Press Releases

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) this week voted to begin the rulemaking process for a five-fish recreational bag limit for Atlantic Bonito.

Have questions about the upcoming Red Snapper season? The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has answers in an FAQ list on its Red Snapper Season webpage.

The recreational Red Snapper season will open for 62 days this summer for anglers willing to participate in a pilot project to test a data collection program that will use a mobile application to monitor the recreational Red Snapper season.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet May 13-14 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 100 Middle St., New Bern, N.C. 28560. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on YouTube. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, and at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 14. The Commission will accept public comments beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday and at 9 a.m. Thursday.

There will not be a conflict between federal and state regulations when North Carolina’s recreational season for Black Sea Bass north of Cape Hatteras opens tomorrow (May 1).

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a webinar to update the public on development of a new benchmark Blue Crab stock assessment.

The recreational Black Sea Bass fishing season will open May 1 in North Carolina waters north of Cape Hatteras.

Presales begin April 15 for N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries commercial and for-hire fishing licenses and permits for the new license year that starts on July 1.

He’s known for his professionalism, strong work ethic and commitment to conserving North Carolina’s marine resources. These qualities earned Marine Patrol Officer Jonathan Price this year’s Marine Patrol Officer of the Year Award.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting applications for commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists and interested parties to serve on the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 5 Advisory Committee.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries reminds fishermen that a one-month striped bass season will open April 1 in portions of the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers and their tributaries.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries reminds fishermen that the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold its Lines of Communication meetings in North Carolina next week.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries, through its Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program, will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish bottom and water column leases in Pamlico County at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The hearing will be held in person at the Pamlico County Courthouse, 202 Main St., Bayboro, NC 28515 and via Webex.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish bottom and water column leases in Hyde County at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The hearing will be held in person at the Hyde County Courthouse, 40 Oyster Creek Road, Swan Quarter, N.C. 27885 and via Webex.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has opened the 2026 application period for the state’s Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program. Individuals interested in leasing public coastal waters to cultivate shellfish may submit applications through Aug. 1, 2026.