North Carolina’s Conflicting Mullet, Flounder Seasons Signal Bigger Problems

First in a series investigating why, after years of consistent seasons for inland, joint and coastal waters, recreational anglers found themselves negotiating different flounder and mullet rules in 2023.

Up until recently, the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission, which manages coastal waters, and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, which manages inland waters, appeared to have a system in place for the shared responsibility of what’s known as joint waters.

However, since forming a Joint Committee on Delineation of Fishing Waters in late 2018, there’s been a paper trail of mounting disagreements between the two on managing the area between inland and coastal waters.

Courtesy of: North Carolina Coastal Federation/ Written By: Jennifer Allen