Tag Archives: sustainability

New NC Rules for Speckled Trout

Information on Spotted Seatrout FMP Amendment 1

Draft Spotted Seatrout FMP Amendment 1


A review of the Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan is underway. Results of the 2022 benchmark stock assessment indicate the stock is not overfished but is experiencing overfishing. At their November 2024 business meeting, the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission vote to select their preferred management options for the commercial and recreational Spotted Seatrout fisheries.


Division management recommendation for both sectors:
• Statewide harvest closure Jan. through Feb.


Division management recommendation for recreational fishery:
• 14”–20” slot limit with allowance for one fish >26”
• 3 fish bag limit


Division management recommendation for commercial fishery:
• 11:59 p.m. Friday to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday closure from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31
• No changes to Bogue Banks stop net quota, but formalize management in Amendment 1


Division supplemental and cold stun management recommendations:
• Eliminate spotted seatrout captain/crew limit on for-hire trips
• Extend harvest closure following a severe cold stun through Jun. 30
For questions, contact Lucas Pensinger, Lucas.Pensinger@deq.nc.gov or Melinda Lambert, Melinda.Lambert@deq.nc.gov.

New recreational, commercial harvest reporting requirements delayed to Dec. 1, 2025

        July 12, 2024   New recreational, commercial harvest reporting requirements delayed to Dec. 1, 2025   MOREHEAD CITY – New harvest reporting requirements for recreational and commercial fisheries have been delayed by one year and will now become effective on Dec. 1, 2025.   The N.C. General Assembly recently passed Session Law 2024-45, which, in part, amends legislation from last fall that would have implemented the harvest reporting requirements on Dec. 1, 2024.   This extension will allow the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) to engage with stakeholders, not only to inform them about the requirements, but also to ensure that the reporting process and tool(s) are robust and user-friendly.   The legislation from last fall requires that any person who recreationally harvests Red Drum, flounder, Spotted Seatrout (speckled trout), Striped Bass and Weakfish (gray trout) must report that harvest to the DMF. This requirement applies to fish harvested from coastal fishing waters, joint fishing waters and inland fishing waters adjacent to coastal or joint fishing waters.   Additionally, the law requires anyone holding a commercial fishing license who is engaged in a commercial fishing operation to report all fish harvested to DMF, regardless of sale.   More information, including links to temporary rules to implement the laws, can be found on the Mandatory Harvest Reporting webpage at https://www.deq.nc.gov/mandatory-harvest-reporting. The webpage will continue to be updated as new information becomes available.
For More Information:   DMF Contact: Patricia Smith Phone: 252-515-5500   https://www.deq.nc.gov/dmf   P.O. Box 769, 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City N.C. 28577 WRC Contact: Fairley Mahlum Phone: 919-707-0180   https://www.ncwildlife.org 1701 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1700     NC Division of Marine Fisheries | 3441 Arendell Street | Morehead City, NC 28557 US   Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
July 12, 2024 e-mail from NCDMF dmfnews@deq.nc.gov

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