meeting Agenda (updated 8/23/2021)

MFC Public Comment - August 2021

Supplemental Material

Meeting Agenda Overview

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

  • Public Comment Period (Audio)

Thursday, August 26, 2021

  • Preliminary Matters   (Audio)
  • Public Comment Period   (Audio)
  • Chairman's Report   (Audio)
  • Committee Reports 
  • DMF Director's Report   (Audio)
  • Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Report (Presentation) (Audio)
  • 2021 Amendment to the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Fishery Management Plans
    • Stock Overview Report (Presentation) (Audio)
    • Status of Ongoing Plans and 2020 Fishery Management Plan Review (Presentation) (Audio)
    • Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder FMP (Audio)
  • Small Mesh Gill Net Rules Modification (Audio)
  • Rulemaking Update (Audio)
  • Issues from Commissioners (Audio)
  • Meeting Assignments and Preview of Agenda Items for Next Meeting (Audio)

Motions

Quarterly Business Meeting - May 20, 2021

Meeting Agenda

Complete Briefing Materials

MFC Public Comment - May 2021

Supplemental Materials

Meeting Agenda Overview

Thursday, May 20, 2021

  • Preliminary Matters (Audio)

    • Approval of Feb. 25-26, 2021 Meeting Minutes
    • Approval of March 30, 2021 Meeting Minutes
  • Public Comment Period (Audio)
  • Chairman's Report (Audio)
  • DMF Director's Report (Audio part 1) (Audio part 2)
    • South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Update (Audio)
    • Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Update (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (Audio)
  • Catch U Later: Citizen Science Mobile Application Update (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Fishery Management Plans 
    • Status of Ongoing Plans (Presentation) (Audio)
    • Amendment 2 to the Shrimp FMP (Presentation) (Audio)
    • Interjurisdictional Fisheries FMP (Presentation) (Audio)
    • Amendment 2 to the Estuarine Striped Bass FMP (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Rulemaking Update (Audio)
  • Issues from Commissioners
  • Meeting Assignments and Preview of Agenda Items for Next Meeting (Audio

Motions

Special Meeting - March 31, 2021

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Audio

MFC Public Comment - March 2021

Meeting Agenda Overview

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

  • Preliminary Matters
  • Chairman's Report
  • Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 (Originally presented during February 2021 MFC Business Meeting)
    • Southern Flounder Fishery Sector Allocation Documents
    • Southern Flounder Fishery Sector Allocation Presentation

Motions

Special Meeting - March 18, 2021 - POSTPONED

This Meeting Has Been Postponed
(Read Press Release)

Full Meeting Agenda 

Complete Briefing Materials

MFC Public Comment - March 2021

Meeting Agenda Overview

Thursday, March 18, 2021

  • Preliminary Matters
  • Chairman's Report
  • Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan
Quarterly Business Meeting - February 25 -26, 2021

All briefing materials are included below. Meeting audio, presentations, and MFC motions are made available following the conclusion of the meeting.

Full Meeting Agenda

Complete Briefing Materials

MFC Public Comment - February 2021 

Meeting Agenda Overview

Thursday, February 25, 2021

  • Preliminary Matters (Audio)

    • Approval of Nov. 19 -20, 2020 Meeting Minutes
  • Public Comment Period (Audio)
  • Chairman’s Report (Audio)
  • Committee Reports  (Audio)
  • DMF Director's Report (Audio)
  • Hook and Line Modifications Issue Paper (Presentation) (Audio)
  • High Efficiency Gear Restrictions on Artificial Reefs in State Waters (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Shellfish Lease Regulation in High Use Areas (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Update (Presentation) (Presentation) (Audio)

Friday, February 26, 2021

  • Discussion on “A Ten-Year Prescription for the Recovery of the Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River Striped Bass Stock”   (Audio)
  • Fishery Management Plans  
    • Status of ongoing plans (Presentation) (Audio)
    • Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder FMP (Presentation) (Audio)
    • Amendment 2 to the Estuarine Striped Bass FMP (Presentation) (Audio) 
    • Amendment 2 to the Shrimp FMP Update (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Rulemaking Update (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Issues from Commissioners (Audio)
  • Meeting Assignments and Preview of Agenda Items for Next Meeting (Audio)

Motions

Quarterly Business Meeting - November 19 - 20, 2020

All briefing materials are included below. Meeting audio, presentations, and MFC motions are made available following the conclusion of the meeting.

Full Meeting Agenda

Complete Briefing Materials

After Deadline Supplemental Documents

MFC Public Comment-November 2020

Meeting Agenda Overview

November 19, 2020

Nov. 19, 2020 Meeting Audio

  • Preliminary Matters  (Audio Time Stamp 00:00)
  • Public Comment Period  (Audio Time Stamp 33:22)
  • Chairman's Report  (Audio Time Stamp 45:43)
  • Committee Reports  (Audio Time Stamp 48:37)
  • DMF Director's Report    Audio Time Stamp 58:12
  • Small Mesh Gill Net Rules Modification  (Audio Time Stamp 1:28:42) Presentation
  • High Efficiency Gear Restrictions on Artificial Reefs in State Ocean Waters  (Audio Time Stamp 5:29:00) Presentation
  • Prohibiting Repacking of Foreign Crab Meat in North Carolina  (Audio Time Stamp 5:55:28) Presentation
  • Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Update  (Audio Time Stamp 6:18:38) Presentation

