NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES
Annual Fisheries Bulletin
2009 Commercial & Recreational Statistics
License and Statistics Section
PO Box 769
Morehead City, NC 28557
April 2010
The Annual Fisheries Bulletin contains the North Carolina commercial and recreational fisheries harvest statistics for
2009. Included in this bulletin are the 2009 landings from the commercial and recreational fisheries programs, along with
the 2005 to 2008 landings for comparison purposes. The bulletin also contains a summary of commercial fishing trips by
major gears.
The North Carolina Trip Ticket Program collects commercial fishery landings and effort statistics. This program mandates
trip level fish dealer reporting of all finfish and shellfish landed in the state. Recreational fishery harvest and effort
statistics are derived from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) that conducts recreational angler
interviews at public access points, combined with telephone surveys.
Total Pounds Harvested in 2009
Commercial
Recreational
68,636,665 pounds 13,567,106 pounds
Top Five Species Caught In Each Fishery
Commercial
Recreational
Species Pounds Species Pounds
Blue crabs 28,815,230 Dolphinfish 3,864,480
Croaker 6,135,427 Bluefish 971,132
Shrimp 5,407,541 Spanish mackerel 892,641
Summer flounder 2,859,039 King mackerel 864,237
Southern flounder 2,395,384 Spotted seatrout 833,577
Issued by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
For additional information regarding Commercial and Recreational Statistics, please contact:
Alan Bianchi, Commercial Statistics
(252) 726-7021 or (800) 682-2632
alan.bianchi@ncdenr,gov
Doug Mumford, Recreational Statistics
(252) 948-3876 or (800) 338-7804
doug.mumford@ncdenr.gov
NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES
2009 PRELIMINARY 2009
North Carolina Commercial Landings
Issued: April 30, 2010
POUNDS
(Whole/Round Weight)
VALUE
FINFISH
Amberjacks1
153,099
$104,982
Anglerfish (Monkfish including Monklivers)
99,549
$112,354
Bluefish
2,360,077
$782,597
Bonito
9,981
$14,060
Butterfish
56,481
$26,799
Carp
14,087
$1,019
Catfishes
412,075
$77,698
Cobia
31,898
$46,516
Croaker, Atlantic
6,135,427
$3,003,858
Cutlassfish, Atlantic
59,379
$38,519
Dolphinfish
610,932
$1,028,309
Drum, Black
148,994
$64,875
Drum, Red
193,618
$314,964
Eel, American
65,573
$154,753
Flounder, Southern
2,395,384
$4,608,301
Flounder, Summer
2,859,039
$5,513,799
Flounders, Other
261
$202
Garfish
5,632
$509
Grouper, Gag
220,925
$733,054
Grouper, Red
296,255
$774,109
Grouper, Scamp
71,225
$232,278
Grouper, Snowy
32,927
$94,025
Groupers, Other
16,134
$45,265
Grunts
74,054
$63,394
Hakes
561
$155
Harvestfish (Starbutters)
96,742
$117,965
Herring, River (Alewife and Blueback Herring)
643
$836
Hogfish (Hog Snapper)
10,839
$28,476
Jacks
4,891
$3,880
Mackerel, Atlantic (Boston)
1,147
$448
Mackerel, King
777,585
$1,500,112
Mackerel, Spanish
961,811
$929,748
Menhaden, Atlantic
2,142,733
$229,648
Mullet, Sea (Kingfishes)
721,924
$789,000
Mullet, Striped
1,685,615
$715,265
Perch, White
376,820
$303,971
Perch, Yellow
66,949
$68,153
Pigfish
27,905
$11,207
Pinfish
12,655
$5,046
Pompano
21,668
$58,228
Porgies
98,771
$114,791
Pufferfish
799
$344
Scup
244,337
$100,956
Sea Basses
615,179
$1,401,506
Seatrout, Spotted
320,247
$528,985
Shad, American
167,631
$204,142
Shad, Gizzard
73,232
$2,197
Shad, Hickory
86,662
$22,963
2 2009 North Carolina Commercial Landings
(continued)
POUNDS
(Whole/Round Weight)
VALUE
Sharks2
447,405
$238,806
Sharks, Dogfish, Smooth
1,221,150
$381,790
Sharks, Dogfish, Spiny
1,416,362
$212,165
Sheepshead
132,386
$82,337
Skates
*
*
Skippers
12,506
$4,131
Snapper, Red
10,228
$35,284
Snapper, Vermilion (Beeliner)
361,923
$1,033,555
Snappers, Other
1,930
$4,002
Spadefish, Atlantic
20,636
$6,520
Spot
1,006,485
$601,835
Striped Bass
310,604
$747,308
Swordfish
502,884
$1,319,917
Tilefish
469,293
$735,189
Triggerfish
215,759
$303,580
Tuna, Bigeye
168,089
$536,721
Tuna, Bluefin
138,902
$1,444,351
Tuna, Yellowfin
546,406
$852,155
Tunas, Other
39,277
$37,459
Tunny, Little (False Albacore)
146,088
$61,559
Wahoo
16,199
$38,542
Weakfish (Gray Trout)
163,146
$163,210
Unclassified Fish for Food
81,205
$142,962
Unclassified Fish for Industrial Use or Bait
59,109
$9,716 TOTAL FINFISH 32,321,701 $33,969,558
SHELLFISH
Shrimp (Heads On) 3
5,407,541
$8,527,442
Clams, Hard (Meats)
350,624
$2,036,419
(18,008,601 Clams)
--
Whelks/Conchs (Meats)
11,901
$21,593
Blue Crabs, Hard
28,815,230
$24,809,410
Blue Crabs, Peeler
366,781
$1,103,570
Blue Crabs, Soft
198,876
$1,282,721
Stone Crabs
5,933
$19,281
Octopus
4,410
$4,863
Oysters (Meats)
573,312
$2,653,994
(108,377 Bushels)
--
Scallop, Bay (Meats)
29,003
$124,256
Scallop, Sea (Meats)
382,010
$2,278,321
Squid
52,339
$37,384
Unclassified Shellfish
117,004
$132,285 TOTAL SHELLFISH 36,314,963 $43,031,539
GRAND TOTAL 68,636,665 $77,001,097
1 Includes species from the genus Seriola (amberjacks, almaco jacks, and banded rudderfish.)
2 Includes shark fins and the following sharks: blacktip, bonnethead, bull, finetooth, hammerhead, shortfin mako, spinner, thresher, tiger, and Atlantic sharpnose.
3 Includes brown, pink, and white shrimp.
* Units and value not shown to avoid disclosure of private enterprise.
3 2008 North Carolina Commercial Landings 2008
Updated: April 16, 2010
POUNDS
(Whole/Round Weight)
VALUE
FINFISH
Amberjacks1
160,769
$110,236
Anglerfish (Monkfish including Monklivers)
109,102
$127,688
Bluefish
1,930,391
$707,749
Bonito
16,576
$19,937
Butterfish
77,199
$40,053
Carp
6,344
$753
Catfishes
361,456
$91,752
Cobia
22,047
$30,042
Croaker, Atlantic
5,791,874
$3,141,941
Cutlassfish, Atlantic
21,614
$13,059
Dolphinfish
289,207
$572,628
Drum, Black
301,998
$104,937
Drum, Red
229,809
$352,426
Eel, American
23,833
$53,624
Flounder, Southern
2,602,390
$5,650,295
Flounder, Summer
2,406,603
$5,236,001
Flounders, Other
305
$386
Garfish
11,869
$593
Grouper, Gag
179,673
$616,241
Grouper, Red
474,404
$1,234,039
Grouper, Scamp
86,483
$288,607
Grouper, Snowy
26,700
$80,973
Groupers, Other
18,353
$54,605
Grunts
91,292
$86,065
Hakes
1,091
$362
Harvestfish (Starbutters)
75,285
$77,282
Herring, River (Alewife and Blueback Herring)
1,292
$775
Hogfish (Hog Snapper)
13,035
$34,731
Jacks
3,490
$2,400
Mackerel, Atlantic (Boston)
751
$379
Mackerel, King
1,036,852
$1,631,665
Mackerel, Spanish
415,405
$545,300
Menhaden, Atlantic
645,231
$70,339
Mullet, Sea (Kingfishes)
922,583
$816,446
Mullet, Striped
1,675,859
$672,108
Perch, White
398,307
$318,802
Perch, Yellow
43,507
$49,763
Pigfish
34,984
$12,777
Pinfish
80,384
$26,762
Pompano
18,081
$49,608
Porgies
114,457
$137,053
Pufferfish
680
$318
Scup
205,868
$164,204
Sea Basses
484,892
$1,155,772
Seatrout, Spotted
304,430
$466,588
Shad, American
118,971
$168,826
Shad, Gizzard
