North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
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Fishery Management Plans (FMPs)

Purpose
The Fisheries Reform Act of 1997 (FRA) requires the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries to prepare FMPs for adoption by the bookN.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.


Documents, Downloads and Contact Information (PDF format)

New Spiny Dogfish FMP Brochure

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

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

Sea Turtle Advisory Committee Report

Slideshow on the Fisheries Reform Act

MFC FMP Advisory Committee Listings


FMPs Under Development or Review (PDF format)

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

Southern Flounder FMP (2005 Final) (PDF)
Supplement A to the 2005 NC Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan
Southern Flounder Stock Assessment - January 2009
Southern Flounder FMP public information brochure - February 2010
Draft Amendment 1 to the Southern Flounder FMP for Public Comment - Sept. 2010
Contact:
Chris Batsavage

Draft Spotted Seatrout FMP (Feb. 2011)
Contact: Beth Burns

Spotted Seatrout Assessment Report 2009 Update
Spotted Seatrout public information brochure
Spotted Seatrout Stock Assessment 2009

Striped Bass FMP
Contact: Charlton Godwin and Katy West (Co-Leads)
Striped Bass Public Information Brochure
Striped Bass Stock Assessment 2010


Completed FMPs (PDF format)

Bay Scallop FMP 2010 Amendment 1
Original Bay Scallop FMP 2007 (2.3MB PDF file)
Contact: Tina Moore

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

Interjurisdictional FMP (PDF)
Contact: Michelle Duval
Interjurisditional Original FMP Sept. 2002

Kingfish (Sea Mullet) FMP Draft (PDF)
Contact: Chip Collier
King Fish FMP public information brochure PDF)

Oyster FMP PDF)
Contact: Mike Marshall
Oyster Original FMP Aug. 2001 (PDF)
Draft Oyster FMP Supplement Sept. 2010
Supplement A to Amendment 2 to the Oyster FMP Nov. 2010

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

River Herring FMP (18MB PDF file)
Contact: Adam Kenyon
River Herring Original FMP Feb. 2000 (PDF)

Shrimp FMP
Contact: Rich Carpenter

Striped Mullet FMP (PDF)
Contact: Jason Rock

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ASMFC Proposals (PDF format)

American Eel Public Information Brochure
Contact:
Jason Rock

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

Coastal Sharks Public Information Brochure

Contact: Clark Gray

Dogfish Public Information Brochure
Contact:
Red Munden

Shad Public Information Brochure
Contact: Michelle Duval


SAMFC Proposals (PDF format)

New Snapper/Grouper Public Information Brochure

American Eel Public Information Brochure
Contact:
Jason Rock

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

Coastal Sharks Public Information Brochure

Contact: Clark Gray

Dogfish Public Information Brochure
Contact:
Red Munden

Shad Public Information Brochure
Contact: Michelle Duval