Report on the Management of North Carolina’s Southern Flounder Fishery

A Conflict of Conservation, Economics, and Governance

The management of the southern flounder fishery in North Carolina presents a significant challenge in balancing ecological preservation with economic interests, reflecting a direct engagement with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recent regulatory and legislative actions highlight the complexities of achieving **SDG 14 (Life Below Water)** while considering **SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)** and the effectiveness of governance under **SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)**.

Fishery Status and Conservation Efforts: Addressing SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

Regulatory History and Overfishing Concerns

In alignment with the global objective to end overfishing and restore fish stocks (**SDG 14, Target 14.4**), North Carolina’s regulatory bodies have implemented increasingly stringent measures to address the stressed southern flounder population. The scientific consensus that the fishery was seriously overfished prompted a series of actions:

• 2019: State regulators began limiting the recreational flounder season in response to data indicating overfishing.
• 2023: The recreational season was drastically shortened to just two weeks.
• 2024: The recreational flounder fishing season was entirely cancelled, a move intended to allow the stock to recover but which ignited significant controversy among stakeholders.

These actions represent a direct attempt to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems as mandated by **SDG 14**.

Socio-Economic Dimensions: The Impact on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

Economic Reliance on Recreational Fishing

The flounder fishery is a critical economic driver for North Carolina’s coastal communities, directly impacting the achievement of **SDG 8**. Regulatory decisions have profound consequences for local economies and livelihoods.

• According to a 2022 report by the American Sportfishing Association, the recreational fishing industry in North Carolina supports 455,000 jobs and generates substantial economic impact.
• Coastal businesses, including hotels and charter boat operations, depend on fishing tourism, particularly during the fall season when flounder fishing is popular.
• There is a tangible fear that restrictive regulations will divert tourism revenue to neighboring states like South Carolina and Virginia, which have less stringent flounder fishing rules. This undermines efforts to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture (**SDG 8, Target 8.9**).

Governance and Legislative Deadlock: A Challenge for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

The Failure of House Bill 442

An attempt to legislate a solution, House Bill 442, ultimately failed, exposing weaknesses in the state’s governance and partnership mechanisms, which are central to **SDG 16** and **SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)**. The bill sought to provide predictability for the recreational sector by mandating specific season parameters.

1. Mandated Season: The bill would have required the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries to hold a recreational season of at least six weeks between May 15 and November 15 through 2029.
2. Catch Limit: It proposed a limit of one flounder per person per day with no seasonal limit.
3. Stock Assessment: It required regulators to conduct a new southern flounder stock assessment and report findings to the General Assembly by July 2026.

The bill collapsed when the Senate added a contentious amendment to ban shrimp trawling in inshore waters. The House leadership refused to advance the altered bill, citing a lack of transparency and procedural ethics. This political infighting demonstrates a failure to build consensus among stakeholders, hindering the development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions (**SDG 16**).

Future Outlook: A Path Towards Sustainable Management

Anticipated 2025 Season and Quota Reallocation

Despite the legislative failure, the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries anticipates a limited recreational flounder season in the fall of 2025. This possibility is supported by the conservation gains from the 2024 season closure and a significant proposed change in resource allocation.

Aligning with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is moving to create more sustainable and equitable consumption patterns, a key tenet of **SDG 12**. At its May meeting, the commission tentatively approved a plan that includes:

• Equitable Quota Split: Moving to a 50-50 allocation of the flounder fishery between the recreational and commercial sectors, a year earlier than planned.
• Shift from Historical Allocation: This marks a significant change from previous years, where the commercial sector received a larger share (e.g., 70% in 2023).
• Final Decision: A final vote on the draft plan is scheduled for the commission’s August meeting, after which the details of the 2025 recreational season are expected to be announced.

This proposed reallocation represents a critical step toward balancing the competing demands on the fishery, aiming for a management framework that supports both ecological health (**SDG 14**) and economic stability (**SDG 8**).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire text revolves around the management of the flounder fishery in North Carolina. It discusses issues of overfishing, the implementation of fishing seasons, and the health of the flounder stock. The article explicitly states that the fishery is “stressed” and “seriously overfished,” which directly concerns the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article highlights the significant economic impact of the recreational fishing industry. It mentions that this industry “supports 455,000 jobs and generates $152 in economic impact for every pound of fish landed.” The debate over the flounder season is linked to the economic well-being of coastal businesses, including hotels and charter boat captains, who rely on fishing tourism. This connects the issue to sustainable economic growth and employment.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article details the complex legislative and regulatory processes involved in managing the fishery. It describes the roles of institutions like the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission. The failure of House Bill 442 due to a political dispute and a lack of “transparency” showcases the challenges in developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions for resource management.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 14.4: End overfishing and restore fish stocks

   This target aims to “effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing… and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks.” The article is centered on this target. Actions described, such as the cancellation of the 2024 season, shortening the 2023 season to two weeks, and the debate over a limited 2025 season, are all attempts to regulate harvesting to address the fact that the flounder fishery is “seriously overfished.” The mention of a required “southern flounder stock assessment” is a direct reference to implementing science-based management plans.

2. Target 14.b: Provide access for small-scale fishers

   This target focuses on providing “access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.” The article discusses the conflict and allocation between recreational and commercial fishermen. The reliance of “charter boat captains” on the flounder season and the economic benefits derived from recreational fishing relate to ensuring small-scale players can access and benefit from marine resources.

3. Target 8.9: Promote sustainable tourism

   This target seeks to “devise and implement policies that promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.” The article explicitly links flounder fishing to tourism, stating that coastal businesses “rely on the tasty fish to put heads in beds and keep waterfront businesses humming after all the summer, beach-loving tourists have gone home.” The fear that fishermen will “take their travel dollars to South Carolina or Virginia” if they can’t fish for flounder underscores the importance of this fishery for local, sustainable tourism.

4. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions

   This target is about creating “effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.” The article provides a clear example of the challenges in achieving this. The political “brawl” over House Bill 442, where a primary sponsor felt “blindsided” by a last-minute amendment and criticized the lack of transparency, directly relates to the functioning and accountability of legislative institutions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for Target 14.4 (End overfishing)

  • Status of fish stocks: The primary indicator is the health of the flounder population, described as “stressed” and “overfished.” A future “southern flounder stock assessment” would provide a direct measurement for the official indicator 14.4.1 (Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels).
  • Fishing season regulations: The length and existence of the recreational fishing season (e.g., “cancelled the 2024… season,” “shortened to two weeks” in 2023, a potential “two- to four-weeks long” season in 2025) serve as indicators of management actions being taken to regulate harvesting.
  • Fishery allocation quotas: The change in allocation between commercial and recreational sectors, specifically moving to a “50-50 breakdown,” is a quantifiable indicator of management strategy.

• Indicators for Target 8.9 (Promote sustainable tourism)

  • Jobs supported: The article provides a specific number: “the recreational fishing industry in North Carolina supports 455,000 jobs.”
  • Economic impact: A monetary value is given as an indicator: “$152 in economic impact for every pound of fish landed.”
  • Tourism revenue: While not quantified, the mention of putting “heads in beds” and keeping “waterfront businesses humming” implies that hotel occupancy rates and revenue for businesses like charter boats could be used as indicators.

• Indicators for Target 16.6 (Develop effective institutions)

  • Legislative outcomes: The failure of House Bill 442 due to procedural conflicts is a qualitative indicator of institutional ineffectiveness or lack of transparency.
  • Regulatory decisions: The actions and decisions made by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission, such as passing a draft plan and scheduling a final vote, serve as indicators of institutional processes at work.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: starnewsonline.com