The Commerce Department today announced the appointment of 30 new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils – important partners with NOAA’s Fisheries Service in determining how ocean fisheries are managed. The councils, established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, create comprehensive plans for marine fish stocks in their regions.
Council members represent diverse interests – commercial and recreational fisheries, environmental concerns and academia. The secretary of commerce selects a total of 72 appointed members to the eight regional councils. Thirty are being named or reappointed for the next term, which begins on August 11.
Each year, NOAA’s Fisheries Service solicits nominations from the governors of fishing states and oversees the annual appointment process. The secretary must select council members from the list of nominees provided by the governors to fill obligatory and at-large seats that have become available due to an expiring term, a resignation or other reasons. Obligatory seats are state-specific, while at-large seats can be filled by a person from any of the states in the region. Council members serve three-year terms, and may be reappointed to serve up to three consecutive terms. Approximately one-third of the terms expire annually.
Read the complete press release.
See also: Saving Seafood – Commerce secretary appoints Port Clyde man to Fishery Management Council,
and Saving Seafood – Regulators Approve Sea Change in Groundfish Rules