Agriculture & Factory-Farm Runoff
Connect agricultural runoff research with local farm support, public education, pollution prevention, and accountability.
Explore this priority →
Our work · Water Quality for Fisheries
Five concerns. Connected action.
Coastal fishing representatives identified these five water-quality priorities. Explore the evidence, community learning, policy pathways, and practical solutions connected to each concern.
Stormwater Runoff
Follow runoff from roads, parking lots, and developed land into monitoring, watershed plans, and practical prevention.
Explore this priority →Industrial Pollutants
Explore PFAS and heavy-metal research, exposure questions, public education, and evidence that informs decisions.
Explore this priority →Plastic Pollution
Connect microplastics and chemical research with prevention, community participation, marine debris, and policy.
Explore this priority →Wastewater & Septic Systems
Connect bacteria and source-tracking research with wastewater, septic, watershed planning, and infrastructure needs.
Explore this priority →From assessment to action
Research & monitoring · Education & outreach · Policy & enforcement · Infrastructure & solutions
See how this connects to our strategic direction · Browse projects, reports & resources
Fisheries, habitat & community science
Habitat research and community science help connect water conditions with the fisheries and places these priorities are intended to protect.
Assessment & source documents
The foundational assessment examines infrastructure, policy and enforcement, research, and outreach for the five concerns. Read these historical documents alongside newer project findings.
- Click here for the Water Quality for Fisheries Program Overview
- Carolina_Riverwatch_Summary_Report#1
- WQ4F Assessment 2021-22 Final
- WQ4F Industrial Agriculture and Factory Farming Assessment
- WQ4F Stormwater Assessment
- WQ4F Industrial Pollution Assessment
- WQ4F Plastic Pollution Assessment
- WQ4F Wastewater Pollution Assessment
- Carolina_Riverwatch_Summary_Report#2
- Carolina_Riverwatch_Summary_Report#3
Building stakeholder and public support for improved water quality in North Carolina.
Quick Navigation
- What is the WQ4F Program?
- Industry Working Group (IWG)
- Read Our 2026 Report
- WQ4F Projects
- Upcoming Events
- Partnerships & Additional Resources
What is the WQ4F program?
The Water Quality for Fisheries Program has been developed through collaboration with the coastal commercial and recreational fishing community, water quality researchers, and coastal water quality advocacy organizations.
The program focuses on enhancing the sustainability of North Carolina’s coastal fishing communities by addressing water quality issues that affect fisheries. Its primary objective is to establish an inclusive Industry Working Group with representatives from both commercial and recreational fisheries. This group aims to assess water quality concerns and recommend actions. Additionally, the program seeks to develop outreach initiatives to educate coastal citizens about the impacts of water quality on fisheries and promote practices to improve it. The program also emphasizes the importance of research and science-based information to support the sustainable use of coastal resources.
Click here for the Water Quality for Fisheries Program Overview
Program Process
Five Water Quality Priorities
Water Quality Priorities Identified by Coastal North Carolina Fisheries Representatives:
- Agriculture and Factory Farm Runoff
- Stormwater Runoff from Roads, Highways, and Parking Lots
- Industrial Pollutants
- Plastic Pollution
- Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants and Septic Tanks
These top 5 water quality concerns were identified by Industry Working Group members and local NC fisheries representatives through the following survey.
Survey Results Identifying Water Quality Concerns Prioritized by Coastal Fishing Representatives: Carolina_Riverwatch_Summary_Report#1
CCRW works to consistently stimulate research, discussion, and outreach around these concerns. We release reports and assessments regarding CCRW project updates that aim to address these priorities.
Assessment
The Water Quality for Fisheries Assessment (Assessment) is a living document that serves to address impacts on water quality that are identified by the coastal fishing community. The Assessment has been written by the research and assessment team at CCRW, and includes staff, interns, board members, the IWG (made up of commercial and recreational fishing representatives), and advisors that work specifically on prioritized water quality concerns in North Carolina. The Assessment has been reviewed by the IWG during meetings that have taken place in 2021. The Assessment is categorized by the following methodologies for addressing each water quality concern: Infrastructure, Policy and Enforcement, Research, and Outreach.
