Sushma Masemore Deputy Secretary for Environment | North Carolina Department Of Environmental Quality
Sushma Masemore Deputy Secretary for Environment | North Carolina Department Of Environmental Quality
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Marine Fisheries is inviting public input for the development of Amendment 5 to the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan (FMP). A public scoping period is scheduled from March 1 through March 31, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback on potential management strategies and priorities for this amendment. Four scoping meetings will be conducted during this period.
There will be further opportunities for public comments as Amendment 5 progresses, but the scoping period offers a crucial chance for stakeholders to influence the plan.
The main objective of Amendment 5 is to address a motion made by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission in August 2024. This motion seeks to amend the Southern Flounder FMP to enhance recreational access while maintaining the rebuilding requirements established by Amendment 3. Amendments 5 and 4 are being developed simultaneously to ensure comprehensive approaches for managing recreational and commercial Southern Flounder activities. A document outlining potential issues and management strategies can be found on the division's website under Information on Southern Flounder FMP Amendment 5.
Starting March 1, feedback can be submitted via an online form available on the Information on Southern Flounder FMP Amendment 5 webpage or by sending written comments to N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, Southern Flounder Scoping, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. All comments must be received by March 31 at 5 p.m.
Meeting details are as follows:
- Tuesday, March 4: Archdale Building, Ground Floor Hearing Room, Raleigh
- Thursday, March 6: Dare County Administration Building, Manteo
- Tuesday, March 11: DMF Central District Office, Morehead City
- Thursday, March 27: Cape Fear Community College Room U252, Wilmington
Each meeting will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., following an informal open-house format where division staff will offer information and answer questions without formal presentations or structured comment periods.
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