Final Vote On Blue Crab Management!
The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission’s (MFC) meets this week in Wrightsville Beach. The main item on the agenda is the proposed blue crab adaptive management changes. In person public comment will be Wednesday night at 6:00pm and Thursday morning at 9:00am. Written public comments will also be accepted until Monday, November 17th at 4:00pm. No online comments will be allowed during the meeting.
By far, the single biggest issue being addressed at this meeting is the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) recommendations for blue crab adaptive management. This meeting will be the final vote to decide on management before it is implemented!
FINAL VOTE on
Blue Crab Adaptive Management
is scheduled for this meeting!
Final DMF Blue Crab recommendations are as follows:
- Maintain all blue crab management measures including existing season closure.
- Effective Jan. 1, 2026, prohibit crab trawling statewide year-round
- (North of Hwy. 58 Bridge) 30-bushel hard crab trip limit September-December
- (South of Hwy. 58 Bridge) 15-bushel hard crab trip limit September- December
We believe the DMF is acting beyond their legal authority in attempting to implement adaptive management for blue crabs. Any action would violate the Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan and North Carolina law, because no valid up-to-date stock assessment exists to support further management recommendations.
Blue Crab FMP Amendment 3 Adaptive Management Options
Other non voting items on the agenda include informational presentations on the upcoming red drum and kingfishes (sea mullet) FMPs as well as a history of Southern Flounder Management through Amendment 5. (No documents provided on webpage)
When:
Meeting starts at 1:00pm on Wednesday, November 19th
and 9:00am on Thursday, November 20th
Where:
Holiday Inn Resort Lumina
1706 N Lumiona Ave.
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Public comment can also be mailed to:
November 2025 Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting Comments
P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557
Or dropped off at:
Division of Marine Fisheries’ Morehead City Headquarters Office
3441 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC
The written public comment deadline is 4:00pm Monday, November 17th.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns and please attend and/or comment at this very important meeting!
Thomas Newman
Fisheries Liaison