Kelley promoted to No. 2 spot in Marine Patrol

Veteran officer has served all over North Carolina’s coastline

Jim Kelley, a 24-year veteran with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, has been promoted from captain to major and will take over the No. 2 spot in the N.C. Marine Patrol.

Kelley replaces Maj. Harold Knudsen, who retired May 1.

Kelley began his career as a field officer in Belhaven in 1989 and has worked in Dare County and Wilmington before his promotion to captain in 2008. He will relocate to Morehead City.

“Jim’s been stationed in all three Marine Patrol districts of the state, which means he understands the fishing activities statewide,” said Col. Rex Lanier, head of the Marine Patrol.

Kelley will supervise all field operations for the Marine Patrol, which patrols 2.7 million acres of ocean and coastal waters and 4,000 miles of shoreline in 21 counties.

In addition to his extensive knowledge of the state’s saltwater fisheries, Kelley is known for going out of his way to help the fishing public understand and abide by regulations.

“Helping the public understand regulations is just a common-sense way to get the public to comply with the rules,” Kelley said. “Any time there are changes, and the public doesn’t understand what’s going on, it makes it difficult for them to accept it. Once they understand why a regulation is needed and what is required of them, it makes our job easier.”