Information on Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2
A review of the striped mullet FMP is underway. Results of the 2022 stock assessment indicate the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. The Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2 is under development to address the stock status. The division is requesting stakeholders share expertise on the striped mullet fisheries to inform Amendment 2.
For questions, contact Jeffrey Dobbs, Jeffrey.Dobbs@deq.nc.gov, or Willow Patten, Willow.Patten@deq.nc.gov.
DMF Listening Sessions are opportunities for engagement between the public and DMF staff on Fishery Management Plans that have been approved for public review by the Marine Fisheries Commission. The Listening Session begins with a presentation of the issues by DMF staff and is followed by a question and answer period.
The striped mullet listening session was held on December 19, 2023.
Striped Mullet Decision Document
Draft Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2
The Draft Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2 public comment period will occur from December 18, 2023 through January 17, 2024. The draft amendment focuses on sustainable harvest in the striped mullet fishery.
The public may comment on Draft Amendment 2 in three ways:
- Speak at an Advisory Committee Meeting – Public comments will be accepted at the Marine Fisheries Commission Advisory Committee meetings in January 2024.
- Submit Online Comments – Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on January 17, 2024, through an online form.
- Mail Comments – Written comments may be mailed to Draft Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2 Comments, P.O Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. Comments must be received by the division by 5 p.m. on January 17.
Advisory committee meeting dates and locations where the public may comment in person are below. All meetings begin at 6 p.m.
| Southern Regional Advisory Committee January 10, 2024 |
Finfish Advisory Committee January 16, 2024 |
Northern Regional Advisory Committee January 18, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Environmental Quality Wilmington Regional Office 127 Cardinal Drive Wilmington |
Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office 5285 Highway 70 West Morehead City |
Dare County Administration Building Commissioners Meeting Room 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive Manteo |
The N.C. Division of Marine fisheries held the Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee Workshop July 25-27, 2023. Workshop-style meetings allow scientists, managers, and stakeholders on the committee to address questions, comments, and concerns more effectively and in a less formal setting.
The workshop consisted of the fishery management plan advisory committee and division plan development team working together to refine draft Amendment 2. The advisory committee provided input for consideration while refining management options in the draft amendment. Based on the input, the division further developed Amendment 2 to present to the Marine Fisheries Commission at its November 2023 business meeting.
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries held a public scoping period to receive public input on potential management strategies. The primary management strategy for Amendment 2 is long-term sustainable harvest in the striped mullet fishery. A scoping document outlining the potential management strategies was developed for the public. Fisheries stakeholders provided comments throughout the scoping period.
The 2022 stock assessment for striped mullet determined the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. A 33% reduction in total removals is needed to end the overfishing within two years. A 20-33% reduction in total removals is needed to rebuild the female spawning stock biomass to sustainable levels and end the overfished status within 10 years.
2022 Stock Assessment of Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus) in North Carolina Waters