April 13, 2014 — The North Carolina Fisheries Association begins its sixth decade as one of the oldest commercial fishing organizations in the country with a reorganization to again become a strong voice in the volatile culture involving the trade.
A new leadership team has been named that includes the return of one of the association’s most notable spokesmen — President Jerry Schill.
Schill was the association’s president and lobbyist for nearly two decades before he left in 2005 to pursue other interests, including a move to a farm in his native Pennsylvania.
Schill returned several years ago and has been active in other local groups, including serving as chairman the Craven-Pamlico Christian Coalition and heading STAFF House maternity home. Recently, he took over the interim director job for the fishing association before being named its president.
Schill said he will continue his leadership role with the Christian Coalition and do some administrative work and serve as a STAFF House board member in a volunteer role.
Brent Fulcher of B&J Seafood in New Bern is the new board chairman, with Leslie Daniels of William Smith Seafood in Beaufort as treasurer.
The new board includes representation from Dare County to Brunswick County, and all aspects of commercial fishing — harvesting, processing and trucking. Affiliate groups such as the Carteret County Fishermen’s Association and the Albemarle Fishermen’s Association also have voting representatives on the board.