December 8, 2014 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) is soliciting applications for seats currently available on several of its advisory panels. Panel members will provide information and guidance to Council committees and recommendations to the Council during the development of federal fishery management plans or plan amendments. Advisors also may be asked to assist in addressing a special issue or problem.
Currently, the Council seeks applicants to fill vacant seats on its Habitat, Recreational Groundfish Fishing, Whiting, Enforcement, Skate and Groundfish Panels.
Anyone interested in serving as an advisor to one or more of these panels may download the application materials at www.nefmc.org under “News” or call the Council office at 978.465.0492 and we will be happy to email or mail the forms to you. If you have any questions or need more specific information about Advisory Panel responsibilities, please contact Pat Fiorelli at 978.465.0492, ext. 106 or pfiorelli@nefmc.org.
Paper copies should be addressed to the attention of Tom Nies, Executive Director, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. If using a fax, please send the applications to 978.465.3116 or email electronic copies to Joan O’Leary at joleary@nefmc.org.
Completed applications must be submitted to the Council office no later than 5:00 p.m.
on Friday, January 30, 2015.
Please note this solicitation applies only to vacancies on various panels listed below.
The Council’s policy on Advisory Panels limits panel membership to 15 individuals. The current vacancies are as follows:
– Habitat Advisory Panel (1) open seat
– Recreational Groundfish Fishing Advisory Panel, (1) open seat
– Whiting Advisory Panel (10) open seats
– Enforcement Advisory Panel (1) open seat
– Skate Advisory Panel (2) open seats
– Groundfish Advisory Panel (1) open seat
Each oversight committee will review the completed applications and forward their recommendations to the Council’s Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will provide final approval of new NEFMC advisory panel members. All nominees are subject to an additional level of review by NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement and may be declined membership because of a marine resource violation.