A Letter From Our Executive Director
ChadThomas
Chad Thomas Executive Director
252-333-7379
As another impactful year ends and we plan ahead to 2025, I continue to be encouraged by the strides we have made together in our consistent pursuit of improving North Carolina’s coastal fisheries. Your steadfast support drives the mission of the North Carolina Marine & Estuary Foundation and brings us closer to our shared vision of making our state the nation’s premier fishing destination
Fisheries are economic drivers, fueling tourism, supplying seafood to local restaurants and markets, and supporting industries such as retail, hospitality, food and beverage, and real estate Together, these interconnected sectors create jobs and sustain livelihoods across eastern North Carolina In 2024, the closure of Flounder and Striped Bass seasons and a ban on River Herring harvests marked a missed economic opportunity for the region Rebuilding these fisheries and others is essential to securing the long-term prosperity of our coastal communities and businesses
While the challenges are undeniably complex, they also offer unprecedented opportunities to lead with bold ideas and transformative action
From supporting all phases of the restoration of Striped Bass to launching the East Coast’s first-ever Red Drum Satellite Tagging Program, our initiatives aim to provide measurable solutions one issue at a time In the coming year, we are committed to tackling the obstacles hindering the growth of our coastal fisheries, challenging the status quo, and expanding community engagement through education and outreach
But without your support, this would not be possible.
On behalf of our Board of Directors and team, I want to express our gratitude for your confidence in our efforts Together, we can unlock the vast potential of our coastal fisheries while setting a national standard for leading-edge, conservation excellence
Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Your passion and dedication inspire us to aim higher, work harder, and accomplish more We hope you will continue to stand with us as we strive to create worldclass fisheries and thriving coastal economies in this remarkable state we are proud to call home
Measuringourimpact Fisheriesdatainnovations
Defining World-Class Fisheries
If you’ve ever wondered about the health of your favorite fish species in North Carolina, you might look to stock assessments, which serve as the foundation for fishery management plans These assessments are detailed and typically provide two key conclusions:
The stock is overfished, or is not. 1.
Overfishing is occurring, or is not. 2.
In 2022, our Foundation launched FINDEX, a stock status indicator meant to provide users with a greater degree of data resolution How so?
FINDEX measures the “gaps” between the desired biological condition of a stock and the existing condition of that stock It not only indicates whether a species’ abundance is trending up or down, but it also provides, for perhaps the first time ever, a measurable goal of world-class for each population
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
The calculations are updated with each new stock assessment, enabling our Foundation to set restoration priorities, measure long-term impact, and chart the course toward achieving world-class status one species at a time.
By bridging complex scientific data with simplified insights, FINDEX empowers everyone from policymakers to anglers with a comprehensive picture of the health of our coastal fisheries
With this innovative messaging tool, we’re working to secure a brighter future for our fisheries and the economies of eastern North Carolina that they have supported for generations
Mandatory Harvest Reporting
In the fall of 2023, the NC General Assembly passed groundbreaking harvest reporting legislation aimed to fill data gaps in order to provide a better understanding of how fish are harvested from our coastal waters.
“If successful, North Carolina will have its own data stream to evaluate harvest trends for our most valuable coastal fish species. With better data, the state can more effectively manage our fisheries that drive economic activity along the coast
The new fisheries data program, which
Breaking
it down
1.
Commercial fishers must report all harvested fish and shellfish, regardless of sale.
As it now stands, this policy will go into effect on December 1, 2025. In the meantime, our Foundation continues to work with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries to develop
will be phased in over a period of three years, positions North Carolina as a pioneer in the field of commercial and recreational harvest reporting. Our Foundation worked alongside state legislators and several conservation partners on the development of the bill’s language and intent.
Recreational anglers must report their harvest of Red Drum, Flounder, Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout), Striped Bass, and Weakfish (Gray Trout) 2.
This data is not intended to replace the existing federal survey program but rather to provide a new index to help inform management decisions the data collection platform and highlight the potential benefits of this program
FROMSOUNDTOSATELLITE NewRedDrumTaggingProgram
Where do Red Drum spawn? How far do they travel? How often do they pass through the ocean inlets, and do they head north to Virginia or make their way beyond South Carolina?
To answer these questions and others, our Foundation partnered with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries to launch an innovative satellite tagging project
How does it work?
Mature Red Drum (those over 32 inches in length) are affixed with SeaTag-GEO pop-up satellite tags that measure magnetics, light, and temperature Daily data is transmitted from each fish to the ARGOS satellite and then sent to the computer software for positioning estimates
By leveraging modern technology and analytics, “ we can pave the way for
the significant growth of our
state’s Red Drum fishery and the economic activity it drives to the coastal
This multi-year initiative aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of stock structure, spawning migrations, and habitat preferences of adult Red Drum. Results will inform sound management decisions and fill longstanding data gaps critical to the conservation of this species.
communities of eastern North Carolina.
