Press Releases

State officials advise against swimming in coastal waters impacted by Hurricane Ian

State recreational water quality officials are advising the public to avoid swimming in North Carolina coastal waters affected by Hurricane Ian.

RELEASE: North Carolina Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board to meet October 3

The state Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board will meet on Monday, October 3 in the Archdale Ground Floor Hearing room at 10am.  The public is invited to attend the meeting in-person or online.

Water quality swimming advisory issued for sound-side site in Dare County

An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Dare County, where state recreational water quality officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

2022 fall recreational striped bass season will not open

The fall recreational striped bass season in the Albemarle Sound Management Area will not open in 2022 because a stock assessment update shows further harvest reductions are needed.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Marine Fisheries Commission Nominating Committee to meet Oct. 11

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Nominating Committee will meet by web conference on Oct. 11 at 1 p.m.

State Issues Air Quality Permit to World Cat Greenville; Continues Compliance Investigation

The N.C. Division of Air Quality issued an air quality permit to World Cat Greenville, a fiberglass boat manufacturing facility in Pitt County. DAQ is continuing a compliance investigation after issuing the facility a Notice of Violation earlier this year.

REMINDER: Application Period for Fall 2022 Drinking Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Infrastructure Project Funding Closes at 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 30

The Division of Water Infrastructure’s application deadline for the Fall 2022 round of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure project funding is Sept. 30, 2022, no later than 5:00 p.m. All applications must be completely submitted and received via the Division’s online submittal portal by 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2022

Commercial flounder season closing statewide for mobile gears; trip limit established for pound nets in Northern Management Area

The commercial flounder season is closing for mobile gears in internal coastal waters statewide. Additionally, a flounder trip limit is established for the Pound Net Northern Management Area.

RELEASE: Secretary's Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board Meeting October 13

The Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board will hold its quarterly business meeting in-person on October 13 at 3 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend in-person or online.

Division of Marine Fisheries announces scoping period for striped mullet

The Division of Marine Fisheries is developing Amendment 2 to the N.C. Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The division will hold a public scoping period Sept. 26 to Oct. 7 to solicit public input on potential management strategies for the upcoming amendment and discuss stakeholder priorities. Scoping is the best opportunity for the public to inform the plan.