Press Releases

Nineteen rules go into effect as of Aug. 23, including amendments pertaining to reducing shellfish lease user conflicts, repackaging foreign crab meat, and limiting certain gears on state ocean artificial reefs. The rules were amended and readopted under a state mandated periodic review schedule.

Three new members of the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission members took the oath of office and participated in their first meeting this week.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a spotted seatrout stock assessment peer review workshop Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 at the Courtyard by Marriott, 5046 Henderson Dr., Jacksonville.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified a new state record Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus).

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified a new state record Cubera Snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus).

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in-person Aug. 17-18 at the Courtyard by Marriott, 5046 Henderson Dr., Jacksonville. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Board will meet by teleconference at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 18. The board will consider license applications that are deemed complete and submitted by Sept. 12.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries today released the 2021 Fishery Management Plan Review.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified the first state record Spanish Hogfish, which was also certified as the All-Tackle World Record in 2021.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will collect Red Snapper carcasses from recreational fishermen during the upcoming Red Snapper-mini season.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified a new state record Graysby Grouper (Cephalopholis cruentata) that may also be a world record.

Edward J. Tait of Little River, S.C. caught the 3-pound, 0.8-ounce fish offshore of Ocean Isle Beach on June 30.

One newly amended marine fisheries rule will go into effect July 1. The change clarifies definitions and formalizes procedures for transferring ownership or subleasing of a shellfish lease.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding potential shellfish lease applicants that the 2022 application period ends Aug. 1.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting proposals for the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program for federal fiscal year 2023.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has launched a new interactive mapping tool to assist the public with finding and using maps associated with rules.