🐟 Thanks to Visit NC Concierge for touring our HQ this week! The group was excited to learn about artificial reefs, our shellfish sanitation and water quality program, and a hands-on demonstration on how we age fish. 🧪🌊

#TaggingTuesday🎣 Algae grows in aquatic environments and will grow on anything—including fish tags! If you catch a tagged fish and cannot read the tag because it is covered in algae, simply cut the tag off and soak it in a bowl of warm, soapy water to clean it. 🐟

Who’s hungry? 🍣James came back to shore from Oregon Inlet with a 103-pound Bigeye Tuna! Bigeye’s can grow up to about 5 ½ feet and are highly sought after as a sushi grade fish. Anglers frequently land Bigeye in the spring and early summer in NC. 🐟 #weighinwednesday

It’s official! Amendment 3 to the Hard Clam Fishery Management Plan has been adopted. 🐚 🖐️ Hand harvest, rakes, and tongs? Keep clamming on. ⚙️ Mechanical harvest will be phased out over 3 years. More on what’s ahead 👉 deq.nc.gov/hard-clam-mana… #Clamming #NCFisheries

And that’s a wrap on our Morehead City Marine Patrol Junior Academy! 🌊🚤 Our 15 cadets had a week full of adventure, learning all about marine patrol — from knot-tying and casting nets to navigating, aging fish, and more. 🐟🦪 Congratulations, graduates! 👏🎓✨

The summer heat is on! 🔆 If you catch a tagged fish with the intentions of releasing it back into the water, remember to use proper handling techniques and limit the time the fish is out of the water to increase the fish’s chances of survival especially in hot temperatures. 🐟

Prized as a strong fighting fish with acrobatics to match, Blue Marlin are a quintessential sportfish in North Carolina. 🎣 Jon Michael released this 72-inch Blue Marlin in May while fishing out of Southport. #weighinwednesday

46 years ago, in April 1979, Joe Mizelle caught this impressive Black Sea Bass off of Oregon Inlet. Weighing in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces, Mizelle continues to hold the state record! #ThrowBackThursday

🌊 We joined the crew at Maw Point as they added marl to an oyster sanctuary reef. These reefs don’t just support marine life — they support better fishing, cleaner water, and a more resilient coastline. 🦪🐟

Great catch Austin! We love hearing your fishing stories and seeing pictures of your tagged fish. Please keep sending them and we’ll keep posting! #TaggingTuesday

NEW species state record!🎣 Mark Boles was able to clinch the first state saltwater record for Mutton Snapper after landing the 17 lbs 12.8 oz fish on June 3. Congratulations Mark on setting the bar. #weighinwednesday

🎣 New State Record Alert! Warren Poirier of Charles City, VA reeled in a massive 56 lb. 4.8 oz. Almaco Jack off the Outer Banks on June 7 — smashing the previous NC state record by more than 20 pounds! 💪🐟 Congratulations Warren!

While fishing behind Masonboro Island, Melanie caught and released her very first tagged fish—an 18-inch red-tagged Red Drum. Melanie received her $100 reward in the mail along with a letter and certificate. The fish was tagged seven months prior and measured 13.5 inches.

Joseph had a fantastic couple of days in Hatteras, harvesting an 11-pound Bluefish, and a 9.5-pound Sheepshead, both citation worthy catches! #weighinwednesday

🎣 Red Snapper season is almost here — July 11 & 12 only! Help support fisheries science by donating your Red Snapper carcasses at one of our freezer drop-off locations. 🐟 Watch to learn how to donate and make your catch count! #RedSnapper #NCFishing #CarcassCollection

This 100 lbs. sailfish has held the state record for 38 years! In October of 1987, angler John P. Grooms Jr. was fishing in Onslow Bay in the U.S. King Mackerel Tournament when he hooked this record-breaking sailfish, which he fought for over five-hours! #ThrowBackThursday

That’s a wrap on our Junior Marine Patrol Academy in Nags Head! 🚤🌊 Cadets spent the week learning to navigate boats, identify sea life, use safety flares, and experience life as an NC Marine Patrol Officer.🐟🧭

Tiffany from New London, NC tells us about her recent trip to Oak Island: “This is only the second flounder I have ever caught. My husband saw the tag and told me I was lucky!” Tiffany’s yellow-tagged Southern Flounder was originally tagged six months prior in Bogue Sound.

🎣 New State Record Alert! Jody Hopkins of Grimesland landed a 5 lb., 10.88 oz. Bulleye off Ocracoke — now officially North Carolina’s first state record for the species! 🐟 Bulleye are often mistaken for Bigeye, but biologist Sara Pace explains how to tell them apart.

Shark spotlight! 🦈 Check out these photos of two North Carolina shark records: 1. 425.5 lbs. Lemon Shark caught by angler Stanley Seawell in 1978. 2. 234 lbs. Scalloped Hammerhead by angler Timothy P. Harlow in 1990. #ThrowBackThursday