Press Releases

Precautionary swimming advisory lifted for ocean area in Oak Island where floodwater pumping occurred

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary swimming advisory in Oak Island. The advisory was lifted because floodwaters have rescinded, and pumping has ceased.

N.C. Mining Commission Committee on Rules Readoption to meet June 2

The North Carolina Mining Commission’s Committee on Rules Readoption will meet virtually on June 2, 2023, beginning at 10 a.m., to continue discussion regarding readoption of Mining Program rules last adopted in 2010. The public is invited to attend by computer or phone.

REMINDER: Application period opens June 1 for Coastal Reserve local advisory committees

The application period opens June 1 for N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve local advisory committees. Community members are needed for each of the Coastal Reserve’s ten sites: Bird Island Reserve, Bald Head Woods Reserve, Zeke’s Island Reserve, Masonboro Island Reserve, Permuda Island Reserve, Rachel Carson Reserve, Buxton Woods Reserve, Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, Currituck Banks Reserve, and Emily and Preyer Buckridge Reserve.

Precautionary swimming advisory issued for ocean area in Oak Island where floodwater pumping has occurred

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 coastal commission to meet in New Bern June 15

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will meet June 15 at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center, 203 South Front Street, New Bern. A public input and comment period is scheduled for noon. At the chair’s discretion, comments may be limited to three minutes per person. The meeting is open to the public.

Marine Fisheries Commission acts to end overfishing of striped mullet

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission acted today approving supplemental management measures to address overfishing of striped mullet in state waters.

REMINDER: DEQ accepting public comments on Animal Waste Management General Permits through June 5

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will receive public comment through June 5 as part of the renewal process for six Animal Feeding Operations General Permits. 

New Recreational slot limit implemented for striped bass caught in the ocean

A new slot limit for recreationally-caught striped bass will go into effect June 1 in North Carolina ocean waters to comply with action taken by the Atlantic State’s Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board.

Application period opens June 1 for Coastal Reserve local advisory committees

The application period opens June 1 for N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve local advisory committees. Community members are needed for each of the Coastal Reserve’s ten sites: Bird Island Reserve, Bald Head Woods Reserve, Zeke’s Island Reserve, Masonboro Island Reserve, Permuda Island Reserve, Rachel Carson Reserve, Buxton Woods Reserve, Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, Currituck Banks Reserve, and Emily and Preyer Buckridge Reserve.

State certifies Mangrove Snapper as new state record

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified a new state record Mangrove Snapper, or gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus).