Press Releases

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Nominating Committee will meet at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office conference room on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.

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

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is accepting public comment on eight proposed rules pertaining to the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, false albacore management and pot marking requirements. A public hearing will be held by web conference on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. A listening station will be established at the NCDEQ Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office at 5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.