North Carolina commercial fishermen take sustainability seriously, and they work daily to build and protect a thriving ecosystem. They rely on science – and their partnerships with regulatory agencies – to determine the best sustainability practices. In fact, some of the most progressive and stringent recommendations have come from commercial fishermen.
North Carolina commercial fishermen want to ensure there are productive fisheries for future generations and preserve the natural heritage of our coastal waters.
You can support our fisheries and fishermen by asking for local seafood in grocery stores and restaurants. You deserve to enjoy fresh, healthy seafood that is sustainably harvested.
Bycatch
Have you ever been fishing for one type of fish and accidentally caught another? Well, the fish you accidentally caught is called the bycatch.
Most recreational and commercial fishing will include some bycatch. But minimizing bycatch is a state and national requirement, and we take it seriously in North Carolina.
Our commercial fishermen lead the world in the use of sustainable fishing practices and have drastically reduced bycatch in North Carolina waters. We also are recognized as a national leader for testing, developing and using bycatch reduction technology.
