Starting July 1, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will enforce the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact Act. This implementation is in accordance with directives from the North Carolina General Assembly. The Act ensures reciprocal recognition of license suspensions among participating states.
The proposed rules were adopted by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission in March 2025 and received approval from the Rules Review Commission in May 2025. These regulations will be applicable to marine and estuarine fisheries violations occurring in North Carolina or any other state involved in the compact beginning July 1, 2025.
The Act’s definition of “wildlife” encompasses all animal species under protection and regulation by both the Commission and the Division. It offers increased flexibility for fair treatment of non-residents who violate wildlife resources laws, including those related to fishing. By adopting these rules, the Division aims to ensure accountability and equal treatment for wildlife violators, irrespective of their state residency.
The text of these rules is available in the June 1, 2025 Supplement to the 2020 N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rulebook at https://deq.nc.gov/DMF-Rules.
For inquiries regarding these regulations, Catherine Blum, rules coordinator for the Division of Marine Fisheries, can be contacted via email.
