Jesse began his career with DMF in the Marine Recreational Information
Program — in DMF shop talk, that’s MRIP. As an MRIP creel agent, he
spent his time interviewing anglers for recreational fishing surveys up and
down the North Carolina coast. He also worked with the division’s Observer
Program before moving to Public Affairs where he was the division’s multi-
media specialist.

In his current position, Jesse supervises the Marine Fisheries Commission
Office, working closely with the commission chairman, the Division Director,
and Division staff to plan commission and advisory committee meetings.
He is also part of a Mandatory Harvest Reporting Outreach Team at the
Division. He has been visiting fishing clubs across the state to talk about
these upcoming requirements.

In his spare time, Jesse works with team of folks that run the website
NCFishes.com, an independent project dedicated to photographing all of
the various fishes found in North Carolina waters. Many of the beautiful
photographs of fish found on the Division of Marine Fisheries website were
taken by Jesse.

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Background Information: North Carolina is implementing mandatory catch reporting for certain species starting December 1, 2025. Both recreational and commercial fishermen must report their harvests. Recreational anglers are required to report specific species: Red Drum, Flounder, Spotted Seatrout, Striped Bass, and Weakfish. Commercial fishermen must report all fish harvested in coastal and joint fishing waters, regardless of whether the fish are sold. The NC Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) will provide reporting methods, which are expected to include web-based tools and eventually a smartphone app, for the public to comply with this law.