Sunday, March 25, 2007

Major Changes Proposed to NC Fisheries Agencies

A series of sweeping changes to the way that NC handles environmental and fisheries management was proposed in Raleigh last week. Under Senate Bill 679, the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) and other existing environmental management commissions would be abolished and a new umbrella commission created to oversee all environmental policies. Patterned after the Utilities Commission, the new commission would no longer consist of volunteers, but instead would be comprised of full-time, paid commissioners. The Bill 679 would consolidate the MFC, the Coastal Resources Commission, the existing Environmental Management Commission, the Mining Commission, the Sedimentation Control Commission, the Soil and Water Commission, and several other commissions that fall under the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Only the Wildlife Resource Commission would remain independent. Another bill, Senate Bill 1389 filed on Wednesday by Harry Brown, R-6th District, would also bring change to the MFC, adding three seats representing the charter-boat/headboat fishing industry. And last but not least, another bill, Senate Bill 815, would increase the number of seats on the Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture. Three new seats would be designated for members of the North Carolina Fisheries Association, the North Carolina Watermen United, and the Coastal Conservation Association. More on the avalache of proposals is available from the Outer Banks Sentinel.

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