58,933
$1,768
Shad, Hickory
66,767
$11,665
4 2008 North Carolina Commercial Landings
(continued)
POUNDS
(Whole/Round Weight)
VALUE
Sharks2
468,864
$210,829
Sharks, Dogfish, Smooth
826,240
$265,462
Sharks, Dogfish, Spiny
158,727
$26,042
Sheepshead
89,726
$53,053
Skates
384
$76
Skippers
13,605
$3,168
Snapper, Red
8,852
$30,806
Snapper, Vermilion (Beeliner)
591,429
$1,747,555
Snappers, Other
2,557
$5,959
Spadefish, Atlantic
11,694
$3,293
Spot
737,244
$454,585
Striped Bass
373,450
$822,566
Swordfish
444,559
$1,133,936
Tilefish
404,295
$659,213
Triggerfish
198,724
$283,028
Tuna, Bigeye
272,340
$922,083
Tuna, Bluefin
147,410
$1,461,166
Tuna, Yellowfin
502,928
$956,049
Tunas, Other
19,413
$19,544
Tunny, Little (False Albacore)
103,743
$40,280
Wahoo
11,615
$27,002
Weakfish (Gray Trout)
170,469
$149,044
Unclassified Fish for Food
56,489
$115,555
Unclassified Fish for Industrial Use or Bait
54,957
$6,961 TOTAL FINFISH 27,631,139 $34,427,579
SHELLFISH
Shrimp (Heads On) 3
9,423,815
$19,243,008
Clams, Hard (Meats)
382,049
$2,355,279
(19,332,807 clams)
--
Whelks/Conchs (Meats)
10,270
$18,614
Blue Crabs, Hard
32,338,889
$25,429,231
Blue Crabs, Peeler
351,984
$882,314
Blue Crabs, Soft
225,816
$1,243,836
Stone Crabs
6,109
$15,742
Octopus
4,022
$5,878
Oysters (Meats)
466,176
$2,039,175
(88,124 bushels)
--
Scallop, Bay (Meats)
0
$0
Scallop, Sea (Meats)
162,007
$1,013,048
Squid
108,583
$38,569
Unclassified Shellfish
99,086
$102,214 TOTAL SHELLFISH 43,581,871 $52,394,492
GRAND TOTAL 71,213,009 $86,822,071
1 Includes species from the genus Seriola (amberjacks, almaco jacks, and banded rudderfish.)
2 Includes shark fins and the following sharks: blacktip, hammerhead, lemon, shortfin mako, thresher, and Atlantic sharpnose.
3 Includes brown, pink, white and rock shrimp.
5 2007 North Carolina Commercial Landings 2007
Updated: April 16, 2010
POUNDS
(Whole/Round Weight)
VALUE
FINFISH
Amberjacks1
133,519
$93,910
Anglerfish (Monkfish including Monklivers)
153,346
$188,124
Bluefish
2,332,118
$701,134
Bonito
16,085
$20,403
Butterfish
122,124
$62,851
Carp
26,580
$2,852
Catfishes
475,217
$129,282
Cobia
19,005
$25,711
Croaker, Atlantic
7,301,296
$2,726,029
Cutlassfish, Atlantic
27,042
$27,968
Dolphinfish
369,472
$726,111
Drum, Black
148,231
$50,320
Drum, Red
243,658
$354,400
Eel, American
37,937
$73,977
Flounder, Southern
2,083,043
$4,970,881
Flounder, Summer
2,670,174
$6,364,022
Flounders, Other
312
$316
Garfish
10,359
$518
Grouper, Gag
200,818
$652,226
Grouper, Red
448,580
$1,179,470
Grouper, Scamp
110,983
$353,144
Grouper, Snowy
48,354
$152,739
Groupers, Other
19,058
$56,795
Grunts
118,545
$109,044
Hakes
785
$271
Harvestfish (Starbutters)
90,151
$99,919
Herring, River (Alewife and Blueback Herring)
1,103
$856
Hogfish (Hog Snapper)
7,112
$17,072
Jacks
2,176
$1,030
Mackerel, Atlantic (Boston)
816
$412
Mackerel, King
1,059,107
$1,967,079
Mackerel, Spanish
487,879
$731,076
Menhaden, Atlantic
1,134,167
$139,178
Mullet, Sea (Kingfishes)
817,868
$795,685
Mullet, Striped
1,668,804
$721,171
Perch, White
174,494
$130,426
Perch, Yellow
45,698
$58,012
Pigfish
33,643
$11,894
Pinfish
73,238
$14,899
Pompano
19,553
$36,105
Porgies
97,919
$108,863
Pufferfish
930
$339
Scup
66,979
$42,756
Sea Basses
474,297
$1,195,325
Seatrout, Spotted
374,722
$524,465
Shad, American
300,032
$280,582
Shad, Gizzard
84,998
$2,550
Shad, Hickory
35,808
$7,726
6 2007 North Carolina Commercial Landings
