SAFMC Award of Excellence Presented to Mel Bell for Dedication to Managing Marine Resources
Mel Bell has been acknowledged by members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council with the SAFMC 2024 Award of Excellence. The award, presented during a social held at the SC Department of Natural Resources as part of the Council’s September meeting, came as a surprise to Mel as he was surrounded by his colleagues representing over 40 years of career service to the SCDNR’s Division of Marine Fisheries and his work at the federal fisheries management level. (photo: L-R Council Executive Director John Carmichael, former Council Chair Dr. Carolyn Belcher, and award recipient Mel Bell).
The Council established the Award of Excellence in 2022 to recognize those who have made substantial contributions to the science, management or sustainability of the marine resources and habitats under the Council’s jurisdiction. Nominations are accepted by Council members, advisory panel members, and members of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee.
Mel joined the Council in 2012 as the SCDNR agency designee and served on the Council until his retirement in December 2023, all the while fulfilling his responsibilities as Director of the SCDNR Office of Fisheries Management in Charleston, South Carolina. He served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Council, leading the Council during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID pandemic. During that time, he also served on multiple species management boards with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).
Prior to heading the Office of Fisheries Management and joining the Council, Mel was responsible for SCDNR’s marine artificial reef program. “Mel established and maintained high standards ensuring the materials deployed at approved sites would enhance biological productivity while also enhancing fishing opportunities,” explained Spud Woodward, former Council representative for GADNR. “Today, many of the fish species managed by the Council benefit from Mel’s tireless efforts.”
During his time on the Council, Mel was known and respected for his positive attitude and ability to bring a broad range of constituents together. “Mel’s patient and respectful demeanor has been a positive reflection on the Council in a time when stakeholder trust and confidence has been sorely tested,” said Woodward. Similar sentiments were expressed by Robert Beal, Executive Director for the ASMFC, noting Mel’s active role as the Menhaden Board Chair, overseeing development of controversial management measures. “This was no small task. Mel did a masterful job of navigating an emotionally and politically charged landscape,” explained Beal.
“Mel began his more than four decades long career and love affair with the ocean in the US Navy, eventually rising to the rank of Captain in the Navy Reserves,” said Robert Boyles, Jr., former Director of the SC Department of Natural Resources. He noted that Mel readily returned to full-time service to his country following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. “This selfless duty to country continued to show through in most everything Mel did, including navigating the difficult challenges of balancing conservation and consumption of fisheries resources, said Boyles. “Mel Bell exemplifies the best of what we do in the business of marine fisheries management.”
Completely surprised to receive the Award of Excellence during the reception in Charleston, Mel returned to address the full Council during its meeting. “Working with this Council as the SCDNR representative has been a privilege,” said Bell, his voice full of emotion. “I am especially grateful for the people I’ve come to know over the years – Council members, agency staff, fishermen, and others directly and indirectly involved in South Atlantic fisheries – it takes everyone to make a great team. I am honored to have played a role in that and to receive this award.”