Charting Failure in Our Fisheries

NC Sound Economy recently charted both landings and dollar value over time for several key North Carolina species. The results were not encouraging. Almost all of the key species have seen significant declines over two decades. First, we see the overall declines in commercial landings for these important species (southern flounder, spotted sea trout, red drum, blue crabs, croaker, weakfish and striped bass).

Commercial Landed Volume and Value 1991-2015 (NMFS 2017)

Southern Flounder: An Iconic Fish in Decline

As one example, the economic trends demonstrate the damage this mismanagement has done to the southern flounder fisheries. The charts below show the trends in pounds landed and value of that harvest. Both in pounds landed and value of harvest are less than 50 percent of their peaks more than twenty years ago, just before the legislature passed major changes to fisheries management.

Commercial Fishing for Southern Flounder

Recreational Fishing for Southern Flounder

NC Sound Economy will share more data on the decline in fisheries in the coming months. Tell us your thoughts below.

Showing 12 reactions

Paul Graham commented 2018-07-20 14:09:47 -0400

Although I live at the coast and catch what I need, I too go to Florida to catch more fish and remember what it was like in NC 15 years ago. I’m headed down there next month. I’ve read some comments that say people aren’t catching much because they just don’t know what they’re doing. What happens when they and myself can’t catch anything because NOTHING is left?

Believe me, it’s coming. Something is wrong if visitors can’t have a good time and catch some fish. They are the ones supporting our coastal economy, NOT THE NETTERS who ship their catch out of state!
John schulz commented 2018-07-20 13:43:24 -0400

I agree that fisheries are in decline, especially recreational fisheries. Summer and Fall visits produce terribly discouraging results from 10-15 years ago, such that my 10 year old son is not interested in simply casting for practice on the surf. When nothing is biting on fresh cut bait or shrimp, there is a problem. Sound fishing is sad with only 1 in 20 flounder as a keeper. Striper fishing 7-10 years ago one day, I witnessed trawlers throwing hundreds of 20 lb dead stripers into the water…a sickening visible example of a horrible mismanagement of our fishery resources.
Dean Carter commented 2018-07-17 09:12:36 -0400
Cory Williams commented 2018-07-16 11:08:30 -0400

Pretty depressing when your 16 yr. old comes home to tell you how he finds a school of fish and releases everything only to see the netters come in and wipe out everything. This happens on many occasions. Makes him reluctant to continue to fish. He and his friends state “whats the use”… SAD. I live on the sound and watch netters everyday. Disgusting. I go to Florida when I want to fish. Their politicians understand and their recreational fishing makes a load of money for their economy.
Cory Williams commented 2018-07-16 11:03:03 -0400
Cory Williams commented 2018-07-16 11:01:44 -0400
Bert Owens commented 2018-07-15 14:17:33 -0400

You don’t need to post value. Pounds are the true measure. With declining catches price per pound rises. NCDMF is still, in effect, the diviison of commercial fisheries. They are supposed to manage the resource for both, but in actuality have no history of taking action to benefit the recreational side. Where the real money is, or could be!
Bert Owens commented 2018-07-15 14:14:24 -0400
roger mitchell commented 2018-07-13 21:53:24 -0400
Scott Ingle commented 2018-07-13 17:43:09 -0400

Nc inshore fishing is dismal in comparison to Floridaand Louisiana. I’m heading down there to fish for the next week so I can fill my coolers with filets. The limits are generous and the fishing is awesome because there are no nets in the nurseries
Scott Ingle commented 2018-07-13 17:39:45 -0400
Mick Brown commented 2018-07-13 16:33:14 -0400

NC has by far the worst inshore saltwater fishing on the East Coast! Our legislature needs to get involved. Third World gear like gill nets, especially unattended, need to be stricken from our sounds and rivers forever.

nc's fishing economy is failing. demand action.

Declines in Fishing