(continued)
POUNDS
(Whole/Round Weight)
VALUE
Sharks2
348,887
$170,268
Sharks, Dogfish, Smooth
641,888
$196,104
Sharks, Dogfish, Spiny
149,543
$26,080
Sheepshead
77,173
$41,235
Skates
2,335
$332
Skippers
12,676
$3,252
Snapper, Red
7,288
$23,267
Snapper, Vermilion (Beeliner)
541,185
$1,573,301
Snappers, Other
2,145
$4,660
Spadefish, Atlantic
19,567
$6,939
Spot
879,082
$612,673
Striped Bass
576,384
$1,238,956
Swordfish
645,396
$1,769,054
Tilefish
58,218
$87,888
Triggerfish
155,261
$186,141
Tuna, Bigeye
339,750
$1,088,203
Tuna, Bluefin
131,881
$892,398
Tuna, Yellowfin
1,214,188
$2,002,484
Tunas, Other
15,688
$14,710
Tunny, Little (False Albacore)
134,674
$48,748
Wahoo
24,306
$55,644
Weakfish (Gray Trout)
175,597
$149,208
Unclassified Fish for Food
58,804
$101,965
Unclassified Fish for Industrial Use or Bait
71,786
$4,430 TOTAL FINFISH 30,451,831 $36,207,859
SHELLFISH
Shrimp (Heads On) 3
9,552,155
$17,937,913
Clams, Hard (Meats)
425,333
$2,600,658
(21,787,426 clams)
--
Whelks/Conchs (Meats)
12,414
$18,804
Blue Crabs, Hard
20,562,159
$18,109,497
Blue Crabs, Peeler
498,904
$1,186,031
Blue Crabs, Soft
363,896
$2,136,426
Stone Crabs
4,605
$13,599
Octopus
4,183
$6,440
Oysters (Meats)
441,431
$2,244,707
(83,446 bushels)
--
Scallop, Bay (Meats)
0
$0
Scallop, Sea (Meats)
267,252
$1,692,479
Squid
291,826
$100,122
Unclassified Shellfish
50,370
$76,988 TOTAL SHELLFISH 32,474,528 $46,123,664
GRAND TOTAL 62,926,359 $82,331,523
1 Includes species from the genus Seriola (amberjacks, almaco jacks, and banded rudderfish.)
2 Includes shark fins and the following sharks: blacktip, bull, hammerhead, shortfin mako, sandbar, thresher, tiger, and Atlantic sharpnose.
3 Includes brown, pink, and white shrimp.
7 2006 North Carolina Commercial Landings 2006
Updated: April 16, 2010
POUNDS
(Whole/Round Weight)
VALUE
FINFISH
Amberjacks1
101,722
$65,811
Anglerfish (Monkfish including Monklivers)
164,953
$176,908
Bluefish
2,791,157
$815,639
Bonito
9,770
$10,503
Butterfish
94,430
$50,843
Carp
29,285
$2,873
Catfishes
429,948
$121,288
Cobia
20,270
$24,076
Croaker, Atlantic
10,396,554
$3,562,502
Cutlassfish, Atlantic
6,153
$4,668
Dolphinfish
159,452
$307,239
Drum, Black
125,214
$38,076
Drum, Red
169,206
$232,818
Eel, American
33,581
$70,893
Flounder, Southern
2,287,823
$4,850,300
Flounder, Summer
3,981,413
$8,449,646
Flounders, Other
2,397
$1,417
Garfish
12,218
$828
Grouper, Gag
240,927
$707,641
Grouper, Red
240,782
$587,538
Grouper, Scamp
104,964
$303,898
Grouper, Snowy
102,554
$256,074
Groupers, Other
19,643
$50,429
Grunts
118,234
$104,278
Hakes
974
$294
Harvestfish (Starbutters)
88,040
$107,606
Herring, River (Alewife and Blueback Herring)
109,847
$84,276
Hogfish (Hog Snapper)
7,296
$16,717
Jacks
2,260
$1,144
Mackerel, Atlantic (Boston)
7,160
$1,718
Mackerel, King
1,185,534
$2,120,138
Mackerel, Spanish
470,662
$617,689
Menhaden, Atlantic
962,648
$147,779
Mullet, Sea (Kingfishes)
559,440
$550,566
Mullet, Striped
1,728,607
$977,756
Perch, White
156,426
$124,299
Perch, Yellow
34,599
$34,815
Pigfish
40,963
$12,406
Pinfish
65,456
$11,950
Pompano
6,075
$10,989
Porgies
72,241
$81,784
Pufferfish
402
$138
Scup
140,062
$96,932
Sea Basses
778,230
$1,715,625
Seatrout, Spotted
312,620
$410,695
Shad, American
184,965
$201,026
Shad, Gizzard
66,808
$2,672
Shad, Hickory
54,802
$10,639
8 2006 North Carolina Commercial Landings
(continued)
POUNDS
(Whole/Round Weight)
