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North Carolina Sea Grant
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Fisheries Management

image: Otolith cross-section.

Aug 25, 2025

How old is that fish — and why does it matter?

NOAA Fisheries scientists can estimate a fish’s age by analyzing ear bones, scales, or spines.
image: juvenile stone crab.

Aug 11, 2025

How Does Claw Harvesting Affect Stone Crabs?

Harvesting stone crab claws can weaken their nutritional health and raise parasite levels.
image: Greater amberjack.

Jul 28, 2025

Which structures in artificial reefs do fish choose to use?

The answers may help improve the conservation of several species.
logo: SA Release Rodeo.

Jun 30, 2025

What kind of gear can you win from the South Atlantic Release Rodeo?

Circle hooks and lead weights, a kite rod and reel combo, and a Turtlebox speaker.
dolphinfish, caught off Hatteras.

Jun 2, 2025

Are big dolphinfish getting harder to catch?

Two decades of fishing data raise concerns about this offshore favorite. 
image: blue crab.

May 19, 2025

Are predators following blue crabs?

Studying blue crabs and their surrounding aquatic environments can tell us about species higher in the food chain.
image: black sea bass on a reef.

Apr 28, 2025

What’s the best way to count reef fish?

Scientists compared two methods — high definition video and wire traps — to see which better sampled an array of fish off the Southeast coast.
image: Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Feb 24, 2025

Did you report that bluefin tuna you posted on Facebook?

Almost all anglers agree that self-reporting is important to the bluefin’s long-term sustainability, but...
image: Johnna Brooks holding a pair of spotted seatrout.

Feb 10, 2025

How does winter weather affect spotted seatrout?

Water temperatures below 45°F can cause severe “cold stun events.”
image: banana parrotfish.

Dec 16, 2024

What do we know about the sleeping habits of fish?

When and where species sleep can determine how vulnerable they are to overfishing.