WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – New mandatory harvest reporting rules for recreational and commercial fisheries in NC will now become effective a year later, Dec. 1, 2025.

With the passage of Session Law 2024-45, the date for the rules to become effective was moved from Dec. 1, 2024.

“The legislation from last fall requires that any person who recreationally harvests Red Drum, flounder, Spotted Seatrout (speckled trout), Striped Bass and Weakfish (gray trout) must report that harvest to the DMF. This requirement applies to fish harvested from coastal fishing waters, joint fishing waters and inland fishing waters adjacent to coastal or joint fishing waters,” a N.C. Division Marine Fisheries announcement states.

The law also requires anyone with a commercial fishing license engaged in commercial fishing to report all fish harvested to the DMF.

The DMF says that the delay will let it and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission engages with stakeholders to explain requirements to stakeholders and to make sure reporting processes and tools are robust and easy to use.

You can learn more about the new rules on the DEQ website.

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