South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Council Seeks Applicants for Federal Fishery Advisory Panels

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.

The Council’s advisory panels inform and advise the Council in developing federal fishery management plans and amendments. Upcoming issues to be addressed in 2024 include: identifying possible impacts from offshore wind development on habitat; shrimp fishery access area along the Oculina Bank Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern off the east coast of Florida; ongoing King and Spanish Mackerel port meetings along the Atlantic coast; and options for recreational permits in the snapper grouper fishery, including an educational component.

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 a three-year term 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:

Habitat and Ecosystem Advisory Panel: (1) At-Large Florida Seat

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel: (1) Commercial Seat and (1) Recreational Seat

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel: (5) Open Seats

Shrimp Advisory Panel: (1) Open Seat

Deepwater Shrimp Advisory Panel: (1) Open Seat

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel: (1) North Carolina Seat, (1) South Carolina Seat, (2) Florida Seats

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 Friday, April 26, 2024, for consideration by the Council during its June 10-14, 2024 meeting in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida.