BY MILES LAYTON

SWAN QUARTER – Monday night’s Hyde County Board of Commissioners meeting wasn’t just routine government business — it was a heartfelt celebration of unity, resilience, and victory. Packed with commercial fishermen, fishing industry advocates, former State Senator Bob Steinburg, families, and local leaders, the room reverberated with applause and emotion as residents and officials alike reflected on their recent triumph: the defeat of House Bill 442, a controversial measure that would have banned shrimp trawling within a half-mile of North Carolina’s coast. A gallery of photos from Monday’s meeting appears at the end of the story.

“This was the toughest battle I’ve ever fought in the General Assembly,” said Senator Bobby Hanig, (R-Currituck) who was welcomed with a standing ovation. “Spending two days on the floor with y’all — seeing the raw emotion, the fear, the concern — was heartbreaking. But it was also the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”

Hanig praised the Hyde County residents who made the trip to Raleigh to protest the bill, which had already passed the Senate before being stopped in the House.

“The General Assembly has never seen anything like it,” he said. “You’ve never seen a cleaner group of folks — not a napkin on the ground when y’all left. That matters. That speaks volumes about who you are. And that’s what made the difference.”

Representative Keith Kidwell, (R-Beaufort) who worked alongside Hanig to block the measure, recalled the urgency that propelled their efforts.

“I got a 911 call from Senator Hanig,” Kidwell said. “He told me the Senate had passed a shrimp trawling ban. I knew right then what this would mean — not just for Hyde County, but for every working family up and down our coast.”

Kidwell was blunt in his criticism of how the bill advanced.

“It was rammed through. It felt dirty. I don’t mind slimy — I like fishing — but I don’t like slimy politics,” he said, drawing laughter and applause.

Yet Kidwell’s strongest message was one of appreciation.

“This is what a representative republic is supposed to look like. You stood up. You made yourselves heard. You changed minds. And you did it with dignity,” he said. “You didn’t riot. You didn’t scream. You stood like citizens and made your case. That’s what saved this industry.”

“HYDE COUNTY STOOD TALL” — LOCAL LEADERS PRAISE PEOPLE POWER

County commissioners took turns thanking the community, praising both the organization and the decorum of those who made the journey to Raleigh.

“It made me feel so good to see so many people together to get the job done,” said Commissioner Jan Moore. “I couldn’t go, but I watched the livestream all day — and I kept pointing to people on the screen, just so proud.”

Moore said it wasn’t just lawmakers who noticed.

“I heard from folks in Raleigh — security, staff — they all said the same thing. That Hyde County folks were the most respectful, most organized group they’d ever seen. And I said, ‘That’s just who we are.’”

Commissioner Thomas Midgette was so moved he stood and applauded Hanig and Kidwell during the meeting.

“I’m just so proud of you two,” Midgette said. “What you did for this county — and for everyone who depends on the water to make a living — won’t be forgotten.”

Chairman Randal Mathews noted that Hyde County wasn’t alone in the fight.

“We worked with other coastal counties, other commissioners, and we were all in constant communication. That’s how we won. We were united.”

But he added a cautionary note.

“This isn’t the end of it. They’ll try again. And when they do, we’ll be ready.”

Vice Chairman Shannon Swindell emphasized the impact of showing up in person.

“Every vote we take here has skin in the game — it affects us directly. But too often, the people in Raleigh vote on bills without knowing who they’re hurting,” he said. “You reminded them. You put a face to the issue. And that made the difference.”

THE FISHING INDUSTRY’S LONG BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL

Brent Fulcher, chairman of the North Carolina Fisheries Association, provided historical context, noting that the fight to preserve fishing rights is nothing new.

“Our association was founded in 1952 when they tried to close Pamlico Sound,” Fulcher said. “We’ve been fighting this battle for over 75 years.”

Fulcher was clear: the threat to shrimping wasn’t based on science or sustainability, but on what he called “a dead narrative” pushed by well-funded interest groups.

“They’ve done it in Florida through a referendum,” he said. “But they’re not going to do it here — not as long as I’m chair and not as long as y’all keep showing up.”

He praised the demeanor of those who came to Raleigh, despite facing the possibility of losing everything.

“These folks were scared,” Fulcher said. “They didn’t know how they’d feed their families. But they were still respectful, still kind. That’s what moved the hearts of people up there.”

And he reminded everyone of the bigger picture.

“Fishing isn’t partisan. This is about jobs. This is about food. This is about North Carolina families.”

UNITY ACROSS THE AISLE

Kidwell also pointed to the unusual coalition that formed to block the bill — including some of the General Assembly’s most liberal members, praising Representative Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford — a big thank-you goes to her.

“When you see the most conservative and the most liberal members standing shoulder to shoulder, something really wrong is happening in government,” he said. “But that’s what it took. And that’s why it worked.”

He added, “You don’t see that kind of unity very often. But when you do, it means something important is on the line.”

NC CATCH: “YOU DEFENDED ALL 11 MILLION OF US”

Barbara Garrity-Blake, Chair of NC Catch, a statewide local seafood advocacy group, also offered gratitude to Hyde County.

“This fight wasn’t just about commercial fishermen,” the representative said. “It was about every consumer in North Carolina — all 11 million of us — who deserve the right to access local seafood, especially shrimp.”

She credited the Hyde County Board for its long-standing support.

“You didn’t just show up for this battle — you’ve been showing up for years. Thank you for defending our communities, and our right to feed ourselves.”

THE FIGHT AHEAD: “STAY READY”

While Monday’s meeting was largely celebratory, speakers repeatedly warned that similar legislation could return in the future — possibly hidden within other bills.

“They’re going to try again,” Moore said.

“Keep your arms ready,” Kidwell urged. “Dust them off, oil them up. Be ready. Because next time, we’ll need you again.”

Fulcher echoed that call to action.

“If we stay united, we win,” he said. “If we divide, we fall. But this week, we showed Raleigh what unity looks like.”

As the meeting came to a close, applause once again filled the room — this time for the fishermen, families, and ordinary citizens who stood together to protect their way of life.

“This was a victory for the people,” Hanig said. “And I was proud to stand with you.”

As the crowd filtered out into the warm summer night in Swan Quarter, the message was clear: the fight for North Carolina’s coastal heritage is far from over. But if Hyde County has anything to say about it, it won’t be lost without a fight — or without faith.

Photo Gallery — thanks goes to Gwen Jarvis Newman for providing these wonderful photos to the Albemarle Observer.