July 18, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently soliciting applicants for open advisory panel seats. Working at the grassroots level, advisory panel members provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans. The Council has eleven advisory panels composed of individuals who are engaged in the harvest of managed species, or are knowledgeable and interested in the conservation and management of the fishery or managed species. Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, formal representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scientists, and concerned citizens.
Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council and serve for a three-year period, based on the frequency of meetings. As those appointments expire, members currently serving on the AP may reapply for their positions. These seats also become open to new applicants. Members may serve for three consecutive terms before reaching their term limit. AP members generally meet no more than once or twice each year and are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings. Members must have access to a working email account and the Internet in order to receive meeting materials and correspondence relative to their service on the advisory panel. Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:
Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel: (1) SC Open Seat; (1) FL Open Seat
Habitat Protection & Ecosystem- Based Management Advisory Panel: (1) SC Recreational Representative
Law Enforcement Advisory Panel: (1) Open Seat; (1) Recreational Fishing Representative; and (1) Commercial Fishing Representative
Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel: (1) Open Seat; (1) NGO Representative; and (1) At-Large Cobia Subpanel Seat
Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel: (1) NC Open Seat; (3) SC Open Seats; and (2) FL Open Seats
Advisory Panel Applicants
Additional information, including new online application forms are now available from the Advisory Panel page of the Council’s website at http://safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/. Please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call the Council office at 843/571-4366 with any questions.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact area Council representatives to discuss their interest in serving. Contact information for all Council members is available from the About Us section of the Council’s website at http://safmc.net/council-members/ or through the Council office. Advisory panel members will be selected during the Council’s September 11-15, 2017 meeting in Charleston, SC. Advisory panel applications must be received by August 16, 2017 for consideration by the Council during the September meeting.