The data from each fish is collected until the programmed “pop-off” date, at which time the tag releases from the fish and floats to the surface. Once the tag surfaces, a final location is captured, along with a variety of temporal and spatial data.
months Preliminary data collected from the 2024 pilot study is already proving to be insightful Building on this
to prevent overfishing and foster productive spawning sites This research project has also been identified as a
success, the project will be expanded in 2025 to tag at least 40 Red Drum within and around the Pamlico Sound Drum will be tagged by Division staff during their routine surveys, with our Foundation coordinating the capture and tagging of fish using the help of local recreational fishing guides Pop-off intervals will be longer in 2025, ranging from 4 to 12 months to provide a wider view of Red Drum movement
high-priority need by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to better inform how Red Drum are moving in the nearshore Atlantic Ocean from Virginia to South Carolina Our Foundation looks forward to sharing key takeaways from this project with the public as the data promises to reveal useful information on the patterns of North Carolina’s state saltwater fish
ThroughThePhases StripedBassRestoration&Evaluation
For the first year ever, there was no Striped Bass harvest season in the Albemarle Sound, as well as the rivers and creeks that flow into it.
To bolster the struggling Striped Bass population, our Foundation joined forces with state and federal agencies to stock nearly 3 million Striped Bass into the Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound in 2024 This aggressive restoration effort began in 2023 and will continue through at least 2025 with our financial support
This year’s stockings were unique in that they featured various sizes of fish stocked throughout the year These treatments included 2- to 4-day-old fry, 1- to 2-inch juveniles, and 5- to 8-inch sub-adult Striped Bass
The Cape Fear River population was also a restoration focus this year with our Foundation supporting the production and stocking of a new genetic strain of
Striped Bass originating from the Cooper River in South Carolina. This genetic switch is intended to promote natural reproduction in the Cape Fear River by introducing fish that experience similar river flows and environmental conditions. 56,100 sub-adults and more than 170,000 juveniles were stocked into the Cape Fear in 2024 with plans to repeat this strategy in 2025
Once the Striped Bass have been stocked, the critical next step is to determine whether any of the stockings worked. That is why our Foundation also partnered with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries to support the genetic evaluation of stocking success, as outlined below
Step 1: Collect genetic material (a small piece of fin) from each hatchery broodfish (the parents)
Step 2: Send the fin clips to genetics labs in North Carolina and South Carolina to determine the “genetic recipe” for each spawning tank.
Step 3: Sample juvenile Striped Bass from the Albemarle Sound and collect fin clips from each fish
Step 4: Send those fin clips to the genetics labs to be compared to the genetic recipe of the broodfish
After samples have been collected and compared, geneticists can then determine several key details about these Striped Bass populations They can identify
whether each fish originated from the fish hatchery or if it was born naturally in the wild. If it came from the hatchery, they can then trace it back to the specific tank of broodfish and its female and male parent Not only that, but they can determine which year the fish was stocked, the sex of the fish, and the exact age down to the day of birth Once the individual data is recorded, the geneticists will calculate the percent contribution of hatchery fish to wild fish for the sample collected
If it can’t be measured, it can’t be fixed
This year, we received preliminary data from the 2023 genetic evaluation of Striped Bass in the Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound From the 227 juvenile fish sampled, 220 were born in the hatchery and 7 were born naturally in the wild That makes for a 96 9% hatchery contribution. The 2024 genetic results are set to come out in mid 2025 and will help determine the initial effectiveness of the Striped Bass stocking program. The overarching objective is to see these hatchery fish ultimately return to the system as adults to spawn.
Step 1 Step 2
Step 3 Step 4
BeyondtheShore Access,Authority,&Awareness
Enhancing Coastal Access
Few activities bring friends and family together like boating and fishing along our coastline That is why our Foundation teamed up with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to bring quality recreational waterway access to coastal North Carolina for all to enjoy
Providing clean, convenient access to our sounds and waterways is critical to the economic health and recreation of our coast
Since 2022, our Foundation has provided financial support to assist the NC Wildlife Resources Commission with routine maintenance and infrastructure repairs at eight of the coast’s largest public boating access sites.
Weldon – Roanoke River, Halifax County
Manns Harbor – Croatan Sound, Dare County
Swan Quarter – Pamlico Sound, Hyde County
Straits Landing – North River near Harkers Island, Carteret County
Beaufort – Taylor’s Creek, Carteret County
Wrightsville Beach – Intracoastal Waterway, New Hanover County
Snow’s Cut – Intracoastal Waterway near Carolina
Beach, New Hanover County
Oak Island – Intracoastal Waterway near Southport, Brunswick County
Mapping Fisheries Management
Navigating fisheries management in North Carolina can be challenging, with multiple agencies overseeing various waters and species To address this complexity, our Foundation developed a user-friendly tool to help anglers, citizens, and policymakers visualize and better understand “who manages what” on the water
Our comprehensive fisheries management map identifies the agencies responsible for governing specific waters, explains how they operate, and highlights the species under their jurisdiction
Who makes the call?
