Marine Fisheries Commission Seeks Advisors

[NCangler]

Morehead City - The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) is looking for interested individuals to fill vacancies on all eight of its advisory committees.
MFC Chairman Mac Currin said, "Our management system is based upon and requires public participation – it is the backbone of the Fisheries Reform Act. Advisors are selected from commercial, recreational, and scientific backgrounds and assist the commission with development of regional, statewide and species-specific management actions. I encourage anyone interested in fisheries to apply."

MFC advisors serve three-year staggered terms, many of which expire at the end of 2005. The MFC is soliciting advisors for the Finfish, Habitat and Water Quality, Crustacean, and Shellfish committees, in addition to four regional advisory committees from the following areas:

Northeast - Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Martin, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties.
Central - Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Hyde, Jones, and Pamlico counties.
Southeast - Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender counties.
Inland - All other counties.

Advisory committees provide information and guidance to the MFC when developing future fisheries regulations. Individuals interested in serving as advisors should be willing to attend bimonthly meetings and actively participate in the committee process. Advisors will be reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in relation to official duties.

The MFC will be accepting applications for these openings until January 16, 2006. Applications are available at North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries offices or can be obtained by calling Jess Hawkins at 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021 or Jess.Hawkins@ncmail.net.