Shellfish leasing debate surrounds Masonboro Sound

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Along Masonboro Sound road, many homes come with quite the view. But for some, it’s a view they don’t want.

“They obstruct kayaking. They obstruct paddle boarding and they’re hazards to navigation,” Mark Raggozino said.

Four people have applied to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, to lease part of the water in Masonboro Sound for things like oyster farming.

“There are limited spaces on the map in New Hanover County, Pender County and Brunswick, that we can even do this. That’s kind of the biggest issue, is they’re small spaces and sometimes we’re going to be in front of somebody’s house,” an oyster farmer, Captain Scott Burrell, said.

He also said his business helps the local economy. But Ragozzino said it’s been a major concern for people in the area and limits what they can do in the water behind their homes.

“We move to this area because of the beautiful waters. It’s public waters and these waters are being sequestered for the benefit of very few individuals. Impairing my ability to go out and enjoy these waters,” Raggozino said.