Council Seeks Applicants for Federal Fishery Advisory Panels and Citizen Science Program
Interested in federal fisheries management and want to become more involved? Apply now for open seats on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels or to participate as an advisor for the Council’s Citizen Science Program.
The Council’s advisory panels inform and guide the Council in developing federal fishery management plans and amendments. Upcoming issues to be addressed in 2024 include options for Dolphin management along the Atlantic coast and a holistic approach to managing the snapper grouper fishery through a Management Strategy Evaluation. The Council will also consider options for recreational permits in the snapper grouper fishery, including an educational component.
In addition, the Council is seeking persons interested in becoming involved in the Council’s Citizen Science Program. Applicants would be considered for various committees that provide guidance as the program continues to expand. Details are included below.
Members of the Council’s advisory panels include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as environmental groups and fishing organizations, and concerned citizens. Seats on advisory panels may be allotted by state and fishery sector, with others considered “at large” and open to any interested person. Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council to three-year terms and may be reappointed for two additional terms. The Council’s advisory panels generally meet once or twice each year and members are compensated for travel and per diem expenses. Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:
Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel | (9) Open Seats
Golden Crab Advisory Panel | (2) Open Seats for historical participants in the fishery (past permit holders)
Habitat and Ecosystem Advisory Panel | (2) At-Large Seats for Georgia representatives
Outreach and Communications Advisory Panel | (7) Open Seats
Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel | (1) Florida Charter Seat and (1) NGO Seat
Wreckfish Advisory Panel | (1) Recreational Seat (experience in deepwater fishing)
Citizen Science Pool
Individuals interested in becoming involved in the Council’s Citizen Science Program should apply to the Citizen Science Pool. Members appointed or reappointed to the pool may be selected to serve on the Citizen Science Operations Committee, Projects Advisory Committee, or an Ad-Hoc Technical Committee. Projects Advisory Committee members must belong to one of the Council’s fisheries advisory panels, Habitat and Ecosystem Advisory Panel, or Outreach and Communications Advisory Panel.
Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the Citizen Science Advisory Committees by visiting the Citizen Science Pool webpage. Note: persons interested in serving should complete a separate Citizen Science Pool application form.
How to Apply
Detailed instructions on how to apply and application forms for individual advisory panels are available online from the Council’s website at:https://safmc.net/about/advisory-panels/. For questions, please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call 843/571-4366.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Council representatives from their area to discuss their interest in serving. Contact information for all Council members is available the Council’s website at https://safmc.net/about/council-members/ or through the Council office.
Applications must be received by Wednesday, October 18, 2023, for consideration by the Council during its December 4-8, 2023 meeting in Beaufort, North Carolina.