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December 12, 2003

MARINE PATROL HAS NEW OFFICER

MOREHEAD CITY - Brian M. Gillis has joined the ranks of the North Carolina Marine Patrol, filling a vacant position along the northern portion of the coast.

Officer Gillis, 29, was hired on November 17 and is assigned to the Hatteras-Buxton area in Dare County. He served two and one half years in the U.S. Army and holds a B.A. degree in Criminal Justice. Prior to joining the Marine Patrol he worked for the Beaufort Police Department.

Colonel Joe Lynch, head of the Patrol, is pleased with the addition to his conservation law enforcement group. "During the last year we have been able to fill several positions previously frozen due to the state budget crisis. Filling these positions is critical to our mission of protecting marine resources for the benefit of the people of North Carolina," said Lynch.

The Marine Patrol has 59 sworn law enforcement officer positions along the coast and it's jurisdiction includes all coastal waters extending to 3 miles offshore, and out to 200 miles offshore for some federally regulated species. Officers monitor 2.5 million acres of water and over 4,000 miles of coastline. Along with inspecting commercial and recreational boats, Marine Patrol officers also check seafood markets, fish dealers, restaurants, piers, beaches and vehicles carrying seafood.

For more information, please contact Marine Patrol Major Mike Davis at 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632.

December 12, 2003

MARINE PATROL AUCTIONS TUNA

MOREHEAD CITY - The North Carolina Marine Patrol auctioned off a tuna on Thursday morning, Dec. 11, potentially bringing in approximately $2,400 for Carteret County schools.

During a routine patrol at Portside Marina in Morehead City on Dec. 10, Officer Mark Daniels confiscated the bluefin tuna. Barrett Gardner McMullen of Ocean Isle, N.C. was charged with selling fish without a valid Standard Commercial Fishing License.

Fish dealers in the area were notified and the 264-pound tuna was sold under a state court order to Maguro American Inc., the highest bidder at the auction. The tuna brought $9.06 per pound, and a check for $2,391.84 was made out to the Carteret County Clerk of Court. The money will be held in escrow until a judge determines the outcome of the case. If Mr. McMullen is found guilty, the money will go to the Carteret County School System.

The auction took place at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries headquarters in Morehead City.

For more information on this case, please contact Col. Joe Lynch of the N.C. Marine Patrol at 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632.

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MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION SEEKS ADVISORS

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 Jimmy Johnson said, "Public participation fuels our management process and 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 2003. 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 at least 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 8, 2004. Applications are available at North Carolina Division of Marine Fishers offices or can be obtained by calling Jess Hawkins at 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.