North Raleigh Today

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Marine Fisheries has scheduled a public hearing to discuss proposed shellfish leases in Onslow County. The hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, both in person at the Holly Ridge Community Center in North Carolina and online through Webex.

Various lease applications will be evaluated. Troy T. Davis has submitted an application for a 9.83-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in Ellis Cove. SeWee Shellfish, led by Alberto Solana and Jonathan Kent, is seeking approval for a 1.01-acre lease in Stones Bay. Kelly M. Robertson and Brassai M. Mustin have applied for a 1.02-acre water column lease in New River below the Highway 172 bridge. Middle Sound Mariculture, operated by James M. Hargrove, is interested in a 9.18-acre lease in New River. Gator Bay Oyster Company, under Nelson C. Bullock, has applied for a 3.82-acre lease in Ellis Cove. John W. Eynon’s Big Cypress Mariculture seeks a 2.73-acre lease in Sneads Creek.

Proposed sites will be marked with signs indicating their status as proposed shellfish bottom leases and/or water column leases, along with the relevant lease numbers.

The public can provide feedback on the lease applications during the hearing, both in person and online. Online participants who wish to speak must register by 4 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025. In-person attendees can sign up to speak between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the day of the hearing.

Additional hearing materials, including a Webex link, call-in number, presentation slides, and biological investigation reports, are available online. Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, either through an online form or by mail to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.

For further information, inquiries can be directed to Marla Chuffo with the Division's Habitat and Enhancement Section at (252) 515-5480 or via email at marla.chuffo@deq.nc.gov.