2020 CCA Civil Suit Against State of North Carolina Alleging “Mismanagement of Marine Resources” Still in Limbo

By Laurie Thomas Vass, Director of Public Relations

Sea Trail Fishing Club, Sunset Beach, N. C.

The Sea Trail Fishing Club hosted an address by Stuart Creighton, Vice President of the Coastal Conservation Association, on June 19, 2025, at the Pink Palace, in the Sea Trails Development.

Creighton began his address by expressing his reluctance to harm the livelihoods of North Carolina commercial fishermen.

“I do not sleep well at night over my concern about the threat to the way of life of the people who make their living from harvesting the sea,” Creighton said.

“But, he continued, “there are much better ways to harvest the bounty of our oceans that do not cause damage to the marine environment, or cause great conflict with the recreational anglers.”

The CCA civil suit alleges that the government of North Carolina has been an “abject failure” in managing the state’s marine resources.

The suit is based on the State’s longstanding, public-trust responsibilities to manage coastal fish stocks in a way that protects the public-trust rights of the public, as codified in the North Carolina Constitution, Article I, Section 38. Right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.

The State Constitution states, in part,

“The right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is a valued part of the State’s heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good. The people have a right, including the right to use traditional methods, to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, subject only to laws enacted by the General Assembly and rules adopted pursuant to authority granted by the General Assembly to (i) promote wildlife conservation and management and (ii) preserve the future of hunting and fishing. Public hunting and fishing shall be a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.”

The five year delay in hearing the lawsuit is a testament to the deep political divisions in the state between the commercial fishing interests and the recreational and sports fishing interests.

For example, at the April 2025 Sea Trail Fishing Club meeting, Josh Reynolds, a charter captain at 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.

“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.”

The political conflict over marine resources has generated legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly to provide greater oversight of how the Marine Resources Commission manages their responsibilities.

Creighton reviewed the House Bill 442, An Act to Restore Recreational Fishing For Flounder and Red Snapper,” with his observation that there are better methods for the commercial fishing industry to harvest marine resources, without causing a complete ban against recreational flounder fishing.

Creighton closed his comments to the members of the Sea Trail Fishing Club by noting that the long-standing abdication of the State’s responsibilities to manage the marine resources must be addressed soon, or else the future of recreational fishing will be in great jeopardy.

About the Conservation Council of North Carolina: CCA is truly grass roots, and our banquets are where our volunteer leaders, the local community, and generous sponsors come together to support our work to conserve, promote and enhance North Carolina’s marine resources. https://ccanc.org/

About the Sea Trail Fishing Club: The Sea Trail Fishing Club (STFC) is a non-profit organization focused on promoting fishing and fellowship amongst its members.  The Club accomplishes its mission through member social interactions, seminars, guest speakers, and Club outings. The club meets monthly on the 3^rd Thursday of the month at the Pink Palace, in the Sea Trails Development, in Sunset Beach, N. C.  https://seatrailfishing.com/home/about-us-2/