Save The Date – May 12th, 2026
The North Carolina Fisheries Association has scheduled our 2026 Seafood Lobby Day and Legislative Reception for May 12th.
Seafood Lobby Day – May 12th
The Seafood Lobby Day will be held at the North Carolina General Assembly beginning at 9am. We encourage fishermen, dealers, processors, and consumers to join us in Raleigh and take advantage of this opportunity to connect with lawmakers and educate them on the importance of domestic seafood and North Carolinas seafood industry.
Carpooling and arriving early are recommended, as other groups may be holding events that day and parking near the General Assembly is limited.
Legislative Reception – May 12th
The Legislative Reception will be held at Mala Pata restaurant, 2431 Crabtree Boulevard, Raleigh N.C. 27604, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
All members, and their staff, of the NC General Assembly are invited to the seafood reception, providing a relaxed environment for lawmakers to interact with industry members and enjoy some fresh, local, sustainably harvested North Carolina seafood.
Mark your calendars so you don’t forget and stay tuned for more information as the date approaches.
We hope to see you there!
ASMFC This Next Week
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will hold their 2026 Spring Meeting May 4-6 in Arlington, VA at the Westin Crystal City Hotel. The meeting will also have an online option for listening and making public comment as well.
Public comment can be made on the Meeting Webpage, in person, and online at the appropriate times.
Topics being discussed at this meeting include but are not limited to: Striped Bass, Coastal Sharks, Smooth Dogfish, Red Drum, Spot, Croaker.
One of the biggest issues concerning NC fisheries at this meeting is the Conservation Equivalency proposal from NC Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) to shift the commercial spot closure dates from December 10 – April 4 to January 1 – April 28.
DMF has determined that shifting the closure dates would still achieve the necessary harvest reduction of 1% (5,126 pounds) needed for management and would give fishermen a few more weeks of fall/winter harvest as spot seem to be migrating later in the season, especially in the southern parts of NC.
The Sciaenids (Spot) discussion is scheduled for 9:15-11:30am Wednesday, May 6th.
Sciaenids Board Materials (Spot)
MFC Meeting Next Week
The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) meets next week (May 13-14) at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in New Bern, NC. The meeting starts at 1:00pm on Wednesday, May 13th and at 9:00am on Thursday, May 14th.
There will be two in person public comment opportunities. The first opportunity is Wednesday at 6:00pm and the second will be Thursday morning at 9:00am. There is also an option to send in written comments, link below.
Updates will be given on: Red Snapper EFP, Incidental Take Permit (ITP), Red Drum FMP, Southern Flounder FMP, Kingfishes FMP, and the Blue Crab Stock Assessment.
The only action item scheduled for a vote is: Vote on Notice of Text for Rulemaking for Atlantic Bonito Management.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please reach out.
Thomas Newman
Fisheries Liaison
NCFA Board and Staff are saddened to learn of the passing of Oswald Williams, Jr. Below is his obituary posted from the Daniels-Sadler Funeral Home website.
Walton Oswald Williams, Jr.
August 16, 1966 — May 1, 2026
Bayboro
Walton Oswald Williams, Jr., 59, of Bayboro, NC, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026.
Oswald was raised in the Hobucken Community Church, where he developed the values of kindness, humility, and faith that would guide him throughout his life. He spent his life doing what he loved most – working as a commercial fisherman. The water was not just his livelihood, but his passion and his peace.
He found joy in the simple things, especially riding his beloved Harley motorcycle and spending time with those he loved. Known for his gentle soul, he was a man who would help anyone in need without hesitation. He held no grudges, passed no judgment, and always believed in giving others a chance. His generosity and quiet strength left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his father, Walton Oswald Williams, Sr., and his niece, Faron Mayo.
Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Karen O’Neal and stepfather, Herbert; stepmother, Sandra Miller; son, Ross Williams; daughter, Jessica Williams; stepchildren, Kevin and Eric De’Oliveia; sisters, Helena Mayo and husband, Darin, and Joy Williams Guidry; stepbrothers, Farris O’Neal and wife, Chrissy, and Erick O’Neal; brother of the heart, Ricky Seay; four step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Daniels-Sadler Funeral Home. Interment will follow immediately in Barnett Cemetery in Hobucken.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home and again immediately following the interment at the Hobucken Community Center.
Oswald will be remembered for his kind heart and the way he made the world a better place. The love he shared will live on in all who knew him.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Walton Oswald Williams, Jr., please visit our flower store.
