ECU hosts fisheries conference

The past, present and future state of fishing communities will be the subject of a conference scheduled at East Carolina University on March 18.
Anthropologists and researchers from the National Marine Fisheries Service, ECU’s Department of Sociology and the Coastal Resources Management Ph.D. Program will discuss the industry and offer data on its status.

“The long-term viability of traditional fishing communities is threatened by a range of factors including regulation, declining marine resources, the expansion of tourism and the in-migration of wealthy retirees,” said sociology assistant professor Don Bradley, one of the conference organizers.

Legislation affecting fishing communities will also be discussed during the daylong conference.

The sessions, taking place at the Greenville Centre, 2200 S. Charles Boulevard, include a 9:30 a.m. overview on traditional fishing communities. It will be followed by a 12:15 p.m. session where residents from fishing communities in North Carolina will offer their perspective.

This is the second ECU conference that will focus on the management of commercial fishing. The goal of this year’s conference is to examine legislation and management initiatives that impact these communities and the future of fisheries in North Carolina.