Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Cultch planting meetings scheduled

MOREHEAD CITY
Feb 24, 2016

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold seven public meetings in March to receive suggestions and comments on cultch planting.

Cultch planting involves strategically placing shells and rock to enhance shellfish habitat in potentially productive shellfish areas. Oysters, clams and other aquatic life are attracted to the cultch and begin to immediately colonize on the material.

In an effort to improve the cultch planting program, the division’s Shellfish Rehabilitation staff holds annual meetings to provide interested parties the opportunity to give input on planting sites, methods, materials and quantities. 

The meetings will be held on the following dates and locations:

March 1 at 6 p.m.                          
North Topsail Beach Town Hall
2008 Loggerhead Court, North Topsail Beach

March 2 at 6 p.m.              
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
Wilmington Regional Office
127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington

March 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Varnamtown Town Hall
100 Varnamtown Road SW, Supply

March 7 at 6 p.m.                      
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
Manteo Office
1021 Driftwood Drive, Manteo

March 8 at 6 p.m.                                  
Hyde County Government Center
30 Oyster Creek Road, Swan Quarter

March 9 at 6 p.m.
Pamlico County Courthouse
202 Main St., Bayboro

March 10 at 6 p.m.            
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
Central District Office
5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City

For more information, contact Garry Wright, Habitat and Enhancement Section biologist supervisor, at 252-808-8058 or Garry.Wright@ncdenr.gov

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