The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold five public meetings in early December to receive suggestions and comments on cultch planting.

One meeting is in Manteo; another in Swan Quarter.

Cultch planting involves strategically placing shells and rock to enhance shellfish habitat in potentially productive shellfish areas. Oysters, clams and other aquatic life are attracted to the cultch and begin to immediately colonize on the material.

In an effort to improve the cultch planting program, the division’s Shellfish Rehabilitation staff holds annual meetings to provide interested parties the opportunity to give input on planting sites, methods, materials and quantities.

The meetings will be held on the following dates, times and locations:

Monday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m. N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Office, 1021 Driftwood Dr. in Manteo.

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m. N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office, 5285 Highway 70 West in Morehead City.

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m. Hyde County Government Center, 30 Oyster Creek Road in Swan Quarter.

Thursday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m. Topsail Beach Town Hall, 820 S. Anderson Blvd in Topsail Beach.

Friday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. Pamlico County Courthouse, 202 Main St. in Bayboro.

For more about these upcoming meetings, contact Jason Peters, Reef Enhancement Program supervisor, at 252-808-8058 or jason.peters@ncdenr.gov.

READ MORE IN OUR ON THE WATER SECTION HERE.