June 18, 2025 at 11:20 a.m.

Action Needed: 

Help Support Our Local Shrimp Industry

The NC Senate is expected to vote today at 4:00 PM on a surprise amendment to House Bill 442 that poses a serious threat to our region’s economy, culture, and way of life.

House Bill 442 would:

•  Ban shrimp trawling within ½ mile of the Atlantic Ocean shoreline and in all inshore/inland waters, which would include all sounds, estuaries, and rivers.

•  Override Marine Fisheries Commission authority to permit such activities.

•  Establish penalties for violations, including license loss, forfeiture of catch, and other enforcement penalties.  

•  Irreparably damage a main economic driver in the Outer Banks: our seafood industry.

Please reach out to area legislative representatives and share your support for our commercial fisherman and join the KDH Board of Commissioners in opposition to any proposed changes to shrimp trawling. 

•  Senator Bobby Hanig: Bobby.Hanig@ncleg.gov  (919) 715-8293

•  Representative Ed Goodwin: Edward.Goodwin@ncleg.gov  (252) 482-8168

•  Representative Keith Kidwell: Keith.Kidwell@ncleg.gov  (919) 733-5881

• Senator Bill Rabon – Bill.Rabon@ncleg.gov

• Senator Michael Craven – Michael.Craven@ncleg.gov

• Senator Brent Jackson – Brent.Jackson@ncleg.gov

Or call the switchboard at: (919) 733-4111