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Oyster and Clam FMP Public Comment
The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is recommending phasing out mechanical clam harvest (clam kicking) and closing large areas to mechanical oyster harvest in their latest oyster and clam fishery management plan (FMP) update. Public comment is open and advisory committee meetings are scheduled starting next week.
Clam FMP
The biggest change DMF recommends for mechanical clam harvest is to phase out clam kicking in three years unless the number of participants in the fishery increases to 10 and landings exceed 1 million clams. If participants and landings increase to the threshold, the Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will reconsider the phase out at their May 2027 business meeting. More details can be found at the links below.
Clam Decision Document
Clam FMP
Oyster FMP
The biggest changes DMF recommends for mechanical oyster harvest is to permanently close two large areas at the mouth of the Neuse and Pamlico rivers to mechanical harvest and to use DMF pre-season sampling to set a predetermined season length for mechanical harvest while they also continue in season sampling. Map of closed areas (outlined in purple) and detail in the links can be found below.
Oyster Decision Document
Oyster FMP
Written comments may be submitted online at: Comment Online
or by mail to: Draft Oyster/Clam FMP Amendments Comments, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557
Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2025
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