VALUE
Sharks2
835,415
$373,881
Sharks, Dogfish, Smooth
610,247
$177,745
Sharks, Dogfish, Spiny
11,574
$2,517
Sheepshead
57,481
$28,167
Skates
839
$210
Skippers
13,219
$3,303
Snapper, Red
6,137
$19,189
Snapper, Vermilion (Beeliner)
336,145
$927,721
Snappers, Other
2,789
$6,381
Spadefish, Atlantic
19,623
$6,851
Spot
1,364,743
$998,047
Striped Bass
281,736
$680,902
Swordfish
615,877
$1,500,495
Tilefish
138,090
$186,677
Triggerfish
126,354
$146,634
Tuna, Bigeye
505,745
$1,373,891
Tuna, Bluefin
188,454
$994,678
Tuna, Yellowfin
1,155,802
$1,636,198
Tunas, Other
25,163
$19,846
Tunny, Little (False Albacore)
106,617
$35,703
Wahoo
16,426
$37,879
Weakfish (Gray Trout)
363,078
$310,697
Unclassified Fish for Food
52,042
$57,814
Unclassified Fish for Industrial Use or Bait
130,831
$8,864 TOTAL FINFISH 35,643,190 $37,670,132
SHELLFISH
Shrimp (Heads On) 3
5,736,649
$9,141,435
Clams, Hard (Meats)
422,293
$2,631,373
(21,475,443 clams)
--
Whelks/Conchs (Meats)
12,180
$13,731
Blue Crabs, Hard
24,408,932
$14,146,592
Blue Crabs, Peeler
549,916
$1,172,353
Blue Crabs, Soft
384,311
$1,768,449
Stone Crabs
3,950
$14,191
Octopus
3,578
$5,705
Oysters (Meats)
447,889
$2,234,558
(84,667 bushels)
--
Scallop, Bay (Meats)
0
$0
Scallop, Sea (Meats)
146,721
$993,847
Squid
940,958
$251,794
Unclassified Shellfish
42,781
$41,360 TOTAL SHELLFISH 33,100,157 $32,415,388
GRAND TOTAL 68,743,347 $70,085,519
1 Includes species from the genus Seriola (amberjacks, almaco jacks, and banded rudderfish.)
2 Includes shark fins and the following sharks: blacktip, bull, hammerhead, shortfin mako, sandbar, thresher, tiger, and Atlantic sharpnose.
3 Includes brown, pink, and white shrimp.
9 2005 North Carolina Commercial Landings 2005
Updated: April 16, 2010
POUNDS
(Whole/Round Weight)
VALUE
FINFISH
Amberjacks1
122,361
$72,800
Anglerfish (Monkfish including Monklivers)
90,099
$86,084
Bluefish
2,837,612
$790,304
Bonito
11,672
$7,286
Butterfish
69,374
$36,638
Carp
38,443
$4,872
Catfishes
401,516
$91,165
Cobia
17,886
$22,023
Croaker, Atlantic
11,903,292
$3,408,527
Cutlassfish, Atlantic
2,234
$1,245
Dolphinfish
139,761
$258,625
Drum, Black
44,989
$12,192
Drum, Red
128,770
$173,040
Eel, American
49,278
$106,769
Flounder, Southern
1,870,754
$3,462,308
Flounder, Summer
4,064,464
$7,500,273
Flounders, Other
1,508
$688
Garfish
10,857
$109
Grouper, Gag
251,645
$697,713
Grouper, Red
140,333
$310,511
Grouper, Scamp
84,802
$226,857
Grouper, Snowy
86,131
$199,131
Groupers, Other
16,366
$39,920
Grunts
90,364
$76,568
Hakes
619
$174
Harvestfish (Starbutters)
70,251
$82,294
Herring, River (Alewife and Blueback Herring)
250,021
$128,834
Hogfish (Hog Snapper)
7,877
$18,127
Jacks
2,095
$968
Mackerel, Atlantic (Boston)
312
$79
Mackerel, King
1,246,088
$2,053,692
Mackerel, Spanish
446,001
$586,845
Menhaden, Atlantic
13,386,245
$1,223,078
Mullet, Sea (Kingfishes)
296,263
$271,731
Mullet, Striped
1,620,394
$801,181
Perch, White
178,146
$108,855
Perch, Yellow
23,254
$28,488
Pigfish
30,469
$9,251
Pinfish
36,345
$5,944
Pompano
6,519
$10,169
Porgies
47,864
$44,799
Pufferfish
404
$151
Scup
352,422
$156,920
Sea Basses
690,201
$1,332,261
Seatrout, Spotted
129,601
$173,533
Shad, American
191,301
$205,304
Shad, Gizzard
82,963
$4,148
Shad, Hickory
173,886
$39,687
10 2005 North Carolina Commercial Landings
(continued)
POUNDS
(Whole/Round Weight)
VALUE
Sharks2
1,175,544
$610,086
Sharks, Dogfish, Smooth
647,578
