Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities along North Carolina’s coast. As fishing charters, tournaments and associated businesses continue to grow around the sport, so do Sea Grant’s research and outreach efforts. We are involved in a variety of issues pertaining to recreational fishing, from ethical angling techniques to waterfront access.

Ethical Angling

	License to Fish
A state recreational fishing license is required to fish in North Carolina’s coastal and ocean waters. Learn more. Funds from license sales go toward DMF research projects.

We work with state officials, fishing clubs and the charter boat industry to distribute materials explaining catch-and-release techniques for a variety of recreational species, including prized highly migratory species such as billfish. Our researchers also are involved in tag-and-release research.  If you snag a fish with a tag, please turn in the label.

• Learn more about using circle hooks offshore:
  View DVD clip. Order this DVD ($2)
  
  
• Learn more about recreational fishing:

Waterfront Access

	Top 5 Species for NC Fisheries
1. Dolphinfish 2. Yellowfin Tuna 3. King Mackerel 4. Bluefish 5. Spot *Top fish by pounds. Source: NC DMF, 2007 commercial and recreational statistics

The ability for anglers to get waterfront access is becoming more difficult as longtime fishing piersclose and once-popular fishing haunts are sold to private developers. Sea Grant heard about shrinking access from recreational and commercial fishermen alike when we led the state’s first Waterfront Access Study Committee (WASC) in 2006 and 2007. The final WASC report helped lead to the creation of the N.C. Waterfront Access and Marine Industry (WAMI) Fund for the purchase of coastal waterfront properties and the development of public and commercial waterfront access facilities. View WASC final report.

Photos: NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Scott Taylor