Marine Fisheries Commission

The Marine Fisheries Commission, or MFC, is a nine member board appointed by the Governor. The commission is responsible for managing, protecting, preserving, and enhancing the marine and estuarine resources under its jurisdiction. It does this by adopting rules and policies, implementing management measures for fisheries and advising the State on marine fisheries within the jurisdiction of regional and federal boards and councils.

The membership, appointments, terms and ethical standards for the MFC are set out in G.S. 143B-289.54. The MFC is composed of commercial and recreational fishermen, commercial fishing industry and sport fishing industry representatives, a scientist, and two “at-large” members. To see the internal operating procedures of the commission, please see the 2013 Bylaws.

In support of the MFC’s responsibilities, the Division of Marine Fisheries conducts management, enforcement, research, monitoring, statistics, and licensing programs to provide information on which to base decisions on rule making. The Department of Environmental Quality is the parent agency of the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Division of Marine Fisheries.