Maps
Interactive Map for Current Rules
Fisheries rules are identified in the publication N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules. This map application was produced for illustrative purposes as a guide to assist the public in interpreting rules of the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission as recorded in the N.C. Administrative Code. This application does not cover all of the Commission’s rules. Additional rules will be added to the application as staff prepares them for the spatial platform. Users can print maps directly from the application, if needed.
View the Interactive Map for Current Rules
Artificial Reef Guide
The division has developed an interactive map of the different artificial reef locations, as well as the location of coastal WRC boat ramps. Use the Interactive Reef Guide by clicking below.
View the Interactive Artificial Reef Guide
Shellfish Sanitation Temporary Closure Public Viewer
This map application serves as a guide for the public in interpreting the written shellfish closure proclamations issued by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.
View the Shellfish Sanitation Temporary Closure Map
Shellfish Aquaculture Tool
The Shellfish Aquaculture Tool is designed to allow new shellfish lease applicants, current shellfish lease holders, and anyone else interested in shellfish leases to follow the application process. Users can see existing shellfish leases, closed areas, historical seagrass beds, and terminated shellfish leases to better inform the site selection process. The tool is updated weekly to ensure the most up-to-date information is posted.
View the Interactive Shellfish Aquaculture Tool
Recreational Water Quality Swimming Advisory Map
Information about swimming site testing that ensures bacteriological standards for safe bodily contact are not exceeded.
View the Swimming Advisory Map
Cultch Planting Guide
This interactive map displays cultch planting sites from 1981-2018.
View the Interactive Cultch Planting Guide
Estuarine Benthic Mapping Program
Mapping the distribution of different bottom habitats is critical to effectively protect and manage estuarine resources. Because of this and to aid in facilitating shellfish harvest and aquaculture, the Division of Marine Fisheries maps and samples the benthic habitats within shellfish growing areas to determine habitat type, acreage and abundance of oysters, clams, scallops and submerged aquatic vegetation. To date, the division has mapped over 602,000 acres of the coastal estuarine waters from Little River in Brunswick County to the northern end of Roanoke and Croatan sounds in Dare County.
Estuarine benthic habitat types are delineated systematically using sounding poles and GPS coordinates along a map grid. The benthic habitat types are classified as soft, firm or hard; vegetated or non-vegetated; and with or without shell. Benthic habitat types are sampled for the presence of shellfish and submerged aquatic vegetation using tongs, rakes and meter squares. Sampling data include shellfish species counts, submerged aquatic vegetation species and density and other environmental data. Estuarine benthic habitat maps are created utilizing Geographical Information System. By collecting and utilizing the mapping and sampling data; estuarine benthic habitat resource maps are created which delineate benthic habitat boundary types. Click the link below to interactive maps of bottom habitat produced by this program.
Coastal Habitat Types with Interactive Maps
Habitat Mapping and Monitoring
Submerged aquatic vegetation mapping from:
- Carraway, R.J., and L.J. Priddy. 1983. Mapping of submerged grass beds in Core and Bogue Sounds, Carteret County, North Carolina, by conventional aerial photography. CEIP Report No. 20, 88p.
- Ferguson, R. L. and L.L. Wood. 1994. Rooted vascular aquatic beds in the Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system. NMFS, NOAA, Beaufort, NC, Project No. 94-02, 103 p.
- Davis, G.L. and Brinson, 1989. A Survey of Submersed Aquatic Vegetation of the Currituck Sound and the Western Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System. Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Study Report 89-10. East Carolina University, Greenville, NC., 137 p.
Hard bottom mapping from:
- SEAMAP-SA (Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program). 2001. South Atlantic Bight Hard Bottom Mapping. SEAMAP South Atlantic Bottom Mapping Workgroup, Charleston, South Carolina, 166p.
- Moser, M. L. and B. L. Taylor. 1995. Hard bottom habitat in North Carolina state waters: a survey of available data. Final Report to NC Division of Coastal Management. Unpub. doc., 20p.
Coastal wetlands mapping from:
Distribution of mapped fish habitats in North Carolina
Submerged Land Claims
The General Assembly in 1965 enacted legislation (G.S. § 113-205 and G.S. § 113-206) requiring registration of private claims to lands beneath navigable waters in 25 coastal counties. These maps contain recognized claims i.e. where a final claim resolution has been issued.