New research suggests anglers should think twice about keeping fish that are close to the minimum size limit. Knowing minimum size limits for the fish species you target is only half of the story. What happens to that fish after it dies in your cooler? If it’s right at the minimum size for harvest when [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet Aug. 21-23 at the Doubletree by Hilton University Brownstone, 1707 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Aug. 21, at 9 a.m. Aug. 22, and at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 23. Public comment periods will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 21 and at 9:30 a.m. [...] Fishing |  Full Article

A few weeks ago, the last barge load of marl was placed on the Swan Island Oyster Sanctuary, completing a three-year project to build one of the largest oyster sanctuaries in North Carolina waters. The 60 new acres of oyster habitat at the mouth of the Neuse River brings the total to 357 acres of oyster sanctuaries [...] Fishing |  Full Article

In March of this year, a bipartisan bill was put into motion that many believe will undermine the economic structure of Hatteras Island if it is passed. House Bill 483, colloquially known as the “Let Them Spawn” Bill, proposes to place size limits on species vital not only to the commercial fishing industry directly, but [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting public input on proposed changes to regulations for red snapper affecting how the current limited openings should be handled. A series of public hearings will be held via webinar from August 12-15, 2019 with listening stations established along the South Atlantic coast (see schedule below). The proposed [...] Fishing |  Full Article

WHAT/WHEN: The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on July 30, 2019. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is continuing efforts to make its annual stock overview both easier to navigate and more informative for the public. In this year’s overview, the division no longer includes a one-page summary on each species, but alternatively links directly to the more thorough report for each species in the annual Fishery [...] Fishing |  Full Article

Per the FB19-011: South Atlantic Fishery Bulletin, NOAA announced the limited opening of recreational and commercial seasons for red snapper in the South Atlantic Federal Waters, which includes coastal North Carolina. WHAT/WHEN: The recreational sector will open for harvest on the following days: July 12, 13, and 14, 2019 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) – The recreational season opens [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will collect red snapper carcasses from recreational fishermen during the upcoming red snapper season. The division has set up four new freezer locations, in addition to the 12 carcass collection locations available throughout the year, where recreational fishermen can take their red snapper carcasses. The additional locations are: • [...] Fishing |  Full Article