What is an FMP?

The Fisheries Reform Act of 1997 (FRA) requires the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries to prepare Fishery Management Plans for adoption by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission for all commercially and recreationally significant species or fisheries that comprise state marine or estuarine resources. The goal of these plans is to ensure long-term viability of these fisheries. Each plan shall:

a. Contain necessary information pertaining to the fishery or fisheries, including management goals and objectives, status of the relevant fish stocks, stock assessments for multi-year species, fishery habitat and water quality considerations consistent with Coastal Habitat Protection Plans, social and economic impact of the fishery to the State, and user conflict.

b. Recommend management actions pertaining to the fishery or fisheries.

c. Include conservation and management measures that prevent overfishing, while achieving, on a continuing basis, the optimal yield for each fishery.

What is Optimal Yield?

Optimal Yield is defined in the FRA as the amount of fish that:

a. Will provide the greatest overall benefit to the State, particularly with respect to food production and recreational opportunities, and taking into account the protection of marine ecosystems;

b. Is prescribed on the basis of the maximum sustainable yield from the fishery, as reduced by any relevant economic, social or ecological factor; and

c. In the case of an overfished fishery, provides for rebuilding to a level consistent with producing the maximum sustainable yield in the fishery.

Striped Bass FMP Process

Stock Status   Issues  Goal and Objectives 

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