Press Releases
Fisheries ask public to report cold stunned trout
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding the public to report any cold stunned spotted seatrout they may see in North Carolina coastal waters.
Stricter striped bass harvest restrictions take effect Jan. 1 in Albemarle Sound Management Area
Stricter harvest restrictions will take effect Jan. 1, 2021 for the commercial and recreational striped bass fisheries in the Albemarle Sound Management Area. The reduced harvest is needed to end overfishing on the Albemarle-Roanoke striped bass stock.
Blue crab season closure implemented
The blue crab season closures will go into effect Jan. 1-31, 2021 in North Carolina state waters north and east of the Highway 58 bridge and March 1-15, 2021 south and west of the Highway 58 bridge. The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission approved measures to end overfishing and achieve sustainable harvest with the adoption of the Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 at its February 2020 meeting.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Fisheries division seeks input on 2021 oyster cultch planting season
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is requesting input on locations for 2021 oyster cultch planting.
Circle hooks will be required for recreational striped bass fishing in ocean beginning Jan. 1
Recreational anglers will be required to use circle hooks when fishing for striped bass with natural bait in coastal ocean waters beginning Jan. 1, 2021.
Marine Fisheries Commission wants more input on modifying small mesh gill net rules; reviews options for southern flounder sector allocations
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission wants input from its advisors before it moves forward with possible future modifications to small mesh gill net rules.
Division of Marine Fisheries seeks shrimp advisers
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is looking for commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists, representatives of non-government organizations, and other interested parties to sit on a Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee.
Two new North Carolina state record fish are also world records
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified two new state record fish that are also certified as all tackle world record fish.
Recreational fishing group voluntarily dismisses lawsuit against state over shrimp trawling
A recreational fishing group has dropped a lawsuit that claimed without evidence that the state fisheries agency is violating the federal Clean Water Act in its management of shrimp trawling in North Carolina.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Marine Fisheries Commission to meet by web conference Nov. 19-20
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet by web conference Nov. 19-20, beginning at 9 a.m. each day.

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