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July 24 MOREHEAD CITY - The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) is looking for interested individuals to fill vacancies on its Shellfish, Central Regional and Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan advisory committees.

Advisory committees provide information and guidance to the MFC when developing fisheries regulations. The Shellfish Advisory Committee advises the MFC on issues dealing with oyster, clams and scallops. The Central Advisory Committee advises the MFC on fisheries issues involving Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Hyde, Jones and Pamlico counties. The Southern Flounder FMP Advisory Committee assists with developing long-term recovery strategies for southern flounder - the type of flounder commonly found in North Carolina sounds and estuaries.

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 August 10, 2001. Applications are available at North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) offices or can be obtained by calling Jess Hawkins or Belinda Loftin at 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.

July 13 MOREHEAD CITY - Joseph T. Lynch, of Hampstead, has been named colonel of the North Carolina Marine Patrol, the law enforcement branch of the state Division of Marine Fisheries.

As head of enforcement, Lynch will supervise operations of Marine Patrol’s 56 officers who oversee 4,000 miles of coastline and 2.4 million acres of ocean and coastal waters. These officers work to ensure compliance with state fisheries rules and regulations for both commercial and recreational fishermen, seafood houses, fish dealers and restaurants that buy fresh Tar Heel seafood.

Lynch succeeds Col. Pete Rivenbark, who retired last October.

“We are excited to have Joe join our management team,” said Fisheries Director Pres Pate. “His extensive knowledge, training and 26 years of experience in conservation law enforcement, at both the state and federal level, will help him lead the N.C. Marine Patrol to new levels of professionalism and train the next generation of our enforcement leaders,” said Pate.

From 1966 to 1992, Lynch worked with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, where he rose to the rank of assistant director of the law enforcement. He later worked briefly as chief of law enforcement for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and served for five years with the U.S. State Department as a foreign service officer in Ecuador and Canada.

He is a former chairman of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Law Enforcement Committee and a past president of the Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chief’s Association.

“One of the primary traits we were looking for in this important role, aside, of course, from a strong law enforcement background, was a proven leader - someone who could effectively convey our conservation goals to our officers and the public,” said Fisheries Deputy Director Mike Buhl, who headed up the enforcement chief search.

“Col. Lynch has excellent management and leadership credentials and is an outstanding communicator who will focus on building better working relationships with our diverse user groups and enhancing the professionalism of the Marine Patrol,” said Buhl.

Lynch has a B.S. in Police Science, is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy’s police management training and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Lynch assumes his new duties July 30.

NC Division of Marine Fisheries - 3441 Arendell Street - Morehead City, NC 28557 - 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632