Mac Currin: A sham panel indeed

Regarding the June 10 Point of View article “A sham of a fisheries panel.” Before serving 11 years on the MFC, I also served on the Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture where failed attempts were made to implement a Joint Enforcement Agreement for N.C. I believe that every MFC since 1997 has endorsed a JEA for NC.

After successful lobbying by the recreational fishing community, it was finally passed by the General Assembly in 2013 but was never implemented because neither the governor nor the DENR secretary would permit our Division of Marine Fisheries and MFC to institute it. Last year, lawmakers “repealed” the JEA and formed the accurately described sham panel to “study” the issue. There are no surprises in its predetermined conclusions.

A JEA for NC would do nothing but provide much needed additional funds for our Marine Patrol, which is woefully understaffed. There is absolutely no rational objection to a JEA. The only reason to oppose it is to prevent possible federal enforcement actions against commercial fishermen and fish dealers who breached fisheries laws.

I am infuriated that a handful of legislators who kowtow to the commercial fishing industry can eliminate useful and meaningful measures that benefit all residents. Unfortunately, the JEA is just the tip of the iceberg.

This story was originally published July 4, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Mac Currin: A sham panel indeed."