$181,174
Sharks, Dogfish, Spiny
18,865
$5,974
Sheepshead
53,259
$21,234
Skates
1,264
$251
Skippers
12,704
$2,495
Snapper, Red
7,253
$21,331
Snapper, Vermilion (Beeliner)
421,952
$1,086,272
Snappers, Other
3,624
$8,452
Spadefish, Atlantic
35,445
$9,059
Spot
1,714,484
$905,013
Striped Bass
864,289
$1,673,068
Swordfish
609,200
$1,508,598
Tilefish
44,014
$52,576
Triggerfish
145,639
$162,533
Tuna, Bigeye
273,537
$840,623
Tuna, Bluefin
206,859
$1,486,973
Tuna, Yellowfin
681,083
$945,408
Tunas, Other
20,391
$23,547
Tunny, Little (False Albacore)
88,741
$24,183
Wahoo
14,980
$32,814
Weakfish (Gray Trout)
421,779
$357,062
Unclassified Fish for Food
63,661
$53,332
Unclassified Fish for Industrial Use or Bait
163,063
$12,519 TOTAL FINFISH 49,433,258 $34,896,733
SHELLFISH
Shrimp (Heads On) 3
2,357,516
$4,409,124
Clams, Hard (Meats)
412,995
$2,777,957
(21,165,143 Clams)
--
Whelks/Conchs (Meats)
10,964
$11,744
Blue Crabs, Hard
23,571,451
$15,374,714
Blue Crabs, Peeler
1,166,270
$1,902,625
Blue Crabs, Soft
692,398
$2,996,574
Stone Crabs
4,485
$10,466
Octopus
2,528
$4,287
Oysters (Meats)
378,014
$1,682,646
(71,458 Bushels)
--
Scallop, Bay (Meats)
0
$0
Scallop, Sea (Meats)
62,216
$424,604
Squid
1,498,747
$368,018
Unclassified Shellfish
37,844
$29,781 TOTAL SHELLFISH 30,195,429 $29,992,539
GRAND TOTAL 79,628,687 $64,889,272
1 Includes species from the genus Seriola (amberjacks, almaco jacks, and banded rudderfish.)
2 Includes shark fins and the following sharks: blacktip, bull, hammerhead, lemon, shortfin mako, sandbar, thresher, tiger, and Atlantic sharpnose.
3 Includes brown, pink, and white shrimp.
11 North Carolina Commercial Fishing Trips By Major Gears
(2005 - 2009)
Trips
Gear
2005
2006
2007
2008
20091
Beach Seine
681
317
242
329
123
By Hand
14,647
14,688
18,367
16,931
16,812
Cast Net
517
495
563
552
880
Channel Net
870
911
962
1,118
1,089
Clam Dredges
429
391
344
471
355
Clam Trawl Kicking
538
373
214
423
538
Crab Pot
57,817
48,167
49,162
47,273
54,440
Crab Trawl
1,126
303
157
314
476
Eel Pot
159
103
86
40
82
Fish Pot
861
1,022
815
689
909
Flounder Trawl
400
378
369
335
330
Flynet
265
221
160
161
241
Fyke Net
330
308
380
307
293
Gigs
1,225
1,396
1,955
1,554
1,572
Gill Net – Anchored
39,161
39,054
41,458
39,955
39,531
Gill Net – Drift
435
255
173
190
107
Gill Net – Runaround
2,364
2,687
2,780
2,827
3,244
Haul Seines2
473
539
438
383
380
Longlines
428
488
384
437
514
Oyster Dredge
2,343
2,487
1,733
2,691
4,447
Peeler Pot
3,780
3,407
3,466
3,396
2,727
Pound Nets
2,269
2,234
2,311
1,880
2,355
Purse Seine
15
0
0
0
0
Rakes
12,780
16,099
16,808
12,811
11,329
Rod-n-Reel
2,707
2,886
3,569
3,443
3,237
Scallop Scoop
0
0
0
0
701
Shrimp Trawl
4,553
5,710
6,735
5,995
5,747
Skimmer Trawl
1,137
1,366
1,574
953
805
Spears (Diving)
45
47
99
121
98
Tongs
4,412
5,682
5,924
5,762
4,956
Trolling
4,193
4,497
4,965
3,852
4,034
Trotline
85
65
46
0
1
Other Gears3
47
55
88
53
159 Total trips 4 155,359 150,126 159,296 148,929 156,829
A trip is defined as the time period beginning when a vessel or fisherman leaves port to conduct fishing activities and ends when that vessel or fisherman returns to land the catch. The duration of a trip can vary from a few hours, as in hand clamming, to several days, as in ocean flounder trawling. An assessment of the number of trips gives an indication of the amount of effort conducted by commercial fishermen within that fishery.
