South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Citizen Science Pool Advisory Panel

Members of the Citizen Science Pool may be appointed to serve on the Citizen Science Operations Advisory Panel, Projects Advisory Panel, or an Ad-Hoc Technical Advisory Panel. Members of the pool are not term-limited.   

The Citizen Science Operations Advisory Panel is responsible for providing programmatic-level recommendations. Specific tasks include reviewing policies, providing program direction and multi-partner support, helping identify citizen science research priorities, and providing general advice. The Committee includes five Citizen Science Pool members, a SERO representative, a SEFSC representative, and a SSC representative. Appointments are 3-5 years dependent on programmatic growth. The Citizen Science Operations Advisory Panel typically meets twice a year or as needed via webinar or in person. 

The Citizen Science Projects Advisory Panel’s role is to advise the Council’s Citizen Science Program. Specific tasks include helping identify citizen science research priorities across fisheries the Council manages, assisting with developing volunteer engagement strategies and serving as outreach ambassadors. The Advisory Panel is comprised of representatives from the Council’s fishery Advisory Panels (AP), Habitat and Ecosystem AP, and Outreach and Communication AP. Terms are typically three years but depend on that representative’s term on their Council-related AP. The Citizen Science Projects Advisory Panel typically meets once a year or as needed via webinar. 

Members of Ad-Hoc Advisory Panels typically serve in a review capacity for process-oriented Program components. An example of past Ad-Hoc Advisory Panels is the Citizen Science Action Teams that helped develop programmatic infrastructure and support resources during the Program’s initial development. Appointments to Ad-Hoc Advisory Panels are contingent on the nature of the committee but typically would not exceed one year. There are currently no active Citizen Science Ad-Hoc Advisory Panels.

The SAFMC Citizen Science Program

Staff Contact

Citizen Science Pool Members
Name State Seat
1 Michael Ayers NC At-large
2 Scott Baker Jr. NC At-large
3 Sam Baker FL At-large
4 Wally Bubley SC At-large
5 Rob Cheshire NC At-large
6 Jay Cranford GA At-large
7 Dustin Daniels No At-large
8 Rick DeVictor FL At-large
9 Stephen Donalson FL At-large
10 Michelle Duval PA At-large
11 Bryan Fluech GA At-large
12 Bridgette Froeschke FL At-large
13 Stephen Gross GA At-large
14 Will Heyman TX At-large
15 Rusty Hudson FL At-large
16 Jimmy Hull FL At-large
17 Kathy Knowlton GA At-large
18 Shelly Krueger FL At-large
19 Robert Lorenz NC At-large
20 Nikhil Mehta FL At-large
21 Sara Mirabilio NC At-large
22 Matt Perkinson SC At-large
23 Stephen Ranney SC At-large
24 George Sedberry VA At-large
25 Julie Simpson VA At-large
26 Tracey Smart SC At-large
27 Haley Stephens FL At-large
28 David Tilley NC At-large
29 Meredith Whitten NC At-large
30 Robert “Bob” Zales II FL At-large
Citizen Science Operations Advisory Panel
Name State Seat
1 Scott Baker NC At-large
2 Wally Bubley SC SSC
3 Rob Cheshire NC SEFSC
4 Michelle Duval PA At-large
5 Will Heyman TX At-large
6 Kathy Knowlton GA At-large
7 Nikhil Mehta FL SERO
8 Julie Simpson VA ACCSP
9 Robert “Bob” Zales II FL At-large
Citizens Science Projects Advisory Panel
Name State Seat
1 Steve Donalson FL MC AP
2 Bryan Fluech GA OC AP; Shrimp AP
3 Richard Gomez FL SG AP
4 David Moss FL SG AP
5 Thomas Newman NC MC AP
6 Matt Perkinson SC OC AP
7 Jon Reynolds FL DW AP
8 Justin Smith NC Spiny AP
9 Kevin Spanik SC Habitat AP
10 Mimi Stafford FL Spiny AP

Citizen Science Projects

Relevant Meetings