Pictures Illustrate the State of North Carolina Fisheries

October 25, 2017

Seafood Month 2017

By: E-Ching Lee, North Carolina Sea Grant

If a picture is worth a thousand words, perhaps a picture also is worth years of data.

In a collaborative effort, North Carolina Sea Grant developed a series of graphics to help North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) counterparts present fisheries statistics to various audiences.

DMF collects data from commercial harvesters and dealers to generate statistics on the types of species and quantities landed, as well as the size, weight and age distribution of harvested species. From these landings reports, for example, DMF can determine when a particular species might show up in state waters and result in more accurate season openings — or closings.

2016 Commercial Landings

2016 commercial landings by dollar value compared with the five-year — 2011 to 2015 — average.

2016 Recreational Landings

2016 recreational landings by dollar value compared with the five-year — 2011 to 2015 — average.

Landings Data Submitted

Average number of dealers and fishermen submitting landings data, 2012-2016.

“This information enables DMF to extrapolate how many fish are being caught monthly. The data can be used to understand the wide range of recreational angling efforts, allowing for estimates of fish harvested and released, and number of angler trips. Scientists even can use these data in population models to determine fishing mortality related to saltwater angling activities,” adds Sara Mirabilio, Sea Grant fisheries specialist in Manteo.

Stephanie McInerny, DMF license and statistics section chief, plans to share the slides at Marine Fisheries Commission meetings, post them at DMF offices and use them as handouts.

More information about seasonal seafood can be found at ncseagrant.ncsu.edu/seafood.

Connect with Sea Grant and USCRP at the ASBPA National Coastal Conference 2024

Outreach

Catch up with Sea Grant and USCRP at ASBPA National Coastal Conference

The American Shore & Beach Preservation Association’s National Coastal Conference welcomes all coastal stakeholders and managers to learn the latest science, engineering and policy needed

NOAA Sea Grant to invest $8.8 million to enhance aquaculture production, capacity and knowledge sharing

To further support sustainable U.S. aquaculture, NOAA Sea Grant selected 33 projects totaling $8,821,710 in fiscal year 2024 federal funding. The projects will span coastal and Great Lakes states and territories with a focus on enhancing aquaculture species production, boosting aquaculture literacy and knowledge sharing, and strengthening aquaculture research and extension capacity.

NOAA furthers support for communities’ disaster preparedness and response through continuing partnership effort

For the third year in a row, NOAA’s Office Response and Restoration (OR&R) and National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) are partnering to support coastal communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural or human-caused disasters. A total of $791,395 in fiscal year 2024 federal funds is anticipated to support four projects over two years in Alaska, Connecticut, the Northern Gulf of Mexico region and South Carolina, focused on strengthening local disaster readiness and recovery in underserved communities.