The NC Marine Fisheries Committee (MFC) has voted to go out of compliance with federal rules designed to protect dwindling weakfish stocks. Some recreational fishing advocates have claimed that Styron, who owns Quality Seafood in Cedar Island, was among several MFC members who voted to disobey the feds due to personal financial gain.

Styron says his vote has nothing to do with money for himself, however.

“The reason I made that vote was because I am tired of the federal government telling North Carolina what to do,” said Styron. “We are being taken advantage of. Back in 1994 we made a big concession to address the weakfish stock problems and our state gave up in excess of 300,000 miles of fishing grounds that were closed to fly nets. But instead of getting better, the situation has only gotten worse.”

Read the complete story at The Examiner.