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North Carolina Department of Environment Quality

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Marine Fisheries - Carcass Collection

Marine Fisheries

fish skeleton

The Carcass Collection Program is a statewide effort funded by proceeds from sales of the N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing License. Carcasses donated by recreational fisherman are a critical source of data for the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. The division has placed freezers at designated sites across coastal areas to allow anglers to donate fileted fish carcasses. From fish that are donated to the program, biologists can collect length, age, and sex data that can be used in stock assessments to better manage the fisheries resources of the state. As the program continues to expand there will be additional collection sites available to anglers. 

  • Make sure that you and everyone in your party who is fishing have or are covered by a valid North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License and practices ethical angling.
  • Check for changes to regulations before your trip. Current size and bag limits can be found on our website at: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/recreational-fishing-size-and-bag-limits
  • Anglers seeking citations through the N.C. Saltwater Fishing Tournament are still required to have their catch certified at a weigh station.
How to Prep Fish Species Accepted Freezer Locations Use of Information
  Download Carcass Collection brochure  
Red Snapper Carcass Collection Program
(Red Snapper season is currently closed)
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries • 3441 Arendell Street • Morehead City, NC 28557 • 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632

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