Those with an interest in federal fisheries management may apply to fill vacancies on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels or to serve as a fishing representative on the System Management Plan Workgroup.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils, conserves and manages fish stocks from 3 to 200 miles offshore of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida.
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Applications are being accepted until Nov. 12.
The System Management Plan Workgroup addresses the needs of managed areas in federal waters in the South Atlantic and includes ecologists, coral scientists, mapping specialists, researchers, law enforcement and outreach representatives, and commercial and recreational fishermen, according to the council.
The advisory panels inform and guide the council in developing and implementing federal fishery management plans. Issues to be addressed in 2022 include reducing release mortality and increasing landed yield across the entire snapper grouper fishery, proposing modifications to Atlantic king mackerel bag limits and minimum-size limits, amending cobia regulations along the east coast of Florida, developing the council’s habitat blueprint and providing input on law enforcement issues affecting several fisheries.
Members of the council’s advisory panels include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, scientists, nongovernmental organizations such as environmental groups and fishing organizations, and concerned citizens. Seats on advisory panels may be allotted by state and fishery sector, with others considered at-large and open to any interested person.
Advisory panel members are appointed by the council to three-year terms and may be reappointed for two additional terms. The council’s advisory panels generally meet once or twice each year and members are compensated for travel and expenses.
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Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:
- System Management Plan Workgroup: One North Carolina recreational and one South Carolina commercial representative.
- Golden Crab Advisory Panel: One open seat.
- Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel: One North Carolina open seat and one Florida open seat.
- Law Enforcement Advisory Panel: One open seat.
- Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel: Six open seats.
- Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel: One nongovernmental seat, three North Carolina seats, one Georgia seat and two Florida seats.
- Deepwater Shrimp Advisory Panel: One open seat.
Applicants are encouraged to contact council representatives from their area to discuss their interest in serving.
Instructions on how to apply and application forms for individual advisory panels and the workgroup are on the council’s website. Applications must be received by Nov. 12 for consideration by the council during its Dec. 6-10 meeting scheduled to be held in Beaufort.
For questions, contact Kim Iverson, public information officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call 843-571-4366.
