The Fisheries Reform Act of 1997 (FRA) requires the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries to prepare FMPs for adoption by the N.C. 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 will provide the greatest overall benefit to the State, particularly with regard to food production, recreational opportunities, and the protection of marine ecosystems, and that will produce a sustainable harvest.
d. Specify a time period, not to exceed 10 years from the date of the adoption of the plan, for ending overfishing and achieving a sustainable harvest. This subdivision shall only apply to a plan for a fishery that is overfished. This subdivision shall not apply to a plan for a fishery where the biology of the fish or environmental conditions make ending oversfishing and achieving a sustainable harvest within 10 years impracticable.

Sustainable Harvest: The amount of fish that can be taken from a fishery on a continuing basis without reducing the stock biomass of the fishery or causing the fishery to become overfished.

Overfished: The condition of a fishery that occurs when the spawning biomass of the fishery is below the level that is adequate for the recruitment class of a fishery to replace the spawning class of the fishery.

Overfishing: Fishing that causes a level of mortality that prevents a fishery from producing a sustainable harvest.

FMP Coordinator: David.L.Taylor@ncdenr.gov

Fisheries Management and You
A Guide to Public Involvement in North Carolina Fisheries Management (PDF)

Slideshow on the Fisheries Reform Act

MFC FMP Advisory Committee Listings

Sea Turtle Advisory Committee Report (PDF)

Spotted Seatrout FMP
Contact: Beth Burns
Draft Spotted Seatrout FMP

Spotted Seatrout Assessment Report 2009 Update

Spotted Seatrout PIB

Spotted Seatrout Stock Assessment 2009

Atlantic Striped Bass Addendum II Public Information Brochure
Contact:Charlton Godwin

Coastal Sharks Public Information Brochure
Contact: Clark Gray

Shad Public Information Brochure
Contact: Michell Duval

American Eel Public Information Brochure
Contact: Eric Fitzpatrick

Dogfish Public Information Brochure
Contact: Red Munden

Southern Flounder FMP (2005 Final) (PDF)
Southern Flounder Stock Assessment - January 2009
Southern Flounder FMP PIB - February 2010
Draft Amendment 1 to the Southern Flounder FMP for Public Comment - Sept. 2010
Contact: Chris Batsavage

Blue Crab FMP (PDF)
Contact: Sean McKenna or Lynn Henry

Striped Bass FMP (PDF)
Contact: Sara Winslow
Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan Review (PDF)

Red Drum FMP (PDF) (Nov. 2008)
Contact: Lee Paramore
Red Drum Original FMP March 2001 (PDF)

Oyster FMP (PDF)
Contact: Mike Marshall
Oyster Original FMP Aug. 2001 (PDF)

Hard Clam FMP (3 Meg PDF file)
Contact: Tina Moore
Hard Clam Original FMP Aug. 2001 (PDF)

Interjurisdictional FMP (PDF)
Contact: Katy West
Interjurisditional Original FMP Sept. 2002 (PDF)

Kingfish (Sea Mullet) FMP Draft (PDF)
Contact: Chip Collier
King Fish FMP Public Information Brochure (PDF)

Bay Scallop FMP (2.3 Meg PDF file)
Contact: Tina Moore

River Herring FMP(18 Meg PDF file)
Contact: Sara Winslow
River Herring Original FMP Feb. 2000 (PDF)

Shrimp FMP (PDF)
Contact: Rich Carpenter

Striped Mullet FMP (PDF)
Contact: Eric Fitzpatrick