North Raleigh Today

The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission is scheduled to convene for its quarterly business meeting on March 12-13 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The session will commence at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, with a public comment period. An additional public comment session will be held at 6 p.m. on the same day, although some agenda items will be voted on before this evening session due to time constraints. Proceedings will resume at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 13.

Participants wishing to speak during the public comment sessions can sign up at the venue prior to the start of each period. Each speaker will have a three-minute limit and may only speak once during either of the two sessions but not both. Those providing handouts are advised to bring a minimum of twelve copies.

Written comments can also be submitted through various methods: an online form available on the Marine Fisheries Commission Meetings webpage, by mail addressed to P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C., or dropped off at the Division of Marine Fisheries’ headquarters in Morehead City. The deadline for written submissions is set for 4 p.m. on Monday, March 10.

The meeting will be accessible via livestream on YouTube, with links provided on the commission's website. A recording will also be made available post-meeting.

Key agenda items include final adoption of rules regarding pot marking requirements and management plans for false albacore and interstate wildlife violator compact regulations; review and selection of management options for oyster and hard clam fishery plans; approval of a draft plan amendment for southern flounder; and final adoption of a spotted seatrout management plan amendment.

The full agenda and briefing materials are posted online for public access.