NC Catch Board Member Hemilright Receives NCCF Pelican Award
Commercial fisherman Dewey Hemilright, NC Catch Board member, was honored by the nonprofit North Carolina Coastal Federation on July 31, 2015 for his work as an advocate for a healthy and productive coast.
Hemilright of Wanchese, a spokesman for the commercial fishing industry who serves on a federal council and several advisory committees in addition to working with local, state and national advocacy organizations, was recognized for his contributions to education and outreach programs.
Hemilright has taught hundreds of students during the past three years about the importance of working as a commercial fisherman and the industry’s reliance on water quality.
Born in Kitty Hawk, Hemilright fishes out of Wanchese. He said he’s not your typical environmental advocate, but the federation appeals to him in ways other environmental organizations do not.
“I found we have a lot of similar values,” he said. “Something that is unique with the Coastal Federation is that they practice what they preach, meaning more hands-on involvement. They walk the talk, they’re in the community in what they do. The staff in the Manteo office believe in what they do, they’re involved in the community and they lead by example. Their hearts are in it and they’re making differences.”
Hemilright said that when he got involved a few years ago with the federation’s education programs, the hands-on approach and the presentation to students appealed to his personal work ethic.
“So many times in environmental education, the kids get brainwashed. The Coastal Federation is showing you about it, they’re not just telling you about it. It’s not just about putting out a nice, shiny pamphlet,” he said in a phone interview from a fishing boat in Bristol Bay, Alaska.
