Remembering Dewey Hemilright
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council mourns the loss of Council member Francis “Dewey” Hemilright, a longstanding commercial fisherman, passionate advocate for his industry, and dedicated steward of our region’s fisheries. Dewey passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026, leaving behind a lasting legacy in fisheries management and an immeasurable impact on the people fortunate enough to know him.
As Council staff, we are filled with enormous gratitude for the time we shared with Dewey. His passion for the fishery and the commercial fishing industry was palpable and contagious. He was an incredible asset to the Council and fisheries in the region, and his impact extended far beyond the meeting room into our personal lives.
Dewey could light up a room, and his presence was always known. Some of us knew him for decades, while others had only a few years with him, but he left us all with invaluable insights into fishery science and management, unforgettable stories from his life on the water, some of the best tuna of our lives, and many, many laughs. We will remember his conviction, his generosity, his remarkable personality, and the many ways he made our work, and our lives, richer. We are deeply grateful to have known him, and he will be profoundly missed.
Trish Murphey, former Council Chair and North Carolina Council member, shares her thoughts on Dewey’s dedication to fisheries and the people behind them:
“Dewey had a passion and deep commitment to the resource, the industry and the federal, state and international process for managing those marine resources. He was not only an experienced commercial fisherman but extremely knowledgeable and always prepared. It was a rite of passage for Council members to be the recipient of Dewey’s assertions and explanations on fishery management topics. He was often direct but was a genuinely kind and caring individual. He wore his passions on his sleeve and took his oath to the Councils seriously. He will be missed greatly by his family, friends, colleagues, and the resource and industry he fought so hard to protect.”
Our thoughts are with Dewey’s family, friends, fellow fishermen, and all those whose lives he touched. His dedication to the fishery, his larger-than-life presence, and the memories he leaves behind will remain a lasting part of the South Atlantic fisheries community.