Carolina Coastal Voices

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
B.J. Copeland 1997 North Carolina Fisheries Reform Act

B.J. Copeland, born on November 20th, 1936, in a country home near Mannsville, has had a significant impact on the fisheries of North Carolina. He has an extensive educational background and has served in the Zoology Department at North Carolina State University. Copeland was initially appointed to the Marine Fisheries Commission in the 1980s under Governor James G. "Jim" Martin's "Egghead Commissions." Throughout his career, he has been involved in numerous public hearings and has worked to foster communication and interaction between different stakeholders in the fisheries sector.

Mary Williford Bear Creek, NC Carolina Coastal Voices
Mac Currin 1997 North Carolina Fisheries Reform Act

Mac Currin, born in 1950 in Henderson, North Carolina, has had a diverse professional background, primarily centered around marine biology and fisheries. After completing his undergraduate studies, he began his career as a school teacher before transitioning to a research role at N.C. State University, where he worked with Dr. John Miller for approximately 16-17 years. During this time, he also earned his Master's degree. Currin's work focused primarily on research related to small marine fish.

Sara Mirabilio Raleigh, NC Carolina Coastal Voices
Jess Hawkins 1997 North Carolina Fisheries Reform Act

Jess Hawkins is a seasoned Marine Biologist who has dedicated his career to the management and conservation of marine fisheries. Born and raised in Bath, North Carolina, Hawkins developed a love for the outdoors, fishing, and hunting from a young age. This passion led him to pursue a career in marine biology. Hawkins began his career as a Fisheries Biologist with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, initially working as a Field Biologist in Little Washington before transitioning to an administrative role in Morehead City.

Barbara Garrity-Blake Morehead City, NC Carolina Coastal Voices
Robert Lucas 1997 North Carolina Fisheries Reform Act

Robert "Bob" Lucas is a professional lawyer and former Chairman of the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission who led efforts to pass the 1997 Fisheries Reform Act.  He has a deep-rooted passion for recreational fishing. His career in law began after a sustained interest in the legal field, which led him to pursue a formal education in law. Upon completing his studies, Lucas embarked on a legal career that saw him engage in various capacities within the legal system. His expertise and dedication to the profession earned him respect among his peers and clients.

Mary Williford Selma, NC Carolina Coastal Voices
Pam Davis Morris 1997 North Carolina Fisheries Reform Act

Pam Davis Morris was born in Newport News, Virginia in 1962. Her father was an engineer and her mother was a medical technician. The family moved to Beaufort, North Carolina when she was five years old, and later, Smyrna, North Carolina. Morris began her career in the seafood industry at a young age, working at a fish house and heading shrimp when she was just fifteen. She attended college at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she earned degrees in Art and Art Education.

Barbara Garrity-Blake Harkers Island, NC Carolina Coastal Voices
Beverly Perdue 1997 North Carolina Fisheries Reform Act

Beverly Perdue is a prominent figure in North Carolina politics, having served as the state's Governor. She has been actively involved in various legislative initiatives, particularly those related to fisheries and environmental issues. Perdue's political career began with her interest in the Democratic Party and her first experiences with politicians in Raleigh. Throughout her career, she has been involved in numerous coastal-related legislations, including the Fisheries Reform Act, which she describes as 'consensus legislation'.

Barbara Garrity-Blake, Mary Williford New Bern, NC Carolina Coastal Voices
Willy Phillips 1997 North Carolina Fisheries Reform Act

Willy Phillips is a seasoned professional in the commercial fishing industry, with a particular focus on crabbing. He has spent a significant portion of his life in fish houses and has been deeply involved in fisheries legislation. Phillips has been an advocate for the crab fishery and has worked towards the development of a crab management plan. He has also been a vocal critic of the commercial fishing industry, proposing a complete shutdown and rebuild of the industry in North Carolina.

Barbara Garrity-Blake Columbia, NC Carolina Coastal Voices
Sandy Semans Ross 1997 North Carolina Fisheries Reform Act

Sandy Semans Ross is a retired newspaper editor and freelance writer who has a deep connection with the coastal communities and seafood industry. Born in a coal mining town in West Virginia, Ross moved to coastal communities due to her father's Navy service, where she developed a love for seafood. Ross's professional career includes working as a newspaper editor and doing freelance work for various publications. She is also the Executive Director of Outer Banks Catch, an organization dedicated to promoting locally caught seafood and supporting the local fishing industry.

Susan West Stumpy Point, NC Carolina Coastal Voices
Jerry Schill 1997 North Carolina Fisheries Reform Act

Jerry Schill was born and raised in a small agricultural community in Pennsylvania, where his father served as the town's Postmaster. The family also owned a farm, and Schill learned to milk cows by hand from a young age. After high school, he joined the Air Force, during which time he got married. He has been married for nearly 48 years, has four children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Schill moved to North Carolina and became involved in the state's fisheries.

Susan West New Bern, NC Carolina Coastal Voices
Melvin Shepard 1997 North Carolina Fisheries Reform Act

Melvin Shepard is a long-time resident of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, with deep roots in the community. Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Shepard's family has a rich history in Holly Ridge, where his grandfather served as the Atlantic Coastline Railroad Station Master and his grandmother was the Post Mistress. Shepard and his wife, Tilly, have been married since 1955 and have been involved in the commercial fishing industry for many years. Shepard is a unique individual who has managed to balance his interests in commercial fishing and environmental conservation.

Barbara Garrity-Blake Sneads Ferry, NC Carolina Coastal Voices