With just a click on our map, users can quickly access detailed information about the managing authority in any given area This innovative resource empowers users to quickly understand the administrative structure that governs North Carolina’s fisheries
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
NC Division of Marine Fisheries
NC Wildlife Resources Commission & NC Division of Marine Fisheries: Joint Waters
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission: 0-3 miles offshore
National Marine Fisheries Service: 3-200 miles offshore
This map is more than a guide it’s an invaluable resource for anyone engaging with North Carolina’s coastal waters It empowers users to make informed angling decisions, understand regulatory responsibilities, and easily identify the appropriate authorities to contact in case of questions, issues, or emergencies.
Unlocking Our Watersheds
Productive, high-quality aquatic habitats are critical to the development of world-class fisheries. In the case of many of our small coastal watersheds, years of siltation and pollutant runoff have impaired water quality while at the same time limiting their function as nursery areas for fish and shellfish. Hewletts Creek, which drains populous areas of Wilmington before emptying into the Intracoastal Waterway, is one such area
For decades, Hewletts Creek has experienced a “fillingin effect” as sediments wash into the creek clogging upper sections and slowing drainage Declines in flushing rates coupled with the inability of saltier waters to periodically make their way up the creek have resulted in elevated fecal coliform levels that have persisted in bottom sediments for over 50 years
While local efforts to reduce surface runoff continue, our Foundation began working with a group of
landowners in New Hanover County to discuss solutions to this longstanding problem. With the assistance of Andrew Consulting Engineers and Coastal Protection Engineering, conceptual plans were designed that would improve flushing rates by removing areas of shoaling within the creek A measurable objective is to see fecal coliform levels decrease below the thresholds that would allow shellfish to be harvested from Hewletts Creek again
What’s next?
The partnership was expanded in 2024 to enlist the help of researchers at UNC-Wilmington Demonstration projects are being developed for 2025 that would manipulate bottom sediments and shoreline areas within Hewletts Creek in an attempt to improve localized function This project is intended to not only revitalize the watershed, but to serve as a proof of concept that can be applied to other creeks along our coast that are currently failing to support the early development stages of juvenile fish and crustaceans.
Partnerships & Ou
The North Carolina Marine & Es dedicated to fostering strong community relationships and investing in the future of fisheries conservation in our state
To achieve this, we collaborate with state and federal environmental agencies and actively seek partnerships with organizations that share our commitment to preserving the prosperity and sustainability of North Carolina’s coastal resources and communities
Think Coastal
This year, we proudly sponsored Maritime Explorer Club 244 through the Boy Scouts of America Exploring program. Pictured above in our Think Coastal gear, this co-ed club engages middle schoolers in water-related topics through hands-on activities, meetings, and field trips, inspiring a passion for marine conservation.
ew partnership, we maintained our collaboration with the outdoor TV series Carolina All Out for the third consecutive year, providing biological insights and fisheries updates featured in relevant episodes
We were also honored to be the beneficiary of Coastal Beverage Co 's annual “Cases for a Cause” campaign Throughout September, our Foundation received a portion of proceeds from every case of product sold
Through these initiatives, we continue to expand our impact, foster meaningful connections, and inspire a collective commitment to sustaining North Carolina’s coastal heritage. By engaging stakeholders throughout eastern North Carolina, we are dedicated to developing world-class fisheries that bolster our economies and enhance the quality of life for our coastal communities.
Thanks to Our Supporters
Everything our Foundation accomplished in 2024 would not have been possible without the generous support of our donors. Whether you attended an event, connected us with prospective supporters, or made a financial contribution, you helped advance our mission of building world-class fisheries and thriving coastal economies
If you Think our Coastal fisheries are worth restoring and want to make a difference, we invite you to join us today Together, we can unlock the unlimited potential of our waters for the next generation to experience, explore, and enjoy
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or ideas for prospective projects. 2024 was a year to remember, and we look forward to furthering our progress in the new year!
About Us
Founded in 2017, the North Carolina Marine & Estuary Foundation was formed by business leaders dedicated to supporting eastern North Carolina Since its inception, our Foundation has earned recognition as an innovative nonprofit, developing forward-thinking initiatives to revitalize the marine and estuarine resources that have sustained North Carolina’s coastal communities for generations
Our Mission
Build world-class fisheries and thriving coastal economies
Our Vision
See North Carolina become the country’s premier fishing destination
Contact Information
Website: ncmefoundation org
Email: info@ncmefoundation org
Phone: 984-304-7860
Office Locations: 3700 Glenwood Ave, Suite 310, Raleigh, NC 27612 1213 Culbreth Dr, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405
North Carolina Marine and Estuary Foundation, Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law EIN 83-0893015
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