1 Trips are preliminary.
2 Includes long hauls, common seines, and swipe nets.
3 Includes butterfly nets, conch pots, dip nets, crab dredges, sea scallop dredges and trawls, shrimp pots and turtle pots.
4 Total trips are not equal to the sum of trips by gear due to multi-gear trips.
Source: North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Trip Ticket Program (April 2010).
12 PRELIMINARY
North Carolina Marine Recreational Finfish Harvest
2008 and 2009
SPECIES
NUMBER 2008
NUMBER 2009
POUNDS 2008
POUNDS 2009
Amberjacks
13,867
18,239
307,182
504,142
Barracudas
7,386
1,307
89,855
12,665
Bluefish
1,299,111
856,405
1,113,333
971,132
Bonito
2,702
1,318
18,764
1,966
Cobia
2,447
7,549
84,395
186,455
Croaker, Atlantic
372,778
350,398
154,940
123,902
Dolphin
381,787
376,125
3,370,519
3,864,480
Drum, Red
56,733
73,446
261,971
358,188
Drum, Black
381,737
101,274
550,140
132,497
Flounder, Southern
174,779
135,531
420,443
297,790
Flounder, Summer
53,090
58,093
81,583
86,314
Groupers
101,840
32,804
1,247,617
320,764
Grunts
129,219
98,259
129,097
113,929
Jacks
15,699
8,182
52,648
17,925
Kingfishes
1,170,176
804,759
391,258
327,841
Mackerel, King
108,788
80,174
875,640
864,237
Mackerel, Spanish
686,501
703,393
783,339
892,641
Perch, Silver
9,697
10,516
1,812
2,784
Pigfish
237,161
252,396
78,335
101,175
Pinfish
217,262
152,694
55,753
34,069
Pompano
207,159
96,681
95,395
45,383
Porgies
47,724
35,985
79,268
60,943
Puffers
225,184
72,071
46,083
36,607
Sea Bass, Black
68,774
115,710
90,978
145,210
Seatrout, Spotted
584,024
509,416
922,743
833,577
Sharks
3,283
5,479
22,879
34,967
Sharks, Dogfish
9,140
1,054
2,826
10,044
Sheepshead
189,327
147,438
328,719
265,319
Snappers
129,491
49,576
164,837
75,574
Spot
2,345,372
1,168,436
834,820
401,480
Striped Bass1
44,890
7,375
938,713
209,858
Tuna, Bluefin2
133
135
15,537
17,112
Tuna, Yellowfin
27,043
29,625
769,469
803,344
Wahoo
13,254
13,401
310,999
409,642
Weakfish
137,564
81,643
139,369
103,232
1 Striped Bass landings reflect Atlantic Ocean catches only.
2 Landings for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ABT) reflect the Highly Migratory Species fishing year (January 1 through December 31t).
NOTE: The number and pounds of finfish listed represent estimated harvest; finfish released alive are not included. Recreational finfish catches from headboats are not included in this table. The National Marine Fisheries Service collected headboat data separately in 2008 and 2009.
