Marine Fisheries Commission Advisory Committees
Overview
The MFC Advisory Committees provide insights and comments directly to the commission for consideration during their decision-making process. All advisors are appointed by the MFC Chair. There are five statutorily required Advisory Committees that fall into two categories. The MFC Chair also convenes committees to assist in the development of fishery management plans, and to deal with emerging issues as the commission deems necessary. To learn more about the Fishery Management Plan process and how you can get involved, watch this Fishery Management Plan presentation.
View the list of upcoming Advisory Committee meetings
Apply to Serve
The MFC is looking for commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists, and other interested parties to sit on various fisheries advisory committees. If you are interested in serving as an adviser, please complete the application below. The solicitation period occurs in the fall of each year, with new advisor terms beginning in January.
Marine Fisheries Commission Advisory Committees
Member Requirements
Members of the Northern Regional Advisory Committee must reside within areas from the Virginia line south through Hyde and Pamlico counties and any counties to the West.
Current Northern Regional AC Members
|
Advisors (County of Residence) |
Term Expiration Date |
| Everett Blake (Harnett), Vice Chair | January 1, 2025 |
| Keith Bruno (Pamlico) | January 1, 2026 |
| Melissa Clark (Dare) | January 1, 2025 |
| Herman Dunbar (Pamlico) | January 1, 2025 |
| Carl Hacker (Dare) | January 1, 2025 |
| Jamie Lane (Martin) | January 1, 2026 |
| Allan Martin (Dare) | January 1, 2026 |
| Thomas Newman (Martin) | January 1, 2027 |
| Roger Rulifson (Pitt) | January 1, 2025 |
| Sara Winslow (Perquimans), Chair | January 1, 2026 |
| Jonathan Worthington (Camden) | January 1, 2026 |
DMF Committee Staff
| Lee Paramore Northern District Manager |
Lee.Paramore@deq.nc.gov 252-473-5734 |
| Charlton Godwin Biologist Supervisor |
Charlton.Godwin@deq.nc.gov 252-381-6008 |
|
Capt. Daniel Ipock
Marine Patrol, Northeast District
|
252-515-5500
|
|
Capt. Christopher Lee
Marine Patrol, Northeast District
|
252-473-1233
|
Member Requirements
Members of the Southern Regional Advisory Committee must reside within areas from Carteret County south to the South Carolina line and any counties to the West.
Current Southern Regional AC Members
| Advisors (County of Residence) | Term Expiration Date |
| Samuel Boyce (New Hanover) | January 1, 2027 |
| Jason Fowler (Onslow) | January 1, 2025 |
| Jeff Harrell (Onslow) | January 1, 2025 |
| Pam Morris (Carteret) | January 1, 2026 |
| Truby Proctor (Carteret) | January 1, 2026 |
| Fred Scharf (New Hanover), Chair | January 1, 2027 |
| Kenneth Seigler (Onslow) | January 1, 2026 |
| Jeremy Skinner (Carteret) | January 1, 2027 |
| Tom Smith (Mecklenburg), Vice Chair | January 1, 2026 |
| Tim Wilson (Brunswick) | January 1, 2026 |
| Michael Yates (Onslow) | January 1, 2026 |
DMF Committee Staff
|
Tina Moore
Southern District Manager
|
252-515-5641
|
|
Chris Stewart
Biologist Supervisor
|
910-796-7370
|
|
Capt. Garland Yopp
Marine Patrol, Southern District
|
800-682-2632
|
|
Sgt. Ashley Bishop
Marine Patrol, Central District
|
252-515-5500
|
Statutorily required standing committee comprised of commissioners and advisers that consider matters related to finfish.
Current Finfish AC Members
|
Advisors
|
Term Expiration Date |
|
Jeff Buckel (Carteret)
|
January 1, 2025
|
| Lewis Dunn (Wake) | January 1, 2026 |
|
Brent Fulcher (Craven)
|
January 1, 2025
|
| Christopher Hickman (Dare) | January 1, 2026 |
| Larry Lord (Carteret) | January 1, 2026 |
| David Mense (Wake) | January 1, 2025 |
| Allyn Powell (Carteret) | January 1, 2025 |
|
Randy Proctor (Wake)
|
January 1, 2025
|
|
William Tarplee (Onslow)
|
January 1, 2027
|
|
Scott Whitley (Pitt)
|
January 1, 2025
|
| Mike Blanton (Ex-officio), Vice Chair | June 30, 2024 |
| Tom Roller (Ex-officio), Co-Chair | June 30, 2026 |
DMF Committee Staff
| Lee Paramore North District Manager |
Lee.Paramore@deq.nc.gov 252-473-5734 |
| Jason Rock Biologist Supervisor |
Jason.Rock@deq.nc.gov 252-515-5639 |
| Sgt. Justin Lott Marine Patrol, Central District |
Justin.Lott@deq.nc.gov 252-515-5500 |
Statutorily required standing committee comprised of commissioners and advisers that consider matters concerning habitat and water quality that may affect coastal fisheries resources.
