What's New
The National Marine Fisheries Service is taking public comment on its rule to prevent overfishing.
How You Can Help
Send an e-mail to the National Marine Fisheries Service and ask them to finalize a strong rule to stop overfishing.
Background
Fishing is an important part of life for coastal North Carolina.
Whether it is on the beach, on the pier, or in the deep sea; local
seafood is a part of North Carolina’s coastal heritage.
Unfortunately, overfishing has severely depleted our local fish
populations, threatening our way of life and our local tourist
economies. A recent report by the Marine Fish Conservation Network
showed that only 13% of the hundreds of species that the federal
government manages are known to be at healthy levels.
Overfishing is also damaging the vital and fragile ocean
ecosystems. These ecosystems are tightly-knit and interdependent
environments that are vulnerable to overfishing and habitat destruction
from bottom trawling; a destructive practice that scapes the ocean
floor of aquatic life.
The good news is that we have a chance to restore populations of
fish like the black sea bass and red snapper; and preserve North
Carolina’s coastal way of life and ocean ecosystems for generations to
come.
Environment North Carolina is working to preserve our coastal
heritage by calling on the National Marine Fisheries Service to
finalize a strong rule to stop overfishing and protect our oceans.
