Submit Public Comments on Mandatory Harvest Reporting Temporary Rules

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are accepting public comment on proposed temporary rules for mandatory harvest reporting. To submit comments on the Marine Fisheries Commission's proposed temporary rules, use the form below. To submit comments on the Wildlife Resources Commission's proposed temporary rules, please see the Wildlife Resources Commission website.

The North Carolina General Assembly passed Session Law 2023-137 in the fall of 2023. Section 6 of this legislation requires any person who recreationally harvests Red Drum, Flounder, Spotted Seatrout, Striped Bass, and Weakfish to report that harvest to the Division of Marine Fisheries. Additionally, it requires anyone holding a commercial fishing license who is engaged in a commercial fishing operation to report all fish harvested to the Division of Marine Fisheries, regardless of sale.

The legislation phases in the requirements over a period of three years. The first phase is effective December 1, 2024, and includes a verbal warning for failure to report harvest. Warning tickets will be issued starting December 1, 2025, followed by an infraction with a $35 fine starting December 1, 2026. These infractions count towards suspension of fishing licenses and permits. Temporary rules are needed to be able to implement the requirements starting December 1, 2024.

Information on these proposed rules can be found on the Mandatory Harvest Reporting Information webpage. Please submit comments on the Marine Fisheries Commission's proposed temporary rules through the below form from April 22, 2024 through 5 p.m. May 20, 2024.

All information entered via this form is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law, will be published to the Division of Marine Fisheries website, and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized state official. Do not include any information that you do not wish to be publicly disclosed.