Press Releases

Public comment opens for draft Spotted Seatrout amendment

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting public comment on the Draft Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Amendment 1.

UPDATE: Precautionary swimming advisory issued for ocean-side areas in Corolla and Duck where floodwater pumping has occurred

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

Precautionary swimming advisory lifted for most areas in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties after tropical storm

MOREHEAD CITY – State officials today lifted the precautionary advisory against swimming due to Tropical Cyclone 8 for all swimming areas in New Hanover and Brunswick counties, except for two sound-side sites in Wrightsville Beach and for areas where stormwater pumping to the surf is still ongoing.

Commercial striped mullet weekend closures will change October 1

The current Saturday and Sunday commercial harvest closure for striped mullet will change to a Saturday through Monday closure beginning Oct. 1 and continue through Dec. 31. The change implements a management strategy in Amendment 2 to the Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan, adopted by the Marine Fisheries Commission in May 2024.

Division of Marine Fisheries revises gill net management unit boundaries, gear definitions

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has revised the boundaries for estuarine gill net management areas and updated gear definitions in anticipation that a new Incidental Take Permit (ITP) may be issued during the upcoming commercial flounder season.

Broad River Basin Plan available for public comment through Oct. 17

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR) is accepting public comment through Oct. 17, 2024, on the 2024 Broad River Basin Plan. Basin plans help state and local leaders identify areas needing additional protection, restoration or preservation to ensure waters of the state are meeting water quality standards.

Precautionary swimming advisory lifted for ocean and sound-side areas in Emerald Isle where floodwater pumping occurred

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary swimming advisory in Emerald Isle. The advisory was lifted because floodwaters have receded, and pumping has ceased.

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

MOREHEAD CITY – An advisory against swimming was posted today at an ocean-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.

Water quality swimming advisories issued for sound-side sites in Carteret County

MOREHEAD CITY – Advisories against swimming were posted today at two sound-side sites in Carteret 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.

Division of Marine Fisheries plans dye study training in Carolina Beach

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries, in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will conduct dye study training in the Cape Fear River, beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 18. The dye, which may cause the water to appear reddish or pinkish in a portion of the river, will be released from the Carolina Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant for a 12-hour period, beginning in the early morning.