PREFACE 



The Legislative Research Commission, authorized by Article 

 6B of Chapter 120 of the General Statutes, is a general purpose 

 study group. The Commission is co-chaired by the Speaker of the 

 House and the President Pro Tempore of x.'he Senate and has five 

 additional members appointed from each house of the General 

 Assembly. Among the Commission's duties is that of making or 

 causing to be made, upon the direction of the General Assembly, 

 "such studies of and investigations into governmental agencies 

 and institutions and matters of public policy as will aid the 

 General Assembly in performing its duties in the most efficient 

 and effective manner" (G.S. 120-30.17(1)). 



At the direction of the 1977 General Assembly, the Legisla- 

 tive Research Commission has undertaken studies of numerous 

 subjects. These studies were grouped into broad categories and 

 each member of the Commission was given responsibility for one 

 category of studies. The Co-Chairmen of the Legislative Research 

 Commission, under the authority of General Statutes 120-30.10 (b) 

 and (c), appointed committees consisting of members of the General 

 Assembly and of the public to conduct the studies. Co-Chairmen, 

 one from each house of the General Assembly, were designated for 

 each committee. 



The Commission assigned the study to the Committee to Study 

 Fisheries. Representative Thomas O. Gilmore was appointed to 



-7- 



