OutdoorHub
NC Fishermen Face New Harvest Reporting Rules Starting December 1
North Carolina anglers will see major changes on December 1 as new mandatory harvest reporting rules take effect across the state. The updated requirements apply to both recreational and commercial fishermen and are part of a larger effort to improve fisheries management in Coastal Fishing Waters, Joint Fishing Waters, and adjacent Inland Fishing Waters.
The move follows months of preparation by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. “Division of Marine Fisheries staff have been working diligently to prepare for implementation of this new requirement, developing electronic resources, distributing information, and speaking face-to-face with those impacted,” said N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Director Kathy Rawls.
Under the new rules, anyone who fishes recreationally must report any flounder, Red Drum, Striped Bass, Spotted Seatrout (speckled trout), or Weakfish (gray trout) they harvest. Reports must be submitted electronically using an online webform or the new iPhone app, with an Android version currently in development. Released fish do not need to be reported.
Flounder like this one must be reported starting December 1 under the state’s new harvest rules
The requirement extends farther inland than many anglers might expect. Corey Oakley, Inland Fisheries Chief at the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, noted that reporting is required in waters upstream of coastal waters. “Harvest reporting for the listed species is required in waters upstream of coastal fishing waters. Reporting is required in waters as far inland as Chatham and Wake counties. Officials say the reporting will help fisheries managers better understand harvest rates among recreational and commercial fishermen for those required species.”
While some recreational anglers are in favor of conservation, there has been significant pushback. Aiden Stein of Harkers Island, NC, said the rule feels like unnecessary government involvement. “Next thing you know, they will want us to check in before we even launch the boat. I never thought catching a flounder would turn into a government data entry job.”
Commercial fishermen will continue to report harvests sold through a licensed seafood dealer under the North Carolina Trip Ticket Program. However, starting December 1, they must also report any finfish, shellfish, or crustaceans they keep but do not sell.
More information is available on the Mandatory Harvest Reporting webpage, which outlines details of the 2023 law change (G.S. 113-170.3) that created the expanded reporting system. According to the agencies, the new data will supplement existing collection programs and help guide future management decisions.
Anglers who keep redfish will now be required to log their harvest through the new online reporting system
The state also finalized several other changes anglers should be aware of:
Flounder Season:
The 2025 recreational flounder season for Coastal and Joint waters will run Sept. 1 to Sept. 14. The creel limit is one fish per person, per day, with a minimum size of 15 inches.
Bluefish:
Recreational anglers fishing on private vessels are limited to 3 fish per day. Those on for-hire vessels may keep up to 5 per person.
Mullet:
The combined daily limit for striped and white mullet is 100 fish per person, with a vessel limit of 400.
Stone Crabs and Spiny Lobster:
New rules prohibit the use of devices that puncture or crush stone crabs and restrict possession of egg-bearing spiny lobsters.
Inland Rules:
The youth age for inland waters has been standardized to under 16.
Anglers are encouraged to check the latest proclamations and regulations on the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission websites before hitting the water.
The post NC Fishermen Face New Harvest Reporting Rules Starting December 1 appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...
NC Fishermen Face New Harvest Reporting Rules Starting December 1
North Carolina anglers will see major changes on December 1 as new mandatory harvest reporting rules take effect across the state. The updated requirements apply to both recreational and commercial fishermen and are part of a larger effort to improve fisheries management in Coastal Fishing Waters, Joint Fishing Waters, and adjacent Inland Fishing Waters.
The move follows months of preparation by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. “Division of Marine Fisheries staff have been working diligently to prepare for implementation of this new requirement, developing electronic resources, distributing information, and speaking face-to-face with those impacted,” said N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Director Kathy Rawls.
Under the new rules, anyone who fishes recreationally must report any flounder, Red Drum, Striped Bass, Spotted Seatrout (speckled trout), or Weakfish (gray trout) they harvest. Reports must be submitted electronically using an online webform or the new iPhone app, with an Android version currently in development. Released fish do not need to be reported.
Flounder like this one must be reported starting December 1 under the state’s new harvest rules
The requirement extends farther inland than many anglers might expect. Corey Oakley, Inland Fisheries Chief at the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, noted that reporting is required in waters upstream of coastal waters. “Harvest reporting for the listed species is required in waters upstream of coastal fishing waters. Reporting is required in waters as far inland as Chatham and Wake counties. Officials say the reporting will help fisheries managers better understand harvest rates among recreational and commercial fishermen for those required species.”
While some recreational anglers are in favor of conservation, there has been significant pushback. Aiden Stein of Harkers Island, NC, said the rule feels like unnecessary government involvement. “Next thing you know, they will want us to check in before we even launch the boat. I never thought catching a flounder would turn into a government data entry job.”
Commercial fishermen will continue to report harvests sold through a licensed seafood dealer under the North Carolina Trip Ticket Program. However, starting December 1, they must also report any finfish, shellfish, or crustaceans they keep but do not sell.
More information is available on the Mandatory Harvest Reporting webpage, which outlines details of the 2023 law change (G.S. 113-170.3) that created the expanded reporting system. According to the agencies, the new data will supplement existing collection programs and help guide future management decisions.
Anglers who keep redfish will now be required to log their harvest through the new online reporting system
The state also finalized several other changes anglers should be aware of:
Flounder Season:
The 2025 recreational flounder season for Coastal and Joint waters will run Sept. 1 to Sept. 14. The creel limit is one fish per person, per day, with a minimum size of 15 inches.
Bluefish:
Recreational anglers fishing on private vessels are limited to 3 fish per day. Those on for-hire vessels may keep up to 5 per person.
Mullet:
The combined daily limit for striped and white mullet is 100 fish per person, with a vessel limit of 400.
Stone Crabs and Spiny Lobster:
New rules prohibit the use of devices that puncture or crush stone crabs and restrict possession of egg-bearing spiny lobsters.
Inland Rules:
The youth age for inland waters has been standardized to under 16.
Anglers are encouraged to check the latest proclamations and regulations on the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission websites before hitting the water.
The post NC Fishermen Face New Harvest Reporting Rules Starting December 1 appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...