The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has announced a public hearing on proposed shellfish leases in Onslow County. The hearing is set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Holly Ridge Community Center in Holly Ridge, N.C., and will also be accessible virtually via Webex.
The public hearing will consider several lease applications. Troy T. Davis has applied for a 9.83-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in Ellis Cove. SeWee Shellfish, LLC, represented by Alberto Solana and Jonathan Kent, seeks a 1.01-acre lease in Stones Bay. Kelly M. Robertson and Brassai M. Mustin have applied for a 1.02-acre water column lease in New River below the Highway 172 bridge. Middle Sound Mariculture, LLC, through James M. Hargrove, has submitted an application for a 9.18-acre lease in New River. Gator Bay Oyster Company, LLC, under Nelson C. Bullock, aims to secure a 3.82-acre lease in Ellis Cove, while Big Cypress Mariculture, LLC, represented by John W. Eynon, seeks a 2.73-acre lease in Sneads Creek.
All proposed sites will be marked with signs indicating their status as Proposed Shellfish Bottom Lease and/or Water Column Lease, along with the relevant lease numbers.
Public comments on the applications are welcome during the hearing, with options to participate both in person and online. Those intending to speak via Webex must register by 4 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the Division’s online page. In-person attendees can sign up to comment between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the day of the hearing.
Further materials related to the hearing, including access to the Webex link, call-in number, presentation slides, and biological reports, are available on the Division’s website. Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Submissions can be made online or mailed to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries at their Morehead City address.
For additional information, interested parties can contact Marla Chuffo from the Division’s Habitat and Enhancement Section.
