The U.S. Department of Commerce on Monday announced the appointment of 20 new and returning members to the nation’s eight regional fishery management councils, a key step in the federal effort to manage and protect marine resources under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

The councils play a central role in developing sustainable fishing policies and regulations in U.S. waters, with members representing a diverse range of interests, including commercial and recreational fisheries, environmental groups, academic institutions, and state and federal agencies.

Each year, the Secretary of Commerce appoints approximately one-third of the total 72 appointed members to the councils. The members are selected from nominations submitted by the governors of coastal states and U.S. territories, as well as by tribal governments. Appointments are made to both “obligatory” seats—reserved for specific states—and “at-large” seats that provide regional representation.

Appointees will serve three-year terms and may be reappointed for up to three consecutive terms. The councils develop fishery management plans that are then reviewed and implemented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service.

The regional councils include the New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, North Pacific, and Western Pacific Fishery Management Councils, each of which manages the fisheries in its respective jurisdiction.

Members with an asterisk have been reappointed.

New England Council

The New England Council includes members from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Obligatory Appointment:
Peter Whalen (New Hampshire)*

At-Large Appointments:
Eric Hansen (Massachusetts)*
Andrew Dangelo (Rhode Island)

Mid-Atlantic Council

The Mid-Atlantic Council includes members from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Obligatory Appointment:
Elizibeth Wooleyhan (Delaware)

At-Large Appointments:
Todd Janeski (Virginia)
Scott Lenox (Maryland)*
Jake Wiscott (New Jersey)

South Atlantic Council

The South Atlantic Council includes members from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Obligatory Appointments:
Gary Borland (South Carolina)*
Francis Hemilright (North Carolina)

Caribbean Council

The Caribbean Council includes members from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At-Large Appointment:
Louis Blanchard (U.S. Virgin Islands)

Gulf Council

The Gulf Council includes members from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas

Obligatory Appointments:
Brenda Ballard (Texas)
John Marquez (Mississippi)

At-Large Appointment:
Michael Allen (Florida)

Pacific Council

The Pacific Council includes members from California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The Council also includes one Tribal seat.

Obligatory Appointment:
Peter Hassemer (Idaho)*

At-Large Appointment:
Jamie Diamond (California)

North Pacific Council

The North Pacific Council includes members from Alaska and Washington.

Obligatory Appointments:
Angel Drobnica (Alaska)*
Nicole Kimball (Alaska)*

Western Pacific Council

The Western Pacific Council includes members from American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Obligatory Appointment:
William Sword (American Samoa)*

At-Large Appointments:
Jesse Rosario (Guam)
Edgar Feliciano (American Samoa)