North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
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Stock status of important coastal fisheries in North Carolina, 2000
Click on a species name to get a more detailed report on its status.
Status definitions can be found here.  Glossary of fisheries terms can be found here.
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Species and Stock Status
Viable Recovering Concern Overfished Unknown Marine Fisheries Comments
Atlantic Croaker     XXXXXXX     Concern with lack of fish in sounds and uncontrolled catches in ocean, however ocean fishery appears viable.
Atlantic Menhaden XXXXXXX Very high spawning stock; continued poor recruitment; reduced fishing effort.
Black Sea Bass            
N. of Hatteras XXXXXXX Overfished based on ASMFC assessment.
S. of Hatteras     XXXXXXX     South-Overfished based on SAFMC assessment; new size and bag limits should address concerns.
Bluefish XXXXXXX ASMFC/MAFMC plan developed.Biomass models infer reduced fishing mortality should result in stabilization of the stock.
Catfishes (A)         XXXXXXX No current sampling program.
Dolphin XXXXXXX SAFMC plan to be adopted in fall 2000
American Eel         XXXXXXX ASMFC plan in place. No directed sampling program.
Southern Flounder XXXXXXX Fishing pressure on stock is tremendous. Stock comprised primarily of young fish. NC FMP being developed..
Summer Flounder   XXXXXXX       Population consists of mostly young fish, but older fish are increasing. Spawning stock biomass at record levels
Gag Grouper XXXXXXX Stock considered overfished by SAFMC. New size and bag limits should address concern.
Kingfishes (A)         XXXXXXX Growing ocean sinknet fishery south of Cape Hatteras, landings declined in 1999.
King Mackerel XXXXXXX The SSB and TAC continue to increase based on 1999 South Atlantic assessment. Concerns over mercury levels in larger fish.
Spanish Mackerel XXXXXXX         The SSB and TAC continue to increase based on 1999 South Atlantic assessment.
Monkfish XXXXXXX FMP developed by NE/MAFMC - 10 year recovery period.
Striped Mullet     XXXXXXX     Increased effort. Landings declined in 1999. Fishery for spawning females a concern.
Red Drum XXXXXXX Low recruitment of juvenile stock to adult stock. NC FMP being developed.
Reef Fish (B)     XXXXXXX     Of the 73 species (including black sea bass) in the SAFMC unit, 17 are considered overfished
River Herring (A)
Albemarle Sound       XXXXXXX   Reduced number of age classes in harvest, low juvenile production, fewer number of repeat spawners.
Other Areas XXXXXXX No current sampling program.
Species and Stock Status
Viable Recovering Concern Overfished Unknown Marine Fisheries Comments
Scup       XXXXXXX   Stock size near record-low levels. Spawning stock biomass declining.
American Shad XXXXXXX No current sampling program.
Hickory Shad         XXXXXXX Landings and abundance increasing.
Sharks XXXXXXX Increases in fishing pressure over the past eleven years prompted State and federal fishery management measures.
Dogfish Sharks       XXXXXXX   FMP developed for federal waters by MA/NEFMC - 5 year recovery period; ASMFC plan under development for state waters; ASMFC plan to be developed for state waters
Spot XXXXXXX Fluctuating landings not unusual for short-lived species.
Spotted Seatrout XXXXXXX         ASMFC plan developed. Stock status heavily dependent upon environmental conditions.
Striped Bass
Albemarle-Roanoke XXXXXXX         Viable
Atlantic Ocean XXXXXXX Viable
Other areas         XXXXXXX No sampling program.
Atlantic Sturgeon XXXXXXX ASMFC is responsible for managing this species and considers the stocks to be depleted along the Atlantic coast. Landings have been low since 1960.
Tautog       XXXXXXX   ASMFC coastal assessment based on data through 1995 determined tautog overfished and at low abundance throughout their range.
Weakfish XXXXXXX Strongly recovering under ASMFC FMP.
White Perch         XXXXXXX No sampling program.
Hard Clam XXXXXXX Although landings data exist on clams, more data are required for stock status. North Carolina MFC FMP being developed.
Eastern Oyster     XXXXXXX     Category was shifted from “Overfished” because habitat disturbances, water quality and disease play just as much of a role in status as overfishing.
Bay Scallop XXXXXXX Low landings and recruitment in Core Sound was caused by varying environmental conditions and heavy predation by rays.
Blue Crab     XXXXXXX     NC FMP developed and implemented. Studies ongoing to address research needs identified in FMP.
Shrimp(C) XXXXXXX Annual Stock. Abundances may be greatly affected by environmental conditions.
Totals 9 3 8 10 9  

(A) Catfishes includes 4 species, Sea Mullet includes 3 species, and there are two species of river herrings. (B)The reef fish group includes about 75 species, while there are more than 40 species of sharks. Within these groups, individual species range from healthy to depressed. The status indicated is for the group as a whole. (C)Shrimp consists of 3 species - brown, pink, and white.

NC Division of Marine Fisheries - 3441 Arendell Street - Morehead City, NC 28557 - 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632