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The U.S. Commerce Department announced the appointment of 30 new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils that partner with NMFS to manage ocean fish stocks. The new and reappointed council members begin their three-year terms on Aug. 11.

Each year, the Secretary of Commerce appoints approximately one-third of the total 72 appointed members to the eight regional councils. The secretary selects members from nominations submitted by the governors of fishing states, territories and tribal governments.

Council members are appointed to both obligatory (state-specific) and at-large (regional) seats. Council members serve a three-year term and can be reappointed to serve three consecutive terms.

New England council

The New England Council includes members from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The appointees for 2015 will fill obligatory seats for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and one at-large seat.

Obligatory seats: Matthew G. McKenzie (Connecticut), Terry A. Alexander (Maine), John F. Quinn (Massachusetts), Eric E. Reid (Rhode Island); At-large seat: Vincent M. Balzano (Maine)

Mid-Atlantic council

The Mid-Atlantic Council includes members from the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The appointees for 2015 will fill obligatory seats for New Jersey and Virginia and two at-large seats.

Obligatory seats: Adam C. Nowalsky (New Jersey), Peter L. deFur (Virginia); At-large seats: Sara E. Winslow (North Carolina), Anthony D. Dilernia (New York)

South Atlantic council

The South Atlantic Council includes members from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The appointees for 2015 will fill obligatory seats from Florida and Georgia and two at-large seats.

Obligatory seats: Benjamin C. Hartig III (Florida), Edward “Zack” Bowen (Georgia); At-large seats: Charles M. Phillips (Georgia), Anna B. Beckwith (North Carolina)

Caribbean council

The Caribbean Council includes members from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The appointees for 2015 will fill an obligatory seat for the U.S. Virgin Islands and one at-large seat.

Obligatory seat: Carlos F. Farchette (U.S. Virgin Islands); At-large seat: Carlos J. Velazquez (Puerto Rico)

Gulf council

The Gulf Council includes members from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The appointees for 2015 will fill obligatory seats for Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and two at-large seats.

Obligatory seats: Johnny R. Greene Jr. (Alabama), Juan M. Sanchez (Florida), Campo E. Matens (Louisiana); At-large seats: Edward W. Swindell, Jr. (Louisiana) Dale A. Diaz (Mississippi)

Pacific council

The Pacific Council includes members from California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The Pacific Council also includes one Tribal seat. The appointees for 2015 will fill obligatory seats for California, Oregon and the Tribal seat. Two at-large seats will also be filled.

Obligatory seats: David M. Crabbe (California), Dorothy M. Lowman (Oregon), Joseph Y. Oatman (Tribal); At-large seats: William “Buzz” Brizendine II (California), Philip M. Anderson (Washington)

North Pacific council

The North Pacific Council includes members from Alaska and Washington. The appointees for 2015 will fill two obligatory seats for Alaska and an obligatory seat for Washington.

Obligatory seats: Howard “Dan” Hull (Alaska), Andrew D. Mezirow (Alaska), Craig A. Cross (Washington)

Western Pacific council

The Western Pacific Council includes members from American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The appointees for 2015 will fill obligatory seats for Guam and Hawaii.

Obligatory seats: Michael P. Duenas (Guam), Michael K. Goto (Hawaii)

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Jessica Hathaway is the former editor in chief of National Fisherman.

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