SWAN QUARTER—The Hyde County Chamber of Commerce will host a forum today, bringing local fisherman and political representatives together to discuss issues regarding the North Carolina seafood industry.

The Fisherman’s Forum will be held today at 4 p.m. at Phillip’s Place in Swan Quarter. Admission is $12 at the door and will include a meal of fresh seafood, including shrimp, oysters and clam chowder, said Jessica Gibbs, executive director of the Hyde County Chamber of Commerce.

Gibbs said the forum will feature guest speakers Senator Bill Cook, N.C. Representative Paul Tine, Jerry Schill with NC Fisheries, Karen Amspacher with NC Catch and Barry Nash with NC Sea Grant, all of whom will be helping host the open discussion about the local seafood industry. Each speaker will be discussing different topics, providing education on upcoming legislation, as well as aiding local fisherman in tackling, no pun intended, some of the pressing issues in the seafood industry. Among the topics discussed and each’s presenter are: a study about the overall health of the N.C. seafood industry by Nash; how the state will promote N.C.-caught seafood by Amspacher; and a discussion about regulations in regard to the industry by Schill, according to Gibbs. Schill will also give local fisherman and attendees the opportunity to express concerns and ask question regarding the subject matter.

“It’s about issues and regulations facing North Carolina fisherman,” Gibbs said. “It’s a good opportunity to come together and ask their questions to the ones in charge that can help them out and also voice their concerns on how we can get some things changed.”

For more information, contact the Hyde County Chamber of Commerce at 252-926-9171. Phillip’s Place is located at 23145 U.S. Hwy 264 in Swan Quarter.