Council Seeks Applicants for Federal Fisheries Advisors

Applications are being accepted for a new advisory panel to provide input on federal reporting requirements for the recreational for-hire industry, a Georgia representative on the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel, and a representative for the Citizen Science Program’s Operations Committee. Details regarding these advisory panel seats are included below.

Those interested in applying for the For-Hire Reporting or Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel are asked to fill out a brief online application form, available on the Council’s website along with additional information about the Council’s advisory panels: https://safmc.net/about/advisory-panels/.  Those interested in applying to the Citizen Science Operations Committee are asked to complete the Citizen Science Pool application also available online. Applications must be received by Monday, August 12, 2024 in order to be considered by the Council during its September 16-20, 2024 meeting in Charleston, SC.

The Council is seeking applicants for a new For-Hire Reporting Advisory Panel. This advisory panel is being created on a temporary basis to provide stakeholder insight on improving the Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) Program for the charter and headboat components of the federal recreational Snapper Grouper, Dolphin Wahoo, and Coastal Migratory Pelagics (mackerel) fisheries. The panel will provide guidance on self-reporting programs and strategies to enhance timeliness, accuracy, and quality of data reported on for-hire fishing activities. The panel will also consider ways to balance data and compliance needs with reporting burdens and improve compliance with reporting requirements.

Due to the specific charge for this advisory panel, applicants should be federally permitted captains that report through SEFHIER (i.e., possess a USCG Captain’s license and own, operate, or be a hired captain for a for-hire fishing business). Representation is desired from each state within the Council’s jurisdiction (NC, SC, GA, and the east coast of Florida), as well as those located in the Gulf of Mexico and Greater Atlantic Region (NC to ME) who also participate in South Atlantic managed fisheries. A representative with both for-hire and commercial permits is also desired. Those who serve on other South Atlantic Council advisory panels are eligible to also serve on this panel.

Citizen Science Program – Operations Committee Open Seat

The Council’s Citizen Science Program pursues projects that engage fishermen in data collection to improve information for fisheries management through collaborative science. The program currently has an open seat on its Operations Committee. The Operations Committee is a small group of advisors that provides broad oversight on program priorities, practices, and policies. Learn more about the Citizen Science Program and complete the citizen science pool application online.