Current Habitat and Water Quality AC Members
|
Advisors
|
Term Expiration Date |
| Jack Durham, Jr. (Wake) | January 1, 2026 |
| David Glenn (Carteret) | January 1, 2026 |
|
Joel Fodrie (Carteret)
|
January 1, 2025
|
|
Nathan Hall (Carteret)
|
January 1, 2025
|
| Scott Leahy (Carteret) | January 1, 2027 |
| Markham Parrish (Carteret) | January 1, 2025 |
| Lisa Rider (Onslow) | January 1, 2026 |
| Mark Sonder (Carteret) | January 1, 2026 |
| Dr. Doug Rader (Ex-officio), Chair | June 30, 2026 |
| Sarah Gardner (Ex-officio), Vice-Chair | June 30, 2025 |
DMF Committee Staff
|
Anne Deaton
Habitat Protection Section Chief
|
910-796-7215
|
| Jimmy Harrison Fisheries Resource Specialist |
James.Harrison@deq.nc.gov 252-948-3835 |
|
Jason Parker
Marine Patrol
|
910-796-7229
|
Statutorily required standing committee comprised of commissioners and advisers that considers matters concerning oysters, clams, scallops and other molluscan shellfish, shrimp, and crabs.
Current Shellfish/Crustacean AC Members
|
Advisors
|
Term Expiration Date |
| Lauren Burch (Currituck) | January 1, 2026 |
| Mary Sue Hamann (Carteret) | January 1, 2025 |
| Jim Hardin (Pitt) | January 1, 2025 |
| Michael Hardison (Brunswick) | January 1, 2027 |
| Mike Marshall (Carteret) | January 1, 2025 |
| Bruce Morris (Carteret) | January 1, 2026 |
| Brian Shepard (Onslow) | January 1, 2026 |
| Ted Wilgis (New Hanover) | January 1, 2025 |
| Tim Willis (Carteret) | January 1, 2027 |
| Mike Blanton (Ex-officio) Co-Chair | June 30, 2024 |
| Ryan Bethea (Ex-officio), Vice Chair | June 30, 2026 |
| Vacant | Vacant |
DMF Committee Staff
|
Tina Moore
Southern District Manager
|
252-515-5641
|
|
Anne Deaton
Habitat Protection Section Chief
|
910-796-7311
|
|
Colonel Carter Witten
Marine Patrol
|
252-515-5551
|
Section 6 of the Support Shellfish Aquaculture Bill (S.L. 2019-37) requires the Chair of the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (“MFC”) to appoint a three-member Shellfish Cultivation Lease Review Committee (SCLRC) to hear appeals of decisions of the Secretary regarding shellfish leases issued under G.S. 113-202 The SCLRC includes one MFC member who serves as the hearing officer, and two public members. One public member having expertise or other relevant experience in shellfish aquaculture, and the other public member having expertise or other relevant experience with respect to coastal property or property assessment.
Shellfish Cultivation Lease Review Committee Members
|
Advisors
|
Seat |
| Rob Bizzell (Chair) | MFC Member |
| Steve Yuhasz | Coastal Property or Property Assessment Expert |
| Vacant | Shellfish Aquaculture Expert |
DMF Committee Staff
|
Position Vacant
MFC Executive Assistant for Commissions and Councils |
252-515-5500
|
|
Phillip Reynolds
Legal Counsel Special Deputy Attorney General Department of Justice |
To provide comments to the Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee, please contact the Division staff at the email addresses provided below.
Current Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan AC Members
| Joe Albea |
| Steven Brewster |
| Johnna Brooks |
| Dr. Jie Cao |
| Stuart Creighton |
| Doug Cross |
| Herman Wayne Dunbar |
| Matthew Littleton |
| Kevin Poole |
| James Reilly |
| Rick Sasser |
| Jeremy Skinner |
| Donald Willis |
Division Staff
| Lucas Pensinger Species Lead |
Lucas.Pensinger@deq.nc.gov 252-515-5636 |
| Melinda Lambert Species Lead |
Melinda.Lambert@deq.nc.gov 252-473-5734 |