The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission has approved an increase in the 2025 flounder allocation for recreational fishing. This decision was made during the commission’s recent business meeting with the adoption of Amendment 4 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan.
Amendment 4 moves up a planned quota shift between commercial and recreational fisheries, making it effective in 2025 instead of 2026 as previously scheduled under Amendment 3. The change establishes a 50/50 quota split for southern flounder between commercial and recreational sectors, transferring an additional 53,000 pounds from the commercial sector to recreational fishers next year. This results in a 25% increase in total allowable landings for recreational anglers compared to the previous 60/40 allocation.
Despite this increase, the length of the upcoming recreational season will remain unchanged, running from September 1-14, 2025. The higher quota is intended to reduce the risk that recreational catch will exceed limits this year—a situation that would require overages to be subtracted from next year’s quota.
The Division of Marine Fisheries within the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is also developing Amendment 5 to address broader management issues for southern flounder. The commission discussed possible changes such as managing southern flounder separately from Gulf and Summer Flounder and distributing quotas more evenly among different types of commercial gear and management areas.
During the meeting, staff presented data on striped bass populations following harvest and gill net closures above ferry lines in portions of the Neuse and Tar/Pamlico rivers. According to their analysis, these measures have not led to increased abundance of striped bass despite ongoing stocking efforts.
“Based on the adaptive management in place under Amendment 2 to the Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan, the Division will develop harvest management measures that allow access to, and protection for, the resource,” according to division staff. “The harvest management strategy will focus harvest on stocked fish in the Neuse and Tar/Pamlico rivers but limit harvest of Albemarle-Roanoke Striped Bass that occasionally occur in these rivers.”
As per Amendment 2 guidelines, restrictions on gill nets above ferry lines are set to expire at the end of this year. Afterward, regulations will revert back to previous requirements regarding tie-downs and distance-from-shore rules. The division plans to present a new harvest management plan at its November meeting that aims both to allow fishing access and protect enough mature fish for spawning if environmental conditions permit.
A public meeting about striped bass harvest management is planned before November; details will be announced later.
The commission also reviewed trends in sheepshead fishing statewide amid concerns about increased pressure on stocks. Next steps may include considering regulatory changes after holding public meetings with stakeholders this fall.
Other actions taken by commissioners included:
– Directing staff to draft rule language proposing a five-fish per person bag limit for Atlantic Bonito for consideration at their November meeting.
– Setting an annual cap of 500 on commercial fishing licenses available through its Eligibility Pool.
– Approving a letter addressed to state lawmakers stressing financial support needs for both DEQ and Marine Fisheries Division—particularly long-term sampling programs vital for sustaining marine resources.
– Electing Commissioner Sarah Gardner as vice chair.
A video recording of this week’s meeting is available online at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries/marine-fisheries-commission/meeting-information
