Fishing lawsuit could reshape NC’s coastal industry. Here’s the latest

A court decision could dramatically change how the state manages its fisheries, impacting both commercial and recreational fishing

Closing arguments have been made in a case in Raleigh that could help determine the future direction of how North Carolina manages its fisheries.

But it still could be several months before the Wake County Superior Court judge makes a decision.

The Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina is suing the state alleging that it hasn’t effectively maintained its fisheries, which are considered a natural resource to be managed for the benefit of all North Carolinians.

After several court wins for the association against moves by the state to dismiss the case, which was filed in 2020, the trial began Jan. 20.

Both the state constitution and the 1997 Fisheries Reform Act bound North Carolina to rebuild any fishing stocks that get depleted, which has led the state to get involved in managing several commercially and recreationally important species, including flounder, shrimp, blue crab and striped bass.

Fishermen on both sides of the commercial-recreational debate say the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries hasn’t done that − often to the detriment of their own constituencies.

Economics, lack of political support for unpopular but potentially necessary management measures, financial limitations, and even impacts from climate change have been raised in the past as drivers of the decline in many of the state’s important fisheries.

LOOKING AHEAD: North Carolina fishing lawsuit could reshape state’s coastal industry

Commercial vs. recreational

The best way to manage the state’s fisheries has been contentious for decades, especially as pressure on popular species has increased as stocks have decreased even as the popularity of fishing − at least on the recreational side − continues to explode.

According to a 2021 report by N.C. Sea Grant, the state’s commercial fishing industry contributes nearly $300 million in value and supports nearly 5,500 jobs.

But those figures are dwarfed by the economic impact of the recreational fishing sector, which contributes more than $2.5 billion to North Carolina’s economy and provides more than 20,000 jobs, according to an economic report by the American Sportfishing Association using federal data from last decade.

The inherent tug-of-war between commercial and recreational fishermen over who deserves a bigger share of a shrinking pie often extends well beyond the state’s coastal sounds and waterways, playing out in the halls of the N.C. General Assembly and pitting the old, traditional North Carolina where fishing is a way of life as much as a business necessity against the “new” Tar Heel State where part-time anglers and vacationing fishermen fuel many local coastal economies.

That simmering dispute blew up in 2025, when a last-minute change to a N.C. House bill aimed at guaranteeing at least a short recreational Southern flounder recreational fishing season was tweaked by the N.C. Senate to ban shrimp trawling in the state’s inland waters and within a few miles of the beachfront.

The resulting backlash from commercial shrimpers and their political allies saw the bill die, but Republican legislators, who control the General Assembly, haven’t dismissed bringing it back up in the forthcoming short session.

KNOW YOUR FLOUNDER! NC recreational anglers get new flounder season, but there’s a catch

Decision likely months away

The fisheries management trial wrapped up the last week of February after five weeks of testimony.

While the conservation group and its allies argued N.C. regulators didn’t do enough, hobbled by financial limitations and fears of rocking the political boat even if the science called for tough protective measures, the state said it had effectively balanced the need to offer opportunities to fishermen while trying to protect and rebuild stocks.

Witnesses included experts on both sides and several lifelong fishermen telling the court the changes they had seen over their decades on the water.

Each side is now expected to submit post-trial filings in the coming weeks, with a decision likely this summer or later.

Officials say that if the court finds that the state has violated its duty to protect its fisheries and responsibilities to the public, any changes could dramatically change the face of North Carolina’s fishing industry and potentially heap more economic pressures onto commercial fishermen, many of whom are already struggling financially.

Recreational fishermen also could get caught up in any actions taken by the state to meet the court’s orders, such as moves to close or further limit struggling but popular fisheries, like flounder.

Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@usatodayco.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from the Green South Foundation, the Prentice Foundation and the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work.