North Carolina

Commercial Fishing

Commercial fishing has been a traditional occupation in North Carolina for centuries. Fishermen harvest state managed species inshore as well as participating in federal fisheries in offshore areas.

North Carolina inshore commercial fishermen harvest redfish, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, bluefish, flounder, striped bass, croaker, speckled trout, gray trout, spot and other fish. Inshore shellfish harvests include shrimp, blue crabs, stone crabs, bay scallops, clams, oysters and other seafood.

Ocean seafood comes to port in North Carolina including hundreds of types of fish, crabs, shellfish and other seafood items. North Carolina is best known for its pelagic fisheries, including tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, king mackerel, swordfish, sharks and others. The deeper waters produce several species of snapper, grouper, sea bass, tilefish, triggerfish and other bottom dwelling fish.

The most valuable species harvested in the state are blue crabs, shrimp, croakers and flounder. Blue crabs are an important inshore catch. Most fisheries center around catching crabs in wire crab pots which are baited with local fish or other durable baits. Shrimp is the second most valuable of NC commercially harvested species, both in pounds and in value. Shrimp landings include 4 species: white shrimp, pink shrimp, brown shrimp and rock shrimp.