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Coastal coalition advances draft letter urging state to move Marine Fisheries into Department of Agriculture
Summary
The North Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition reviewed a draft letter asking the General Assembly to move the Division of Marine Fisheries to the Department of Agriculture, with members asking for changes (including explicit aquaculture language) and agreeing to vote on the measure at the next quorumed meeting.
Chairman Witter opened a June meeting of the North Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition by presenting a draft letter to the North Carolina General Assembly that would relocate the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Witter said the change would "restore balance to fisheries management" and better align commercial fishing with agriculture-style marketing and producer support.
The proposal—framed in the draft as a structural realignment to "strengthen fisheries management, support working waterfronts, and better promote North Carolina seafood consumption"—prompted immediate feedback from coalition members. Lloyd urged adding explicit reference to aquaculture so the letter addresses both wild-catch and aquatic farming. "If you added the word aquaculture in there so that people understand…these both have culture in them," Lloyd said, and Witter asked staff to note the suggested text for a revised draft to be voted on at the next meeting.
Consultant Jess Hawkins—speaking for the Fisheries Association update earlier in the meeting—said industry outreach to Ag Secretary Troxler and use of the Got2BNC seafood marketing program are practical complements to a structural change. Several members, including public commenters, cautioned the coalition to poll fishermen before taking a formal position. "Before you send the letter about going under agriculture, reach out to your fishermen and ask them, is that what they want?" said Lauren Salter, who holds the commercial fishing seat on the Coastal Resources Commission.
Witter said the coalition will circulate a revised draft and put the question to a vote when a quorum is present. No final action was taken at this meeting; the chair moved to adjourn until May 27 and that motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
The coalition framed the requested realignment as a policy tool to prioritize seafood marketing and local economic support, but members asked for clearer parameters, explicit inclusion of aquaculture, and direct outreach to the fishermen who would be affected before the coalition transmits a formal letter to Raleigh.
