The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries is hosting a series of public outreach meetings to train fishermen on the Observer Trip Scheduling System (OTSS). The OTSS is an automated system that will be used to schedule observer trips for Estuarine Gill Net Permit (EGNP) holders in North Carolina. The Division has worked [...] Fishing |  Full Article

From SamWalkerOBXNews.com NOAA Fisheries has announced voluntary slow zones have been put in place in off the Outer Banks after endangered North Atlantic right whales were spotted offshore. There are approximately 360 individual North Atlantic right whales remaining, including fewer than 70 reproductively active females. Vessel strikes are considered the primary threat to the whales [...] Fishing |  Full Article

Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limit for recreational fishermen will revert to the default limit of one school, large school, or small medium bluefin tuna (27 to <73” curved fork length) per vessel per day/trip. This limit will take effect January 1, 2025, and extend through December 31, 2025, unless modified by later action. NOAA Fisheries says [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is hosting a series of public outreach meetings to train fishermen on the Observer Trip Scheduling System ahead of its launch next year. The OTSS is an automated system that will be used to schedule observer trips for Estuarine Gill Net Permit holders in North Carolina. NCDMF has [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries’ Artificial Reef Program sank a 55-foot trawler at AR-305, off Cape Lookout, last week. The FV Alexandria Dawn, was constructed in 1984, but has been out of use for around a decade. Before sinking, the vessel was cleaned extensively in accordance with EPA requirements. Purchase [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission this week chose preferred management measures for the N.C. Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Amendment 1 that merged recommendations from its advisory committees, as well as public comment, with proposals from the Division of Marine Fisheries. Most notably, the Commission’s preferred management options do not include a proposed seasonal closure. [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The North Carolina Coastal Federation is set to begin its 11th year of the Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project in January 2025. But before the effort can get underway, the Federation needs the help of commercial watermen and women along the northern and central coast to sign up to help us find and collect lost [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The Cape Hatteras Anglers Club 66th Annual Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament was held on November 6-8, 2024. 120 teams participated in this year’s tournament and caught a total of 813 fish. This tournament is the largest of its kind in the world. Each year, 120 teams (720 fishermen and women) are invited to participate. Including [...] Fishing |  Full Article

At its May business meeting, the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission voted to approve new, more restrictive management rules for the striped mullet fishery. Six months later, bait and tackle shops are feeling the effects of the day-of-the-week commercial closures on their businesses. With Hatteras Island’s fall fishing season in full swing, mullet is harder [...] Fishing |  Full Article