13 North Carolina Marine Recreational Finfish Harvest
2005, 2006 and 2007
SPECIES
NUMBER 2005
NUMBER 2006
NUMBER 2007
POUNDS 2005
POUNDS 2006
POUNDS 2007
Amberjacks
1,699
5,867
6,999
45,522
89,471
121,787
Barracudas
3,205
253
1,742
35,378
2,771
23,133
Bluefish
1,374,124
1,128,157
1,338,333
1,191,719
1,209,785
1,469,414
Bonito
2,145
1,201
6,653
9,819
5,560
28,680
Cobia
16,622
4,722
2,900
423,545
134,430
82,785
Croaker, Atlantic
292,629
434,735
397,702
143,964
151,403
87,013
Dolphin
686,045
590,139
608,422
5,921,443
4,761,594
5,717,862
Drum, Red
53,268
51,522
65,353
242,081
217,464
318,157
Drum, Black
75,822
105,606
231,516
169,261
169,706
239,241
Flounder, Southern
161,292
172,136
154,429
368,101
366,400
366,305
Flounder, Summer
128,926
152,683
184,476
180,924
207,770
289,486
Groupers
44,615
62,672
85,200
405,146
767,675
717,042
Grunts
113,732
115,306
144,736
100,800
133,339
169,900
Jacks
56,860
33,493
11,262
24,730
31,105
84,172
Kingfishes
736,798
687,833
771,497
307,973
251,106
389,414
Mackerel, King
152,561
119,249
228,669
1,348,144
1,082,351
2,004,574
Mackerel, Spanish
331,601
305,343
491,357
359,932
454,749
729,687
Perch, Silver
13,618
21,640
53,244
3,682
3,523
8,613
Pigfish
346,982
249,591
275,950
149,041
93,561
94,886
Pinfish
243,187
173,533
144,039
61,754
81,993
59,806
Pompano
183,143
81,058
97,182
74,007
45,291
53,953
Porgies
25,288
14,739
33,694
40,513
27,165
54,899
Puffers
22,456
30,798
23,887
10,222
5,655
5,536
Sea Bass, Black
241,205
156,063
121,722
229,896
151,075
196,134
Seatrout, Spotted
512,262
577,537
525,156
628,744
941,161
988,527
Sharks
16,205
4,736
9,301
26,141
39,176
51,716
Sharks, Dogfish
8,403
2,652
4,849
57,632
19,989
2,383
Sheepshead
44,680
59,453
221,579
211,793
197,638
732,983
Snappers
52,368
46,618
88,540
71,189
66,352
124,273
Spot
3,125,897
2,770,151
4,268,838
1,103,842
978,181
1,378,993
Striped bass1
104,997
90,753
45,502
2,195,067
2,153,231
1,048,581
Tuna, Bluefin2
16
31
174
2,125
5,452
18,861
Tuna, Yellowfin
216,080
244,357
114,638
6,061,936
7,089,259
3,216,095
Wahoo
16,943
17,736
36,197
502,635
390,880
1,025,379
Weakfish
163,265
153,696
114,332
157,977
139,392
125,459
1 Striped bass landings reflect Atlantic Ocean catches only.
2 Landings for Bluefin Tuna represent Highly Migratory Species fishing year (January 1 through December 31).
NOTE: The number and pounds of finfish listed represent estimated harvest; finfish released alive are not included. Recreational finfish catches from headboats are included for 2005 and 2006 only. Recreational finfish catches from headboats are not included in 2007. The National Marine Fisheries Service collected headboat data separately in 2007.
14 North Carolina Coastal Angling Program
North Carolina Marine Recreational Finfish Harvest and Release Catch Estimates
Year Number Harvested Pounds Harvested Number Released
2005 12,738,334 22,077,464 16,027,278
2006 11,854,532 23,806,139 20,652,808
2007 14,863,238 23,348,687 19,986,627
2008 12,194,407 15,895,794 19,971,837
2009 8,946,030 13,567,106 16,664,636
North Carolina Marine Recreational Fishing Trip Estimates (number)
Year Beach/Bank Charter Boat Manmade Private Boat Headboat Total
2005 2,148,335 253,162 1,980,210 2,353,569 50,642 6,785,918
2006 2,227,317 229,179 2,073,130 2,656,155 60,735 7,246,516
2007 2,012,304 212,284 1,897,366 2,783,516 73,838 6,979,308
2008 2,308,667 189,757 2,038,901 2,550,207 93,201 7,180,733
2009 1,892,896 146,331 1,553,506 2,031,935 72,849 5,697,517
Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL) Sales by Residency, 2007 - 2009.
Year In State Out-of-State Total
2007 315,221 154,300 469,521
2008 267,129 144,754 411,883
2009 282,823 152,265 435,088
Grandfathered1 250,239 6,460 256,699
1 All lifetime inland state fishing licenses sold prior to 2007 were grandfathered into the new CRFL requirement on January 01,
2007.
Survey Methods
The survey consists of telephone and on-site angler interviews. Telephone interviews are used to collect data on
number of trips, fishing location, and when these trips were made. Information on actual catch (species, number,
weight, and length) is collected through on-site angler interviews. Information from both types of interviews is
combined to produce estimates of total number and pounds of finfish caught.
Precision of Estimates
Numbers and pounds presented are estimates, not actual counts, therefore having varying levels of precision.
Coastal recreational fishery statistics are provided through participation in the Marine
Recreational Information Program. In North Carolina, this project is supported in part by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, Grant F-
31.
145