Press Releases

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has fixed a technical issue with the Observer Trip Scheduling System (OTSS) that had been affecting the system’s automated fisherman selection and confirmation number notifications.

Wondering about the science behind management of state marine fisheries species? Check out the 2025 Fishery Management Plan Review, released today by the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF).

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified a new state record for the Jolthead Porgy (Calamus bajonado).

As the summer comes to an end and the Labor Day holiday is upon us, the NC Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Water Resources (DWR) reminds the public to avoid contact with discolored water that could indicate the presence of an algal bloom.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in Beaufort County.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in Carteret County.

The Division of Marine Fisheries’ scoping period for Kingfishes (sea mullet) begins today, providing fishermen and other stakeholders an opportunity to provide input about stock and fishery issues, and share ideas on management strategies for the scheduled 5-year review of the N.C. Kingfishes Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting applications for approximately $2.5 million in funding through Phases 3 and 4 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) to help coastal communities design and implement projects that strengthen local resilience to coastal hazards. Applications are due Nov. 10, 2026, by 5 p.m. 

The Master Plan Update Committee of the State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet via teleconference on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. The public may listen to the meeting online or by phone.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries recently established a new state record for Cubera Snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus). David Ashman of Mohnton, Penn., caught the 85-pound fish on July 31 off of Hatteras. Ashman replaced the existing state record Cubera Snapper that weighed 58 pounds, 8 ounces, landed by Thomas Madsen in 2022.