Federal Fishery Advisory Panel Seats Open to Applicants

[NCangler]

Members of the public are encouraged to submit applications to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council for seats currently available on its advisory panels. Working at the grass roots level, advisory panel members provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans. The Council has 15 separate advisory panels composed of individuals who are engaged in the harvest of, or are knowledgeable and interested in the conservation and management of the fishery or group of fishes to be managed. Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, conservationists, scientists, and concerned citizens.

Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council and serve for a three-year period, based on the frequency of meetings. As those appointments expire, members currently serving on the AP can reapply for their positions. These seats also become open to new applicants. AP members generally meet no more than once or twice each year and are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings. Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

Information & Education Advisory Panel 1 Open Seat

King and Spanish Mackerel 1 North Carolina Commercial Seat

Advisory Panel 2 Florida Commercial Seats

Deepwater Shrimp Advisory Panel Commercial Seats (Targeting Royal Red Shrimp Fishermen)

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel 1 South Carolina Commercial Seat

1 Georgia Charter/Headboat Seat
1 Non-governmental Agency Representative Seat

If you are interested in serving as a member on the Council's advisory panels, please submit an application to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405. Applications can be obtained by contacting the Council office at 843/571-4366 or toll free 866/SAFMC-10, or online at www.safmc.net.

Advisory panel members will be selected during the next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, scheduled for September 17-21, 2007 in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Applications must be received by August 21, 2007.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils, conserves and manages fish stocks from three to 200 miles offshore of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida.