Advisory panel members include recreational and commercial fishermen, industry representatives, seafood dealers, representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other interested members of the public. They play an important role in the federal fishery management process by providing information and recommendations at the grassroots level. Members of each of the Council’s advisory panels advise the Council about trends in fisheries, environmental concerns relating to fishery ecosystems, enforcement issues and management impacts on fishermen and fishing communities.
Beginning in 2017, the Council’s advisory panels also began providing Fishery Performance Reports. These reports provide the Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee with updated descriptions of the factors that influence fishing effort and catch within each of the Council’s fisheries. The Fishery Performance Reports are included in the Council Meeting briefing book materials.
Who can serve and how do I apply?
The Council solicits applicants for specific seats on various advisory panels as they become available. The open seats are advertised through news releases. Applications may also be submitted at any time.
How are advisory panel members appointed and what are the terms of service?
The Council considers applications for open seats on its advisory panels during regularly scheduled Council meetings, usually during the Council’s June and December meetings. Applications are reviewed by the Council during closed session (all application information is considered confidential). Appointments are then made during an open session. Applicants are contacted regarding their status. Active applications are kept on file for two years.
Once appointed, advisory panel members serve voluntarily for 3-year terms. Advisory panels generally meet no more than once or twice each year for 1-2 day meetings. If an advisory panel does not meet within the calendar year, that period does not count against the term. At the end of the 3-year terms, the AP member’s seat is open to qualified applicants and the current member is also eligible for reappointment. Most members are limited to serving 3 consecutive terms.
Ira Laks, Relaks Fishing- Mackerel Cobia AP
Get Involved – Talk with Advisory Panel Members or Apply
Fishermen and members of the public are encouraged to contact the advisory panel representatives in your area, sector, and fishery with any concerns or suggestions you may have. Open seats on advisory panels are advertised periodically through the Council office, typically in the spring and fall each year. You may submit an application at any time, using the online forms available below:
Jocelyn Karazsia, Chair Dr. Sandra Brooke, Vice Chair Jessica Ward John Cramer Dr. Henry Feddern Dr. Roland Ferry Dr. Nicole Fogarty Dr. David Gilliam Michael Merrifield Jamie Monty Ken Nedimyer Kimberly Puglise Dr. Steve Ross Stephanie Schopmeyer Margot Stiles Joshua Voss
Citizen Science Pool
Holly Abeels, Chair Allison Alexander, Vice Chair Jim Atack Trip Aukeman Courtland Babcock III James Brodbeck Scott Baker Luiz Barbieri Michelle Beasley Paulitta Benett-Martin Walter Bubley Col. Bruce Buckson Scott Buff Michael Burton Lora Clarke Robert Crimian Leda Cunningham Forest David Lynessa Dutka-Giannelli Michelle Duval Brett Fitzgerald Bryan Fluech Karla Gore Bill Gorham David Harmon Frank Helies William Heyman Rusty Hudson Jimmy Hull Ryan Jiorle Kathy Knowlton Shelly Krueger Ira Laks George Lapointe Laura Leach Bernard Linney Robert Lorenz Dee Lupton Gretchen Martin Bruce Mason Chris McHan Richard Merrick Sara Mirabilio George Mitchell James Morley Trish Murphey Joe Myers Laura Oremland Greg Peralta Tom Roller Kevin Rose Michael Rowland Paul Rudershauser Michelle Ryan Beverly Sauls George Sedberry Tracey Smart Monica Smit-Brunello Scott Smith Dave Snyder Mimi Stafford William Warren-Hicks Erik Williams Coleby Wilt
Otto Gruhn
Dolphin Wahoo
Chris Burrows, Chair Jonathan Reynolds, Vice Chair Brice Barr James “Chip” Berry Richard DeLizza Robert Frevert Richard Harris Earl Harris, Jr. Glenn Hopkins Jay Kavanagh Dan Owsley Tim Scalise Rom Whitaker III Charles Yeomans Mid-Atlantic Representatives: Bill Richardson, John Nappo New England Representatives: Randall Morgan, Michael C. Plaia
Golden Crab
Robert Palma, Chair Howard Rau Jr., Vice Chair Nuno Almeida Theresa Coppa Tim McGurl David Nielsen Glenn Ulrich
Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management
Anne Deaton, Chair Cynthia Cooksey, Vice Chair Dr. Rene Baumstark Dr. John Galvez Jeff Hartzler Steve Miller David Webb Sam Young Paul Medders Thomas Jones Alice Lawrence John Ellis Joel Fodrie David Glenn Rita Merritt Shane Staples Mark Caldell Paula Keener George Madlinger Stacie Crowe Jeff Soss David Whitaker Laura Busch Dr. Laurent Cherubin Dr. Ronald Ferry Mark Hansen Lisa Havel Brian Hooker Dr. Wilson Laney Dr. Steve Ross Kevin Spanik
Outreach and Communications
Scott Baker Jr., Chair Shelly Krueger, Vice Chair Tina Berger Lt. James Bruce Melissa Crouch Steve Dougherty Bryan Fluech Graham Gaines BeBe Dalton Harrison Katie Latanich Diana Martino Sean Meehan Emily Muehlstein George Patane Mark Phelps Mary Sabo Cinthia Sandoval Patricia Smith Robert Todd Tyler Jones Erin Weeks
Mackerel Cobia
Ira Laks, Chair Anthony Benevento, Vice Chair Keith Bowen Stephen Donalson Steve English Charles Griffin Rusty Hudson William Jones Aaron Kelly Charles Locke John Mallette Thomas Newman Greg Peralta Brad Phillips Charles Proudfoot Gary Robinson Paul Rudershausen
Law Enforcement
Captain Scott Pearce, Chair Lt. James Bruce, Vice Chair Colonel Bruce Buckson Captain Michael Paul Thomas Michael Freeman Alana Harrison Captain Chris Hodge Nickey Maxey Lt. Pat O’Shaughnessy Kevin Roberson Jamal Ingram Captain Garland Yopp
Deepwater Shrimp
Michael Merrifield, Chair Nancy Jones, Vice Chair Marilyn Solorzano Jason Vogelsong Lee Vogelsong John Williams Damien Solorzano Brent Zirlott
Snapper Grouper
Jimmy Hull Jr., Chair Robert Lorenz, Vice Chair Vincent Bonura Richen “Dick” Brame Randal Beardsley Tony Constant Jack Cox Jr. Andrew Fish Robert Freeman Richard Gomez Lawton Howard Chris Kimrey Selby Lewis Andrew Mahoney Randy McKinley Thomas Meeks Chris Militello Harry Morales David Moss Paul Nelson James Paskiewicz Andy Piland Cameron Sebastian Dave Snyder Non-Voting: Dr. Todd Kellison
Shrimp
Fred Dennis, Chair Janie Thomas, Vice Chair Scott Baker, jr. Scott Cook Nancy Edens Gary Exley Nancy Jones Robert Jones Marilyn Solorzano Richard Vendetti, Jr. John Woods
Spiny Lobster
Bruce Irwin, Chair Robert Burton, Vice Chair Richard Diaz Sean Espenship Anthony Iarocci Gary Nichols II Peter O’Bryan Justin Smith Mary “Mimi” Stafford William “Mickey” Whittington
SEDAR Pool
John Adair, Chair Craig Andrews, Vice Chair John Barber Dr. Peter Barile Terry Beideman James Brodbeck Dr. Doug Butterworth Wiley Coppersmith Jack Cox, Jr. Leslie “Sonny” Davis, Sr. Dr. Robert DeVincentis Kenny Fex Brett Fitzgerald Allan Fluharty James Geiger David Grubbs Otto Gruhn Ben Hartig Dave Heil Dewey Hemilright Manny Herrera Rusty Hudson Jimmy Hull Robert Johnson Christian Johnson Nancy Jones Stephen Klimek Joey Klosterman Lee Lavery Chad Lee Chris Long Ron McPherson Dr. Barbara Muhling David Nelson Paul Nelson, III Dr. Erik Noonburg Christopher O’Brien Jeff Oden Geoffrey Owens Jack Perrett Robert Preston Dr. Rebecca Rademeyer Dr. Mitchell Roffer Michael Rowland Dr. Paul Rudershausen James Sanford William Shearin, Jr. Steve Shelley Richard Stiglitz Dave Timpy David Tucker Dr. Steven Turner Captain Yuri Vakselis Daniel Zier
System Management Plan Workgroup
Alejandro Acosta, Chair Cameron Brinton, Vice Chair Dr. Sandra Brooke Jill Christoferson Dr. Lora Clarke Michael Dixon Dr. Nick Farmer Dr. David Gilliam Dr. Pat Harris Morgan Hart Stacey Harter Rusty Hudson Bob Martore Dr. Clinton Moran Dr. Roldan Munoz Herbert Payne Captain Scott Pearce Tom Roller McLean Seward Dr. Chris Taylor Lt. Michael Paul Thomas Major Jason Walker Dr. Brian Walker Jason White
Marine Resources Education Program – Southeast
Learn More About Navigating the Science and Management Process – Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) Southeast will show you how! The workshop-based program provides selected participants the opportunity to learn while interacting with fishery scientists and managers in a neutral environment.
Fishermen and others interested in federal fisheries issues from North Carolina to Texas come together for two, 3-day workshops – a Science Workshop and a Management Workshop – empowering participants to engage effectively in science and management. Learn more and apply at: https://mrep.gmri.org.
