The Commerce Department today announced the appointment of 20 new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils to manage ocean fish stocks. The new and reappointed council members begin their three-year terms on August 11.
The councils were established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to prepare fishery management plans for marine fish stocks in their regions. NOAA Fisheries works closely with the councils as plans are developed, and then reviews, approves and implements the fishery management plans. Council members represent diverse groups, including commercial and recreational fishing industries, environmental interests and academia, and carry out the act’s requirements to end overfishing, rebuild fish stocks, and manage them sustainably.
“We are looking forward to working with our new and returning council members,” said Sam Rauch, acting NOAA assistant administrator for fisheries.” With annual catch limits in place for all federally managed species and 32 stocks rebuilt since 2000, collaboration between NOAA and the councils is more important than ever in order to continue this positive momentum.”
Each year, approximately one-third of the total 72 appointed members to the eight regional councils are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. The Secretary selects members from nominations submitted by the governors of fishing states, territories and tribal governments.
Council members are appointed to both obligatory (state-specific) and at-large (regional) seats. Council members serve a three-year term and can be reappointed to serve three consecutive terms.
New England Council
The New England Council includes members from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The appointees for 2013 fill an obligatory seat for New Hampshire and two at-large seats.
Obligatory seat:
Ellen D. Goethel (New Hampshire)
At-large seats:
Michael P. Sissenwine (Massachusetts)
*Francis “Frank” W. Blount, Jr. (Rhode Island)
Mid-Atlantic Council
The Mid-Atlantic Council includes members from the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The appointees for 2013 fill an obligatory seat for Delaware and three at-large seats.
Obligatory seat:
*Lee G. Anderson (Delaware)
At-large seats:
*Richard “Rick” B. Robins, Jr. (Virginia)
*Stephen E. Linhard (Maryland)
Jeffery “Jeff” H. Kaelin (New Jersey)
South Atlantic Council
The South Atlantic Council includes members from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The appointees for 2013 fill obligatory seats for North Carolina and South Carolina.
Obligatory seats:
Jack H. Cox, Jr. (North Carolina)
Christopher “Chris” C. Conklin (South Carolina)
Caribbean Council
The Caribbean Council includes members from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The appointee for 2013 fills an at large seat.
At-large seat:
Louis A. “Tony” Blanchard (U.S. Virgin Islands)
Gulf Council
The Gulf Council includes members from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The appointees for 2013 fill obligatory seats for Texas and Mississippi and one at-large seat.
Obligatory seats:
*Douglass “Doug” W. Boyd (Texas)
Leann N. Bosarge (Mississippi)
At-large seat:
Roy O. Williams (Florida)
Pacific Council
The Pacific Council includes members from California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The appointees for 2013 fill an obligatory seat for Idaho and one at-large seat.
Obligatory seat:
*Herbert “Herb” A. Pollard, II (Idaho)
At-large seat:
*Danny “Dan” L. Wolford (California)
North Pacific Council
The North Pacific Council includes members from Alaska and Washington. The appointees for 2013 fill obligatory seats for Alaska.
Obligatory seats:
*Duncan S. Fields (Alaska)
David B. Long (Alaska)
Western Pacific Council
The Western Pacific Council includes members from American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. There is one appointee filling an obligatory seat for American Samoa that has been vacant since 2012 and two appointees for 2013 filling two at-large seats.
Obligatory seat:
**Claire T. Poumele (American Samoa)
At-large seats:
*William A. Sword (American Samoa)
*Julie A. K. Leialoha (Hawaii)
*Reappointment
**This appointment fills the 2012 vacant seat and expires in 2015.
View the PDF version released by NOAA Fisheries