From the Director’s Desk

“Where does my license money go?” That is a question I get from many recreational saltwater anglers. In this edition of the Insight, we highlight some of the important work being done with proceeds from the Coastal Recreational Fishing License or CRFL. From education, enhancement of fisheries habitat, to access projects and research, CRFL funds have become critically important to our work at the Division of Marine Fisheries.

The division uses proceeds from this license to support internal research and monitoring by division staff biologists and technicians as well as external or cooperative research with university researchers or other state agencies. The need for this research is usually identified in our fishery management plans and is prioritized by our division Biological Review Team. These prioritized research needs form the basis for requests for proposals so that we can answer questions regarding life history, movement and migration, feeding and habitat use, discard mortality, etc. which can then be incorporated into more informed management measures for the state’s fisheries resources.

Public access projects have long been an important role for CRFL funds. However, these projects are expensive and require engineering and proper design to be effective. The division works with our colleagues at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, as well as with local municipalities, to fund boating and fishing access projects.

Education is a key component of the division’s mission and getting those products out to the public is helped greatly by CRFL funds. From recreational fishing information to educational outreach by staff and our Marine Patrol, this education provides anglers and the public with information needed to comply with often complex regulations as well as increasing the knowledge base of our customers.

Finally, enhancement of fisheries habitats has been a traditional role of the division and CRFL funds are an important source that supplements this activity. Whether constructing artificial reefs in the ocean or oyster sanctuaries in the sounds, this work is complex and often very expensive. The division plans to use CRFL funds to expand several artificial reefs in the next few years and material has already been procured for some of these projects.

I hope you enjoy this edition of the INSIGHT and the next time someone asks you where the CRFL license money goes, you will have all the answers.

Stay safe out on the water.