February 10, 2026 — In a courthouse 120 miles up Interstate 40 from the Wilmington coast, the future direction of the state’s commercial and recreational fishing industries could soon be decided.
A trial is underway in Raleigh alleging that the state hasn’t effectively managed its fisheries, which are considered a natural resource to be managed for the benefit of all North Carolinians.
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.
But fishery groups and others have complained for years that the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has failed to adequately do this, leading the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina to sue the state in 2020.
After several court wins for the association against moves by the state to dismiss the case, the trial began Jan. 20.
“After more than five years of fighting to save our fisheries, we are very grateful for this day, when the future of this constitutionally protected, public-trust resource will finally get its day in court,” said David Sneed, the association’s executive director, in a news release. “We look forward to proving our case on the merits and ensuring that a legacy of sustainable coastal fisheries will be there for all our children and grandchildren.”