North Wake News

The Division of Marine Fisheries, part of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), is inviting public input for Amendment 5 to the North Carolina Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This scoping period will occur from March 1 to March 31, allowing stakeholders to offer feedback on potential management strategies and priorities. The process includes four scoping meetings.

Amendment 5 aims to address a motion made by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission in August 2024. The amendment seeks to allow more recreational access while adhering to the rebuilding requirements established in Amendment 3. It is being developed alongside Amendment 4 to create long-term strategies for managing both recreational and commercial Southern Flounder fishing. A scoping document with potential issues and management strategies is available on the division's website under Information on Southern Flounder FMP Amendment 5.

Public feedback can be submitted through an online form or via mail to N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, Southern Flounder Scoping, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C., 28557. Comments must be received by March 31 at 5 p.m.

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

- March 4 at Archdale Building in Raleigh

- March 6 at Dare County Administration Building in Manteo

- March 11 at DMF Central District Office in Morehead City

- March 27 at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington

All meetings will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., adopting an informal open-house format without formal presentations or structured public comment periods. Attendees can engage with division staff throughout these sessions to discuss Southern Flounder science and management issues.

Stakeholder input collected during these meetings will contribute to the development of Amendment 5.