Meetings Scheduled This Week For Sheepshead, Black Sea Bass, and Striped Bass
Sheepshead
Proactive Sheepshead Management Page
Sheepshead Management Issue Paper
Video on Proposed Sheepshead Management
In person meeting to be held:
Tuesday, November 4th at 6:00pm
Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office
5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City, NC 28557
(Option to attend virtually)
Register to Attend Sheepshead Meeting Virtually
In reviewing the documents provided by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), changes in sheepshead management were prompted by requests at three separate meetings by Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) member Tom Roller “citing concerns that the current (recreational) limit is too high”.
After the “comprehensive review of the data the Division (DMF) recognizes the need to take proactive steps to cap harvest on sheepshead”. “Due to concerning stock indicators and fisheries trends, status quo is not an option, and the Division will be implementing changes to Sheepshead management.”
No specific management options have been listed but the DMF and MFC are looking at changing the minimum size limit for both recreational and commercial, reducing the recreational bag limit, and reducing commercial trip limits.
Public comment will be taken on this issue at the meeting and written comments can be submitted until November 5th. The MFC may be reviewing these comments at their November business meeting and will be taking general comments there.
Sheepshead is not managed under the traditional state Fishery Management Plan (FMP) process. Instead, sheepshead is managed by “delegate authority for the DMF Director to use proclamation authority to adjust management of sheepshead based on variable conditions considered under [rule], without further input from the MFC.”
“The NCDMF intends to implement management changes for sheepshead to begin effective January 1, 2026.”
If sheepshead is important to you or your business you need to comment now.
Striped Bass Informational Meeting
Striped Bass Amendment 2 Information Page
Striped Bass Decision Document
Analysis of Neuse and Pamlico Rivers Striped Bass Data
Video on Striped Bass Amendment 2
The main agenda item for this meeting will be to discuss opening a one month season with a one fish limit per person, per day in the upper Neuse and Pamlico Rivers for both commercial and recreational fishermen for 2026.
In person meeting to be held:
Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 6:00pm
Washington Civic Center
110 N. Gladden St.
Washington, NC 27889
South Atlantic Black Sea Bass (South of Cape Hatteras)
Black Sea Bass (SG Regulatory Amendment 37) Information Page
Black Sea Bass Public Hearing Document
Black Sea Bass Regulatory Amendment 37 Draft Document
Submit Public Comment on Black Sea Bass
Online meetings to be held:
Monday, Nov. 3rd at 6:00pm
and
Wednesday, Nov. 12th at 6:00pm
Register to Attend One of Two Black Sea Bass Webinars
These meetings are to address changes to management of the South Atlantic (south of Cape Hatteras) stock of black sea bass.
The South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC) is looking at setting the recreational and commercial annual catch targets (ACLs) at 50% of the average landings for the 5 most recent years of catch to reduce fishing mortality.
To achieve these reductions, the SAFMC is looking at and requesting comments on reductions in recreational bag limits, seasonal spawning closures for both sectors, lowering the recreational size limit, and revising in season accountability measures (AMs).
This is the time to provide public comment if South Atlantic black sea bass is important to you. The SAFMC will review the public comment at their December business meeting (in Kitty Hawk) and approve management measures to be implemented mid-late 2026.
Snapper Grouper Complex Scoping
Snapper Grouper Amendment 61 (Changes to the Complex) Information Page
Snapper Grouper Evaluation of the Fisheries Management Unit
Snapper Grouper Evaluation of the Fisheries Management Unit Revised
Video on Snapper Grouper Amendment 61
Submit Public Comment on Snapper Grouper Amendment 61
Scoping for Amendment 61 is evaluating whether 17 species currently under the Snapper Grouper FIshery Management Unit (FMU) should remain, be removed, or be designated as an ecosystem component species.
The species being considered are misty grouper, margate, sailer’s choice, tomtate, white grunt, bar jack, jolthead porgy, knobbed porgy, saucereye porgy, scup, whitebone porgy, banded rudderfish, blackfin snapper, cubera snapper, queen snapper, Atlantic spadefish, and sand tilefish.
Scoping is the time to provide your thoughts on what the council is considering or maybe something they have not considered.
Some questions posted in the documents to help with comments:
- Are the species being considered of importance to your fishing business or in your region?
- Do you think the species being considered require federal management?
- If species are removed from federal management but remain as ecosystem component species in the Snapper Grouper FMP, what are your thoughts on maintaining or implementing the following:
- A permit requirement?
- A reporting requirement?
- A relatively non-restrictive (i.e., high poundage or high number) aggregate limit?
Again, I know this is a lot of information to digest. Please note the different times and locations for the meetings in each section.
If you have any questions or concerns related to these or any other issues please reach out.
Thomas Newman
Fisheries Liaison