Oyster and Clam Meetings This Week
The regional and shellfish/crustacean advisory committees (ACs) meet this week to discuss the draft fishery management plan (FMP) updates for oyster and clam. The public is encouraged to attend these meetings, give public comment, and ask questions.
These meetings are a great opportunity to let fisheries managers know what works for you and even more importantly what does not work for you! We are still in the draft stage and changes can be made.
The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is recommending phasing out mechanical clam harvest (clam kicking) and closing approximately 40,000 acres to mechanical oyster harvest in this draft proposal. Public comment is open and if you oppose these changes now is the time to discuss these issues through public comment and talking with DMF staff, AC members, and Marine Fishery Commission (MFC) members.
Northern AC Meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 7th 6:00-8:00pm
Dare County Administration Building Room 168
954 Marshall Collins Drive
Manteo, NC
Southern AC Meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 8th 6:00-8:00pm
Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office
5285 Highway 70 West
Morehead City, NC
Shellfish/Crustacean AC Meeting
Thursday, Jan. 9th 6:00pm-8:00pm
Department of Environmental Quality Washington Regional Office
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC
Clam FMP Information
The biggest change DMF recommends for mechanical clam harvest is to phase out clam kicking in three years unless the number of participants in the fishery increases to 10 and landings exceed 1 million clams. If participants and landings increase to the threshold, the Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will reconsider the phase out at their May 2027 business meeting. More details can be found at the links below.
Oyster FMP
The DMF is recommending a permanent closure of two large areas, totaling approximately 70 square miles at the mouth of the Neuse and Pamlico rivers to mechanical oyster harvest and to use DMF pre-season sampling to set a predetermined season length for mechanical harvest while they also continue in season sampling. Map of the proposed closure areas (outlined in purple) and more details can be found below.
Written comments may be submitted online at: Comment Online
or by mail to: Draft Oyster/Clam FMP Amendments Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557
Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2025
If you have any questions or comments please reach out.
Thomas Newman
Fisheries Liaison
