DATE: Saturday, March 1, 1997               TAG: 9703010605

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS 

                                            LENGTH:   41 lines

COASTAL LEGISLATORS DEFEND MEETING TALKS WITH THE MD. FISHERIES OFFICIAL WAS ``INFORMATIONAL'' ONLY, LAWMAKERS SAY

Coastal legislators have defended a meeting with a Baltimore fisheries biologist - considered a likely candidate for the state fisheries director's job - as a session to learn more about Maryland's experience.

``I was wondering what kind of message he could bring us,'' said Senate leader Marc Basnight, D-Dare. ``Coastal legislators felt that there was something more they could do to help fisheries in North Carolina, and that he could help us.

``I didn't know he was interested in the director's job until the meeting was about over.''

The meeting with Maryland deputy fisheries director Pete Jensen was organized by Basnight and held in his office Thursday. It raised questions about whether coastal legislators were attempting to influence the selection of a new fisheries chief.

Six people have held the job since 1982. The last two were forced from office disputes with commercial fishermen and other key constituents of Basnight, and with Gov. James B. Hunt Jr.

``If the lawmakers were just trying to get information from a respected fisheries leader, that's fine,'' said Dick Brame, director of the Coast Conservation Association, a statewide anglers group.

``But if it did have something to do with a job, then it smacks of everything that is wrong in this state, because in the past there is fairly well-documented evidence of coastal legislators' meddling in fisheries issues.''

Basnight and his assistant, Norma Ware, said the meeting was set up after Jensen spoke Feb. 14 at a National Fisheries Summit in Raleigh.

Basnight said that soon after that meeting Susan West, a commercial-fishing leader on Hatteras Island, told Basnight she had been impressed with Jensen's presentation. Basnight then invited him to Thursday's meeting. ILLUSTRATION: [Marc Basnight]

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu