Funds under this grant award will be used to enhance the public s understanding of water resources, aquatic life forms, sport fishing, and develop responsible attitudes and ethics toward the aquatic…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Department of the Interior, awarded $157,930 to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The award funds public education and outreach initiatives designed to enhance understanding of water resources, aquatic life forms, and sport fishing among both North Carolina resident and non-resident recreational anglers. Products and services delivered under this Formula Grant include educational programming and engagement activities implemented in accordance with the 2017 North Carolina Marine Aquatic Resource Education and Outreach Strategic Plan and the NCDEQ Division of Marine Fisheries 2022 Communications and Engagement Strategy.

The funding supports NCDEQ's efforts to develop responsible attitudes and environmental ethics toward coastal North Carolina's aquatic resources through targeted communications and educational outreach. As a state fish and wildlife agency with extensive experience administering federal environmental programs, NCDEQ leverages its infrastructure and expertise in marine fisheries management to deliver these Sport Fish Restoration program activities across coastal regions of North Carolina.

Funds under this grant award will be used to enhance the public s understanding of water resources, aquatic life forms, sport fishing, and develop responsible attitudes and ethics toward the aquatic environment in coastal north carolina. This project provides education and outreach to both north carolina resident and non-resident recreational anglers through implementation of the 2017 north carolina marine aquatic resource education and outreach strategic plan and the north carolina department of environmental quality - division of marine fisheries (ncdeq-DMF) communications advisory team s 2022 communications and engagement strategy.