Press Release Announcing Assessment: Press Release WQ4F Assessment
Research and Assessment on Water Quality Concerns Prioritized by Coastal Fishing Representatives: WQ4F Assessment 2021-22 Final
Assessments by Water Quality Concern:
- WQ4F Industrial Agriculture and Factory Farming Assessment
- WQ4F Stormwater Assessment
- WQ4F Industrial Pollution Assessment
- WQ4F Plastic Pollution Assessment
- WQ4F Wastewater Pollution Assessment
Industry Working Group (IWG)
What is the IWG?
The IWG is made up of Commercial and Recreational Fishing Representatives. The Industry Working Group’s goals are to address water quality impacts on fisheries and recommend action items.
Goals of the IWG:
- Enhanced the voices of North Carolina‘s coastal fisheries community.
- Collaborated and communicated with fisheries representatives to address concerns about how water quality impacts fisheries.
- Collectively learned what is currently being done in NC to address water quality issues impacting fisheries.
- Collaboratively made recommendations on what more needs to be done to improve water quality for fisheries.
- Proposed next steps that address gaps in addressing what is not currently being done to address water quality issues.
What will take place during the Meetings:
- There will be a CCRW project update at each meeting to share what is currently being done and assess steps going forward.
- Representatives from agencies and organizations working to address water quality issue will be invited to attend and present information.
- During each meeting there will be time for the IWG to ask questions and evaluate how CCRW’s work is filling gaps in service.
Joining the IWG
Industry Working Group Stakeholders Should:
- Represent a Coastal Community.
- Participate in Commercial or Recreational Fishing at the Coast.
- Represent a type of fisheries.
Why are we only including Coastal Representatives in the IWG?
We will be assessing water quality issues that come from all areas of the State, however, we want to hear the voices of the coastal fisheries community. Other stakeholders that will be invited to attend meetings, but that will not be a member of the IWG, will include representatives from State and Federal agencies, community organizations, and those directly involved in addressing water quality issues.
CCRW is hosting more virtual Industry Working Group (IWG) meetings in 2024 and we are looking for fisheries representatives and stakeholders to participate. Do you, or someone you know, fish in North Carolina‘s Coastal Waters (Commercial or Recreational)?
Click here to join CCRW’s Industry Working Group
Previous IWG Information and Membership Logs
New Report (2023 – 2026)
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Open in new tab WQ4F Projects
Current Projects and Campaigns
Click here for more information on WQ4F program projects, including:
- PFAS and Heavy Metal Contamination in North Carolina Farm-Raised and Wild-Caught Oyster Populations
- Pure Farms, Pure Waters
- Water Quality for Fisheries Symposium
- Plastic Chemical Research with RTI International
- …. and more!
If you would like to hear about these projects’ latest updates, future events, and CCRW ongoings, subscribe to our newsletter!
Previous Projects and Campaigns
Tidal Alert
As part of the 2021-22 WQ4F program, a Documentary Film “Tidal Alert: The State of Water Quality and its Impacts on Coastal Fisheries” has been created. See the top of this page for full access.
“Tidal Alert: The State of Water Quality and its Impacts on Coastal Fisheries”
Social Media Campaign Materials in 2021
- Agriculture and Factory Farms
- Stormwater Runoff
- Industrial Pollution
- Plastic Pollution
- Municipal Wastewater and Sewage Systems
Campaign Performance Measures in 2021
- Pre-Campaign Survey: Carolina_Riverwatch_Summary_Report#2
- Post-Campaign Survey: Carolina_Riverwatch_Summary_Report#3
WQ4F Upcoming Events
CCRW is hosting more virtual Industry Working Group (IWG) meetings in 2026 and we are looking for fisheries representatives and stakeholders to participate. Do you, or someone you know, fish in North Carolina‘s Coastal Waters (Commercial or Recreational)?
Click here to join CCRW’s Industry Working Group
WQ4F Partnerships and Additional Resources
The Marine Fisheries Commission Commercial Resource Funding Committee and the Funding Committee for the North Carolina Commercial Fishing Resource Fund have generously provided funding for this project.
2024 Partners
2023 Partners
Additional Resources
Demand for N.C. Seafood and the Commercial Industry’s Economic Impact on the State_