by Robert Michelson The name false albacore triggers an immediate reaction from local fishermen – fun! This species of tuna-like fish puts up an amazing fight once hooked, but by prolonging the battle, you may also greatly reduce its survivability back in the sea. This species is easy to identify from its closest cousin, the bonito. [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a workshop by webinar over several days in October with the southern flounder fishery management plan advisory committee to review draft Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan. Workshop dates are as follows: DATE TIME Oct. 8 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 14 3 [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is accepting public comment on proposed amendments and re-adoption of 50 rules under a state-mandated periodic review schedule. Most of the rules pertain to shellfish lease user conflicts, reclassification of Special Secondary Nursery Areas, oyster sanctuaries, classification of shellfish growing waters, and sanitation standards for commercial crustacea processing procedures. Other [...] Fishing |  Full Article

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