The North Carolina Coastal Federation will be removing large-scale marine debris in the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound with a grant award from the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program. The federation will coordinate the project in partnership with Dare County and the N.C. Division of Coastal Management. The major goal of this NOAA Marine […]
Fishing | Full Article
The North Carolina Coastal Federation’s Restaurant to Reef Oyster Shell Recycling program, which uses oyster shells collected from dining establishments to create new habitats for fish and shellfish, is up and running. The federation recently built its first oyster reef using only recycled oyster shells from Outer Banks restaurants, oyster roasts and volunteers, kicking off […]
Fishing | Full Article
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ spending plan for federal CARES Act fisheries assistance has been approved by NOAA Fisheries. The state now awaits notification from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission that the $5.4 million has been awarded. The spending plan details the state’s approach for disbursement of the funding through direct payments to […]
Fishing | Full Article
A $2.25 million oyster reef habitat project in Pamlico Sound has been recommended for funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The North Carolina Coastal Federation is partnering with the state Division of Marine Fisheries to add 15 acres of new oyster reef habitat in Pamlico Sound. The project will add 5 acres per […]
Fishing | Full Article
Based on the best available landings information, NOAA Fisheries has determined that the Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, and roundscale spearfish 250-landings limit has been met and exceeded for 2020. Under applicable regulations, only catch-and-release fishing is permitted for these species for the rest of the year. From September 30, 2020, through December 31, 2020, […]
Fishing | Full Article
The commercial flounder season opens soon, and the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding gill net fishermen that one of the conditions for the Estuarine Gill Net Permit (EGNP) is to allow division staff to observe gill net operations. In response to risks associated with COVID-19, observations will occur at a safe distance from […]
Fishing | Full Article
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is looking for commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists, and other interested parties to sit on various fisheries advisory committees. Two regional advisory committees – Northern and Southern – and three standing advisory committees – Finfish, Habitat and Water Quality, and Shellfish/Crustacean – review matters referred to them by the commission, […]
Fishing | Full Article
The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet September 9 by video conference. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. The public may join the meeting by computer or phone. Agenda items for the commission meeting include: Shellfish Aquaculture – The commission will hear updates from the division of marine fisheries on rulemaking related to […]
Fishing | Full Article
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission this week released two recently completed striped bass assessment reports. The Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River benchmark assessment and the Central Southern Management Area Stock Report are posted also on the Division of Marine Fisheries‘ website. These reports represent a joint effort between the two agencies, and a working group […]
Fishing | Full Article
by Robert Michelson One of the strangest looking and trickiest to catch saltwater fish in North Carolina waters is the triggerfish. These animals swim by moving their top fin and bottom fins. Flapping them in the “breeze,” they are able to hover in one position. They can also lock themselves in a reef crevice for protection by […]
Fishing | Full Article
