Public comment opens for draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4

Friday, March 28, 2025

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will accept public comment on draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4 from April 1 to April 30. Draft Amendment 4 would expedite the sector allocation shift to 50/50 (commercial/recreational) by one year to 2025.

Morehead City

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will accept public comment on draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4 from April 1 to April 30. Draft Amendment 4 would expedite the sector allocation shift to 50/50 (commercial/recreational) by one year to 2025.

In-person comments may be made at any of three advisory committee meetings scheduled in April: 

April 8, 2025 6 p.m. Southern Regional Advisory CommitteeCentral District Office 
5285 Highway 70 West 
Morehead City, NC 28557		April 10, 2025 6 p.m.Northern Regional Advisory CommitteeCollege of the Albemarle 
Dare Campus – Room 110 
205 US-64 
Manteo, NC 27954		April 16, 2025 6 p.m.Finfish Advisory CommitteeCentral District Office 
5285 Highway 70 West 
Morehead City, NC 28557 

Written comments may be submitted in any of the following ways:

The deadline to submit comments is April 30, 2025.  Amendment 3, adopted in 2022, prescribed a shift in quota allocation from 70/30 (commercial/recreational) to 60/40 in 2025 and 50/50 in 2026. However, following two years with short recreational flounder seasons and one year with no recreational flounder season, the Marine Fisheries Commission tasked the Division of Marine Fisheries with finding ways to allow more recreational access while maintaining the stock rebuilding requirements in Amendment 3. Amendment 4 addresses this task by expediting the 50/50 sector allocation shift to occur in 2025 instead of 2026.

More long-term, comprehensive options for recreational access will be considered in Amendment 5, which is currently under development. A scoping period for Amendment 5 is open until March 31. More information on Amendment 5 is available at https://www.deq.nc.gov/information-southern-flounder-amendment-5. 

Sea Trail Fishing Club Holds Extraordinary Fish Fry

Scenes from the happy, satiated crowd

April 7, 2025

Laurie Thomas Vass

The Sea Trail Fishing Club held its Spring Fish Fry on April 5, 2025, at the Pink Palace, in the Sea Trail development, in Sunset Beach, N. C.

The event was managed by Alan Trojan, the Club Events chairperson.

“We were pleased with our turnout and the amazing food that was brought by our members,” Trojan said.

“Our chefs extraodinaire, Mike Griffin and Gary Smith  cooked a massive amount of fish, French fries, hush puppies, and onions to feed the hungry masses,” Trojan commented.

Club Chefs Extraordinaire , Gary Smith, left, Mike Griffin, right.

Laurie Thomas Vass, the clubs Director of Public Relations noted that not one scrap of fish was left in the Pink Palace serving area when the event ended.

Shannon managed to hide a tray of fish from the starving masses to give to the local Sunset Beach Fire Department.

Vass estimated about 75 happy club members attended the free event.

“We hope to conduct our Fall Fish Fry in October or November, and will post the  date on our website, Trojan said.

Chomping down

Anxious members lining up

Beans, Beans, Good for your heart.

Happy club members at the Fish Fry

North Carolina Marine Fisheries Regulations Threaten Financial Liveliehood of N. C. and S. C. Charter Captains and Fishing Guides.

For Immediate Release

April 6, 2025

Contact Laurie Thomas Vass

ltvtoo@gmail.om

Sunset Beach, N. C.

Two charter fishing captains, one from Shallotte, North Carolina, and one from Little River,      S. C., expressed their disgust with the over-regulation of recreational fishing in North Carolina.

“The over-regulation of fishing in North Carolina is damaging our fishing populations in South Carolina,” said Scotty Lambert, a charter captain and owner of Little River Fishing Fleet.

Scotty Lambert, Little River Fishing Fleet.

 “Anglers from all over North Carolina are overcrowding us in South Carolina because they are prohibited from catching trout, flounder, and have restrictive daily limits of 3 fish per day, on Blue Fish, in North Carolina” he added.

Josh Reynolds, of Maverick Charters, in Shallotte, N. C., said he doubts the accuracy and legitimacy of the North Carolina data used to prohibit fishing in North Carolina.

Captain Josh Reynolds, Maverick Charters

“I fish just about 365 days a year,” he said. “I see an abundance of sea trout, flounder and Blue Fish every day. The over-regulation is killing me financially,” he added.

“I have had to target Sheepshead in order to stay alive financially, and the over-regulation in the other species is causing a decline of the Sheepshead population because that is the only fish anglers can keep,” he added.

Both charter captains were exhibiting their businesses at Daves Outpost, in Sunset Beach, N. C. , in the fifth annual South Brunswick celebration of recreational fishing.”

Greg Bloom and Fletcher Frink, the executives of Daves Outpost, expressed their concern about the negative economic effects the over-regulation of fishing in North Carolina is having on the charter fishing business.

Left to Right, Greg Bloom Fletcher Frink

“We hold our event to promote the local recreational fishing industry in Southern Brunswick County,” said Frink. “We are trying to do whatever we can to help the charter captains survive, by hosting this event,” he added.

Over 50 small businesses exhibited at the event, held on April 6, 2025. One of the small businesses at the event was Griffin Canady, the owner of Watermans Choice, an oyster farming operation, located AT Topsail Beach, N. C.

Griffin and Margo Canady, Watermans Choice Oyster Farm.

“I worked for 6 years with state environmental agencies before I started my oyster farm,” Canady said. “I know first hand the beneficial effects our oyster farm has on the local marine environment, and can see the habitat improving to vibrant areas from the dead zones before we started farming area,” he said.

The event drew about 1000 visitors.

“I love North Carolina, and love the people who fish with me,” said Reynolds. “I cannot understand why the State Government is intent on harming my business with over-regulation” he added.

About Little River Fishing Fleet. We have 4 boats and full crews to do both inshore and offshore fishing. We accommodate whatever type of fishing our anglers desire. https://cptscottysfishingcharters.com

About Maverick Charters. We fish intercoastal creeks and target trophy Sheepshead. 910 477 3222.

About Daves Outpost. We are a full service one-stop shop for all your fishing needs. We have our own shrimp boat and feature live shrimp and minnows on a daily basis.

https://davesoutpost.com/store-info. 910 579 2016.

Southern Brunswick celebrates charter captains and fishing guides

“Our intent in sponsoring this event is to promote all of the businesses in Southern Brunswick who share our passion for fishing,” said Greg Bloom.” He also noted that this is the fifth annual celebration that Daves has sponsored.