Special Series: The State of Saltwater Fisheries in the Carolinas

Beginning this week, the Angler & Sportsman Network launches an eight-part special series that will be published over the next four weeks, taking an in-depth look at one of the most important issues facing coastal anglers today—the health and management of North Carolina’s saltwater fisheries and how they compare with those of neighboring South Carolina.

The series will appear every Tuesday and Friday throughout the month of August on the Angler & Sportsman Network and Sportsman’s Wire, making each installment easily accessible to readers as the series unfolds. In addition, an audio version of every article will be available for those who prefer to listen while traveling, commuting, or spending time on the water.

Developed over several months by Captain Tim Wilson, this series has been created to provide anglers with a closer examination of the marine fisheries management programs in both states. Through extensive research, historical review, and analysis of management practices, we’ll explore the strengths, challenges, and philosophies that guide fisheries management while examining how those decisions affect fish populations, recreational fishing opportunities, coastal economies, and the future of our marine resources.

Although both states share many of the same coastal waters and fish species, their management approaches have often differed. Those differences have produced varying results and continue to generate discussion among recreational anglers, commercial fishermen, fisheries scientists, conservation organizations, and coastal communities.

While South Carolina will serve as an important benchmark throughout the series, the primary focus will be North Carolina. In recent years, concerns have grown over declining stocks of several popular saltwater species, increasingly restrictive regulations, habitat issues, and continuing controversy surrounding fisheries management decisions. These concerns have prompted difficult questions about the direction of North Carolina’s marine fisheries and what, if anything, can be learned from the successes and challenges of neighboring South Carolina.

The purpose of this series is not to criticize for the sake of criticism or to declare one state’s management program superior to another. Rather, it is to present the facts, examine the science, review management decisions, and provide readers with the information needed to better understand the issues affecting North Carolina’s coastal fisheries and the opportunities for improvement.

Healthy fisheries are essential to the future of recreational fishing, coastal businesses, tourism, and the thousands of anglers who depend on these resources. We invite you to join us throughout August as we take an in-depth look at the decisions, successes, challenges, and opportunities that will help shape the future of saltwater fishing in the Carolinas.