The New England Fishery Management Council is soliciting applications for seats currently available on several of its advisory panels.
Panel members provide information and guidance to specific oversight 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 invites applicants to fill vacant seats on its Groundfish, Recreational Fishing, Monkfish, Sea Scallop, Herring and Enforcement Panels. The council's policy on advisory panels limits membership to a maximum of 15 individuals. The current vacancies are as follows:
• Groundfish Advisory Panel, one open seat;
• Recreational Fishing Advisory Panel, two open seats;
• Monkfish Advisory Panel, two open seats;
• Sea Scallop Advisory Panel, two open seats;
• Herring Advisory Panel, one open seat; and
• Enforcement Advisory Panel, seven open seats.
Anyone interested in serving as an advisor to one or more of these panels may download the application materials by clicking here or by calling the council office at (978) 465-0492. If you have any questions or need more specific information about panel responsibilities or upcoming council actions during 2013, please contact Pat Fiorelli at (978) 465-0492, ext. 106 or email her at pfiorelli@nefmc.org.
Please note this solicitation applies only to vacancies on various panels at this time. Unless you have already notified the council, current advisors are still in place through the 2011-2013 term. A new notice for the next three-year appointment term, 2014-2016, will be distributed to all interested parties at a future date.
Paper copies of applications should be addressed to the attention of the Executive Director, 50 Water St., Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. Applications can also be faxed to (978) 465-3116. Email electronic copies to Karen Roy at kroy@nefmc.org.
Completed applications must be submitted to the Council office no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013.
Each oversight committee will review any applications received and forward their recommendations to the council's Executive Committee. The Executive Committee has the responsibility for final approval of 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 because of a marine resource violation.
Callifornia crabbing: Here's a fun video shot on the decks of the Majestik while catching Dungeness crab off the coast of northern California.
Alaska fisherman and commercial fisheries activist Kevin Adams was elected chairman at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute board of directors meeting on May 9 in Anchorage.
The governor-appointed board consists of seven members: five seafood processors and two industry representatives actively engaged in commercial fishing. Adams was appointed to fill a harvester seat by Gov. Frank Murkowski in 2004.
With 38 years of fishing experience in Bristol Bay, Adams has long been an active member in the Alaska fishing industry, ASMI says. He has worked for both the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation and the Bering Sea Fisherman's Association, and represents Alaska fishermen on numerous boards.
The Northeast Regional Planning Body, a group of state, tribal and federal representatives from New England who are working to implement the National Ocean Policy and address critical New England ocean issues, is holding a series of public meetings in May and June.
The meetings are being held to discuss draft regional ocean planning goals and associated potential actions. The planning body seeks input on these goals and actions. Additional information on the group's progress can be found here.
The meetings will also provide an opportunity to review draft maps and products from initial efforts to gather information on the natural resources and diverse uses of the ocean, including fishing, transportation, energy and infrastructure, aquaculture, and recreation.
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