The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission conducted its quarterly business meeting this week, receiving updates from the Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries and addressing several administrative matters.
During the meeting, staff from the Division presented an analysis of Southern Flounder in state waters. Using fishery-independent sampling data through 2024, they reported modest improvements in the stock. The findings included a slight increase in relative abundance and a broader age range among observed fish.
The Commission also discussed the harvest management strategy for Striped Bass populations in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico rivers. Under Amendment 2 to the Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan, which uses an adaptive management framework, new measures have been developed by both the Division and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. These measures aim to balance resource protection with fishing access. The strategy will take effect in 2026 and will allow limited harvest of stocked Striped Bass while restricting harvests of Albemarle-Roanoke stock fish that inhabit these river systems. More information is available on the Information on Estuarine Striped Bass Amendment 2 webpage.
Other actions taken by the Commission included nominating Robert Ruhle, Mary Ellon Ballance, and Thomas Newman for a seat on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The Commission also adopted amendments to certain rules that are subject to legislative review before becoming effective in 2026. These amendments cover permit requirements as well as conforming changes related to franchise and shellfish lease requirements.
Additionally, members reviewed a proposed framework and tentative timeline for developing an amendment to the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan slated for 2026. The draft framework outlines four main focus areas: protecting and restoring submerged aquatic vegetation; planning for long-term changes to wetlands; using integrated ecosystem assessments to monitor coastal habitats; and exploring how community engagement relates to habitat protection.
Meeting materials and recordings are available on the MFC Meetings webpage.