 

November 20, 2020

Nov. 20, 2020 Meeting Audio

  • 2019 Landings Overview  (Audio Time Stamp 00:00) Presentation
  • Fishery Management Plans  (Audio Time Stamp 37:51) Presentation
    • Southern Flounder  (Audio Time Stamp 48:32) Presentation
    • Estuarine Striped Bass  (Audio Time Stamp 1:47:55) Presentation-Albemarle-Roanoke Presentation- Central-Southern
      • Revision to Amendment 1 Discussion (Audio Time Stamp 1:56:47)
      • Commissiner Kornegay Striped Bass Discussion (Audio Time Stamp 2:26:31) 
  • Rulemaking  (Audio Time Stamp 2:56:26) Presentation
  • Rule Suspensions  (Audio Time Stamp 3:13:30) Presentation
  • Issues from Commissioners  (Audio Time Stamp 3:17:45)
  • Meeting Conclusion  (Audio Time Stamp 3:34:30)

Motions

Quarterly Business Meeting - August 20 - 21, 2020

All briefing materials are included below. Meeting audio, presentations, and MFC motions are made available following the conclusion of the meeting.

Full Meeting Agenda

Complete Briefing Materials

Meeting Agenda Overview

August 20, 2020

  • Preliminary Matters (Audio)

    • Approval of May 14, 2020 Meeting Minutes
  • Chairman's Report (Audio)
    • Public Comments (Written Only, See "Letters")
    • Shellfish Lease Regulation Presentation (Audio)
    • Special Management Zones in State Waters Presentation (Audio)
  • Committee Reports (Audio)
  • DMF Director's Report (Audio)
  • Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Update (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Stock Overview Report (Presentation) (Audio)
  • CHPP Steering Committee Update (Audio)
  • Fishery Management Plans (Presentation) (Audio)
    • Bay Scallop FMP Presentation (Audio)
    • Kingfishes FMP Presentation (Audio)
    • Five-Year FMP Review Schedule Presentation (Audio)
  • Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Report (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Rulemaking Update (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Additional Handouts:
    • ASMFC Summer Meeting Summary
  • Issues from Commissioners (Audio)
  • Meeting Assignments and Preview of Agenda Items for August Meeting (Audio)

 

August 21, 2020

  • Meeting adjourned on August 20th, having completed all agenda items.

Motions

Quarterly Business Meeting - May 14, 2020

All briefing materials are included below. Meeting audio, presentations, and MFC motions are made available following the conclusion of the meeting.

Full Meeting Agenda

Complete Briefing Materials

Meeting Agenda Overview

Thursday, May 14, 2020

  • Preliminary Matters (Audio)

    • Approval of Feb. 19-20, 2020 Meeting Mintues
  • Public Comment (Written Only)
  • Chairman's Report (Audio)
    • Committee Reports
  • DMF Director's Report (Audio Part1; Part 2)
    • Recreational Hook and Line Modifications (Presentation)(Audio)
  • Fishery Management Plans (Presentation) (Audio)
    • Diamondback Terrapin Management Areas  (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Repacking of Foreign Crab Meat in North Carolina (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Rulemaking Update (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Rule Suspensions (Presentation) (Audio)
  • Additional Handouts
    • Executive Order Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness
    • 2020 ASMFC Spring Meeting Summary
  • Issues from Commissioners (Audio)
  • Meeting Assignments and Preview of Agenda Items for August Meeting (Audio)

Summary Motions

Quarterly Business Meeting - February 19 - 21, 2020

All briefing materials are included below. Meeting audio, presentations, and MFC motions are made available following the conclusion of the meeting.

Full Meeting Agenda

Complete Briefing Materials

Meeting Agenda Overview

February 19, 2020

  • Public Comment Period (Audio)

February 20, 2020

  • Preliminary Matters (Audio)

    • Approval of  Nov. 13-15, 2019 Meeting Minutes
  • Public Comment Period (Audio)
  • Chairman's Report (Audio)
  • Committee Reports
  • Rulemaking Presentation (Audio)
  • Small-Mesh Gill Nets Rulemaking (Audio)
  • Fishery Management Plans (Audio)
    • Blue Crab Presentation (Audio)
    • Southern Flounder Presentation (Audio)
    • Shrimp Presentation (Audio)
  • Rulemaking (Audio)
    • Reclassification of Special Secondary Nursery Area to Secondary Nursery Areas Presentation (Audio)
  • DMF Director's Report
  • Shellfish Aquaculture Update (Audio)
    • Shellfish Aquaculture Program &User Conflict Study Presentation
    • Proposed Rulemaking to Address User Conflict
  • Issues from Commissioners (Audio)
  • Meeting Assignments and Preview of Agenda Items for May Meeting (Audio)

February 21, 2020

  • Meeting Day Cancelled Due to Inclement Weather

Summary Motions

Past Meetings

Past Quarterly Business Meetings

Marine Fisheries Commission

  • MFC Meetings
  • MFC Membership
  • MFC Advisory Committees

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