Public input meeting held for North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
WWAY NEWS — The state’s Division of Marine Fisheries is trying to develop a new amendment on more access to recreational flounder fishing. They held a public input meeting in Wilmington on Thursday night.
Last year, the division canceled the full recreational southern flounder season.
Recreational fishermen were only allowed to use their hooks four days last September.
The reason for the shortened season was over fishing by commercial outfits.
The division is trying to establish fishing limits that are more balanced among recreational and commercial fishermen.
Scientists Holly White and Jeffrey Dobbs say the amendment is meant to push people to focus on the summer and gulf flounders to allow the southern flounder to rebuild.
But recreational discards can be a problem.
The public may provide feedback through an online form by clicking here.
You can also submit a written comment to mail to:
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
Southern Flounder Scoping
P.O. Box 769
Morehead City, N.C. 28557.
Public input comments are due by 5p.m. March 31st, 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 Committee Central District Office |
April 10, 2025 6 p.m. Northern Regional Advisory Committee College of the Albemarle |
April 16, 2025 6 p.m. Finfish Advisory Committee Central District Office |
