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The following letter from Britt
Shackelford explains the history and on-going issues of the NCWU. September,
2008
Ladies and Gentlemen of the NCWU, interested parties, and those just looking for something to read, Welcome to our updated website. We hope that as you peruse our information, a few things will become evident to you. The first thing we hope becomes evident is that our website and our outlook is to better keep our membership up-to-speed on issues that surround the professional watermen of North Carolina, the people that depend on the watermen and the educated fishermen who understand that we have four stakeholders in our Fisheries Resources. Four? You say? That is correct. We have charter/headboat fishermen, commercial harvesters, recreational fishermen and consumers. The consumers? Isn’t that a little far-fetched to try to give Joe Q. Public a say in Fishery regulation? After all, the chance of any of them even living on the coast is a long shot. But, I believe that our consumers are the most important user of our country’s wonderful Fishery Resources, and I do not think they are even considered when directors try to manage the resources. The final regulation that forced our membership to react by creating an advocacy group, the North Carolina Watermen United (NCWU) was the passage of the Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL). While we were out on the ocean fishing, we received a phone call informing us that the Senate in North Carolina’s General Assembly had passed a Bill to force the creation of a Fishing License. Not one question had been asked about the consequences the CRFL would have on our charter/headboat businesses - not one committee, not one survey, not one questionnaire. It was if the charter/headboat fishermen sector and the recreational fishermen sector did not even exist. We rallied the troops and came within a few votes of defeating the CRFL in the North Carolina House. Many of us had taken days off from fishing to go to Raleigh, the capital, to speak with our Legislature; every elected official was spoken to directly – either in person or on the phone - about the negative impact the CRFL would have on our charter/headboat businesses and consequently, the state’s economy. Many Legislators had not understood what an important part of the Tourist Industry fishing plays. The charter/headboat sector brings millions of dollars into the state with people who come just to fish. Many recreational fishermen also come to the state to take advantage of our excellent fishing. Then there are the many people who do not fish, but come to our state to take advantage of our excellent locally-caught seafood. Our commercial harvesters play a valuable role in the state’s economy and the Tourist Industry – without taking a person out on a boat to fish! Consumers come to the state to catch fish; consumers come to the state to eat fish. Charter/headboat fishermen, commercial harvesters and recreational fishermen are supported by consumers who come to the state for no other reason than fresh, locally-caught fish? Interesting! Like the ad, we have “Come a long way, baby!” On Friday, April 15, 2005, a group of twenty-seven North Carolina watermen met in Wanchese and voted in favor of a recommendation to create an association as a means to unite and to protect the North Carolina culture and heritage of its watermen.  Nets at Ocracoke
The next meeting was in Hatteras on April 23, 2005. Thirty-four men and women confirmed the need to establish the NCWU. The group voted to proceed and formed the organization as a Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Association to protect and defend the right to make a living on the waters of North Carolina. At its inception, the NCWU hired a lobbyist. T. Jerry was very effectual, but the money we were spending kept us from keeping our membership informed about meetings, votes, trends and what – exactly - we were doing. Early in 2008, the Board of Directors sat down and charted a different course. As an all-volunteer group, we were so busy putting out fires that we were distancing ourselves from our lifeblood-membership. We made a difficult decision to put the lobbying “On Hold” and hire an executive secretary and a marketing director. We extend a welcome to Melba Milak, Executive Secretary and Robbi Viveiros, Marketing Director. Welcome! to a whole new page for the NCWU. Welcome! Corporate Sponsors. Welcome! Restaurants, marine supply businesses, marinas, boat builders and friends. Welcome! Members who believe that charter/headboat fishermen, commercial harvesters and recreational fishermen – all with the consumer in mind– can better play a factor in Fishery Management as a whole than only a very narrow special-interest bent. Welcome! to the new age of Fishery Management! Welcome! to the NCWU! Your NCWU. Our Board of Directors is purposefully made up of a variety of fishermen who utilize a variety of gear-types. The majority of the Board are engaged in charter/headboat fishing, but we also have a dedicated long-liner, a multi-gear fisherman, a fish house owner, a boat mate and a boat builder. Although we have had disagreements, we understand that by sitting down at the table together and working through our differences, the Fishery Resource is going to be the winner. We feel very strongly that this attitude is a more noble pursuit than attempting to put someone out of business for selfish gain. Every group that opposes us is characterized by this one simple (Un)truth…that the supposed “conservation” involves nothing more than Special Interest masquerading as conservation, although the one goal has been to eliminate the historical use of our state and nation’s Fishery Resources. We can tell you all you want about our past, but the past is history. Five minutes ago is in the record books. Look at our past. Rom Whitaker, NCWU’s first president involves himself in Fishery Management at the Federal level. Rom has done as excellent job steering us to where we are today. I really don’t know how he did it! 
Rom Whitaker
Ernie
Foster
Our second president, Ernie Foster, is the living encyclopedia of modern sportfishing. His father, Ernal, and the Albatross Fleet were the pioneers of sportfishing in North Carolina way back in 1937.  As you can see, we are rooted in the past as we chart a course for the future, and we hope you feel like coming along for the (boat) ride. We can use your help. Our vision of the future involves education and grass roots local activism. Weather, fuel prices, breakdowns and a quarry with fins and tails are small things in the mind of a fisherman compared to an uncertain future. With your help, a little old-fashioned Good Luck (I’ll take some luck every day!) and some of the Lord’s blessings, we are not just going to survive, but THRIVE, as we charge into the 21st century.  Welcome Aboard, and Hold onto your Hat! Shack Britt Shackelford President, NCWU |