Press Releases

State recreational water quality officials today advised beachgoers to be aware of the floodwaters being pumped to the ocean surf in Oak Island. Surfers and swimmers should avoid these sites.

State recreational water quality officials today are alerting the public that initial testing at a sound-side site in Brunswick County showed levels of bacteria exceeding the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality swimming standards.

State recreational water quality officials today advised beachgoers to be aware of the floodwaters being pumped to the ocean surf in Emerald Isle. Surfers and swimmers should avoid these sites.

The Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has launched a new interactive mapping tool to assist the public in finding information about shellfish leases in North Carolina.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is disappointed to learn of U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’s decision to override North Carolina's Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) Consistency Objection to WesternGeco’s proposal to conduct Geological and Geophysical (Seismic) surveys off the North Carolina coast.

Division of Marine Fisheries Director Steve Murphey has announced the 2020 commercial flounder seasons.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is seeking input from the public on a draft spending plan for $5.4 million in federal CARES Act fisheries assistance. The spending plan must be approved by NOAA Fisheries for the state to receive the funding.

The North Carolina Oil and Gas Commission will meet virtually on Tuesday, June 16.

The N. C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet June 10-11 by video conference. The meetings will begin at 9 a.m. both days. The public may join the meeting by computer or phone.

Recreational anglers will be required to use circle hooks when fishing for sharks with natural bait in state waters beginning June 22