State establishes new species state record for Bulleye – NC Dept. of Environmental Quality (.gov)

Report on New State Marine Species Record and Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

On June 21, 2025, a new state record for the Bulleye fish (Cookeolus japonicus) was established in North Carolina. This event, involving the catch and subsequent scientific donation of the specimen, serves as a practical example of citizen science contributing to key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The data collected and the preservation of the specimen enhance the scientific knowledge base required for the sustainable management of marine resources.

1.0 Record-Setting Catch Details

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) has officially certified a new state record, creating a benchmark for a species previously unrecorded in the state’s angling history.

• Angler: Jody Hopkins, Grimesland, NC
• Date of Catch: June 21, 2025
• Location: Offshore, approximately 30 miles from Ocracoke, NC
• Water Depth: 200 feet

2.0 Specimen Analysis and Data Collection

The fish was initially misidentified by the angler. Its subsequent donation to state authorities for official identification and analysis underscores a commitment to scientific accuracy in resource management. The collected data provides a valuable baseline for this species in the region.

1. Species: Bulleye (Cookeolus japonicus)
2. Weight: 5 pounds, 10.88 ounces
3. Fork Length: 20.5 inches
4. Girth: 16 inches

The specimen was officially weighed at Neuse Sport Shop in Kinston and subsequently donated by the NCDMF to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, ensuring its availability for future scientific research.

3.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water

This event directly supports the objectives of SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. The establishment of a state record is more than an angling achievement; it is an act of data generation that contributes to broader conservation efforts.

• Contribution to Target 14.4: By officially recording the catch, the NCDMF gathers crucial data points (species, size, location, date). This information is fundamental to developing the science-based management plans needed to regulate harvesting and maintain sustainable fish stocks.
• Contribution to Target 14.a: The donation of the physical specimen to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences directly increases scientific knowledge and research capacity. This action provides a tangible biological asset for study, helping scientists better understand the species’ distribution, genetics, and role within the marine ecosystem.

4.0 Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in Support of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The successful verification and preservation of this record highlight an effective partnership between public, private, and civil society actors, a core principle of SDG 17. This collaboration is essential for achieving comprehensive environmental and sustainable development outcomes.

Key Stakeholders and Roles:

• Citizen Angler (Jody Hopkins): Initiated the process by catching the fish and responsibly seeking its proper identification.
• State Agency (NCDMF): Provided official identification, managed the state record program, and facilitated the specimen’s donation to a scientific institution.
• Private Enterprise (Neuse Sport Shop): Served as a certified weigh station, providing the necessary infrastructure for official record verification.
• Scientific Institution (NC Museum of Natural Sciences): Acted as the final repository for the specimen, integrating it into a permanent collection for long-term research and educational use.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

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

The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goal:

• SDG 14: Life Below Water: This goal focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources. The article is entirely centered on a marine fish species, its identification by a state marine fisheries division, and the documentation of marine biodiversity. The actions of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) in identifying, recording, and studying the Bulleye fish directly contribute to the knowledge base required for marine conservation.

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

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets under SDG 14 can be identified:

1. Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics.
   • Explanation: The article highlights the role of the NCDMF, a state agency responsible for managing marine fisheries. By establishing a state record, the agency is collecting crucial data (species type, size, weight, location) on fish populations. This data is fundamental for creating the “science-based management plans” mentioned in the target, which are used to regulate harvesting and ensure the long-term health of fish stocks.
2. Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology… in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development…
   • Explanation: The article is a clear example of increasing scientific knowledge. The identification of the Bulleye establishes a new state record where none existed before. Furthermore, the fisherman “donated the fish to NCDMF for identification,” and the NCDMF in turn “donated the fish to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences specimen collection.” This process directly contributes to research capacity and the scientific record of marine biodiversity.

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

While the article does not mention official SDG indicators, it implies several practical measures that can be used to track progress:

• For Target 14.4:
  • Implied Indicator: Collection and documentation of fisheries data (species, size, weight, location).
  • Explanation: The article details the specific data recorded for the catch: “5-pound, 10.88-ounce fish,” “20.5 inches fork length,” “16-inch girth,” caught “off Ocracoke in 200 feet of water.” This systematic data collection is a prerequisite for assessing the status of fish stocks, which is the essence of the official indicator (14.4.1: Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels).
• For Target 14.a:
  • Implied Indicator: Establishment of new state or regional species records.
  • Explanation: The headline and central theme of the article is that the state “establishes new species state record for Bulleye.” This is a direct, measurable outcome of increased scientific knowledge about marine life in the region.
  • Implied Indicator: Number of new biological specimens added to scientific collections.
  • Explanation: The article explicitly states that the fish was donated to the “North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences specimen collection.” This action expands the physical library of biological data available to researchers, directly contributing to research capacity.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thewashingtondailynews.com