Press Releases

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Commercial Resource Fund Committee and the Funding Committee for the N.C. Commercial Fishing Resource Fund will meet jointly on Jan. 14, 2026, at 3 p.m. via WebEx.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) has issued a water quality certification with conditions to strengthen protections for wetlands, waterways and streambanks impacted by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC’s (Transco’s) proposed expansion of a natural gas pipeline.

The latest update to DEQ's “Air Quality Trends in North Carolina” report shows emissions of harmful air pollutants like ozone and fine particles continue a long-running downward trend.

After reviewing public comments, the Division of Air Quality issued a modified Title V air quality permit to Domtar Paper Co. in Martin County.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) has issued the revised wastewater discharge permit for Martin Marietta Materials Inc.’s Vanceboro Quarry.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has extended the mechanical oyster harvest season in portions of Pamlico Sound as the result of adaptive management measures that included collaboration with stakeholders.

As part of a department-wide effort to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, contamination in North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) has negotiated a special order by consent (SOC) with Sampson County Disposal LLC to phase in treatment and removal of PFAS from groundwater. 

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries announces a one-month striped bass season will open April 2026 for parts of the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers and their tributaries. The season will be open April 1–30 for both recreational and commercial fisheries.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries wants to remind the public to report any cold stunned spotted seatrout they may see in North Carolina coastal waters.

There’s more bluefish in the sea! As a result, the bag limit for recreationally caught bluefish will increase on Jan. 1 in North Carolina Coastal Fishing Waters and Joint Fishing Waters.