To the Editor:

We had a great time at Day at the Docks this weekend celebrating our village’s working waterfront. There were tours of the U.S. Coast Guard rescue boat, net hanging demonstrations, a wonderful education tent, seafood cook-offs and blessing of the fleet.

But I have to admit, I was surprised when I stopped at the NC Marine Fisheries table and saw Director Kathy Rawls! What an honor to have the director come out to Hatteras Village for our working waterfront celebration.

She is the first female director in the agency’s history. She is probably tired of hearing that but as a fellow woman in fisheries it is exciting to see! A couple of marine patrol officers accompanied the director, Officer Lee Mason and Sgt. Eddie Mann. They are also very important! Their job is to make sure fishermen comply with rules that are developed to ensure the sustainable harvest of the state’s fisheries. As I like to say, they are the backbone to fisheries management. Great to see such personal outreach from the division, which could have sent any number of staff but seeing the director and marine patrol was really nice.

Alana Harrison

Hatteras

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