Marine Fisheries Commission Membership

Membership

The Marine Fisheries Commission is a Governor-appointed nine-member board composed of commercial and recreational fishermen, commercial and sport fishing industry representatives, at-large members, and a scientist. They adopt rules and policies, and implement management measures for fisheries. For more information on member terms and and appointments, please visit the NC Boards and Commissions website.

Commissioner
Seat
Contact Information

Sammy Corbett, Chair

Sammy Corbett

Commercial IndustryS.Corbett.MFC@deq.nc.gov

Ryan Bethea

Ryan Bethea

Commercial FishermanR.Bethea.MFC@deq.nc.gov

Mike Blanton

Mike Blanton

Commercial FishermanM.Blanton.MFC@deq.nc.gov
Willie Closs, Jr. At-LargeW.Closs.MFC@deq.nc.gov

Sarah Gardner

Rob Bizzell

At-LargeS.Gardner.MFC@deq.nc.gov

Alfred Hobgood

Recreational FishermanA.Hobgood.MFC@deq.nc.gov

Doug Rader

Doug Rader

ScientistD.Rader.MFC@deq.nc.gov

Tom Roller

Tom Roller

Recreational IndustryTom.Roller.MFC@deq.nc.gov
William ServiceRecreational Fishermancoming soon

 

MFC Staff

Staff MemberPositionContact
Jesse BissetteMFC Executive Assistant for Commissions and Councils252-515-5530
Jesse.Bissette@deq.nc.gov
VacantMFC Program Assistant252-515-5527
Phillip ReynoldsLegal Counsel      
Special Deputy Attorney General      
Department of Justice
919-716-6400      
Preynolds@ncdoj.gov
Tab/Accordion Items

Membership Requirements

The membership, appointments, terms, and ethical standards for the Marine Fisheries Commission are set out in G.S. 143B-289.54. As with many regulatory commissions, individuals whose activities are regulated by the commission are required to make up a certain proportion of the membership.

Commission Composition
SeatQualifications
Commercial FishermanIndividual currently or recently deriving at least 50 percent of annual earned income from taking and selling fishery resources in coastal fishing waters of the state. Spouses of qualified individuals may be appointed.
Commercial IndustryIndividual deriving at least 50 percent of annual earned income from activities involving the buying, selling, processing, or distributing of seafood landed in the state. Spouses of qualified individuals may be appointed if he or she is actively involved in the qualifying business.
Recreational FishermanIndividual actively engaged in recreational sports fishing in coastal waters of the state who does not derive more than 10 percent of annual earned income from sports fishing activities.
Sport Fishing IndustryIndividual deriving at least 50 percent of annual earned income from selling goods or services related to the sport fishing industry in the state. Spouses of qualified individuals may be appointed if he or she is actively involved in the qualifying business.
At-largeIndividual having general knowledge of and experience related to subjects and persons regulated by the commission.
ScientistIndividual who is a fisheries scientist having special training and expertise in marine and estuarine fisheries biology, ecology, population dynamics, water quality, habitat protection, or similar knowledge. He or she may not receive more than 10 percent of annual earned income from either the commercial or sport fishing industries.

As with many regulatory commissions, individuals whose activities are regulated by the commission are required to make up a certain portion of the membership. In 1997 the legislature enacted a specific conflict of interest standard for the Marine Fisheries Commission set out in G.S. 143B-289.54. The more particular provisions for Marine Fisheries Commission members are applied in determining when recusal from participation and voting is required. This provision reads as follows:

Voting/conflict of interest. A member of the Commission shall not vote on any issue before the Commission that would have a "significant and predictable effect" on the member's financial interest. For purposes of this subdivision, "significant and predictable effect" means there is or may be a close causal link between the decision of the Commission and an expected disproportionate financial benefit to the member that is shared only by a minority of persons within the same industry sector or gear group. A member of the Commission shall also abstain from voting on any petition submitted by an advocacy group of which the member is an officer or sits as a member of the advocacy group's board of directors. A member of the Commission shall not use the member's official position as a member of the Commission to secure any special privilege or exemption of substantial value for any person. No member of the Commission shall, by the member's conduct, create an appearance that any person could improperly influence the member in the performance of the member's official duties.

Under the State Government Ethics Act each member of the Marine Fisheries Commission is to make a diligent effort before participating in discussion and voting on a matter before the commission to determine whether the member has a conflict of interest.